Business and Enterprise

At Weatherhead High School, Business and Enterprise courses are optional subjects which students can select to take at both KS4 and KS5.  Our intent is to provide an interesting and relevant curriculum supported by regular reference to real-life examples from business and industry plus scenarios to simulate examples such as financial cash flow problems.  Teachers collaborate on all aspects of the Business and Enterprise curriculum across KS4 and KS5 to share best practice and, importantly, knowledge and understanding to ensure student success.

At KS4, students can opt for the popular BTEC Tech in Enterprise which is delivered via three components including two coursework components and an external examination.  This course provides a thorough grounding in the core areas of business, and key entrepreneurial skills, to allow them to successfully move on to study at KS5.  In the Sixth Form, students take the BTEC National Extended Certificate in Business which is delivered through a combination of coursework units plus both practical and written exam papers.  At KS5, students expand their knowledge and understanding in a range of areas which have been selected to provide a good grounding in the key areas of focus for any business.

The focus at both KS4 and KS5, is on allowing students the opportunity to build on their cultural capital by exploring real life business issues and to develop an understanding of how business enterprises work plus how a business achieves success.  The delivery of the subjects means students gain a wider understanding of both the internal and external factors that allow or hinder business success.

The aim is to develop well-rounded students of Business and Enterprise who then have the opportunity to develop their skills further at degree level or through the completion of a related apprenticeship.

Overall, the plan is for an inclusive curriculum which means that all students, irrespective of background, have the opportunity to succeed at both KS4 and KS5 when taking our popular Business and Enterprise qualifications within the school.

The whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision to provide a rich, innovative and inclusive curriculum which aims to enable all students, regardless of background, ability or additional needs, to achieve success and appreciate how business success is achieved.  Teachers set high expectations and this focus allows students to work towards achieving their full potential at KS4 and KS5 in both BTEC coursework and examination units.

Teachers provide a wealth of expertise in terms of knowledge and understanding of the KS4 and KS5 qualifications with staffing planned to play to specific teacher’s strengths.  This allows teachers to bring the subject alive with personal experiences in industry and real-life scenarios to support teaching and learning.  Students are encouraged to share and apply their own business experiences, such as from part time employment, during lessons.  Great emphasis is also placed on students taking responsibility for their learning through expanding their subject knowledge outside of the classroom such as through watching programmes including Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice.  The department is resource rich in terms of textbooks, teaching resources, revision materials, online digital platforms, and literacy resources to aid learning and subject mastery.

The BTEC Tech in Enterprise at KS4 and the BTEC National Business in the Sixth Form allow students to take a more practical approach to developing knowledge and understanding.  The coursework units for both qualifications are internally assessed on a regular basis to check on mastery of each element of the learning aims, with teachers constantly updating planning to revisit any areas of weakness.  Evidence is then graded from Pass to Distinction, with samples selected for internal verification to ensure grading standards are constantly maintained.  There is also an annual standards verification process administered by Pearson to confirm grading is accurate within the school.

The aim is to deliver high quality teaching and learning through the application of key theory, such as key marketing strategies, to various business enterprise scenarios.  Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge and understanding to areas of specific interest when completing BTEC coursework units such as the launch of a new fashion enterprise or development of a new innovative strategy for success within a technology-based business.  This ability to access areas of personal interest means students have an increased level of motivation and better application of the subject content, leading to increased success in their studies.

During the delivery of examined units, teachers work towards delivering mastery of the unit content.  This is achieved through effective lesson delivery, students’ completion of various tasks and regular ongoing assessment.  The department also provides additional support including coursework clinics, revision sessions, Easter school events and masterclasses prior to examinations.

The uptake of courses at KS4 and KS5 is excellent and the retention rate of students from KS4 into KS5 is also very good, with many moving on to study an associated subject at university.

The progress and success of students is monitored throughout each year via analysis of coursework and examination outcomes compared to target grades, with actions being put in place where required to ensure overall success.  The impact of the curriculum is constantly reviewed via tracking progress data, assessment results, mock examinations and student voice plus consideration of students’ destinations each summer.

The standards verification reports provided by Pearson for both the BTEC Tech in Enterprise and the BTEC National in Business coursework units regularly highlight students’ evidence as being accurately assessed and often classed as exemplary in terms of Distinction level grading.  Performance in the latest KS5 examination series for BTEC Business also continues to be excellent, putting most students on track to achieve, or even exceed their target grades in summer 2023.

Students are equipped with all the skills to be entrepreneurial in their approach to life and their future career plans.  Students leave having developed a range of transferable skills whilst studying BTEC Tech Enterprise or BTEC National Business including key communication, teamwork, research and analytical skills.  These will support any further course of study including the completion of an apprenticeship or university degree.  The department regularly teaches students who are first generation in terms of the transition to university following successful performance at KS5.

Students are successful in their studies at KS5 which leads to entry into higher education or a relevant apprenticeship.  Recent examples include:

• York University – Business Management
• Sheffield Hallam University – Business and Enterprise Management
• Newcastle University – Planning
• John Moores University – Law and Criminal Justice
• Liverpool John Moores University – Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice
• Manchester Metropolitan University – Human Resource Management
• Liverpool John Moores University – Law
• Liverpool Hope University – International Relations & Tourism
• University of Leeds – Philosophy and Politics
• Business Administration Apprenticeship
• University of Chester – Accounting and Finance
• Edge Hill University – Business & Management
• Liverpool John Moores University – Sport Business
• Manchester Metropolitan University – Events Management
• Liverpool John Moores University – Business Management
• Liverpool Hope University – Business Management and Marketing
• Nottingham Trent University – Fashion & Marketing
• Liverpool Hope University – Business Management and Marketing
• University of Manchester – Law

 The overall success of the Business Department allows for a contribution to the world class status of the school in terms of offering a world class curriculum.

The Computing and Business department is staffed by a hardworking and committed team of four teachers.  Student attainment is high, at all levels with GCSE and A level performance above the national average. The courses we offer are extremely popular at Key Stage 4 with a significant number going on to study these courses in the Sixth Form too. The department is constantly striving to raise attainment through curriculum development; focusing on sharing good practice and resources within our team and we utilise up to date research to inform and improve our teaching and learning strategies. Continued evaluation of all aspects of the department allow us to support all students to realise their full potential.

The department is made up of 5 classrooms which are fully equipped with up to date teaching technology, including an HD visualiser and 20+ desktop computers with a range of software applications and full access to the internet. There is also a 20 unit laptop trolley available within the department for classroom use so every student has their own computer in every lesson.  The department are at the forefront of remote learning and E-learning strategies, leading the way with the use of Google Classroom to extend learning beyond the physical classroom.

The ICT classrooms are available within the department at lunch time and after school to allow students to gain additional help and guidance and also continue with their practical work.  We also encourage all students to explore and develop their ICT and computing skills at home.  There are also extra revision clinics available for all students before they sit their GCSE and Advanced Level examinations.

There are a wide range of popular extra-curricular events including Computer Science Club and a wealth of clinics/support sessions for each course on offer. A further important focus is on enrichment opportunities and these include the Hour of Code and UK Bebras Challenge, which are both completed by all students in Key Stage 3.

Links with industry are a vital part of the study of Computing and Business and the department has developed important links with many business organisations including local, national and internationally renowned companies across an array of business sectors, including Unilever, UK Fast, Inn2 Web Design, Owen Drew Candles, Hoylake Sailing School and John Percival Associates.