Curriculum intent Statement for Business Studies
Intent
The Business Studies curriculum is designed to build entrepreneurship and encourage pupils to become risk takers.
Implementation
Business studies is delivered at years 10-11. The holistic teaching of our lessons reflects the collaborative way businesses in the real world work and ensures students gain a clear understanding of each department’s role. Students will consider the practical application of business concepts. The units provide opportunities to explore theories and concepts in the most relevant way, through the context of events in the business and economic world. The knowledge and skills gained from Business will provide students with a firm foundation for their future career. We aim to inspire students to be ambitious and start their own businesses by creating practical and engaging lessons where they learn to analyse financial information, make operational and human resource decisions and create marketing strategies to develop their entrepreneurial skills. The department hopes to broaden student experiences through trips, guest speakers, clubs, and reading resources.
Assessment Breakdown
- 100% Exam – OCR Exam Board, No Controlled Assessment
- Paper 1: Business Activity, Marketing and People (1 hour 30 minutes) – 50 %
- Paper 2: Operations, Finance and Influences on Business (1 hour 30 minutes) – 50 %
Units and Topics Covered in Year 10
Business Activity
- The Role of Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
- Business Planning
- Business Ownership
- Business Aims and Objectives
- Stakeholders in Business
- Business Growth
Marketing
- The Role of Marketing
- Market Research
- Market Segmentation
- The Marketing Mix
People
- The Role of Human Resources
- Organisational Structures and Different Ways of Working
- Communication in Business
- Recruitment and Selection
- Motivation and Retention
- Training and Development
- Employment Law
Units and Topics Covered in Year 11
Operations
- Production Processes
- Quality of Goods and Services
- The Sales Process and Customer Service
- Consumer Law
- Business Location
- Working with Suppliers
Finance
- The Role of The Finance Function
- Sources of Finance
- Revenue, Costs, Profit and Loss
- Break-Even
- Cash and Cash Flow
Influences on Business
- Ethical and Environmental Considerations on Business
- Economic Climate
- Globalisation
BTEC Travel & Tourism
Units
- 25% – Unit 1: The UK Travel and Tourism Sector (EXAM)
- 25% – Unit 2: UK Travel and Tourism Destinations (COURSEWORK)
- 25% – Unit 3: The Travel and Tourism Customer Experience (COURSEWORK)
Students also complete one more piece of Coursework from the following units:
- Unit 4: International Travel and Tourism Destinations
- Unit 5: Factors Affecting Worldwide Travel and Tourism
Extra-Curricular. Trips and Visits
The nature of the subject taught in the department allows plenty of opportunities for students to learn outside the formal classroom environment. Students have participated in The Young Business Leader Programme, which is a Global private initiative. We also offer a range of educational visits and invite speakers from different industries to help their career choices after they complete their course. Business Studies is the highest chosen option at College from George Mitchell School. The Department’s philosophy is to encourage active learning in a variety of contexts.
Enterprise
The department allows plenty of opportunities for students to learn about Enterprise off normal timetable. This year, students were able to set up their own Business and design and sell their very own brand of Smoothie or Milkshake. They were involved in the whole Design process as well as Finance and Marketing. Business Leaders were invited in order to select the overall winners.
Other Websites
https://ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/business-j204-from-2017/ : the awarding body for GCSE Business Studies – containing advice and past papers and mark schemes
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-firsts/travel-and-tourism-2013-nqf.html#tab-4 : the awarding body for BTEC First in Travel and Tourism – containing advice, sample assessments and sample assignments
www.bbc.co.uk/gcsebitesize: knowledge and revision, plus links to many good Business Studies websites
www.bized.co.uk: for students of Business Studies
www.tutor2u.net : For advanced students of Business Studies
