"An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down."

Context

Studying business at Deptford Green is an ideal platform for students to maximise their progress and attainment by developing the skills and talents they already hold and through practical participation in a range of vocational business activities. Thus, students become equipped with the knowledge, understanding and skills to progress onto the next stage of their education, irrespective of their prior attainment. The course gives students the opportunity to have a deeper understanding of the concept of the real business world and help to shape and inspire them to enter into the world of business. Learners also partake in a range of enrichment opportunities that help them become responsible citizens capable of making positive contributions to society.

We currently offer the NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Business and Enterprise. It is aimed at 14–16-year-olds studying Key Stage 4 curriculum who are interested in the business and enterprise industry sector. It complements GCSE qualifications and is designed to match the rigour and challenge of GCSE study. The qualification is graded at Level 1 Pass/Merit/Distinction/Distinction* and Level 2 Pass/Merit/Distinction/Distinction* (equivalent to GCSE grades 8.5–1).

Classroom Activities and Enrichment

The NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Business and Enterprise follows a 2 year programme which leads to the final NCFE course in Year 11. All students should experience most of these activities:

• Discussion - one to one or in groups
• Research – group or individual using a variety of methods
• Report writing – manually or using ICT
• Presentations – in groups or individually
• Practical work
• Display work
• Visits to organisations/companies
• Work with visitors

KS4

At KS4, year 10, it is expected that business students sit for an externally assessed paper and in year 11 they complete their synoptic assessment. The Synoptic assessment is an important part of a high-quality vocational qualification because it shows that learners have achieved a holistic understanding of the sector and that they can make effective connections between different aspects of the subject content and across the breadth of the assessment objectives in an integrated way.

It enables learners to show that they can transfer knowledge and skills learnt in one context to resolve problems raised in another. To support the development of a synoptic approach, the qualification encourages learners to make links between elements of the course and to demonstrate how they have integrated and applied their increasing knowledge and skills. As learners progress through the course, they will use and build upon knowledge and skills learnt across units. The internal synoptic project will test the learners’ ability to respond to a real-world situation.

Mr Aniagwu - Head of Business: naniagwu@deptfordgreen.co.uk