“A Business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts”. - Richard Branson

At Walthamstow Academy the Business & Enterprise Department aims to develop the skills of Young people to ensure they can become the successful entrepreneurs of the future. Through fun, exciting projects, students develop skills in many areas including:

• Enterprise Skills
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Presentation Skills

These transferable skills can then be applied to a wide range of careers and make our students more employable as well preparing them to become great employers themselves.

In Key Stage 3 students study a variety of topics in a project-based format. These topics are ones that the students can relate to and are therefore inspired by.  Students work individually and in groups to improve their understanding of the business world and how it affects their life, and that of their families.  In doing so, they improve their ability to communicate effectively, solve problems, make decisions, work both in a team and individually and manage risk and innovation.  All of this underpins their basic business knowledge. Below are examples of projects completed by students this year: The Water Challenge and the Business Game Project.

In Key Stage 4 students study the Edexcel BTEC First Award in Business which aims to give them a practical understanding of what 'being in business' entails; it helps students to develop the knowledge, understanding and competency needed when considering entering employment in this sector.

The course will enable students to find out why businesses act in the way they do and how they aim to influence consumer behaviour. It consists of a number of units that are continually assessed. The range of subjects covered is as diverse as Finance to Customer Service. The course is practical and students are encouraged to develop research and planning skills for themselves. Lessons incorporate a range of approaches, including case studies, group work, discussions, presentations, role-play and ICT. Final grades are determined by an on-screen test and students' work during the course.

In Key Stage 5 students study the Edexcel BTEC National Diploma in Business which aims to give a practical understanding of what the business world is about. It is also designed to match degree courses in content, to allow smooth progression through to University. Notably, every student this year achieved an equivalent A* A level grade and one student gained a place at Kings College University entirely through his Business qualification.

The course consists of a number of units that are assessed through coursework assignments. The units taught cover the whole range of business topics from Accounting to Marketing. The course is practical and students are encouraged to develop research and planning skills for themselves. Lessons involve individual research and the compilation of a portfolio of work that is continuously assessed. Students choose a range of businesses they are interested in which makes the course very relevant. Presentations and group work are often used on this dynamic course. Final grades are determined on students’ coursework over the whole course. In Year 12 the students have started the New NQF BTEC National Business which includes 2 controlled assessments and 1 written exam. However, this course remains to have a large percentage of the grade based on coursework compared to the equivalent A Level.

The Business & Enterprise Department is a team of dedicated, experienced and enthusiastic teachers who have all worked in the Business World. We combine excellent teaching with real life experience to enthuse and engage students about Business; we present Business as a truly vocational and relevant subject. The excellent results gained by the department each year indicate our dedication to achieving the best from our students.

• Mr Tunokan Ogbe - Subject Leader & BTEC Co-ordinator
• Ms Sarah Akoto - 2iC Year 7
• Mr Rob Evans