Welcome to the School of Business and Communications
Communication plays a vital part in all our lives, so learning communication skills is essential. In our school we learn about communication from two different angles. Firstly we learn about the practicalities of communication using Information Technology (ICT as it is known). Everyone needs to know how to work with ICT equipment and software so we teach everyone from Years 7 to 11 how to use computers and associated equipment. Everyone learns how to use a word processor, a spreadsheet, presentation software and a database as a minimum.
Students are encouraged to use the Internet in a responsible way as it is a key element of communication in our modern world.
There is also the opportunity to learn about web design, graphic, sound and video editing. ICT is an exam subject and we expect every student to gain an OCR National qualification in ICT by the end of Year 11.
The other angle from which we teach communication skills is that of Modern Foreign Languages. Students from Years 7 to 11 learn language skills in French and German. Some students choose to take French or German as a GCSE subject in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.
In our school we also teach students how business operates. Students learn about how different types of company are structured, and how they make profit. Business studies students are encouraged to apply and develop their numeracy, literacy and ICT skills as they learn.
Our school offers a range of subjects to Key Stage 5 students. These include advanced level learning in the areas of Economics, Business, ICT and Modern Foreign Languages.
Students also have the opportunity to see at first hand how the skills and the theoretical knowledge they are gaining are applied in the wider community. Year 7 students all have a day-trip to Boulogne to practise their French; some Year 8 students spend a week in Normandy; Business Studies students visit local companies and some spent a week in February this year in New York learning about aspects of business from the American perspective. ICT students visited Euro Disney last year to investigate how ICT systems are used by that organisation in the running and management of this well known player in the leisure industry.
Our school is well equipped to deliver high quality teaching and learning. In our school alone we have around 150 computers and a range of associated technology such as scanners, colour printers, video and sound recording equipment as well as interactive whiteboards in most of the teaching rooms. All of these are used to good effect to by our team of committed and skilled teachers.