Our well-equipped classrooms, Harkness table and a dedicated business library enable pupils to devise strategies, analyse trends, and debate solutions. Classrooms buzz with energetic discussions as pupils grasp the intricacies of the global economy, financial systems, and market dynamics.
Our teachers ensure that pupils leave Bryanston with the ability to think logically about the problems that they face and recognise differing views points when trying to solve them.
'Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other'
To complement the real-world examples that pupils are exposed to in the classroom, we look for every opportunity to give them additional hands-on experiences.
To allow pupils the opportunity to broaden their horizons, network and inspire, we organise enriching visits into school from industry experts and entrepreneurs established in their field for termly lunchtime seminars.
For business pupils, trips to Legoland and Thorpe Park offer insights into how theme parks operate, with workshops on location that cover topics such as marketing, legislation, HR and external influences. While visits to Harry Potter studios, Wembley Stadium and BMW’s Mini Factory in Oxford showcase real-world production and adaptability to market trends. We also have teams enter the annual national Young Enterprise competition to really allow their creativity to flow and feed their entrepreneurial drive.
Economics pupils are offered various additional activities to engage with and take their understanding of the subject to a higher level. We run an Economics ECA, where pupils discuss economics that is not covered in the curriculum and enter competitions such as the Young Economist of the Year.
Studying business provides a solid foundation in financial literacy, strategic thinking, and effective communication. Pupils gain insight into various aspects of business operations, including marketing, finance, management, and entrepreneurship.
They develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, learn to analyse data, make informed decisions, and adapt to changing market conditions. It also supports, creativity, leadership, and teamwork skills, preparing pupils for future leadership roles.
GCSE
At GCSE, we follow the Pearson Edexcel International course which encompasses five key themes:
It provides a solid and engaging foundation, balancing challenge and manageability. Equipping pupils with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel in the dynamic world of business.
With the varied assessment formats, pupils develop research, analytical and evaluative cross curricular skills throughout the course.
A Level
At A Level we follow the Pearson Edexcel Business course which enables pupils to delve deeper into business operations, decision-making, strategic development and the impact of globalisation.
With new theorists and concepts, it is a challenging and dynamic course. The requirement to understand context sees pupils develop their own bank of case studies through further reading and as such, no lesson is ever the same.
By referring to established models, theories, and techniques, pupils explore and dissect modern business issues. The curriculum promotes data analysis, critical thinking, and decision-making skills crucial for further education and professional pursuits.
Vocational course
For our vocational course, we follow the OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma in Business with the Marketing pathway. This is a forward thinking, skills driven course that is a top choice for anyone who enjoys learning about the dynamic nature of business.
It allows those pupils looking to work in or set up their own business, the opportunity to explore, research and come up with creative solutions to problems, whilst tailoring the topics and coursework to areas of their interest. Throughout the course we challenge pupils to investigate what is happening in the real world to businesses and companies, whilst applying the theoretical concepts taught in lessons to these examples.
The multiple coursework elements allow pupils to uniquely tailor their projects to their own interests and goals, be it food based by running a catering event for unit 22 or creating a promotional campaign for a sports drink in unit 7, and project planning in unit 16, the opportunities are endless.
With the compulsory task of running a real event, as our pupils did this year, by organising a golf day to raise money for charity, this course not only builds academic skills in research, analysing, presenting and evaluating, it also develops pupils’ communication, organisation and planning skills, with valuable work experience to add to their future profiles.
In studying economics, our pupils gain knowledge of theory, before being tasked with applying it to real-world problems. Pupils start by developing their knowledge of economic principles such as supply and demand, which underpin the subject, before moving on to macroeconomic objectives, market structures and monetary and fiscal policy.
Through use of The Economist and the Financial Times, pupils keep up to date with the latest economic events. As they develop their depth of understanding, they are able think analytically and critically about these events, discussing and debating them.
In completing these studies, pupils not only gain knowledge of the subject, but they also pick up valuable life skills such as financial literacy, problem-solving, and the ability to judge risk and opportunities.
Economics explores how societies allocate resources, analysing production, distribution, and consumption. Pupils have the option study economics when taking A Levels, through Edexcel, or as part of the IB DP program.
Both courses encompass Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and International/Development economics, and are a predominantly assessed through essays, although a good mathematical brain is also necessary.
IB economics is also split into Standard Level and Higher Level, with both levels covering similar content, but higher level going into more depth.
Studying Business and Economics opens the door to a wide range of further education and career opportunities. Many pupils pursue higher education, specialising in finance, economics, business administration, marketing or entrepreneurship.
Some choose to enter the corporate world, working in various corporate roles, such as finance, marketing, consulting, or management. Others opt to establish their own businesses or enter the world of work through an apprenticeship programme.
Business and Economics graduates are also sought after in the public sector, working for government agencies, think tanks, and international organisations.
The finance, economics, entrepreneurship, and management backgrounds of our Business and Economics teaching staff enrich lessons with real-world insights. They are a team of highly experienced teachers, many with senior roles elsewhere in the school. As such, all teachers cultivate a dynamic learning atmosphere, guiding pupils to develop vital business skills and preparing them for future success.
Rose Ings, Head of Business and Economics holds a BSc (Hons), PGCE, and QTS. Her diverse professional background includes roles at the MOD, Virgin Mobile, and PwC. With over 15 years at Bryanston, she’s been a teacher, resident, department head, and IBCP coordinator.
Rose believes in hands-on learning and frequently incorporates real-world examples. She organises educational trips, industry expert led seminars, an annual cross-schools business conference, and entrepreneurial competitions.
