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Business

We want our students to develop as enterprising individuals with the ability to think commercially and creatively, to demonstrate business acumen, and draw on evidence to make informed business decisions and solve business problems.

A sound understanding of business concepts will help students develop as effective, independent critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds. Using an enquiring, critical approach will empower students to make informed judgements, as well as to understand and play an active role in the business world that surrounds them.

Business at Ashington Academy is an immersive experience, exposing students to fundamentals such as marketing, human resources, financial management, economic impact, enterprise skills and spotting a business opportunity. Students undertaking this subject will have a flare for business and have ideas on how to develop a product or service over time. Students will develop their knowledge of key concepts as well as local, national and international businesses and how to apply, analyse and evaluate using their literacy skills to read and deduce from given evidence, as well as developing good research and data gathering skills of their own. Students will also develop their use of equations and numeracy skills to gain a deep understanding of business finances.

As well as following the curriculum, students will be encouraged to read for pleasure, experiencing a diverse range of literature as a platform for exploring new ideas, developing critical thinking skills and learning more about the world around them.

Students enjoy business because it is varied, fast-paced and fun. Every student is inspired to believe in their potential and to aim high. We live in a corporate world and the markets operate around us constantly. Because of this, business is a universal subject. There are few, if any, careers for which an understanding of business would not be of some benefit and 1.44 million new business applications were submitted in 2021. We have devised our business curriculum with this in mind, students acquire a grounding towards knowledge, skills and understanding that they would need if embarking upon their own business journey.

Curriculum information

 

Year 

Autumn 

Spring 

Summer

10

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

  • The dynamic nature of business
  • Risk and rewards
  • The role of business enterprise

Spotting a business opportunity

  • Customer needs
  • Market research
  • Market segmentation
  • Competitive business environment

Putting a business idea into practice

  • Business aims and objectives
  • Business revenues costs and profits
  • Cash and cash flow
  • Sources of finance

Making the business effective

  • Options for small business start up
  • Location
  • Marketing mix
  • Business plans

Understanding external influences

  • Business stakeholders
  • Technology in business
  • Legislation and business
  • The economy and business
  • External influences

 

11

Growing the business

  • Growing the business
  • Business growth
  • Changings in the business aims and objectives
  • Business and globalisation
  • Ethics and the business environment

Making marketing decisions

  • Product
  • Price
  • Promotion
  • Place
  • Using marketing to make business decisions

 

Making operational decisions

  • Business operations
  • Working with suppliers
  • Managing quality
  • The sales process

Making financial decisions

  • Business calculations
  • Understanding business performance

Making Human Resource decisions

  • Organisational structures
  • Effective recruitment
  • Effective training and development
  • Motivation

 

Revision for GCSE examinations

Business has increased my knowledge and understanding of the concept of money and it has helped me to develop my writing and mathematical skills.
Year 11 student