Course Intention

A-Level Business Course Intention:

The Business A-level course is a continuation of study from the GCSE syllabus, building on the key components and skills taught during Years 10 and 11.  The course is designed for all levels and GCSE study is not required. The pathway for the A-level syllabus is to consider how all manner of businesses adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of the market and their customers. 

We consider A-level Business to be a rigorous academic subject which develops skills in analysis and evaluation, and which helps students to develop an appreciation of the business and economic environment that we live in. The course breeds critical thinkers both at GCSE and A-Level and there is a specific emphasis on examination technique throughout the two years of study in both key stages. Business supports student’s moral and cultural development and prepares them for the diversity of cultural and ethical situations that they will experience throughout their life. Topics in both GCSE and A-Level enable students to critically analyse decisions made by businesses in their pursuit of profit and question whether these decisions are morally right. Furthermore, students gain an understanding of the cultural differences between many different economies across the world and gives students the 
A an experienced group of subject specialists we take pride in our commitment to keeping up to date with the fast-changing business and economic environment, which enables up to date context embedded within the curriculum. This provides students with access to a knowledge rich Business curriculum which is differentiated to meet learning needs and styles. We aim to deliver a KS5 curriculum that stretches students to think critically and evaluate different decisions taken by all levels of management within business. With the knowledge developed and retained using stringent assessment systems, students are encouraged to make informed decisions in relation to different business contexts and economic scenarios. This builds confidence in students and gives them an insight into real world decision making, which they are likely to use in their future working life.

Throughout the A-level course, we challenge our students to think sensitively and carefully about issues businesses face and how the decisions taken by businesses affect themselves and their families. Ethics and morals are an important part of business activity, and we explore the concepts surrounding the poor decisions some managers make in relation to this important area of business. This builds a moral compass within students and in turn will hopefully help students approach social, moral, and cultural decisions in an ethical and sympathetic way. 

There is a focus on interpreting data throughout both key stages in business. This ranges from the calculation of profit, labour turnover rates and capacity utilisation to more complex calculations such as profitability ratios and investment appraisal calculations. Students are then encouraged to interpret this data in any given context and to analyse different outcomes in relation to changes in data and external influences. These skills are invaluable for future careers and make students highly employable in later life. The cross-curricular content builds strength in mathematics and statistical understanding, which helps to improve the understanding of concepts taught across maths and business.
The assessment plan within business enables teachers to embed targeted differentiation throughout the teaching of the curriculum. The use of informal and formal assessments gives students opportunities to show their capabilities in the subject and allows them to express their opinions in relation to different case study contexts. Students are regularly tested in class to help identify gaps in knowledge and understanding. Lessons are then subsequently planned to ensure that this knowledge is covered again to help those struggling with new business terminology and concepts, but also acts a reminder to those whom which business comes more naturally.
Ultimately, we hope, that students will end up in employment and the skills taught within business will give them a competitive advantage when promotion opportunities arise, when applying for new roles, or when making important business decisions. The world is continually changing in many ways, with many aspects affecting it, but none more so than the part business plays. 

Business GCSE Course Intention:

The GCSE Business story starts in Year 10 with understanding why and how business areas are developed. The curriculum focus on developing resilient learners who are able to recover from mistakes and effectively solve problems. This will help develop lifelong learning and future preparation. The business course looks at every aspect of the wonderfully complex nature of business – ranging from small independent organisations to the largest companies in the world. The course focuses on the areas of business development, marketing, finance, operations and the external environment.

Students will gain an understanding of current business decisions and develop an insight into the choices small, medium, and large businesses face in the changing external environment. Students will develop a range of key skills:

• Developing strong business terminology
• Establish the skills of researching real businesses and analysing data
• Utilise mathematical skills to interpret business performance
• Developing creative solutions to business problems.
• Practice the skills of communication and professional presentations

The business department at CCGS aims to provide opportunities through a rigorous curriculum to develop commercial minded and enterprising individuals. Business Studies should enable pupils to know about a range of entrepreneurs and understand how they create successful businesses.  Develop an awareness of their enterprise capabilities so that they are able to consider owning their own business as an alternative career path. They should also be equipped with the employability skills needed for the changing world of work and entrepreneurship.  Students will also have a deep awareness of how businesses are affected by the external environment especially economic issues and how a business can adapt to combat the potential opportunities and threats.

In addition to learning about business theory and calculations, pupils will be required to consider the health, social, moral and ethical issues surrounding business decisions and the impact that businesses can have on a wide range of stakeholders.   Students are encourage to develop an interest in current business and economic affairs by reading widely around the subject in newspapers and magazines, as well as watching business related television programmes. The Business Studies curriculum is highly ambitious and designed to give all pupils the necessary knowledge and skills to progress to successful employment.

He main aim of the Business & Economics Department is to ensure that you develop and achieve Business understanding that is directly transferable, not only to other subjects, but also beyond, developing a wide range of practical and theoretical skills that will prepare you for the future. Therefore, this course is aimed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to be ready for the next stage of their life either in further education or career.

Business BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate Course Intention:

Curriculum Intent:

To ensure students leave with essential skills and knowledge to embrace the challenges of a rapidly changing business environment both in the UK and around the world. Also, to prepare students for the world of work, whether that is starting their own business or working for an organisation.

Why Pearson have been chosen as a provider:

Pearson provide a vocational access route to Business Studies in which students are given the opportunity to study Business from an alternative route to the traditional A Level course. With a BTEC course, coursework forms an element of the overall grade with a greater emphasis on practical, hands on learning.

Why should I study Business BTEC:

Do you see yourself as a head of a successful business? Do you have some great ideas for new products or services? Alternatively, perhaps you want to work for a large company by working in Marketing or Management.

Regardless of your vision, the BTEC Business course gives you an incredibly powerful start to launch you on your journey to becoming a successful businessperson. This Business Studies Course takes a holistic approach to the subject, it demonstrates the interrelated nature of business using business models, theories, and techniques to support analysis of contemporary business issues and situations to provide a dynamic course. The content is designed to engage students through topics and issues that are relevant today – they will study key areas such as Business and Personal Finance and Principles of Marketing, as well as an insight into tools and resources used in the Business world.
 
It is a work-related course, covering a range of activity tasks, role play, written assignments and exams. The course is designed to equip students with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills required for success in future employment in business.

What skills will I gain?

BTEC Courses are vocational which allows you to develop your writing skills extensively. You will be assessed via an exam, set tasks and coursework. Your assessment will involve completing activities including assignments with vocational scenarios that are related to the world of work. Skills developed will include note taking – vital for coursework, written communication, organisation, time management, interaction with others, independence, communication skills and resilience.
 
Students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to analyse data, think critically about issues and make informed decisions – all skills that are needed for further study and employment.

The course itself takes the following format over 2 years.
 
Unit 1: Coursework – The Business Environment
Unit 2: Exam – Marketing
Unit 3: Exam – Finance in Business
Unit 8: Coursework – Recruitment and Selection

What career paths is Business suitable for?

• Business Management
• Investment Consultant
• Marketing
• Human Resource Management
• Financial Analysts
• Accountants
• Business Ownership/Entrepreneurship
• Business Advisory Services
• Manufacturing
• Retail
• Law

Economics A-Level Course Intention: 

Economics at Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School is a ‘real time’ subject which enables students to build a deeper understanding and interpretation of local, national and global issues, which they will take forward with them into their future career and life paths. The course provides students with analytical tools to interpret the world around them to find ways to shape positive change on the great challenges we face in the economy. 

From the start, students will be challenged, and expectations are high. Students will be expected to understand and use technical vocabulary of the subject in all discussions. Connections will be made to many and varied historical and current case-studies and current affairs ranging, for example from the financial crash in 2008, the global covid pandemic, the demise of the NHS, the negative consequences of online gambling to name a few. Students will be expected to keep up to date with current economic events through reading a reputable news source and bring this knowledge into each lesson. 

The analytical tools are split into microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students will use writing skills to apply theories and build arguments alongside mathematical skills of statistical modelling by using graphs and charts to communicate theory and real-life application.  

The journey of microeconomics will enable students to learn the fundamental economic problem of finite resources but infinite wants, how markets operate to solve this problem or not and how the government needs to intervene to correct any market failure, such as environmental problems, under provision of education and health care and the over consumption of certain goods such as sugar, alcohol, gambling as some examples. Understanding how competitive markets operate and affect the decision making of firms will be examined and how the government may also need to intervene to combat uncompetitive behaviour from firms. 

The macroeconomic journey takes the student away from looking at particular industries, markets and firms and evaluating the wider economic issues affecting all, such as economic growth, inflation, unemployment and international trade. These are all affected by different government policies which will be examined and judged in their effectiveness. This is expanded onto the global perspective, to understand why some economies are more economically developed than others or why there is more global inequality and poverty in some parts of the world and what strategies exist to further promote their development, such as global trading partnerships.  

The intention is to equip students with a cultural capital in economics to facilitate a different way of seeing the world that makes them stand out from other students. By the end of the course, students will be able to: 

• Converse in an informed way about some of the greatest challenges facing their generation. 
• Confidently command the use of evidence and data to support arguments. 
• Use economic theory and models about real world scenarios to demonstrate strong analytical skills that help you examine the causes and consequences of different economic phenomena. 
• See balance in situations, weighing up competing arguments and seeing different viewpoints. 
• Through studying economics, students are gaining the skills and preparing themselves to open doors to their future careers, be that at university or apprenticeships with global organisations.