Business Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Aim & Intent
Aim
In Business, we empower students to aspire by exploring the world of enterprise, innovation, and leadership; to achieve through the development of real-world knowledge, critical thinking, and exam success; and to enjoy learning through engaging, relevant, and practical experiences that bring the subject to life.
Intent
The Business Department delivers a vibrant and forward-thinking curriculum aligned with the Edexcel GCSE and A Level Business specifications. Our aim is to inspire students with a deep understanding of the business world and equip them with the analytical and evaluative skills needed to thrive in further education, employment, and enterprise.
Our curriculum is designed to:
Stimulate interest and engagement by using contemporary case studies and real-world examples that reflect the themes and assessment style of Edexcel, helping students apply theory to practice in meaningful ways.
Build a strong foundation of knowledge across key areas such as marketing, finance, operations, human resources, and the external environment, ensuring progression from GCSE through to A Level.
Develop examination confidence and fluency, with a structured focus on mastering Edexcel command words, data response techniques, extended writing, and quantitative skills.
Promote critical thinking and evaluation, encouraging students to consider the impact of business decisions from multiple stakeholder perspectives and to justify arguments with evidence and logic.
Support future readiness, by equipping students with the financial awareness, commercial insight, and problem-solving abilities needed for success in university courses, apprenticeships, or business careers.
Champion ethical and sustainable business practices, helping students reflect on the social and environmental responsibilities of firms in the modern global economy.
By delivering a coherent and ambitious curriculum tailored to the Edexcel framework, we nurture confident, reflective learners who are well-prepared to engage with the complex and evolving nature of business in the 21st century.
Brief Overview of Curriculum Content for Each Term
| Year | Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yr 10 | Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Market research Market segmentation The competitive environment | Business aims and objectives Revenue, costs and profit Cash flow forecasts Business ownership Marketing mix | Stakeholders Technology and business Legislation and business The economy and business Globalisation |
| Yr 11 | Marketing mix and business decisions Business operations Managing stock Productivity | Business calculations Understanding business performance Organisational structures Recruitment, selection anf training | Preparing for GCSE: Revision |
How Our Curriculum Caters For SEND Students
How does our Curriculum cater for students with SEND?
Southmoor Academy is an inclusive academy where every child is valued and respected. We are committed to the inclusion, progress and independence of all our students, including those with SEN. We work to support our students to make progress in their learning, their emotional and social development and their independence. We actively work to support the learning and needs of all members of our community.
A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made that is additional to or different from that made generally for other children or young people of the same age. (CoP 2015, p16)
Teachers are responsible for the progress of ALL students in their class and high-quality teaching is carefully planned; this is the first step in supporting students who may have SEND. All students are challenged to do their very best and all students at the Academy are expected to make at least good progress.
How Our Curriculum Caters For Disadvantaged Students
How does our curriculum cater for disadvantaged students and those from minority groups?
As a school serving an area with high levels of deprivation, we work tirelessly to raise the attainment for all students and to close any gaps that exist due to social contexts. The deliberate allocation of funding and resources has ensured that attainment gaps are closing in our drive to ensure that all pupils are equally successful when they leave the Academy.
