Business & Finance

The Business Studies program at Gable Hall School is designed to empower students with a deep understanding of the global economics landscape, fostering leadership, management, and decision-making skills while instilling financial awareness.

Intent:

Immerse students in the dynamic world of Business, encouraging them to challenge societal perceptions. This enables informed decision-making about their lives and the broader impact of actions.
Develop an increasing knowledge of global economics, equipping students with real-life skills. This includes understanding the impact of interest rates on consumers and the economy, fostering financial literacy, comprehension, and analytical skills.
Spark imagination and inspire commercial thinking by mastering concepts in marketing, finance, operations, and human resources. This empowers students to translate abstract terms into real-world applications.
Implementation

Implementation: To achieve these goals, teachers at Gable Hall School will:

Plan and deliver lessons ensuring students develop the necessary skills to engage with global economics and understand the functioning of the business world.
Cultivate an understanding of successful entrepreneurship and raise awareness of students' enterprise capabilities, preparing them for the evolving world of work and entrepreneurship.
Provide frequent opportunities for students to discuss the world of business from a personal perspective.
Offer opportunities to study financial case studies and engage with business leaders.
Require students to consider the health, social, moral, and ethical implications of business decisions.
Focus on the progression and continuity of skills over time, including exam craft, research, interpretation, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Provide opportunities for students to articulate their viewpoints, challenge each other's views, and justify their perspectives, crucial skills for success in business and exams.
Encourage students to read widely around the subject and expose them to business-related programs.
Embed metacognition strategies into lessons, developing students' thought processes and understanding of their optimal learning strategies, including retrieval practice and revision strategies.
Carefully monitor students' progress against key endpoints, providing support for those falling behind and stretching those not working at full capacity.
Celebrate students' work through displays, school exhibitions, and competitions within GH School and the wider community.

Impact The Business Studies program anticipates the following impact on students:

Significant progress and achievement from their starting points.
Ability to articulate a comprehensive knowledge of the complexities of running a successful business, understanding how business actions evolve based on the economic environment.
Improved understanding of personal and business finance, facilitating effective financial management now and in the future.
Cultivation of a lifelong interest in the world of business.
Confidence and skills to consider entrepreneurship or involvement in the business world, aligned with their aspirations.

Navigating Business and Finance: Empowering Future Leaders

Journey into the heart of the Business and Finance department, where pupils embark on a dynamic exploration of essential concepts underpinning successful entrepreneurship. The curriculum weaves a comprehensive tapestry, delving into the intricacies of business operations, ownership models, and functional domains encompassing finance, marketing, personnel, and operations.

Equipping for Entrepreneurship

With a profound emphasis on practicality, pupils are primed to unravel the fundamentals of managing their own ventures. This includes understanding the nuances of ownership, exploring diverse business structures, and delving into the dynamic realms of finance, marketing, personnel management, and operations.

An Insight into Economic Dynamics

Pupils are beckoned to develop a nuanced understanding of the economic landscape. This encompasses grasping vital economic indicators and factors that shape the trajectory of businesses. Additionally, students delve into the realm of government interventions, gaining insights into how external factors influence the business arena.

Cultivating a Multifaceted Skill Set

A journey through the Business and Finance department is synonymous with skill refinement. Students not only acquire knowledge but also hone cross-curriculum proficiencies. They harness ICT prowess, wield mathematical acumen, embrace effective teamwork, and polish their communication abilities in both written and verbal presentation.

As they progress through this educational odyssey, pupils emerge not just as learners, but as future leaders armed with the acumen to navigate the complexities of the business realm. The Business and Finance department serves as a crucible for forging not only business acumen but also holistic skills that resonate far beyond the confines of the classroom.

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 4: Paving the Path to Business and Economics Excellence

Our primary objective during Key Stage 4 is to cultivate a genuine passion for Business and Economics, setting the stage for students to propel their studies to higher levels. Our efforts are consistently rewarded as a substantial number of our students proceed to our Sixth Form or embark on Higher Level Apprenticeships, guided by their burgeoning interest in these domains.

Elevating Business and Economics Acumen

The BTEC Nationals Diploma in Business Level 3 stands as a pivotal conduit for students to acquire a profound understanding of the business sector's intricate dynamics. This qualification seamlessly equips them with the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and comprehensive insights that lay the groundwork for advanced study, further training, or productive employment. Through this program, we foster not just knowledge but an adeptness that ensures our students are well-prepared for their next steps.

Nurturing Economic Insight

In the realm of Economics, our approach aims at nurturing a deep-seated interest in economic matters and predicaments. We empower students to articulate their ideas lucidly and cogently through both written and oral forms of expression. This skill, honed within the Economics curriculum, prepares them to navigate the complexities of economic discourse and analysis with finesse.

Year 10: Embracing Financial Literacy

Year 10 is an integral juncture where students embark on a journey of financial literacy through the 'Technical Certificate in Finance' qualification, fondly known as TCF. This program unearths the nuances of personal and business finance, delivered through three comprehensive units. Units 1 and 2, encompassing 10-hour controlled assessments conducted digitally and externally assessed by the esteemed London Institute of Banking & Finance, build practical skills. Unit 3, evaluated through an external examination at the course's culmination, showcases the depth of their comprehension.

In essence, our commitment at Key Stage 4 goes beyond education; it is about equipping students with the passion, skills, and insights that propel them towards excellence in the world of Business and Economics. With each step, we shape the future leaders, innovators, and thinkers who will drive these fields to new heights.

Business KS4 Curriculum Map

Key Stage 5

In the Sixth Form pupils are following the vocational BTEC National Diploma Course (equivalent to 2 A' Levels) in Business which requires the completion of 8 units of work over the 2 years. Units of work are either examinations, externally set and marked tasks; or internally set and marked assignments (which are then externally moderated). The units focus on different aspects of business including personnel, finance, marketing and operations.

The Financial Studies Diploma from The London Institute of Banking & Finance is also offered at the Sixth Form. The qualification structure splits the course into four units each of which have an end of unit formal examination. Units 1 and 2 are completed in Year 12 resulting in the Financial Studies Certificate qualification; with Units 3 and 4 taken in Year 13 resulting in the Financial Studies Diploma qualification. The course provides an in-depth exploration of the important concepts of financial education and how to apply them in achieving longer-term financial stability. Pupils develop an understanding of financial planning, to support entry to university on finance and banking courses and a wide range of other disciplines. It also supports progression to a wide range of entry level occupations within finance, ensuring that learners understand the sector and a have range of transferrable skills and knowledge.

Financial Studies Diploma specification:

https://www.libf.ac.uk/docs/default-source/financial-capability/qualification-specifications/dipfs-qualification-specification.pdf?sfvrsn=cccf418d_30

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business Specification:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/BTEC-Nationals/Business/2016/specification-and-sample-assessments/9781446938232_BTECNationals_Bus_Dip_Spec_Iss3C.pdf

SMSC in Business Studies

SMSC Development in Business Studies at Gable Hall School - Click Here

Spiritual Development in Business Studies:

In our Business Studies curriculum, students are encouraged to explore complex societal issues such as sexism, racism, and discrimination. Through discussions of laws, recruitment practices, and their implications on businesses, students engage in thought-provoking conversations that prompt them to reflect on their own beliefs and values. They are encouraged to express their opinions, examine various examples, and contemplate ethical considerations, fostering spiritual development through critical self-examination.

Moral Development in Business Studies:

Moral development is a fundamental aspect of our Business Studies program. Students delve into employment legislation and investigate discrimination within workplace contexts, prompting ethical reflections on fairness and justice. Additionally, students engage in a comprehensive exploration of ethics in business, pondering why some businesses embrace ethical practices while others do not. These enquiries empower students to develop a strong moral compass and a heightened awareness of ethical considerations in the business world.

Cultural Development in Business Studies:

Our Business Studies curriculum takes a global perspective, encouraging students to examine the impact of the European Union (EU) on business trade. Through this exploration, students gain insights into the cultural and economic diversity of different countries. They conduct research on less economically developed nations, comprehending the profound effects of economic disparities on businesses and individuals. This fosters cultural awareness and an appreciation for the interconnectedness of business and culture on a global scale.

Social Development in Business Studies:

Social development thrives in our Business Studies program as students engage in collaborative projects. The Enterprise unit, in particular, offers students the opportunity to work together as a small business, fostering teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills. They develop product ideas and marketing strategies collaboratively and present them in a "Dragons Den" lesson, enhancing their presentation and communication abilities. Throughout the GCSE course, students are consistently encouraged to refine their teamwork skills through collaborative projects and research, preparing them for future professional success in a socially interconnected world.

In summary, Gable Hall School's Business Studies curriculum not only equips students with essential business knowledge but also promotes holistic SMSC development by encouraging critical thinking, ethical considerations, cultural awareness, and effective teamwork.