Faculty of Business, Information Technology and Enterprise
Cyfadran Fusnes, Technoleg Gwybodaeth a Menter
Faculty Leader: Mr L McAtee
The Business, Information Technology and Enterprise Faculty was formed in September 2011. We work as a Faculty to develop programmes of study and extra-curricular activities that will enable students to make informed, appropriate choices from the range of KS4/5 pathways we offer.
BUSINESS STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Adran Astudiaethau Busnes
Subject Leader: Mr J Williams
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 places 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.
WJEC Vocational Award in Business
The WJEC Vocational Award in Retail Business offers a learning experience that focuses learning for 14-16 year olds through applied learning, i.e. acquiring and applying knowledge, skills and understanding through purposeful tasks set in sector or subject contexts that have many of the characteristics of real work.
The qualification is built from discrete units, but allows for both synoptic learning and assessment. Each unit has an applied purpose, which acts as a focus for the learning in the unit. The applied purpose is the vehicle through which the learning contained in the unit is made relevant and purposeful. It is also the means by which learners are enthused, engaged and motivated to study retail business. The applied purpose provides the opportunity for authentic work related learning, but more than this, it will require learners to consider how the use and application of their learning impacts on individuals, employers, society and the environment. The applied purpose will also enable learners to learn in such a way that they develop.
The qualification has been devised around the concept of a ‘plan, do, review’ approach to learning, where learners are introduced to a context for learning, review previous learning to plan activities, carry out activities and review outcomes and learning. This approach mirrors many work related activities in retail business and retail operations and also provides for learning in a range of contexts thus enabling learners to apply and extend their learning. As such, the qualification provides learners with a broad appreciation of work in retail business related industries and wider opportunities for progression into further education, employment or training.
IN THE SIXTH FORM
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 assessment approach of the BTEC Nationals in Business allows learners to receive feedback on their progress throughout the course as they provide evidence towards the assessment and grading criteria. Evidence for assessment may be generated through a range of diverse activities including assignment and project work, case studies, workplace assessment, role play and oral presentation.
GCE A Level Economics
A Level Economics is a contemporary and dynamic course that provides a coherent combination of micro-economic and macro-economic content. Students will develop an understanding of economic concepts and theories through critical consideration of current economic issues, problems and institutions that affect everyday life, drawing on local, national and global contexts.
Economics is a study of scarce resources and how those resources are allocated to various uses in a market economy. Students will be required to understand the economic behaviour of consumers, producers and governments. This course enables students to develop an in-depth understanding of the role markets play and the way in which governments seek to manage them.
The subject is split into two main sections; micro- economics and macro-economics. Macro-economics looks at the big issues affecting the economy as a whole such as unemployment, inflation, stability and growth, whereas microeconomics looks at individuals and businesses focusing on supply and demand and other forces that determine the price levels seen in the economy
COMPUTING DEPARTMENT
Adran Gyfrifiaduron
Subject Leader: Mr L McAtee
Resources
The Department is housed in purpose designed air-conditioned accommodation in the Phoenix Building. There are four rooms, each with 26 student workstations. All rooms have multimedia projectors, interactive whiteboards and sound systems.
KEY STAGE 3
A challenging and exciting programme exists for all students. As the new curriculum evolves, Digital Literacy will be developed within the Integrated Curriculum and other subject areas. Dedicated Computing provision exists for the further development of ICT and Computer Science specific skills.
All KS3 students have two lessons of Computing per fortnight. Class size is approximately 20 students and all are able to work one per workstation.
The KS3 curriculum provides students with the opportunity to develop a range of Computing skills including Spreadsheets, Website Creation, Computational Thinking through Algorithms and Data Representation, HMTL and programming, Cybersecurity, Graphics, Video Editing and Staying Safe Online.
Students have a choice of pathways at both KS4 and KS5. The examination board for all courses is WJEC.
KEY STAGE 4
GCSE ICT
This course offers students an opportunity to identify and solve real problems by designing information and communication systems in a wide range of contexts. It develops students’ interdisciplinary skills and their capacity for imaginative, innovative thinking, creativity and independence. Assessment is 60% controlled assessment (completed in lessons) and 40% external examinations.
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%
GCSE Computer Science
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.
Structure of Course
Unit 1
Understanding Computer Science Exam - 1.45hrs - 50%
Unit 2
Computational Thinking and Programming On screen Practical Exam - 2hrs - 30%
Unit 3
Software Development Controlled Assessment - 20hrs - 20%
IN THE SIXTH FORM
A-Level ICT
A-Level ICT encourages students to become discerning users of ICT. Students develop a broad range of ICT skills and knowledge and understanding of ICT.
AS
IT1 Information Systems
Written Exam - 2 1/4 hours - 24% of A Level
IT2 Presenting Information
Task Coursework - 16% of A Level
A2
IT3 Use and Impact of ICT
Written Exam - 2.5 hours - 36% of A Level
IT4 Relational Database Project
Coursework - 24% of A Level
A Level Computer Science
A Level Computer Science enables learners to develop a broad range of skills in the areas of programming, system development, computer architecture, data, communications and applications.
Unit 1
Fundamentals of computer Science
Written Examination - 25% of A Level
Unit 2
Practical Programming to Solve Problems
On-screen examination - 15% of A Level
Unit 3
Programming and System Development
Written examination - 20% of A Level
Unit 4
Computer Architecture, Data, Communication
Written examination - 20% of A Level
Unit 5
Programmed Solution to a Problem
Coursework - 20% of A Level.
Every opportunity is provided to allow students to follow their own interests and achieve their full potential