BUSINESS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISE

FACULTY OF BUSINESS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENTERPRISE

Faculty Leader: Mrs E Baber

BUSINESS STUDIES DEPARTMENT

Subject Leader: Miss S Caswell

The Business Studies Department offers a range of courses including GCSE, A Level and BTEC courses that allow students to follow pathways that suit their strengths and future aspirations. Students will not only be expected to learn about academic and theoretical models but will also develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of the world of work, through undertaking practical tasks, trips and visits and having the opportunity to speak with industry professionals.

The Business Studies Department is unique in that its subjects are only studied at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. Each room is fully equipped with up to date learning materials and laptops, and every student will receive the help and support they need throughout their studies from specialist teaching and support staff.

Business courses are suitable for those studying in preparation for employment or further education in the business sector including law, accountancy, advertising and marketing, human resources and management. Students will be expected to use communication and IT skills, liaise with industry professionals and explore the dynamic nature of businesses including the impacts of external and internal pressures placed upon them.

KEY STAGE 4

GCSE Business Studies

The GCSE in Business is dynamic, challenging and increasingly relevant during these turbulent economic times. Students will develop an in depth understanding of how businesses are set up and operate and will become highly proficient in the use of ICT and the use of a wide variety of research methods.

This course encourages students to develop a critical understanding of organisations, their legal structure, organisational structures, sources of finance, marketing and operations.

KEY STAGE 5

GCE A Level in Economics and Business

This innovative Economics and Business GCE specification allows students to follow an integrated Economics and Business route. The core units are centred on entrepreneurial skills at Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and on a global perspective at Advanced level (A2).

Emphasis is placed on the global nature of today’s economy and how businesses have to respond to the opportunities and threats of a global economy as well as the effects of growing economic powers such as India and China.

BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Business

The Level 3 BTEC National Subsidiary Diploma in Business is designed to provide highly specialist work-related skills in the Business sector. Students will gain the knowledge, understanding and skills that they need to prepare for employment within Business. The four core units give students an introduction to, and understanding of, the business

environment, management of resources, marketing and communication– all fundamental to the success of business organisations.

The course is broadly equivalent to one GCE A Level and attracts UCAS points in the same way as traditional A Level courses.

ICT DEPARTMENT

Subject Leader: Mrs E Baber

The ICT Department is housed in four specialist rooms each with 22 student computers.

At Key Stage 3 all students have discrete ICT lessons that are taught by specialist staff.  Students will use a range of software including spreadsheets, databases, video editing, graphics, research and an introduction to programming.  As well as developing skills in these applications they will also gain experience in problem solving and develop numeracy and literacy skills.  This will enable them to make an appropriate about the ICT pathway that they will follow at Key Stage 4.

Two pathways exist in Key Stage 4: GCSE ICT and GCSE Computer Studies (WJEC).  Students are able to select a course that is appropriate for their strengths, interests and future aspirations as well as their preferred learning style.  A Level ICT is offered in the Sixth Form.

ICT courses are suitable for those aiming to pursue one of the many careersr directly related to ICT or Computer Science.  They are also relevant to wide variety of other courses such as Business, Marketing and Management.

Students also develop their ICT capability across all subject areas.

A 24 hour Broadband filtered Internet service is available at all network stations. Students have personal E-mail accounts which can be accessed from home.

All ICT rooms have multimedia projectors, interactive whiteboards, web/video cameras and high quality sound systems.

KEY STAGE 3

A challenging and exciting programme exists for all students. The curriculum is mainly theme based and provides students with the opportunity to develop their use of a range of software including Word Processing, Desk Top Publishing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Presentation, Multimedia, Graphics and Modelling. Students use the internet for research and consider some of the social issues of ICT.

In Year 7, students’ ICT skills and capabilities are developed in their integrated curriculum project lessons. These lessons are delivered by the Form Tutors.

In Years 8 and 9, students have discrete ICT lessons delivered by ICT staff. All students work one to a computer.

KEY STAGE 4

Students can choose from two pathways at Key Stage 4:

1. GCSE ICT

The ICT course has always been very popular for both girls and boys and has yielded excellent examination results.

GCSE Structure (WJEC)

Assessment is 60% controlled assessment (completed in lessons) and 40% external examinations.

2.  GCSE Computer Science (WJEC)

This course offers students an opportunity to gain an understanding of how computers work and to create and troubleshoot computer programs for real-life purposes.  It will provide students with valuable programming and computational thinking skills, which are increasingly relevant to a wide variety of jobs.

Year 10

Unit 1: Understanding ICT

Exam – 1.5 hrs 20%

Unit 2: Solving problems with ICT

Controlled Assessment 30%

Year 11

Unit 3: ICT in Organisations

Exam – 1.5 hrs 20%

Unit 4: Developing Multimedia ICT

Controlled Assessment 30%

Accredited by the OCR

All students at Key Stage 4 work one per p.c.

A-LEVEL ICT (WJEC )

AS

IT1 Information Systems

(Written Exam 2½ hours 60%)

IT2 Presenting Information Task

(Coursework 40%)

A2

IT3 Use and Impact of ICT

(Written Exam 2½ hours 60%)

IT4 Relational Database Project

(Coursework 40%)

Every opportunity is provided to allow students to follow their own interests and achieve their full potential.