Curriculum Intent
Business is a constantly evolving and stimulating subject to study at Southend High School for Girls. It is hugely applicable to the world around us. It is a vibrant, stimulating and ‘real time’ subject which will engage and challenge students, whether they are new to the subject in Years 10 and 12, or are building on their GCSE Business skills learned prior to joining the SHSG Sixth Form. We aim to develop questioning and open-minded students who understand the challenges of a modern dynamic business environment and begin to develop as commercially minded, enterprising individuals. Business students will begin to appreciate the importance of decision-making; encouraging students to think critically about varied local, national, and global issues. We offer a rich curriculum that will inspire our students to achieve strong academic outcomes and develop a range of transferrable skills including creativity, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. We aim to empower our students to grow into independent, innovative, and driven learners and help them succeed in their chosen pathway.
We want our students to develop a passion for studying Business; gain a holistic understanding of business in a range of contexts; develop a critical understanding of organisations and their ability to meet society’s needs and wants; understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives; generate enterprising and creative approaches to business opportunities, problems, and issues; be aware of the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by organisations and individuals; and acquire a range of relevant and generic skills including problem-solving and decision making. We want our student to challenge assumptions, use critical analysis, and apply numerical skills in a range of business contexts. The study of business introduces learners to the importance of entrepreneurial activity in creating business opportunities and sustaining business growth. Learners will have the opportunity to study with like-minded students and staff in a positive environment to develop a wide range of essential life-long skills required for higher education and employment. We hope to nurture a love the subject that inspires our students to push the boundaries of learning and thought in all aspects of their life.
What does it feel like to be a student in the Business Studies Department?
Business at Southend High School for Girls is as rewarding as it is challenging. The world of business is wonderfully complex. You will engage with the world of business through the context of current business developments and real business situations. You will learn how management, leadership, and decision-making can improve performance in marketing, operational, financial, and human resources. You will also explore the interrelated nature of business activities and how they affect businesses, be they large or small, UK or global. You will learn how to analyse competitive environments and markets; assess how ethical, environmental, and technological factors influence decision making; use a range of quantitative and non-quantitative data to evaluate strategic and functional options; understand how decision made affect stakeholders and how they will respond. You will also develop your critical analysis, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
You will be able to use the knowledge and skills gained on this course in a range of business and management fields, and across many areas of study and professions. Studying business opens many options for you at university, and there are many courses available with permutations of business, management, administration, accounting, and finance. In recent years, the SHSG Business department has prepared students for courses at university as well as apprenticeships with global institutions and our students have typically progressed post-university to careers in areas such as business development, marketing, recruitment, and banking.
You will be expected to immerse yourself in a business-like mindset and to pay attention to the world around you. For example, business is full of people searching for new ways to add value. Opportunity cost plays a crucial role in every sale a business makes – added value only starts when opportunity cost is defeated. How is it done? You will have a way of seeing the world that makes you stand out from other students. You will be able to converse in an informed way on some of the biggest challenges facing your generation. By the end of the course, you will be able to discuss and articulate different perspectives on a wide range of business issues, thinking evaluatively about the approaches that have been adopted, and innovatively about alternative solutions. You will be able to see a balance in situations, weighing up competing arguments, and seeing different viewpoints. Ultimately, you will be aiming to be a well-informed, independent thinker who is equipped for whatever your future direction might be and are prepared to have a life-long relationship with the world of business.