The Business/ICT Department delivers the ICT curriculum at KS3 following government guidelines. At KS4 pupils have the choice of studying  OCR ICT  or OCR Business and Communication Systems, in line with the  School's policy to provide, as far as is consistent with the School's resources, a wide range of choice at GCSE, in order to meet the needs of the individual pupil.

Studying this subject will develop the knowledge, skills and understanding of the pupils about the role of business and ICT in the community and in the national economy, and will contribute to their development as citizens.  It will also enrich pupils' education by developing each child's interest and abilities in line with the School's mission statement.

The Department will provide a secure and structured environment in which pupils develop their knowledge, skill and understanding of Business Studies.

Business Communication Systems concerns the Business and ICT aspects of organisation within their economic, social, and practical contexts.  The subject involves the investigation of how enterprise adds value by organising the production of goods and services.  The performance of business is studied from a range of perspectives enhancing the skills developed during the KS3 course of study.

Aim
The aim of the Department is to ensure that all pupils receive the correct amount of tuition in order that regardless of individual ability become autonomous users of ICT.,  and in so doing equip each pupil with the necessary skills for their future in today's world.    Many pupils continue to study the subject at GCSE level, where they are able to further develop their skills of business and work related electronic systems.

The Department fully supports the School's aims, and in addition we feel that the following points are necessary to make our Department meaningful and educationally valid:

1. Develop pupil knowledge, skill and understanding of the subject ensuring that they are confident in their studies of the subject so that they may successfully complete all class work, homework and coursework to the best of their abilities.
2. Encourage pupils to identify areas where theory can be applied to the world of work
3. Give all pupils with varying ability the opportunity to progress to the best of their abilities
4. Encourage the use of ICT, including the use of the Internet as both a tool in the classroom environment and for use in their research for homework and coursework.
5. Vary the delivery of the subject using resources and techniques that enhance enthusiasm and motivate pupils, for example: group projects and presentations where pupils use suitable software to enhance their work.
6. Develop an efficient method of marking and recording pupil's progress and achievement.

Studying Business Studies will help you to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the world of work and of business generally.
• You will gain skills which are essential to your future employment and life long learning in our ever changing technological environment

Teaching and Learning

The schemes of work at KS3 comprise of in-house worksheets cross-referenced with National Curriculum Level Descriptors, together with published resources from the Smart Learning range of projects.  Pupils are individually assessed, details of which appear on School reports sent to parents.

Year 9 pupils benefit from being able to work towards the OCR CLAIT   individual unit qualification, at the end of the Key Stage.

At KS4, the schemes of work are compiled following guidance from the GCSE examination board.

Year 7 Scheme of work

Year 8 Scheme of work

 Year 9 Scheme of work

 Links

• www.bbc.co.uk/revision
• www.businessstudiesonline.com
• www.times100.co.uk
• www.ocr.org.uk