In this section
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
| 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 | • Social Stratification • Recap and Revision | • Revision & Exam Preparation |
How Our Curriculum Caters For SEND Students
At Southmoor, we believe that all students deserve an engaging and inclusive education that matches the individual needs of all pupils. In Sociology, we aim to ensure that SEND students consistently receive stimulating and meaningful lessons which is often achieved by linking subject content to personal experiences wherever possible.
In Sociology, SEND support is provided by differentiated teaching strategies which includes the use of visual resources, discussion tasks and group work which aims to challenge and break down potential learning barriers for SEND pupils.
Sociology ensures students receive an inclusive and personalised focusing on the following:
- Adaptation of resources
- Adaptation of the learning environment (eg seating plans and lighting to reflect student needs)
- Access to both learning and assessment timelines in advance.
- Access to the alternative provision for exams and during lessons when needed.
- Subtitles for videos.
- Booklets which offer paced learning
- Laptops with word processor during lessons and for exams.
How Our Curriculum Caters For Disadvantaged Students
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.
In Economics, each member of staff can access information using Class Charts that identifies disadvantaged pupils. Pupils are placed in the classrooms with careful consideration so that they receive high quality focus and support from staff and peers. All course materials are available online for students to access at all points and catch up work is set for any missed learning time. Weekly intervention sessions are held which carefully selects students who could benefit from further support.
