The department is committed to providing quality academic and vocational courses that are appropriate to students’ future choices and are relevant to everyday life.  Emphasis is placed upon the students adopting responsibility for their work and active involvement through enterprise activities, investigations and visits.

There is a wide range of subjects and courses within the department.  At Key Stage 4 the students can opt for GCSE Business Studies, Sociology, Economics or BTEC Business (Single or Double). These courses can be complemented through a range of accredited Work Skills qualifications.

For students who need to enhance their skills prior to further education or employment we offer a BTEC First Certificate in Business course that operates in conjunction with similar courses in ICT and Science.  These qualifications are achieved through continuous assessment and help the students develop a wide range of skills.

Advanced qualifications to A2 level are available in Business, Economics, Politics, Psychology, Health & Social Care and Sociology, and to AS level in Law.  These subjects open up a range of possibilities from higher education on academic or vocational degrees to training and employment.  The courses complement scientific, humanities, languages and arts based studies as well as being fascinating in their own right.  Learning is enhanced by visits to Law courts, Parliament, conferences, and local service providers and businesses.

Outside the classroom students from any subject can get involved in our enterprise activities including our very popular, well-established and highly successful Young Enterprise programme.  The students get the opportunity to run their own business for a year in competition against teams from other schools and gain a great deal of commercial experience – some even make a profit!