Business Studies
Business Studies is not taught at Key Stage 3, however a unit of work/project will be added to Y9 Computing lessons to introduce the key concept of business and promote the subject for future year groups.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 the department offers students the opportunity to study Level 2 BTEC Tech Award Enterprise. The aim of this course is to give students an overview of the world of business. Students will learn how the economy affects business through interest rates, recession and exchange rates and the importance of keeping accurate financial records. The course also aims to give students the opportunity to start their own business as well as meet and learn from the real business world. There are three units of work:
Component 1: Exploring enterprises
This unit examines the characteristics of enterprises, explores how market research helps enterprises to meet customer needs, understand competitor behaviour and investigate the factors that contribute to the success of an enterprise
Component 2: Planning and presenting a micro enterprise idea
This unit explores business ideas and requires the students to plan and pitch a small business idea in a Dragons’ Den style presentation. This is an internal assessment completed in school and counts towards 30% of the final grade.
Component 3: Marketing and finance for enterprise
This unit requires students to analyse and interpret financial information in relation to an enterprise and to make recommendations on strategies to use to improve the financial performance of the enterprise. Students will learn how to complete company accounts and learn about the different sources of finance available to enterprises. They will also learn about marketing, including targets markets, the marketing mix and methods of advertising. This is an externally assessed examination that will be completed in Year 11 and counts towards 40% of the final grade.
During the two year course, students have the opportunity to study for a single award qualification and will be able to achieve a Level 2 Distinction* - Level 1 Pass (equivalent to a GCSE grade 8-1).
This is a Pearson Edexcel vocational course and has the following grading structure:
| BTEC Grade | gcse grade equivalent |
|---|---|
| L2 Distinction * | Awarded by exam board |
| L2 Distinction | 7/8 |
| L2 Merit | 5/6 |
| L2 Pass | 4/5 |
| L1 Merit | 3 |
| L1 Pass | 1 |
Exam Board Information
Awarding body: Edexcel
Qualification type: BTEC
Specification title: Tech Award in Enterprise
QN: 603/1916/1