Business & Social Sciences

The Business department at Winchmore School aims to develop young business entrepreneurs through the delivery of specifically tailored teaching to cater for our wide range of students. It is essential our delivery is meeting the needs of all students bilingual learners and EAL, EHCP we offer both academic and vocational courses. Literacy is a priority for us as correct use of academic language is essential for a good level of achievement to be made as key terms and accurate application in exam questions must take place. We also encourage critical thinking through the application of theory in relation to current affairs where possible. This blend of essential skills will not only enable students to leave Winchmore School prepared for success in a wide range of careers, but equip them with a lifelong thirst for knowledge and greater understanding of the world around them. We take Winchmore students learning outside the classroom with a desire to allow students experience business from a cultural capital aspect. We see it imperative that every student in the department is exposed to how businesses operate and is enriched with a business trip annually. 

Students are offered the opportunity to study Economics at Winchmore School where we deliver teaching and learning through the development of analytical skills. These skills are required to interpret the Economic world around them and to understand how economies grow, tackle unemployment, grapple with environmental issues, reduce crime and even understand demographic change.  Potential effects of current issues such as Brexit and the pandemic and how such events impact not only the economy, but our daily lives and future opportunities are also a main focus of the curriculum. This blend of essential skills will not only enable Economics students to leave Winchmore School prepared for success in a wide range of careers, but equip them with a lifelong thirst for knowledge and greater understanding of the world around them.

KEY STAGE 5

Financial Studies provides an in-depth exploration of the key concepts of financial capability and how they are applied to achieve longer-term financial sustainability. The aim is to develop student’s ability to make informed and confident decisions regarding their finances.

KEY STAGE 5

We aim to provide all of our learners in our diverse school community with consistently outstanding opportunities to progress in learning about Criminology in a way which is engaging and relevant and broadens horizons. We deliver our lessons in a focused and supportive atmosphere in which all learners are challenged and encouraged to be the best they can be. We particularly value the use of relevant real world examples in our teaching. All students will have the opportunity to learn about people and places that are different to their own experiences. Students study issues that are important to the modern world and the world of the future. We aim for all students to develop in knowledge, enquiry skills and critical thinking, using evidence to make good substantiated decisions and justifying their own opinions. We aim for all students to progress in literacy, numeracy and understanding of criminology throughout each year of study.

Level 3 Criminology At Winchmore the specification studied is WJEC/Eduqas Level 3, The units are taught chronologically as they build on each other. Units 1 and 3 are the Controlled Assessment units, students carry out the assessments once the whole unit has been taught. Units 2 and 4 are externally assessed in the form of an examination in the summer of Years 12 and 13 respectively. Students study 10 lessons of Criminology per fortnight. The department uses flipped learning as a method of teaching, which means that students complete set pieces of written work at home with guidance and then come to the lesson fully prepared with knowledge enabling a dynamic, interactive learning environment where the learners are encouraged to work on more difficult skills in class subsequently driving exam success and a deeper enhanced understanding. In Criminology students are encouraged to carry out research to support their learning.

KEY STAGE 5 

A Level Law Curriculum Overview­­­­­

Law involves the endeavour to govern human interactions through a system of rules which impact our personal, social, economic and political relationships.  The study of law is an inquiry into the nature of those relationships and the pursuit of equity. The law curriculum enables students to develop a thorough understanding of the role of law in our society and how the law impacts individuals. It also empowers students with clarity about their rights and responsibilities.

At Winchmore, the specification studied is AQA A Level (7162). Students study 10 lessons of law per fortnight and the components are taught in a manner which enables students to easily find links between topics. The department uses flipped learning as a method of teaching using Cornell notes. This means students complete designated reading and set pieces of written work at home with guidance and then come to the lesson fully prepared with knowledge. Consequently, a dynamic, interactive learning environment is created where the learners are encouraged to work on more complex, higher order skills in class developing a deeper understanding of the law and subsequently driving exam success.

The law A-Level is a linear course, meaning that there are no external exams until the end of the second year. The structure of all three exams for the A-level, enables students to show their breadth of knowledge and understanding of legal issues through a mixture of different question types including multiple-choice, short answer and extended response questions. Essay writing and exam practice for each of the questions is built into the curriculum for each topic covered to provide students with a sound knowledge of what is expected of them for each type of question from the very start of the course. Throughout the course, students are continually given opportunities to develop their analytical ability, decision making, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. All these skills are highly sought after by higher education providers and employers.

We are guided by the exam awarding body’s specification since we are an examined subject. However, at Winchmore, the law is taught in a manner which makes the subject engaging and which seeks to meet the needs of all learners. We use a range of teaching and learning strategies and ‘everyday’ examples. We also invite guest lecturers, who are usually practising barristers and other experts in the legal field, to deliver a summary lecture at the end of particular units. This enables students to ask questions and gain a clearer picture of how the law works in practice. They also build links with members of the legal profession and gain the opportunity for work experience. Additionally, students have further opportunities to observe the law-making and application processes through visits to the Houses of Parliament, the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey)

KS5 LAW

We aim to provide all of our learners in our diverse school community with consistently outstanding opportunities to progress in learning about sociology in a way which is engaging and relevant and broadens horizons. We deliver our lessons in a focused and supportive atmosphere in which all learners are challenged and encouraged to be the best they can be. We particularly value the use of relevant real world examples in our teaching. All students will have the opportunity to learn about people and places that are different to their own experiences. Students study issues that are important to the modern world and the world of the future. We aim for all students to develop knowledge, enquiry skills and critical thinking, using evidence to make good substantiated decisions and justifying their own opinions. We aim for all students to progress in literacy, numeracy and understanding of concepts in Sociology throughout each year of study.

KEY STAGE 4 & 5