Business Studies (BTEC)

‘The business of business is….business’

^{Milton Friedman}

Course summary

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.

Unit 1 - Exploring Business

Unit 3 - Personal and Business Finance

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 complete a coursework unit that involves applying for a job at a selected business. The role of interviewer and interviewee will be carried out in a formal interview process; this is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop key career skills and help create more clarity around their choices post-Sixth Form.

Unit 2 - Developing a Marketing Campaign

Unit 8 - Recruitment and selection in a business

Facilities

Bank of laptops with access to the latest software from Google.

GCSE requirements

Minimum of a grade 5 (or equivalent) in a business-related subject

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.

Cadbury World trip in Bournville, Birmingham

There is also the annual Young Enterprise competition that will be open to all Business Studies students. The aim is to create a fully registered business under the Young Enterprise label 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.