Business is at the heart of national growth and development, and this is reflected in the opportunities for learners in the Business department at Higham Lane School. Our main aim is to prepare students to develop crucial skills and knowledge which will allow them to access, understand and contribute to a dynamic business environment. We aim to prepare students for their working life by giving them an insight into what is involved in running a business or working as part of an existing business by encouraging economic and business understanding. Whatever you do in your professional life, the chances are that it will involve business. For any career, it is useful to understand the way business is run. The popularity of reality TV shows such as The Apprentice have raised the profile of the country’s business success stories and provided a real insight into the ups and downs of following your business dream. We focus on teaching Business in a very practical hands-on way.  Students can choose from GCSE Business or Retail Business, our vocational qualification.

Year 10 GCSE Business Curriculum

Students begin by studying enterprise and entrepreneurship and learn how to spot a business opportunity using market research and segmentation. They find out how to put a business idea into practise by learning about financial implications, business planning, location, ownership types and the marketing involved in a start-up. Students also learn about external influences on a business.  After each mini topic, students complete a mini-test and are regularly assessed at the end of each section. Year 10 is an important year for Business students as we cover essential theory that helps students to develop logical chains of reasoning that explain the decisions businesses make. All Business students will be assessed in an end of year examination to check their knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation.

Year 11 GCSE Business Curriculum

Business students continue onto their second unit where they learn about growing a business, globalisation and the importance of making sound marketing decisions. They also learn about making operational decisions through the methods of production, sales and quality. Students also learn about making financial decisions which are important when trying to secure the financial security of a business. Finally, students learn about the human resources department and the importance of recruitment and selection, training, motivation, ways of working and the need for effective communication. Once again, after each mini topic, students complete a mini test. They are regularly assessed at the end of each section.  Business students continue revision up to their final exams.

Year 10 Retail Business Curriculum

Students studying Retail Business, undertake two internal assessments worth 30% each and one external examination worth 40%.  Students begin by studying Unit 1, the Introduction to Retail Business, the external examination unit content.  They learn about different types of retailers, their ownership type, scale, aims, functional areas and the important supply chain process.  Students are based in computer suites so that they can access current up to date information for their research.  The first controlled assessment takes place in Year 10.  It is worth 30% of the course and involves students visiting businesses and evaluating how one of them offers effective Customer Service.

Year 11 Retail Business Curriculum

Students complete their study of Unit 1 in Year 11 by learning about how competitive and dynamic retail businesses are, why location matters and how external factors can have a huge impact on their performance.  Seasonality is an important part of the retailer’s calendar and students research, analyse and evaluate the impact on different retail businesses. The final controlled assessment takes place in Year 11.  It is worth 30% of the course and involves students researching effective visual merchandising and visiting businesses to see the theory in practise. After the final controlled assessment, revision on all Unit 1 topics takes place and students sit their final examination.

Year 12 Curriculum

In Year 12, students study two different themes. Theme 1 is about marketing and human resources, and Theme 2 is about finance and production systems. Students learn about these specific topics through a range of resources and use current up-to-date business information. They learn the necessary examination technique and begin practising extended answers working either as a group, in pairs or individually. Students produce their own revision aids to reinforce their knowledge and are encouraged to read around the subject and keep up with the dynamic world of business. Throughout Year 12, students will have regular knowledge tests and are set regular assessments to ensure that they are producing work to examination standard.

Year 13 Curriculum

In Year 13, students study another two different themes. Theme 3 is all about strategy and growth, decision making techniques, influences on decisions, assessing competitiveness and managing change. Theme 4 looks at globalisation, global markets and business expansion, global marketing and industries. Students learn about these specific topics through a range of resources and use up-to-date business information. They continue to practise and develop extended answers working either as a group, in pairs or individually. They produce their own revision aids, read around the subject and keep up with the dynamic world of business. Throughout Year 13, students will have regular knowledge tests on Year 12 work also and are set regular assessments to ensure that they are producing work to examination standard.

S MCKERNAN, Subject Leader for Business and Economics

For further details on this subject, please feel free to email us contactus@highamlaneschool.co.uk