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Business Studies
My Model for business is The Beatles: They were four guys that kept each other’s negative tendencies in check; they balanced each other and the total was greater than the sum of the parts. Great things in business are not done by one person, they are done by a team of people.
STEVE JOBS, 2003
Our Philosophy
We believe that Business Studies is a fantastic aid in helping all to use evidence in making considered judgments. It should be taught by placing students in the position of real life decision makers rather than as mere recipients of business theory. Lessons should always be contemporary and challenging and ensure the students gain a genuine insight into the complexities of the business environment. All will learn to differentiate between powerful and superficial evidence which will help them to make reasoned judgments.
What We Expect From Our Students
Our role is to facilitate learning and to build an effective partnership with students. You will already have many of the skills needed to succeed in this subject. The trick is now to apply them effectively in a new context. You will meet this challenge naturally if you are enthusiastic in lessons, act on constructive criticism and show patience when progress is slow.
Contact Name: Ms A Severns
Key Stage 4: GCSE Business Studies
This is a dynamic course which gives the students an overview of what happens in real world business contexts ranging from small enterprises to large multinationals, and businesses operating locally, nationally and globally. Students will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact a business’ behaviour. Within the teaching and learning of the GCSE Business course students will apply business concepts to familiar and unfamiliar contexts, learning to develop problem solving and decision making skills relevant to business. Students will also investigate, analyse and evaluate business opportunities and issues, often using quantitative data to support decisions.
Students will apply their knowledge and understanding to all aspects of business and covering subject area as diverse as;
- The interdependent nature of business activity
- Influences on business
- Business operations
- Finance
- Marketing
- Human resources
All of these topics are taught in such a way to provide students with the opportunity to understand how changing events in the dynamic business world impact on consumers, producers and government. This ensures that students do not learn business theories in a vacuum. Students are assessed through two written exams at the end of Year 11. Both have significant focus on the essential higher order skills of analysis and evaluation. GCSE Business Studies therefore is not only a sound introduction to studying the subject at a higher level but also represents a good way of developing important transferrable skills.
As previously stated the assessment of students is through two exams that are sat in Year 11.
Paper 1: Influences of operations and HRM on business activity
Paper 2: Influences of marketing and finance on business activity
Key Stage 5 - Cambridge Technical in Business (CTEC)
CAMBRIDGE TECHNICAL DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS (OCR)
Level of Study: Level 3
10 Units (equivalent to 2 A-Levels)
CAMBRIDGE TECHNICAL EXTENDED CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS (OCR)
Level of Study: Level 3
5 Units (equivalent to 1 A-Level)
Description of the Course
Vocational qualifications are ideal for students who want to learn by doing and who prefer continuous assessment to end of course exams. You also know your results as you progress through the course rather than waiting for results day. Students will be assessed through both external examinations and internally assessed coursework units.
For the Diploma you will study:
- Unit 1 The Business Environment
- Unit 2 Working in Business
- Unit 3 Business Decisions
- Unit 4 Customers and Communication
- Unit 5 Marketing and Market Research
- Unit 6 Marketing Strategy
- Unit 7 Marketing Campaign
- Unit 15 Change Management
- Unit 16 Principles of Project management
- Unit 22 Delivering a Business project
For the extended certificate you will study:
- Unit 1 The Business Environment
- Unit 2 Working in Business
- Unit 4 Customers and Communication
- Unit 5 Marketing and Market Research
- Unit 16 Principles of Project management
Skills Required
A commitment to hard work, the ability to undertake independent research, meet deadlines and work as part of a team
Entry Qualifications
At least 5 GCSE passes at Grade 4 or above including English and Mathematics.
Method of Assessment
There are a variety of assessment methods during the course:
- Written assignments based on real businesses
- Traditional exams based on business case studies
- For some practical tasks you will be assessed by the teacher observing you e.g. when running an event
Educational Progression and Career Opportunities
After this qualification, you can progress directly to employment; however it is likely that you will do so via higher study. Areas of employment include junior business roles in marketing, administration, finance, events management, HR, marketing and other related areas in the business sector, including higher apprenticeships.
Key Stage 5 - A-Level
A-LEVEL IN BUSINESS (PEARSON)
Level of Study: Level 3
Description of the Course
Students are introduced to business in Themes 1 and 2, in Year 12 through building knowledge of core business concepts and applying them to business contexts to develop a broad understanding of how businesses work. In Year 13, students are introduced to Themes 3 and 4, requiring them to take a more strategic view of business opportunities and issues.
Year 12
Students will study Themes 1 and 2 as set out below
| Theme 1: Marketing and people | Theme 2: Managing business activities |
|---|---|
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Students will develop and understanding of: |
Students will develop and understanding of: |
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Year 13
| Theme 3: Business decisions and strategy | Theme 4: Global business |
|---|---|
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This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 2. Students will develop an understanding of: |
This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 1. Students will develop an understanding of: |
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|
Skills Required
A commitment to hard work, the ability to undertake independent research, numeracy skills, critical, evaluative and analytical skills.
Entry Qualifications
At least 5 GCSE passes at Grade 5 or above including English and Mathematics.
Method of Assessment
This is assessed through 100% external examinations at the end of the two year course. Your A Level Business qualification will consist of three external papers as set out below
Paper 1 – 35%
Paper 2 – 35%
Paper 3 – 30%
Educational Progression and Career Opportunities
After this qualification, you can progress directly to employment; however it is likely that you will do so via higher study. Areas of employment include junior business roles in marketing, administration, finance, events management, HR, marketing and other related areas in the business sector, including higher apprenticeships.
