Business Studies

Subject Leader: Mr M Upson

If you wish to learn more about our curriculum please contact the Subject Lead by clicking on their name above.

Key Stage 4

Year 10 and 11 - Level 1/Level 2 BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise

BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Enterprise
Exam Board: Pearson

Course Overview

Throughout year 10 & 11, students will learn about different business concepts, the different types of ownership, to their aims and what factors can influence a business. Students will then apply this knowledge to two small local businesses, developing an understanding of how these contexts impact on business behaviour and their success.

Students will then research their chosen businesses to find out:

The interdependent nature of business aims and their activities, understanding the characteristics of an entrepreneur to ensure success and how market research is essential to their progression.
How different business contexts affect business decisions and success.
Understand internal and external influences that companies have to take into account to ensure that they are successful.

Assessment:

Component 1: Exploring Enterprise

How businesses operate.
Consider how market research helps a business to understand the market.
Investigate the characteristics of an entrepreneur to ensure business success.

Internal Assessment: 30% of overall grade.

Component 2: Planning for and Pitching an Enterprise Activity

Develop 3 business ideas for a product or service that would benefit the local community.
Create a business plan for the chosen idea and identify the financial implications that this would cause.
Pitch your business idea in a Dragon’s Den style activity.

Internal Assessment: 30% of overall grade

Component 3: Promotion and Finance for Enterprise

Understand the costs involved in business and how businesses make a profit.
Understand how businesses plan for success.
Understand how businesses measure successes and identify areas for improvement.

Formal Examination: 2 hours. 60 marks. 40% of overall grade.

Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Business

Exam Board: Pearson

Course Overview

The Extended Certificate is for learners who are interested in learning about the business sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in business-related subjects.

Assessment:

Unit 1: Exploring Business. In this introductory unit, learners study the purposes of different businesses, their structure, the effect of the external environment, and how they need to be dynamic and innovative to survive.

Internal Assessment: 25% of overall grade

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign. Learners will gain skills relating to, and an understanding of, how a marketing campaign is developed.

Formal Examination: 5 hours. 25% of overall grade

Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance. Learners study the purpose and importance of personal and business finance. They will develop the skills and knowledge needed to understand, analyse and prepare financial information. Written examination set by Pearson.

Formal Examination: 2 hours. 33% of overall grade

Unit 8: Recruitment and Selection Process. Learners explore how the recruitment process is carried out in a business. The unit gives learners the opportunity to participate in selection interviews and review their performance.

Internal Assessment: 17% of overall grade

Curriculum Content

Year 10

Term 1: Component 1: What are the purpose, activities and aims of two contrasting local businesses?
Term 2: How can entrepreneurial characteristics and skills impact selected enterprises?
Term 3: Component 1: How can market research be used to understand customer needs and competitive behaviour?
Term 4: Component 1: Completing Component 1 Assessment. 12 hours.
Term 5: Component 3: What are the purpose, activities and aims of when it comes to promoting an Enterprise?
Term 6: Component 3: How can keeping and maintaining financial records support the growth and development of an Enterprise?

Year 11

Term 1: Component 2: What ideas and plans can be used to introduce a new micro-enterprise?
Term 2: Component 2: What strategies can be successful when pitching a new enterprise?
Term 3: Component 2: How can a review impact the quality of future pitches?
Term 4: Component 3: How can financial planning and forecasting predict the growth of an Enterprise?
Term 5: Component 3: How can keeping and maintaining financial records support the growth and development of an Enterprise?
Term 6: Component 3 Assessment Preparation.

Sixth Form Provision

Year 12

Term 1: Unit 1: What different features and organisation can lead to a business being successful?
Term 2: Unit 2: What contribution do marketing principles and processes make to business success?
Term 3: Unit 1: How can the business environment and markets determine how a business operates?
Term 4: Unit 2: Do marketing campaigns influence business success?
Term 5: Unit 1: Does innovation and enterprise contribute wholly to business success? Or are there other factors?

Term 6: Unit 3: Are there any key principles and theories of personal finance or is it a combination?

Year 13

Term 1: Unit 8: Can recruitment and selection contribute to business success?
Term 2: Unit 3: Can financial theories and accounting processes impact real life finances?
Term 3: Unit 8: Is the recruitment process important when finding successful employees?
Term 4: Unit 3: Can data be used to interpret the impact and outcome of a financial situation?
Term 5: Unit 2 / 3: Preparation for exam retakes
Term 6: Unit 2 / 3: Preparation for exam retakes