Business Studies/Travel and Tourism and Personal Finance Curriculum Statement 2023-24
At The Woodroffe School, the Business Studies and Travel and Tourism Department is committed to providing students with high-quality vocational education that equips them with the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary for successful careers and further education.
In choosing one of our vocationally focused courses, students will have taken an important step towards their future in the real world of work. Our courses continue to be a popular choice for students from Year 10 through to Sixth Form study.
Whether students aim to go onto Higher Education or straight into the world of work, our engaging subjects will enable students to discover not only the theory our courses, but also how they work in the real world.
Whatever course students are on, they will be involved in both classroom activities and research into real organisations and scenarios. They will be expected to use a varied range of sources of information and research to access the ‘real world’ of their chosen path of study. Students also benefit from knowledgeable staff and excellent resources.
In Year 10 and 11, GCSE Business and BTEC Tech Award in Travel and Tourism students are introduced to the world of business and travel and tourism, providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to equip them with the demands of BTEC Level 3 in the Sixth Form.
At KS5, we offer the popular BTEC L3 Certificate and Extended Certificate in both Business and Travel and Tourism, along with the LIBF Certificate and Diploma in Financial Studies.
Intent
- To Foster Career Readiness: We aim to prepare our students for the ever-evolving job market by offering a diverse range of vocational courses that align with industry demands and trends.
- Individualised Learning: Our department is dedicated to recognising the unique talents and aspirations of each student. We tailor our vocational programs to meet their specific needs and ambitions, ensuring they receive an experience that prepares them for whatever their future plans may be.
- Holistic Development: Beyond acquiring vocational skills, we focus on nurturing the personal and professional growth of our students. Our courses emphasis problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and adaptability, ensuring well-rounded individuals.
- Access and Inclusion: We are committed to providing equal access to vocational education for all students, regardless of background, ability, or circumstances. Our department promotes inclusivity and diversity in all aspects of our courses.
Implementation
To fulfil our intent, we will undertake the following key strategies:
- Curriculum Enhancement: Continuously update and expand our vocational course offerings to align with industry standards. Engage with local businesses and experts to inform curriculum design.
- Student-Centric Approach: Conduct regular assessments to understand the unique needs and aspirations of each student.
- Professional Development: Invest in the professional development of the staff within the department, to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest industry practices and teaching methods.
- Inclusive Practices: Implement strategies to promote inclusivity, such as providing additional support for students with learning differences and creating an environment that respects and celebrates diversity.
Impact
Our commitment to the above intent and implementation strategies will yield the following impacts:
- Career Success: On completion of our vocational courses, students be equipped to enter the workforce well-prepared and with relevant skills, leading to a greater chance of employment and career advancement or further education.
- Personal Growth: Students will not only gain vocational skills but also develop as confident, adaptable, and responsible individuals who contribute positively to society.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Our department will reflect the diversity of our student body, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and has an equal opportunity to excel.
- Community Engagement: We will strengthen ties with local businesses, organisations, and the community, creating partnerships that benefit our students and the broader community.
Our Department is dedicated to providing students with the best possible vocational education, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future careers or further education and personal growth. Throughout our intent, implementation and impact strategies, we aim to make a lasting and positive difference in the lives of our students and the wider community
Business Studies
In choosing Business Studies, you will have taken an important step towards your future in the real world of work. Business Studies continues to be a popular choice for students choosing their GCSEs and A Level options.
Once you start your GCSE Business, you will be involved in both classroom activities and research into real organisations. You will be expected to use a varied range of sources of information such as interviews with people employed in the world of business, the Internet, publications as well as textbooks in order to develop your understanding of Business Studies in the real world. Students also benefit from knowledgeable staff and excellent resources.
At KS5, we offer the popular BTEC L3 Certificate and Extended Certificate, along with the LIBF Certificate and Diploma in Financial Studies.
By Choosing Business Studies, you will:
Gain a broad understanding of business and be able to study selected areas in more depth
- Develop skills, knowledge and understanding in business
- Have an opportunity to apply learning in a practical and realistic way
- Follow a programme of study which enables progression to both higher education and employment within business
- Develop personal, learning and thinking skills, which are highly valued by employers and universities
- Gain confidence through developing independent learning skills
Travel & Tourism
Students can study Business Studies and Travel and Tourism from Year 10 right through to Year 13. These courses are an ideal study path for anyone who wants a more vocational aspect to their range of subjects and studies. Both areas of study allow students to discover and explore the world of Business and/or Travel and Tourism. These courses are the ideal courses of study for anyone who has an interest in Business and current affairs or are thinking of following a career in the Travel and Tourism industry in the future. Students need an enquiring mind and must be interested in learning about the world around them and current issues that are affecting their area of study.
Each course is both active and enjoyable. Students will need to be good at communicating and explaining their ideas, and not afraid of learning new things and discovering and exploring real life situations and issues. They will learn how to be a creative thinker and how to make decisions. What’s more, they will also learn about the world of Business/Travel and Tourism through research and investigation, as well as through practical tasks.
Year 10 & 11 Business Studies
This course is for students that have an interest in business and/or want to start their own business one day. They may have an enquiring mind and be interested in learning about the world around them, how businesses are set up, and what it is that makes someone a great entrepreneur.
This course is both active and enjoyable. Students will need to be good at communicating and explaining their ideas, and not afraid of learning new things and working with numbers to solve business problems. They will learn how to be a creative thinker and how to make decisions. What’s more, they will also learn about the world of business through research and investigation, as well as through practical tasks.
Theme 1: Investigating small business
Theme 1 concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. It provides a framework for students to explore core concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business. In this theme students will be introduced to local and national business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions.
Theme 2: Building a business
Theme 2 examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase. It focuses on the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business, with an emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. It also considers the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows. In this theme students will be introduced to national and global business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions.
Year 10 & 11 Travel & Tourism
BTEC Tech Award in Travel and Tourism
The travel and tourism sector is the UK’s third largest employer, accounting for 9.5 per cent of total employment. Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK in employment terms, employing nearly 3 million people, and the value of tourism to the UK economy is approximately £121 billion (7.1 per cent) of UK GDP. In 2016, travel and tourism contributed 10.2 per cent of the world GDP, and the sector now supports 292 million people in employment – that’s one in ten jobs worldwide.
This qualification is for anyone who is keen to explore and wants to find out more about the importance of travel and tourism to the UK and for world economies. The qualification provides an engaging and stimulating introduction to the world of travel and tourism. This qualification includes both UK and international tourism and allows you to explore current issues affecting global travel and tourism organisations and destinations. It also includes topics such as destination management and relationships between organisations, as well as social and ethical responsibilities/sustainability.
Component 1: Travel and Tourism Organisations and Destinations
During Component 1, students will learn about:
- the travel and tourism sector and tourist destinations
- the type and purpose of different travel and tourism organisations
- the importance of travel and tourism to the UK
- different types of holidays and reasons for travel
Component 2: Influences on Global Travel and Tourism
During Component 2, students will learn about:
- factors influencing the travel and tourism industry
- sustainability and destination management
- the impact of global tourism on local
- communities, the economy and the environment
- tourism development
Component 3: Customer Needs in Travel and Tourism
During Component 3, students will learn about:
- investigate how travel and tourism organisations use research to identify customer needs
- explore the range of products offered by travel and tourism organisations
- consider how organisations respond to market trends to meet customer needs
- plan a holiday to meet customer needs and preferences
Years 12 & 13 Business Studies
The BTEC Level 3 Business qualification has been developed to provide students with the opportunity to enter employment in the business sector or to progress to higher vocational qualifications such as BTEC Higher Nationals in Business, help develop a range of skills and techniques, personal skills and attributes essential for successful performance in working life.
The specification is designed to appeal to students interested in a career in business. The core units in the qualification give students an introduction to and understanding of the business environment, management of resources, marketing and communication – all fundamental to the success of business organisations.
The structure of the qualification allows a great deal of choice and flexibility. The flexibility of the specification gives students opportunities for imaginative, innovative and creative curriculum planning and delivery. The course also addresses sector needs and skills gaps such as in the finance, administration and management areas.
Years 12 & 13 Travel & Tourism
BTEC National Certificate in Travel and Tourism is designed for post-16 students with an interest in travel and tourism who want to continue their education through applied learning, and who aim to progress to higher education.
The qualification is equivalent in size to half an A Level and is designed to occupy one-third of a typical study programme, which could include other vocational or academic qualifications, such as another BTEC National or A Level.
This qualification gives you a broad introduction to the travel and tourism industry, with an emphasis on core knowledge and fundamental skills that are transferable across other sectors.
In addition to the travel and tourism sector-specific content, the requirements of the qualification will mean that you will develop transferable skills, which are highly regarded by higher education providers and employers. The qualification will give you transferable knowledge, understanding and broad skills such as communicating and presenting ideas. All of the content in this qualification will help prepare you for further study.
Mr Banfield
Head of Business
Mrs Aldridge
Geography
Mr Holding
Head of Careers