INTENT:

It’s no exaggeration to say the world runs on computers. They are everywhere: in homes, schools and offices, but not just in the way you think. Our curriculum is more than the qualifications that students leave with, it’s about real-life experiences and opportunities. We hope to give our students IT skills that they can apply in school at home and in the future when they are either undertaking further study, entering the workplace or decide to establish their own business. They will develop understanding of the implications of technology in society, including social, economic and ethical uses and awareness of the way’s computing can help in home, learning and work environments.

At the centre of our department is creativity and enterprise as we teach subjects which draw, develop and implement a range of different discipline.

Our curriculum in Business studies supports the ethos statement of the school. Students are constantly challenged to work collaboratively and think independently when engaging in all lessons and class debates. Through teacher modeling, we encourage our students to demonstrate manners, respect and tolerance in Business lessons. This allows students to express themselves in a confident manner. Lesson materials are engaging to promote topical discussion and encourage students to develop an enquiring mind. As a knowledge-based curriculum, we believe that knowledge underpins and enables the application of skills; both are entwined. Content is delivered to students and then built upon through a variety of practice questions, with regular quality feedback being given to support student progress. The knowledge acquired then allows students to develop their analytical and critical thinking skills.

IMPACT:

Our Business/ ICT curriculum will allow students to have industry insights, such as market trends, as well as being encouraged to apply academic theory to real-life business situations.

From internal business reports to public-facing social media channels, communication is becoming increasingly visual. Understanding how to create and edit graphics and other visual presentations helps make students more effective communicators, regardless of the field they choose to work in. Becoming proficient in the use of tools such as Canva, PowerPoints powerful designing tools students will begin to tell a story through image and design and prepare them for the future.

Through the theme of promoting a brand students will begin to understand the requirements of other businesses and creating a brand personality. Additionally, because the design thinking process begins with considering the needs of the end user, it teaches students the value of empathy as they practice viewing the world through someone else’s eyes.

Alongside knowing how to use Microsoft software, website design, keyboard shortcuts, efficient typing techniques as well as effective research methods are skills that most talented ICT users have in common. By underpinning these ‘computer hacks’ or transferable skills students will be at a great advantage to use these tools to become productive students, employees, employers or entrepreneurs.