Business in Practice – Cardinal Winning Secondary

School: Cardinal Winning Secondary School

Type of Activity: Business Qualification with Partners

Name of Employer: TechSoft UK Ltd

Case Study:

Three senior pupils (two in S5 and one in S6) are currently undertaking the National 2 Business in Practice qualification and have partnered with TechSoft UK LTD to gain practical business experience. The initiative is facilitated under the guidance and supervision of their Mathematics teacher.

The pupils participating in this programme are from the Equalities Disabilities category. The National 2 Business in Practice course is designed to be adaptable, ensuring inclusivity and flexibility to accommodate the needs of all learners. As stated in the course framework:
“The Course takes account of the needs of all learners by providing sufficient flexibility to enable learners to achieve in different ways and at a different pace.”

Objectives:

The National 2 Business in Practice qualification integrates core principles from the social studies and technologies curriculum areas. It provides learners with the opportunity to develop a range of essential skills relevant to both education and the workplace. Through practical engagement, students cultivate confidence and resilience while developing interpersonal and professional competencies. Specifically, the course supports:

• • Practical activities relevant to real-world business operations
  • Skills for learning, life, and employment, including thinking skills, literacy, numeracy, and employability
  • Collaboration and teamwork, fostering a sense of responsibility among participants
  • Entrepreneurial mindset development through creative problem-solving and decision-making

Ongoing Activity:

• Under the leadership and support of their Mathematics teacher, the pupils are managing an in-school business operation. This initiative involves the production and sale of customised 3D-printed keyrings. The process follows a structured workflow:
  1. Order Processing – Customers place orders every Friday.
  2. Production – The selected designs are created using a 3D printer (operated by the teacher due to its complexity and cost).
  3. Assembly and Packaging – The students collaboratively manage the packaging process:
     • One student attaches the keyring to the product.
     • Another packages it with a small thank-you card.
     • The final student seals the package and labels it for delivery.
  4. Financial and Administrative Management – On Wednesdays, the group convenes to generate invoices and update coursework, guided by their teacher.
  5. Marketing and Promotions – The students collaborate on advertising strategies, designing posters and developing themed products for seasonal events such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter.

Conclusion:

This initiative exemplifies the value of practical learning in preparing students for future employment. Through their involvement in this business venture, participants develop essential workplace competencies such as teamwork, financial management, and customer engagement. The partnership with TechSoft UK LTD enhances their understanding of business operations, bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry practices.