Business Studies
Business Studies has a place in the education of all students and at North Birmingham Academy is taught explicitly through GCSE / A level courses and BTEC qualifications and implicitly through elements of the Creative Curriculum, PSHE, Citizenship and the delivery of Enterprise and Work Related learning activities.
Essential skills such as risk taking, negotiating and presenting are introduced and developed in all students as they are encouraged to explore how businesses operate, the challenges they face and the roles within them.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7,8,9)
Business ideas and enterprising skills are delivered as elements rather than core lessons incorporated into the Creative Curriculum PLTS and PSHE. In particular developing student’s awareness of money and personal finance as well as fund raising for charity and the operations of a school based bank.
If they wish, students can work in the school bank as an enrichment activity and take part in exciting dragons den style challenges during enterprise week each year.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)
Students can opt to study Business at both GCSE and BTEC level.
GCSE is a two year course under the AQA specification and is assessed by exams and controlled assessments throughout the two years achieving a single GCSE qualification.
BTEC is in the first year the First Certificate and in the second year the First Diploma allowing students to potentially gain the equivalent of 4 GCSE passes. The course is assessed wholly by assignments.
Skills of business and enterprise are also delivered to all students as part of PSHE. This particularly reflects preparation for working life, managing your own finances and the skills required to be an effective team player, negotiator and confident risk taker.