Vision
The Business Studies department’s vision is to create a recognised community of learning, knowledge creation and practice which prepares students for the challenges and opportunities within the local and global economies of the 21st century. It is a vision that is anchored in the values of intellectual excellence, innovation and relevance, but equally looks forward and embraces the expectations and aspirations of contemporary society to allow all students an equal chance to succeed in this world.
Intent
The Business Studies department’s vision is to create a recognised community of learning, knowledge creation and practice to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities within the local and global economies of the 21st century. It is a vision that is anchored in the values of intellectual excellence, innovation and relevance, but equally looks forward and embraces the expectations and aspirations of contemporary society to allow all students an equal chance to succeed in this world.
Implementation
Throughout their studies, students will investigate the world of business both locally and globally using a variety of real case studies linked to the concepts they will be studying during lessons. Topics will include preparing a pitch for a mini enterprise and examining the business world in their local area. The course will be taught using booklets, knowledge organisers and textbooks. Lessons will be adapted so that all students can always fully access the Business Studies and Enterprise curriculum.
As often as possible, alumni or local business owners will be encouraged to visit lessons to share their experience of the types of businesses that they have chosen to set up or work in. This is so that students can see the bigger picture and how businesses in the local area are interdependent on each other and therefore contribute to the success of the local economy in the South West. Regular retrieval practice will be embedded in lessons to ensure that any knowledge has been retained by all students.
Many different skills will be taught throughout the course of their business choices. These skills will include how to calculate a variety of business accounts and analyse the data to ensure the success of a business alongside the logistics of how to set up and run a business so that it succeeds in the first year of trading and does not suffer from the climate of the economy at that time.
All business courses follow a logical sequence of lessons to enable students to see the logistics of business. They will have a variety of opportunities to experience business first hand on their learning journeys. It is essential that students are fully aware how Business Studies fits into the wider curriculum and relates to their Future choices. At every opportunity they will be made aware of the choices available in the future for their careers and of the vast variety of jobs available throughout the business world both locally and globally and the many alternatives to becoming the person that they want to be.
BTEC Business Level 3 and BTEC Enterprise at Level 2 is assessed using a variety of examinations and practical coursework. Exams can be taken in January and May for BTEC Level 3 and pre-released topics for coursework will be issued in October and March for the BTEC Level 2 Technical Award in Enterprise. The Component 3 exam will be sat in Year 11.
Students will have an exciting opportunity to partake in the national Tycoon Enterprise Challenge in collaboration with The Peter Jones Foundation and an annual academy-based Enterprise competition.
Business & Enterprise Curriculum Overview
Business Age Related Expectations
Business & Enterprise Assessment Journey
Impact
The proposed impact of studying Business is that any student who takes these courses can be successful in the business world. They will learn skills including how to interact with people of all ages and backgrounds and know the importance of how to conduct themselves in the different scenarios that they could encounter in the future. This curriculum works in parallel with Magna Academy’s skills builder programme, to help students build essential skills such as leadership, teamwork and speaking as well as listening.
Students will learn to be confident and resilient so that they can make a positive contribution to the community where they choose to be when they leave the academy.
Having an excellent set of results will help them to move on to whichever path they choose, be it at university in an apprenticeship or job and the knowledge that they have learned in Business Studies or Enterprise will help them to gain a successful and exciting future.