Business

Business Studies is the exploration into the mechanics of enterprise combining elements of study into business disciplines such as accountancy, finance, marketing, human resource management, and operations.  The curriculum overview is designed to give the student a vocational experience of the various elements of running a Small Medium Enterprise to a large international global organisation.

Students are expected to investigate and research the internal and external factors affecting businesses and will explore the importance of enterprise and entrepreneurship. Students will also research how businesses respond to changes in their economic, social and technological environment; and gain an appreciation of the influence different stakeholders can have upon a business. 

The curriculum is based on the belief that the Business qualifications offered at KS4 and KS5 will enable students to acquire the ‘soft skills’ that industry leaders look for in potential employees, skills that can not be learned in education alone.  Our aim is to ensure that students acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin the business sector that will prepare them for further study or training. 

The Academy is fortunate to be situated in the heart of economic activity with a plethora of enterprises situated within a short distance offering business talks, educational visits and work experience add value to their business education;  Coca Cola Enterprises, Amazon and Thames Water being amongst these.  Our curriculum will give students the opportunity to explore extra curricular Business activities to acquire business skills too such as the Young Enterprise Company Programme.

Students at Leigh UTC can opt to take Business Studies from year 10. From here they will follow a vocational pathway focused on enterprise and marketing to prepare them for future study. This pathway is designed to lead into KS5 and capitalises on the expertise of organisations such as Alton Towers and BT to make sure students develop the skills required by those wishing to work in this dynamic area. By integrating both traditional and new marketing techniques and media, this pathway highlights the importance of market research in creating a marketing strategy that can be delivered through co-ordinated, multi-channel marketing campaigns. This pathway will allow students to progress onto degree programmes such as Marketing or Business and Marketing. It will also allow them to choose a non-related degree programme. It also prepares them to take up employment in business where they could be employed in roles such as Marketing Administrator, Market Research Analyst, Digital Marketing Assistant or Public Relations Officer.

The Business curriculum will provide opportunities to our students to advance into both higher education and/or areas of employment including roles in marketing, administration, finance, events management, HR, marketing and other related areas in the business sector, including higher apprenticeships.

In order to ensure that all students can make excellent progress, the course that students take at KS4 we offer BTEC Level 2 in Enterprise to those who prefer to work on a set of assignments for two components with a set exam at the end of the course for the third and final component.  In KS5 BTEC Level 3 Diploma comprising 5 coursework units, two controlled assessments and one exam over two years.

Students are regularly assessed through extended writing in tasks in lessons on a weekly basis. This is complemented by end of learning aim assessments every term. This allows teachers to measure progress of pupils accurately on a regular basis and put intervention in for those who need extra help.

Students are given regular feedback on controlled assessment projects at KS4 and KS5, this allows them to build confidence over time and be more proficient at producing high quality work as the course progresses.