Business and Enterprise

Accrington Academy has Business and Enterprise as two underlying themes that cut across all areas of school life.

Enterprise can be defined as:

'The skills and qualities a young person needs in order to enable them to organise their own life to the best of their ability. It is the ability to handle uncertainty and respond positively to change'

We believe that these Enterprise skills for all academy students to develop to ensure they are fully prepared to meet the demands of a 21st century world. We endeavor to ensure that students develop these skills in the following ways

a) Curriculum

In years 7 and 8 all the curriculum promotes our 'exciting minds through S.P.O.R.T ' 5 skill areas in every subject. Students also study a learn to learn course which specifically teaches and develops in practice these skills.

In Keys stage 4 all our students take a vocational subject which is based in giving learning an applied or work based approach to their studies. We also specifically deliver Applied GCSE and BTEC Business Studies

b) Enrichment

6 times a year the normal curriculum is suspended. On these days our students are offered focused learning days. These days include 'fit or Wot'. enterprise challenge, citizenship and mock interviews. All the days are focused around developing skills.

c) Clubs and competitions

In addition to the curricula opportunities many activities are offered in students own time. These include such events such as our highly successful 'Bright ideas' activity and our STEM (award winning) project.

d) Student Companies

The academy will further extend its enterprise offering by developing four student run companies. Each company will reflect the college they belong to and the curriculum directorate they are linked to. We are busy planning these as you speak.

e) World of work & work experience

We believe that work experience must be relevant to our students. To this end all our students take place in two work experience events. Firstly they will go out on a placement that directly relates to their vocational study. Secondly they will all take part in the week long 'world of work' week. In this week students take part in and run a business in a live project. Last year our students planned and ran 'primary school prom' packages.

If you feel you could support our business and enterprise themes by joining our employers forum, taking part in mock interview, mentoring students, giving talks or in any other way, please contact Mr. O'Brien at the Academy