Curriculum Lead

Miss G Spencer - Curriculum Lead Business, Computer Science

Curriculum Principles & Intent

The study of Business and Enterprise combines the academic theory within a vocational, real world context. It aims to provide transferable skills which allows students to follow a learning journey from an educational environment, through school to college and university to a work environment, by providing an insight to a number of business sectors and departments including Finance, Marketing and Promotions, HR, Management, Organisations, Law and Pitching New Enterprises.

Students studying business will develop a range of life skills including:  team working, problem solving, research skills, independent learning and communication skills whilst instilling confidence and a self-belief in our students Students will take a proactive part in their studies by maintaining a good understanding of current affairs and applying this to their studies on the impact of the external environment on business. Business Studies will develop their creative side in developing marketing and promotional campaigns, planning and pitching a business idea whilst also developing their financial acumen when it comes to understanding personal finance in the form of; mortgages, lending, savings and investments. The route through Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 is through a vocational pathway and students are encouraged to be active learners, choosing their own ideas, businesses and units for study so they can develop their own interest and take ownership over their own learning. Students will also have the opportunity to take part in employment interviews and develop their CV and interview skills in order to be in a strong position to gain employment or continue into higher education. 

---

Key Stage 4 BTEC Specifications

BTEC Technical Level 1/2 Award in Enterprise

Exam Board: Pearson 

Aim of Course:

This qualification is for students who would like to develop knowledge and skills through vocational contexts by studying the knowledge, behaviours and skills related to researching, planning, pitching and reviewing an enterprise ideas. This qualification covers a wide range of areas including market research skills, planning, promotional and financial skills using realistic work scenarios, and personal skills, (such as monitoring own performance, time management and problem solving) through a practical and skills-based approach to learning and assessment.

Course Content

There are 3 units of study for this course. These are:

• Exploring Enterprises
• Planning and Pitching an Enterprise Activity
• Promotion and Finance in Enterprise

Mode of Assessment

There is a mixture of assessment. Two units are assessed through a portfolio of coursework, developed around the students’ interests. The third unit is assessed through an external exam which is taken in Year 10 with a retake opportunity in Year 11.   

---

Key Stage 5 BTEC Specifications

BTEC Extended Certificate in Business

Exam Board: Pearson

Level of Course: 3

Aim of Course:

This course will give an underlying in-depth knowledge of various Business topics in a genuine vocational context. It will develop transferable business skills including researching and selecting information, writing skills, working on your own as well as in teams, decision-making, problem solving, being creative, analytical and evaluative skills.

Course Content:

This course emphasises vocational, practical contexts with a range of areas to study.  There are three mandatory units which are:

•             Exploring Business - Coursework
•             Developing a Marketing Campaign - Exam
•             Personal and Business Finance - Exam

There is one optional unit to study which would be one of the following and is a piece of coursework, developing an area of interest:

• The English Legal System
• Work Experience in Business
• Recruitment and Selection
• Customer Service
• Market Research
• Employment Law
• Cost and Management Accounting

There may be opportunities to study two further units to claim the 1 ½ A Levels for students wishing to further expand their Business knowledge (the Foundation Diploma). These options can include event management, accounting, pitching and law. For some students, there is the opportunity to study the Double BTEC which is the equivalent of 2  A Levels. Under this qualification, student would also study International Business, a very topical subject in the current climate.

Mode of Assessment:

Students complete a series of tasks set in work-related scenarios which is tailored to local industry needs. Students complete, in controlled conditions, a task tackling an everyday challenge; some tasks also draw on pre-released information. There is also one externally assessed test to increase the rigour of the BTEC course.