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Business Studies

Business Studies Curriculum Map

Business is a vocational subject and can be studied as an option at both KS4 and KS5. KS4 Business is offered as a GCSE as per the OCR exam board and at KS5 as a BTEC National.

Extended Certificate which is equivalent to one A level being a mixture of coursework and examination based units.

GCSE & A Level

State the examination board and assessment details e.g. Paper 1 – Medicine Through Time 30%, Paper 2 etc

GCSE - OCR exam Board

The GCSE (9–1) in Business is a linear qualification with 100% external assessment.

OCR’s GCSE (9–1) in Business consists of two examined components that are externally assessed. Each component carries an equal weighting of 50% of the GCSE (9–1) qualification. Each examination has a duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes. Each examined component is worth 80 marks. It has a Section A which contains multiple choice questions. This section of the component is worth 15 marks. Section B includes short, medium and extended response style questions which use stimulus material that draws on real business contexts. This section of the component is worth 65 marks.

Units

Unit 1: Business Activity, Marketing & People

Unit 2 : Operations, Finance & Influences on Business

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business

This course is equivalent to one A level and is a combination of coursework and external assessment and is delivered over 2 years comprising of 4 units as follows:

Year 12 (Certificate in Business)

Unit 1: Exploring Business (Mandatory Unit) 50% weighting of Year 12 (90 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) - internally assessed via 3 assignments and externally moderated.

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign (Mandatory Unit) & Externally assessed in May - 50% weighting of Year 12 (90 GLH)

Year 13 (Extended Certificate in Business)

Unit 3: Personal & Business Finance - mandatory unit - 66.6% weighting of Year 13 (120 GLH) and externally assessed in the February & can re-take in the May/June.

Unit 8 Recruitment & Selection Process - option unit - 33.3 % weighting (60GLH) - internally assessed & externally moderated.

Facilities

Business has its own dedicated teaching and computer room with access to the relevant textbooks for each course and is well resourced.

Enrichment

The business department is very fortunate to have developed links with local businesses who are happy to come into school and talk to our students so we can relate theory to the real world. Local businesses that have so far participated include: Wilkin and Sons Limited (Marketing Manager and Human Resource Director both regularly visit our school to talk to 6th form students) , Perrywoods Garden Centre Marketing Manager, Mrs Button from Mrs Button’s Handmade chocolates and Sean the owner of Atlantis Gym in Tiptree have spoke to Year 9 & 10 students as local entrepreneurs. We have also developed links with Colchester Zoo and attended their Business and Marketing talks.

Finally in terms of recruitment and selection students have an opportunity to conduct formal interviews in a role play scenario as both an Interviewer and Interviewee and apply for a position which is a vital life skill in today’s job market. All students no matter what year are also required to deliver formal presentations as part of their Business course; and regular after school catch up coursework and revision sessions are run to support students in their studies.

Useful Subject Links

Exam Board Specifications:

BTEC Nationals Business Extended Certificate: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-nationals/business-2016.html

GCSE

https://ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/business-j204-from-2017/