Studying Business introduces pupils to the dynamics of how a business is set up and organised. It enables individuals to enhance their ability to enter the world of work within a wide range of business organisations. Our course provides valuable opportunities to develop key skills such as ICT, Maths, team working and communication, as well as developing confidence and inter-personal skills. At Key Stage 4, the students are able to follow the OCR Cambridge Nationals Enterprise and Marketing course.
The structure of the course allows students to complete two coursework-based units focusing on enterprise and marketing of business. There is also an examination that students complete based on previously learnt knowledge.
Our Key Stage 5 students follow the BTEC Nationals Level 3 Business qualification, studying marketing, marketing strategy, international business strategy, accounting and finance through a number of coursework based tasks alongside examined units. All students have the opportunity to take part in a number of extra-curricular activities such as the Student Investor Challenge and the Young Enterprise competition.
Our students will grasp concepts, ideas and learning in an up to date, relevant and real-life focused context. Students will be developing an understanding of their own capabilities and reflecting on self-improvement during their dynamic learning journey. Our students will be prepared for their next steps whether they progress onto higher Business courses or not, they will have a richer knowledge and understanding of the processes of Business and be ready to apply them. Our students will develop the key skills for employment; teamwork, leadership, communication, and organisation which will be prevalent throughout their learning experience. Our students will consider the ethical and environmental aspects of Business and will develop a roadmap of their own personal attitudes allowing them to participate in society as good citizens and employees/employers.
To support all learners, including SEND, access content we focus on high quality teaching, alongside the use of a wide range of supportive resources including structured pre teaching, support decoding exam questions and modelling answers. We use exemplar material to help support students with their coursework and exam answers. We use retrieval questioning, to build student confidence and develop memory techniques to allow students to recall and understand the key exam content. Where exam arrangements are required in the form of readers, scribes and word processing, we work closely with relevant departments to ensure this provision is provided. Assignments may also be adapted giving extra instructions within OCR regulations, or breaking down tasks which can then be delivered in smaller ‘chunks’.
At KS4, the students follow the OCR Level 1/2 Cambridge National Certificate in Enterprise and Marketing course.
Unit | GLH | Type | Marks | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit R067: Enterprise and marketing concepts | 48 | Exam | 80 | Topic Area 1: Characteristics, risk and reward for enterprise Topic Area 2: Market research to target a specific customer Topic Area 3: What makes a product financially viable Topic Area 4: Creating a marketing mix to support a product Topic Area 5: Factors to consider when starting up and running an enterprise |
Unit R068: Design a business proposal | 36 | Controlled assessment | 60 | Topic Area 1: Market research Topic Area 2: How to identify a customer profile Topic Area 3: Develop a product proposal Topic Area 4: Review whether a business proposal is financially viable Topic Area 5: Review the likely success of the business proposal |
Unit R069: Market and pitch a business proposal | 36 | Controlled assessment | 60 | Topic Area 1: Develop a brand identity to target a specific customer profile Topic Area 2: Create a promotional campaign for a brand and product Topic Area 3: Plan and pitch a proposal Topic Area 4: Review a brand proposal, promotional campaign and professional pitch |
Proposed structure to the course:
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year 10 | R068 – Design a business proposal | R069 – Market and pitch a business proposal | ||||
Year 11 | R069 – Market and pitch a business proposal | R067 – Enterprise and marketing concepts |
At KS5, the students follow the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate Business course.
Unit | GLH | Type | Details |
---|---|---|---|
Unit 1 Exploring Business | 90 | Internal | Coursework unit set by Pearson. |
Unit 2 Developing a Marketing Campaign | 90 | External | • A task set and marked by Pearson and completed under supervised conditions.
• Learners will be given a context two weeks before a supervised assessment period in order to carry out research. • The supervised assessment period is undertaken in a single session of three hours. • Submission completed using a computer. • 70 marks. |
Unit 3 Personal and Business Finance | 120 | External | • Written examination set by Pearson.
• 2 hours. • 100 marks. |
Unit 8 Recruitment and Selection Process | 60 | Internal | Coursework unit set by Pearson. |
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year 12 | Unit 1 Exploring Business | Unit 3 Personal and Business Finance | ||||
Year 13 | Unit 2 Developing a Marketing Campaign
Two opportunities for the exam Jan and June | |||||
Unit 3 Personal and Business Finance
Two opportunities for the exam Jan and June | ||||||
Unit 8 Recruitment and Selection Process |
Business Studies can lead to further areas of study such as a Level 3 Business qualification and then on to University. This qualification is useful when considering future employment. The topics and case studies used throughout this course will help you understand the world of work. Business has strong academic and vocational aspects to it.
This course could lead to Business qualifications at University. This qualification allows learners to enter the broad world of Business. Careers include:
British Values underpin many aspects of the course that we deliver within the Business department. As such, these themes recur in many topics that we teach.