Introduction

Stratford Girls’ Grammar School encourages students to develop a critical understanding of business organisations, the context in which they operate and the markets which they serve. This is achieved by taking a problem-solving approach to the subject, which involves studying the internal workings and management of organisations, together with the process of decision-making in a dynamic external environment. Students will learn how to make decisions and develop the necessary analytical, questioning and quantitative skills to progress in their future careers.

 

Sixth Form Curriculum

Topics studied at A-level include the key aspects of business decision making, and the impacts these have on the business and its stakeholders. Students will look at different types of business with an emphasis on consequences and why these differ; learning how to confront issues, tackle challenges and engage in debate and discussion with fellow students. The different perspectives of customers, owners, managers, employees and suppliers will be considered, as well as economic, environmental, ethical and international aspects.

Our students are consulted on issues such as appropriate intervention methods and topics, trip locations and assessment schedules, creating a fully immersive experience. The course also involves several trips to a wide range of businesses, both in the local area and beyond, providing network connections that could well be useful in later life.

Girls studying at SGGS acquire a range of skills including the ability to interpret and evaluate the significance of obstacles and how to make informed decisions based on the details they are given. This course is more academic than GCSE studies but maintains a wide range of practical lessons, developing knowledge and pertinent skills through game and scenario-based learning.  In Year 12, students are encouraged to use skills learnt through the school’s Young Enterprise programme as part of our Curriculum Enrichment programme.

Business remains a popular A-level subject that supports a wide range of careers, not least in the business field itself. It therefore works well with the sciences, arts, languages and humanities. Many students have continued with Business related degrees at university, either as a single or joint course. The experience gained on this course is invaluable as it directly prepares students for interacting with the business world in some way, either professionally or personally.

Many students have completed outstanding high-level apprenticeships at organisations such as Jaguar Landrover, Aston Martin, Listers, Mondelez, Accenture and the BBC, while others are now employed at such companies as JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo Investments, Ernst and Young, KPMG, Deloitte, PWC, Grant Thornton and others. Our SGGS community ethos ensures that many alumnae remain in touch and share their experiences with current students. By fostering this communication, we ensure students see where their new technical abilities, such as investment appraisal, strategy development and viral marketing can take them in the future.

Resources

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