Business Studies

Subject Introduction

This is a vocational course, developing technical skills such as the ability to conduct effective market research or carry out financial transactions. These practical skills are underpinned by theory, delivered in an innovative and exciting way that motivate students.

The Enterprise element of the curriculum requires students to be able to research, plan, pitch and evaluate enterprise ideas. These are transferable skills that are needed in so many future careers and life experiences.

The Business and Enterprise curriculum is the perfect preparation for our young students to ensure they can become responsible citizens in our society. It provides the basics of the Master Key to becoming a well-rounded Active Citizen through a practical and pragmatic curriculum.

The Curriculum

Key Stage 4

OCR Cambridge National in Enterprise and Marketing Level 2

All learners will study three mandatory topics as follows:

What knowledge and skills will the learner develop as part of this qualification and how might these be of use and value in further studies?

Enterprise and marketing concepts

The first topic underpins the wider learning in this qualification. Learners will develop essential knowledge and understanding of enterprise and marketing concepts, which can be applied to the other units within the qualification. Through the first topic learners will understand the main activities that will need to happen to support a start-up business, and what the key factors are to consider when starting up a business.

Design a business proposal

In the second topic, learners will develop the skills to design a business proposal to meet a specific business challenge. They will identify a customer profile for a specific product, complete market research to generate product design ideas, and use financial calculations to propose a pricing strategy and determine the viability of their product proposal. The knowledge and skills developed by completing this unit will assist learners in the third topic of this qualification.

Market and pitch a business proposal

In the third topic, learners will develop the skills to create a brand identity and promotional plan for their specific business product proposal developed in the second topic. They will develop pitching skills in order to pitch their business proposal to an external audience. Finally, they will review their pitching skills and business proposal using their learning, self-assessment and feedback gathered. The knowledge and skills developed by completing this topic will be transferable to further, related learning in areas such as enterprise, marketing or business.

Topics covered

Year 10:

Design a business proposal
Enterprise and marketing concepts

Year 11:

Market and pitch a business proposal
Enterprise and marketing concepts

KEY STAGE 5

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Business

We offer Business Studies as a Pearson BTEC, and follow the Extended Certificate in Business specification. This course will enable students to gain knowledge and understanding of the business sector with an emphasis on developing skills relevant to the workplace.

This course is offered at Extended Certificate with plans to provide the Diploma course (Equivalent of 3 A-Levels in Business) in the future.

Year 12: In Year 1 students utilise the skills learnt in KS4 to develop their understanding of how businesses operate, from SMEs to large multinational corporations. This will involve looking at ownership and liability, financial records (balance sheets, P&L accounts, etc) and stakeholder relationships to name a few key topics.

Year 13: Year 2 brings a more vocational approach to learning. Students will look at how businesses promote their goods/services, ultimately developing their own marketing campaign for a business within a case study. Finally, students will spend a week in a workplace of their choice to apply the skills learnt in the classroom. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to establish a career pathway and should create more clarity around their choices post-Sixth Form.

topics covered

Year 12:

Unit 1 - Exploring Business

Unit 3 - Personal and Business Finance

Year 13:

Unit 2 - Developing a Marketing Campaign

Unit 8 - Recruitment and Retention in the workplace

HOMEWORK

Homework is set once a week for both KS4 and 5, consisting of around 30/60 minutes respectively of work. All homework is set on Google Classroom.

Wider reading is also recommended for KS5 students as this will help them to provide real-world examples in their coursework.

ENRICHMENT AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Students are encouraged to carry out independent research on local businesses. We have a weekly drop-in Business Studies surgery for students to further develop ideas or to expand their knowledge of concepts. Educational visits from professionals are to help consolidate concepts and provide exposure to real-world business scenarios.

Jaguar-Land Rover factory tour in castle Bromwich at KS5

There is also a bi-annual Tycoon Enterprise competition that will be open to all Business Studies students. The aim is to create a business plan that will be pitched to a panel of professionals with the winner going on to compete against other schools for funding of their product/service.

CAREERS

The qualification will allow for a number of progression routes including Higher Education (e.g. BA/BSC Degree in Business Studies/Management/Accounting), other Applied Business-related qualifications and subsequent employment.

The Business BTEC qualification promotes a work ethic and professional development that is well received by industry as it develops interpersonal and practical thinking, working to deadlines, taking responsibility and effective time management.

Having the opportunity to accrue some experience in a workplace will prove invaluable when applying for a job in the future.