Introduction

Within business studies, we empower students to take control of their own destiny and to dream of a transformational future. The subject intent is to teach each student how to start and run their own business. This will transform their skills and enable every student to become a contributing member of society.

The use of current economic information forms the basis of classroom teaching and creates a sense of awe and wonder in the students as they start to apply the knowledge to their personal experiences and lifestyles. The dynamic nature of business is also reflected in the teaching resources used. The subject is an option subject in KS4 only. Some of the concepts are covered in the character lessons the students experience at KS3.

KS4

At the St Lawrence Academy, we follow the AQA GCSE Business specification. There are 6 components to the business curriculum. Each of these components cover a functional area of the business and encourages students to research and discover the mechanics of each of these areas. The first two units are a basic introduction to the world a business operates in. The last four units include the topics of human resources, operations, Marketing and finance. Students gain an understanding of the shift taking place from brick-and-mortar trading to that of E-commerce and can identify the impact that technology is having on the business world.

Careers

This subject area opens up a plethora of business opportunities for students. This ranges from being self-employed to specialising in the different functional areas of a business. Students get to identify the different types of careers they will encounter ranging from:

  • Project Manager
  • Accountant
  • Web designer
  • Recruitment agent
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Receptionist
  • Financial Services
  • Retail Management

Students can gain a practical understanding of the world they live in as they identify the roles family members play with their diverse job roles and how they contribute to the community as a whole.