Business and Economics

Business and Economics Curriculum

Our aim is to provide a high-quality business education which gives pupils a greater understanding and awareness of the world they live in, but more specifically how individuals and businesses work within the economy. The curriculum will teach pupils key knowledge of the main functional areas of business, including Human Resources, Operations management, Marketing and Finance. Pupils are actively encouraged to keep up to date with current affairs and how these events affect businesses locally, nationally and internationally through a combination of theory and practical based tasks.

By the time they leave Whickham school, pupils will not only have gained key knowledge and skills in the four main functional areas of business but will have developed key application, analytical and evaluative skills essential to be successful in the world of business. The assessment objectives they demonstrate will support the development of learning across both key stages, ensuring a solid foundation for future employment, learning and beyond.

What we want to achieve

a practical curriculum that seeks every opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real world contexts.
a relevant and diverse curriculum that will expose pupils to current thinking and practice.
a challenging and engaging curriculum that encourages pupils to solve problems independently
a curriculum which fosters a love of learning and a clear development of skills, allowing our team to share and model their passion for their subject
a curriculum which allows all pupils, no matter what ability or classroom they find themselves in, to make the best possible progress

What skills and knowledge will pupils develop?

Pupils will learn to apply their knowledge and understanding to different business contexts ranging from small enterprises to large multinationals and businesses operating in local, national and global contexts. Pupils will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact on business behaviour, and will learn to draw on their knowledge and understanding to:

intra personal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation
interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.
use business terminology to identify and explain business activity
apply business concepts to familiar and unfamiliar contexts
develop problem solving and decision making skills relevant to business, use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology
investigate, analyse and evaluate business opportunities and issues
make justified decisions using both qualitative and quantitative data including its selection, interpretation, analysis and evaluation, and the application of appropriate quantitative skills
generate enterprising and creative approaches to business opportunities, problems and issues
be aware of the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by organisations and individuals

Access for all pupils

All learners must be encouraged to improve both their confidence and competence in digital literacy during all aspects of their learning, this is inclusive of cross curricular links, and also any elements of their education whereby IT might be better exploited to improve their learning.
Feedback used to direct differentiation and progress through the topics
Tracking sheets used to identify whole class misconceptions and targeted intervention.
Scaffolding present through curriculum resources which seek to support less able pupils in segmenting their learning and allow more able students to challenge their understanding.
Use of WAGOLLs, helping hands and challenge tasks available for every topic.
Revision checklists produced to aid students in the production of comprehensive revision resources to consolidate learning.