Robert Clack School | Business Studies

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Prospectus

Business Studies

Subject Staff

Mr S Richardson BA (Hons) P.G.C.E

Miss R Stewart BA (Hons) P.G.C.E. P.G.D.L

Mr R Taylor BSc (Econ) Hons P.G.C.E

Miss K Bevan

Mr P Tierney (Teacher/Enterprise Advisor)

Mr A Gauthier (Teacher/Enterprise Advisor)

Mrs K French

Mr G Jarrett (Enterprise Advisor)

The Business Studies department consists of 8 full time members of staff. A wide range of courses are offered to students at Key Stage 4 and Post-16 including:

BTEC First Certificate Business Studies

BTEC National Award

AS/A Level Economics

Staff within the Business area also make contributions to the delivery of:

Young Enterprise

BTEC Short Course in Preparing For Enterprise

General Studies at AS and A Level

IFS Personal Finance

Additional Information

The Department is also fully involved in the delivery of the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative. This is a Government scheme which aims to boost local incomes and employment opportunities in local areas through enterprise and investment. Robert Clack School acts as the geographical and educational focal points for the development of all enterprise related activities within the borough. This includes work with all primary, secondary and other stakeholder groups within the borough. The department has three enterprise advisors working within the school to coordinate this work.

The ethos in the department is one that supports teamwork with collaborative planning, resourcing and moderating of work a key feature. Every contribution is valued and all members are encouraged to play a full part in the day-to-day decision making process.

Examination Results

The results achieved by Business Studies students at all levels exceed national standards. Staff have high expectations and students are encouraged to set themselves high standards. In 2008, 98% of students achieved 4 A*-C’s at BTEC. The department received an Alps score of 3 at Key Stage 5 with 60% of students gaining an A grade at this level.

Key Stage 4

The Business BTEC Course focuses on preparing learners with the knowledge, analysis and practical skills required in the world of business. The two year course requires learners to complete three pieces of coursework: Exploring Business Purposes, Investigating Financial Control and Exploring Business Enterprise - an extended piece of coursework which will allow learners to develop entrepreneurial skills and consolidate their learning to date with an investigation into a business venture of their choice.

Results in the department are well above the National Average with 94% of pupils achieving Grades A-C in 2006.

Key Stage 5

This six-unit BTEC National Award offers a specialist qualification that focuses on particular aspects of employment within the sector. In order to pass the course students must successfully complete six portfolio based units. There are no exams on this course.

Examples of units covered in Year 1 are: Introduction to Business (A general overview of the business world and functions), Presenting Business Information (An investigation of primary and secondary research material and the presentation of a formal business report on a chosen business) and Finance, Cashflow and Insolvency ( A look at the techniques used in managing working capital and investigating the performance of a business from their accounts.)

Useful Websites

Bized (www.bized.co.uk)
Business Studies Online (www.businessstudiesonline.co.uk)
Times (www.timesonline.co.uk)

gifted and talented pupils in business studies

How do we identify gifted students?

We look for students who;

Show an enthusiasm and interest in the subject

Seek to independently further their understanding and knowledge of the subject

Demonstrate an ability to apply their business knowledge to the business environment outside the classroom

Demonstrate an ability to apply and evaluate key business concepts to real businesses.

How are gifted students supported in Business Studies?

The new BTEC course provides students with the opportunity to apply their business knowledge to the real business environment. Students are encouraged to investigate and research real businesses in order to incorporate them into the assignments. An emphasis is placed on ensuring students are kept up to date with business developments within the news. This provides plenty of opportunities for gifted students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject. In addition to this students are provided with the opportunity to plan and start their own business within the BTEC Key Stage 4 Course, providing plenty of opportunities to apply key business skills to their own creative business idea.

Differentiated lessons that challenge the way students think enable gifted students to be provided with the support and guidance to extend their learning within lessons. In addition to this support is provided outside lessons within lunch times and after school to provide additional teacher support and allow students to maximise their potential within the subject, developing the key skills required for achieving the higher grades. Such students are encouraged to complete tasks outside of the learning environment to consolidate and extend their learning through independent study.

Focus is placed on providing students with constructive and formative feedback both within lessons and through the completion of homework and independent tasks to ensure gifted students are able to develop their understanding and knowledge of the subject. The department provides a range of visits and enterprising events throughout the school year to encourage gifted students to apply their skills to a variety of business activities. In addition to this the department currently runs a BTEC Business Short Course at Key Stage 3 as an extracurricular club with gifted students which has proved to be extremely successful and enjoyed by all students involved.

What can gifted students do to pursue their interest in Business?

Reading broadsheet newspapers such as the Times and listening to the news is a key way to enable students to observe the impact of businesses within a global business environment. Staying up to date with current economic and business issues provides students with an excellent opportunity to extend both their business terminology and understanding of the subject. Watching television programmes such as Alan Sugars: The Apprentice and Dragons Den that encourage students to apply their business knowledge and experience in an enterprising way are also recommended in developing students understanding and interest of the subject.

Work experience and visiting real businesses enables students to gain an insight into how businesses operate and their importance in a functioning economy. Students are encouraged to take advantage of such opportunities provided within school, however also wherever possible develop their own links with businesses which will allow for a greater understanding of the functions and role businesses have to play in today’s global environment.

The department organises a Business Bursary for students across the borough. The bursary is open to all year 12 students in schools across the borough. The scheme works with 10 students who get individual one on one training and development in a variety of areas. The project helps to create and strengthen the enterprise culture within the borough, by motivating and inspiring students, enhancing and developing their skills, enthusing students to aspire to greater things and achieve more particularly in enterprise.

The scheme incorporates a mix of visits, personal training, development and mentoring, using a variety of learning styles as necessary.

Parents can also encourage the use of the internet as an effective tool to allow students to develop their understanding of the subject. Websites such as www.bized.co.uk provide students with a range of knowledge and case studies, ensuring they are kept up to date with topical issues and provides a range of activities students can work through to develop their understanding of the subject.