Vocational Subjects
Business Studies
Business Studies Teaching Staff
- Mrs S Lydford – Curriculum Leader
Why Business Studies is Important
At Wey Valley Academy a qualification in Business Studies will open doors to interviews and opportunities in many avenues of enterprise. Business Studies is an outstanding addition to any student’s curriculum vitae and in many cases the course can be a life changing experience. In order to achieve the very best possible outcomes, Business Studies is committed to providing students with extra-curricular support after school, specifically tailored resources and teaching from practitioners with experience and qualifications in business, as well as external speakers when relevant.
Key Stage 4
In Key Stage 4 the intent is to guide students through the Edexcel GCSE 9-1, which allows for progression onto a higher level through Key Stage 5 and then further, should they wish to do so.
Content
There are two examined themes; ‘Investigating Small Business’ and ‘Growing a 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. Local contexts refer specifically to small businesses or those operating in a single UK location and national contexts relate to businesses operating in more than one location or across the UK. Students must develop an understanding of the interdependent nature of business activity through interactions between business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, as well as the relationship between the business and the environment in which it operates.
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 emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance, and human resources. Theme 2 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.
Cultural Capital is embedded throughout the Business Studies curriculum. Our students are introduced to a wide variety of viewpoints from some of the most influential economists and entrepreneurs throughout history. We investigate the impact that their work has had on the world we live in and students are encouraged to make links between their studies and real life examples. Students undertake this whilst developing an increased understanding of current events happening globally.
Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.
- Richard Branson
GCSE Specification
Click to view GCSE specification – Business Studies
Health & Social Care
Health & Social Care Teaching Staff
- Mrs S Lydford – Curriculum Leader
- Mrs T Howlett
Why Health & Social Care Is Important
At Wey Valley Academy, Health and Social Care aims to give students an insight into many aspects of the health and social care environment, ranging from how the human develops from birth to death to different types of support that might be needed, as well as exploring how care values are expressed. About three million people in the UK work in the health and social care sector – the equivalent to one in every 10 people, it is also an important local employer here in Weymouth. Demand for both health and social care is liable to continue to rise due to the ageing population, and so will play a very important role within the UK society. With this, there will be a greater demand for people to work in these roles. Gaining qualifications in the health and care sector has therefore never been so relevant.
Key Stage 4
In Key Stage 4 the intent is to guide students through the OCR National course which allows for progression onto a higher level through Key Stage 5 and then further, should they wish to do so.
Although the current specification is changing, the content is largely similar, with some amendments to the exam and coursework weighting.
Teaching and Learning in Health & Social Care
The Health and Care Department’s overall curriculum is designed to recognise each learner as an individual and to tailor learning around ability so that every student has an equal opportunity to learn and achieve to their maximum potential. The core mandatory unit focuses on the rights of individuals and will instil the values of care to be used when working in a health, social care, or early years environment. All good practice is based on these values and enables those who use and work in care settings to apply quality practice. The unit also provides an overview of legislation and its impact on the care settings and covers the hygiene, safety and security matters that relate to promoting a healthy and safe environment.
In the mandatory coursework unit students learn about the importance of having good communication skills. Effective communication is important to an individual’s well-being in everyday life. Practitioners need to communicate with and make connections with individuals using services all the time and it is their ability to utilise good communication skills and personal qualities that means they are able to communicate with and relate to those individuals effectively. Through this unit students will gain an understanding of the different types of communication, the importance of good communication, the factors that influence effective communication and ways to overcome barriers, and an understanding of the qualities that contribute to effective practical care. These are transferable skills that can be used in everyday life. Being able to communicate effectively and to employ personal qualities to relate to others can influence every aspect of a person’s life, providing a key foundation on which to grow.
We want students to enjoy their learning experience and to come to lessons feeling happy and safe and to have the confidence to try new things. The first unit students complete is practical, ‘Using Basic First Aid Procedures’, through this unit students make the connections between the theory they learn in the classroom to the wider world so that learning makes sense to them and has a clear purpose. Understanding and applying basic first aid procedures could potentially save lives. Basic knowledge of first aid could make a huge difference in any emergency situation. Research carried out by the BBC has found that nearly 59% of people would not feel confident trying to save someone’s life and around a quarter of people would do nothing and wait until the emergency services arrived.
The final coursework unit ‘Understanding Body Systems and Disorders’, will provide learners with the underpinning knowledge and understanding of three major body systems: respiratory, digestive and cardiovascular. The interaction of our body systems and the structure and function that they provide allow humans to breathe, move, experience taste, touch and smell the amazing world we live in. These systems enable us to survive and thrive, with them we can live to our full potential as human beings. Technology and advances in medicine allow for us to treat illness and disease and research the ill effects of lifestyle choices.