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Business & Enterprise
The Business and Enterprise team is a faculty which includes at KS4 and KS5 Business Studies and Economics.
Our Aim
Business & Enterprise teachers engage students by using the real world to bring learning to life so students can relate to familiar and current contexts. We like to use a variety of tasks including technology that meet the individual learning styles through differentiation to challenge students, most important it is the relationships we forge that is of mutual benefit.
Year 9
GCSE Business Studies – Starting in 2016 for Year 9 Business (8132)
In this course, students develop their understanding of Business Studies. This is part of a three year course. There are six main units of study (listed below) which are examined in two papers in Year 11. We are currently following the AQA specification.
- Business in the Real World
- Influences on businesses
- Business Operations
- Human Resources
- Marketing
- Finance
Assessment
The course is assessed with the two written terminal exam papers
Paper 1
Influences of operations and HRM on Business Activity. This paper examines:
- Business in the real world
- Influences on Business
- Business Operations
- Human Resources
The paper has 90 marks and is worth 50% of the final GCSE mark. The paper is a written paper and is 1 hour and 45 minutes in duration.
Style of questions: Section A has multiple choice questions and short answer questions worth 20 marks.
• Section B has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 34
marks.
• Section C has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 36
marks.
Paper 2
Influences of marketing and finance on Business Activity. This paper examines:
- Business in the real world
- Influences on Business
- Marketing
- Finance
The paper has 90 marks and is worth 50% of the final GCSE mark. The paper is a written paper and is 1 hour and 45 minutes in duration.
Style of questions: Section A has multiple choice questions and short answer questions worth 20 marks.
• Section B has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 34
marks.
• Section C has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 36
marks.
Resources:
All students are provided with the a textbook – AQA GCSE Business Studies Published by Nelson Thornes ISBN: 978-1408504352. We are waiting for specific resources to be published for this course.
| Term | Topics |
|---|---|
| Year 9 Autumn Term 1a, 1b and Spring Term 2a | Businesses in the Real World The purpose of business activity, the role of business enterprise and entrepreneurship, and the dynamic nature of business. Specifically students will examine: Purpose of Business Basic functions and types of Business Enterprise and entrepreneurship Dynamic nature of business Business ownership e.g sole traders, Ltds, Plcs Aims and Objectives Stakeholders Location Business Planning Expanding the Business |
| Year 9 Spring Term 2b | Influences on Business The importance of external influences on business and how businesses change in response to these influences. Specifically students will examine: Technology Ethical and Environmental considerations The economic climate Globalisation Legislation Competitive environment |
| Year 10 Spring Term 2a and 2b | Business Operations Students should understand what business operations involve, their role within the production of goods and the provision of services, and how they influence business activity. Specifically students will examine: Production Process The role of Procurement e.g. JIT, supplier factors and logistics The concept of quality Good customer service |
| Year 10 Summer Term 3a and 3b | Human Resources Students should understand the purpose of human resources, its role within business and how it influences business activity. Specifically students will examine: Organisational structure Recruitment and selection of employees Motivating employees Training |
| Year 10 Autumn Term 1a and 1b | Marketing Students should understand the purpose of marketing, its role with business and how it influences business activity. Specifically students will examine: Identifying and understanding customer Segmentation The elements of the marketing mix The purpose and methods of market research |
| Year 11 Autumn Term 1a and 1b | Finance Students should understand the purpose of the finance function, its role with business and how it influences business activity. Specifically students will examine: Sources of finance Cash Flow Financial terms and calculations Analysing the financial position |
Keep the existing GCSE Business as being taught to Year 10 and Yr 11 – Ive just switched some information as highlighted, so now correct.
Year 10
| Term | Topics |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term 1a | Operations Students are introduced to the final topic of unit 1 in which they will understand production methods for manufacturing and service based businesses, customer service, impact of ICT, quality assurance |
| Autumn Term 1b | Unit 1 Students will recap their learning from the last year and develop their understanding of the external examination. Students will develop their understanding of revision technique and will concentrate on extending their answers with a particular focus on developing their analysis and evaluative skills. |
| Spring Term 2a | Growing a business Students are introduced to this first topic of the unit two exam. Students will explore the changes in the aims and objectives of the business, changes in stakeholder interests, methods of growth and integration. |
| Spring Term 2b | Marketing Understanding the changes to the marketing mix – Price, Product, Promotion and Place. |
| Summer Term 3a | People Students will explore how larger businesses recruitment methods differ from a small business. Students will also explore motivation and appraisal of staff and different organisational structures. |
| Summer Term 3b | Summer Project |
Year 11
| Term | Topics |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term 1a | Finance Students will develop their knowledge of finance, exploring the different sources of finance available to larger businesses. Students will also understand and interrupt the Balance Sheet and the Profit and Loss accounts |
| Autumn Term 1b | Finance Students will develop their knowledge of finance, exploring the different sources of finance available to larger businesses. Students will also understand and interrupt the Balance Sheet and the Profit and Loss accounts |
| Spring Term 2a | Finance Students will develop their knowledge of finance, exploring the different sources of finance available to larger businesses. Students will also understand and interrupt the Balance Sheet and the Profit and Loss accounts |
| Spring Term 2b | Unit 2 Students will recap their learning from the last year and develop their understanding of the external examination. Students will develop their understanding of revision technique and will concentrate on extending their answers with a particular focus on developing their analysis and evaluative skills |
| Summer Term 3a | Revision and Exam Preparation |
A-level Business Studies
Course Description and Content:
This course started in 2015 during the two years of study students develop their understanding of Business. Students will study ten units which are examined in three papers.
In Year 1 students will study 6 units and 4 units in Year 2,
| Term | Topics |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term Year 1 | What is Business (3.1) This is an introductory unit, learners study the purposes of different businesses, Specifically students will examine: The nature and purpose of business Different business forms Understanding business operate within an external environment |
| Autumn Term Year 1 | Managers, Leadership and decision making (3.2) Specifically students will examine: Understanding management, leadership and decision making, Understanding management decision making Understanding the importance of stakeholders |
| Autumn Term and Spring term Year 1 | Decision making to improve marketing performance (3.3) Specifically students will examine: Setting marketing objectives Understanding markets and customers Making marketing decisions: segmentation, targeting and positioning Making marketing decisions: using the marketing mix |
| Autumn Term and Spring term Year 1 | Decision making to improve operational performance (3.4) Specifically students will examine: Setting operational performance Analysing operational performance Increasing efficiency and productivity Managing inventory and supply chains |
| Summer term Year 1 | Decision making to improve financial performance (3.5) Specifically students will examine: Setting financial objectives Analysing financial performance Sources of finance Cash flow and profits |
| Summer term Year 1 | Decision making to improve human resources performance (3.6) Specifically students will examine: Setting and analysing human resource performance Making HR decisions : improving organisational decision and managing the human resource flow Making HR decisions : improving motivation and engagement Making HR decisions : improving employer-employee relations |
| Autumn Term Year 2 | Analysing the strategic position of a business (3.8) Specifically students will examine: Mission, corporate objectives and strategy Analysing the existing internal position of a business including ratio analysis, overall performance political and legal change economic change social and technological changes the competitive environment analysing strategic options – investment appraisal |
| Autumn Term Year 2 | Choosing strategic direction (3.8) Specifically students will examine: Strategic direction – choosing which markets to compete in and what products to offer Strategic position: choosing how to compete |
| Spring term Year 2 | Strategic Methods (3.9) Specifically students will examine: Assessing a change in scale Assessing Innovation Assessing Internationalisation Assessing greater use of digital technology |
| Spring term Year 2 | Managing strategic change (3.10) Specifically students will examine: Managing change Managing organisational culture Managing strategic implementation Problems with strategy and why strategies fail |
Assessment:
Students will complete three external exams at the end of Year 13. Content from all ten units can be examined in all of the three papers.
Paper 1: Written Exam, 2 hours in duration, 100 marks in total, worth 33.3% of the final A level mark. It contains a mixture of multiple choice, structured questions and longer essay questions.
Paper 2: Written Exam, 2 hours in duration, 100 marks in total, worth 33.3% of the final A level mark. The paper has three data response compulsory questions worth approximately 33 marks each and made up of three or four part questions.
Paper 3: Written Exam, 2 hours in duration, 100 marks in total, worth 33.3% of the final A level mark. The paper has one compulsory case study followed by approximately six questions.
All students will receive talks and participate educational visits including visits to BMW and John Lewis.
BTEC Business – National Diploma
In this course, students develop their understanding of Business. This is a two year course in which students will study eight units. All students must study six core units and two optional units.
Diploma
Total 8 units (6 Mandatory Units plus two optional Units)
| Term | Topics |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term and Spring Term Year 1 | Exploring Business (Unit 1) This is an 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. |
| Autumn Term and Spring Term Year 1 | Managing an Event (Unit 4) Students will work as part of a small group to plan, co-ordinate and manage a business or social enterprise event and evaluate the skills gained. Specifically students will examine: Students facilitate a real event for a hands on experience |
| Autumn Term and Spring Term Year 1 | Team Building in Business (Unit 9) Learners will study the dynamics of team building, examine the underpinning theory and participate in team activities. A six week work experience supports this unit |
| Spring term 2b, Summer term Year 1 & Autumn Term Year 2 | Developing a Marketing Campaign (Unit 2) Learners study and gain skills to understand how a marketing campaign is developed. |
| Summer Term Year 1 Autumn and Spring Term Year 2 | Personal and Business Finance (Unit 3) 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. |
| Spring & Summer Term Year 2 | International Business (Unit 5) Learners study how UK businesses develop strategies to trade globally. Learners will also consider the factors that influence the implementation of these strategies. |
| Autumn and Spring Term, Year 2 | Principles of Management (Unit 6) Learners study how the role of management and leadership in the workplace contributes towards business success. |
| Spring and Summer Term Year 2 | Recruitment and Selection (Unit 8) Learners explore how the recruitment process is carried out in a business. The unit gives them the opportunity to participate in selection interviews and review their performance. |
There are three types of assessment, these are:
Assignment set and marked by Walton High staff, moderated by Pearson.
Task set and marked by Pearson (Pre-released Controlled Assessment
Written Exam—set and marked by Pearson
All units are assessed to a Pass, Merit or Distinction level. The written exam and tasks set and marked by Pearson can be assessed twice a year, January and June.
Tasks set by Pearson require students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a real-life scenario they are likely to encounter in the workplace. They provide students work based challenges, where they are faced with realistic work conditions and time-based pressures. Students will be given a scenario and will have two weeks to research and prepare for the assessment, which is a written task and is given three hours to complete in controlled conditions.
Written Exam – The exam is a two hour exam that has 100 marks available. The exam has two sections, Section A exams personal finance and is worth one third of the final marks, Section B examines students understanding of Business finance worth two thirds of the marks.
All students will receive talks, participate educational visits and undertake several work experience opportunities including a two week placement block in June/July.
Resources for BTEC Business Diploma
BTEC Business Subsidiary Diploma
Course Description and Content:
In this course, students develop their understanding of Business. This is a two year course in which students will study six units. All students must study four core units and two optional units.
The four core units are:
Unit 1: The Business Environment
Unit 2: Business Resources
Unit 3: Introduction to Marketing
Unit 4: Business Communication
The two optional units students will study are:
Unit 9: Creative Product Promotion
Unit 13:Recruitment and selection in Business
Assessment:
All units are through pieces of coursework and are assessed to a Pass, Merit or Distinction level.
Resources:
All students will be issued with the set text. BTEC Level 3 National Business Student Book 1, published by Pearsons ISBN: 978-1846906343
| Unit 1 – The Business Environment. This unit looks at the fundamentals involved in two contrasting business organisations- their aims, purposes, stakeholders and structure, as well as the external factors that influence a business and how they will react to these factors | Unit 2 – Business Resources The aim of this unit is to develop learner knowledge of the range of human, physical, technological and financial resources required in an organisation, and how the management of these resources can impact on business performance | Unit 3 – Introduction to Marketing. The unit aims of to give learners an understanding of how marketing, research & planning, and the marketing mix are used by organisations. Learners will also need to develop a coherent marketing mix of a product of their choice |
| Unit 4 – Business Communication. In this unit learners will explore different types of information and how it is communicated effectively. They will come to understand what legal and ethical constraints restrict and protect organisations and individuals. They will also develop and enhance practical and creative skills when they produce presentations, web pages and leaflets. | Unit 9 – Creative Product Promotion. In this unit, the learner will know the constituents of the promotional mix and get to understand the role of promotion within the marketing mix. Learners will also understand the role of advertising agencies and the media. They will then be required to create a simple promotional campaign of their choice. | Unit 13 This unit explores the recruitment process by different businesses. Students will also explore the legal frameworks they must operate within. Students will design their own recruitment documentation and interview in which they must interview potential applications and form judgements for a position of their choice. |
BTEC Business (AS) Diploma
Course Description and Content:
In this course, students develop their understanding of Business. This is a two year course in which students will study twelve units. All students must study four core units and eight optional units.
The four core units are:
Unit 1: The Business Environment
Unit 2: Business Resources
Unit 3: Introduction to Marketing
Unit 4: Business Communication
The eight optional units students will study are:
Unit 9: Creative Product Promotion
Unit 12: Internet Marketing in Business
Unit 13:Recruitment and selection in Business
Unit 15: Development Planning for a career in Business
Unit 18: Managing a Business Event
Unit 19: Developing Teams in Business
Unit 27: Understanding Health & Safety in the workplace
Unit 29: Understanding retailing
Assessment:
All units are through pieces of coursework and are assessed to a Pass, Merit or Distinction level.
All students will be issued with the two set texts. BTEC Level 3 National Business Student Book 1, published by Pearsons ISBN: 978-1846906343
BTEC Level 3 National Business Student Book 2, published by Pearsons ISBN: 978-1846906343
| Unit 12 – Internet marketing. In this unit learners will gain an understanding of the role of internet marketing in modern marketing and how this benefits both the customer and the business. They will also understand the marketing opportunities and challenges of globalisation facing a selected organisation when using the internet as a marketing tool. | Unit 18 | Unit 19 Teams are used by organisation in many ways. Students explore the different teams which could be used, the stages of forming a team and how teams help to achieve the goals of the business. Alongside Unit 18, students explore the roles they perform with in a team, exploring the roles and performance of a team whilst managing an event. |
| Unit 15 | Unit 27 This unit explores the importance of Health and Safety. Students interview key personnel responsible for Health and Safety. They will become a Health and Safety investigator in which they will undertake their own risk assessment. | Unit 29 With retailing being a key part of the UK economy, students will study the business of retail. They will learn about changes in retail, distribution of products and services and judging the level of customer services delivered by different retailers. Students will undertake mystery shopper surveys and research customer service policies. |
AQA GCSE Exam Board Homepage (2014 –Specification 4130)
Download past exam papers and markschemes
AQA GCSE Exam Board Homepage (2016 Specification 8132)
Download past exam papers and markschemes
AQA A-Level Exam Board Homepage (2015 Specification 7131/7132)
Download past exam papers and markschemes
BTEC Business DIPLOMA (2016 Specification)
Download past exam papers and markschemes
Useful Websites
Tutor2U
GCSE Bitesize
The Times 100 (case studies)
Business Ed
ACAS - HR
CIPD – HR
The Marketing Teacher
