The Charter School

We have over 200 students in Key Stage 4 and 5 choosing one of our choice of Business Studies courses. Results are impressive and improving every year.

Business Studies aims to:

·Develop students’ critical understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value. This will involve consideration of the internal workings and management of organisations and the process of decision-making in a dynamic external environment

·Create students’ awareness that business behaviour can be studied from the perspectives of a range of stakeholders including customer, manager, creditor, owner/shareholder and employee.

·Students should be aware of the economic, environmental, ethical, governmental, legal, social and technological issues associated with business activity.

·Enable students to acquire a range of skills including decision-making and problem solving in the light of evaluation and, where appropriate, the quantification and management of information.

At Key Stage 4 there are three different vocational Business courses to choose from. They vary in terms of assessment and the number of GCSE that can be obtained:

·BTEC First Certificate in Business Studies – this is 100% coursework and results in 2 GCSEs A*–C (This can be increased to a Diploma which is the equivalent of 4 GCSEs suitable for students who are able). Students are taught for 6 hours a week using 2 GCSE option choices

·GCSE Short course in Business Studies – this is 100% exam and is the equivalent to half a GCSE. Students are taught for 1 lesson a week

·GCSE Single award in Business Studies – this is 100% exam and is the equivalents to 1 GCSE. Students are taught for 3 hours a week

·GCSE Double award – this is 50% coursework and 50% exam and is equivalent to 2 GCSEs. Students are taught for 6 hours a week using 2 option choices.

At Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form) there are two courses to choose from.

·A Level Business Studies – 100% exam. Students are taught for five hours a week

·BTEC National Diploma in Business and personal finance – 100% coursework. Students are taught for five hours a week.

·Students receive a chance of attending a five week work placement at a prestigious city based financial organisation (a requirement of the BTEC National Diploma)

We have a dedicated business room with interactive whiteboards, audio-visual equipment and computers

Our Business Studies have a wealth of teaching experience as which is supported by impressive industry experience. A member of staff also successfully oversees the running of an internet-based organisation they established. The enthusiasm and energy displayed by our staff is impressive. We have established a wide range of contacts in both local and national organisations. We have also established links with prestigious city firms, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, SJ Berwin, Norton Rose and The Worshipful Institute of Investment Bankers.

We take part in many activities designed for the Extension and Enrichment of Business studies. Competitions (regional and national) have included:

·Young Enterprise

·Selling for success

·Career academy

·Revision conferences