Head of Department - Andy Georgiou
Introduction
The department currently comprises five full time staff. All teachers in the department teach across the range of subjects which are heavily subscribed, including GCSE, AS, A Level, GNVQ Intermediate and the Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education.
The department prides itself on achieving excellent examination results with a substantial number of students continuing into higher education.
A range of teaching methods and styles are used and a very wide pool of resources is available to assist with the delivery of the portfolio of subjects. In the past, visits have been made to various businesses and a number of outside contacts have been established. The department is based on the Upper School site with access to the latest Computer Network systems.
This heavily subscribed department has expanded over the years and now teaches to the majority of the Sixth Form.
Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11
Pupils opt for GCSE Business Studies at KS4 where we have approximately four groups of 25 pupils in both Years 10 and 11. These groups have three single lessons per week.
Business Studies
What will I learn?
- Why business activity takes place
- The range of business organisations and how they are created
- Business activity and the environment in which they operate within
- The different structures, organisation and control of business
- Business aims, objectives and measures of success
- Sources, uses and management of finance
- Production and marketing strategies
- Roles, responsibilities and management in business
- The range of stakeholders and their influence on business activity
What is the structure of the course?
The following topics will be studied in Year 10
- Business activity; Primary, Secondary and tertiary activity; Factors of production; Business organisations; Objectives; Judging success
- Human resources; Internal organisation; Communication; Recruitment and selection; Training; Motivation and rewards; Negotiation and consultation
- Marketing; The market; Marketing mix
- Data collection for coursework
The following topics will be studied in Year 11
- Accounting and finance; Costs and break even analysis; Final accounts; Performance ratios; Budgets and cash flow forecasts; External and internal sources of finance
- Location of industry
- Production; Methods of production; Productivity; Quality; Economies and diseconomies of scale
- Completion of coursework
How will I be assessed?
Students will sit one written exam paper either at Foundation or Higher level worth 75% of the final grade, and one piece of coursework worth 25%.
What skills and interests do I need to have?
Students should have an interest in the World of Work. They should be able to supplement school work with guided independent research.
What courses or employment could I progress to at the end of my course?
Completion in this subject at Level 2 (GCSE C or above) will allow you to have a range of options in 2010. If you wish to progress to a Level 3 (AS/A2, BTEC) in this subject, you are required to have a minimum of a C grade at Level 2 (GCSE). GCSE Business Studies may be required in a number of training programs by employers or as an entry requirement for other subjects at advanced level.
Key Stage 5 - Years 12 and 13
In 2008 - 09, pupils will be able to opt for AS and A2 in Accounting or Business; AS and A2 Double Award in Applied Business and a Level 2 BTEC First Diploma in Business.
AS and A2 Accounting
What will I learn?
- Knowledge and understanding of the purpose of accounting
- Accounting concepts, techniques, standards and practices
- Limitations of accounting reports
- The various types of business entity and their related accounting procedures including sole traders, partnerships, companies and non-profit making organisations
- How to complete a range of accounts from basic book-keeping to published financial accounts
- The skills of numeracy, communication, presentation, analysis, problem-solving, interpretation, application and evaluation of accounting information
Who is the course for?
- Students who are logical and enjoy problem-solving
- Students with strong numeracy skills
- Students who enjoy challenges and thrive on finding solutions
- Students who want a qualification of practical use for entry to employment or university
What is the structure of the course?
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AS
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AS Unit 1: Introduction to Financial Accounting
�� Purposes of Accounting
�� Accounting records: subsidiary books and ledger
accounts
�� Verification of accounting records
�� Trading and profit and loss accounts and balance
sheets including simple adjustments
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AS Unit 2: Financial and Management Accounting
�� Types of Business organisation
�� Accounting concepts
�� Further aspects of the preparation of the final
accounts and balance sheet of sole traders
�� Internal final accounts of limited companies
�� Ratio analysis and the assessment of business
performance
�� Introduction to budgeting and budgetary control
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A2
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A2 Unit 3: Further Aspects of Financial Accounting
�� Sources of finance
�� Incomplete records
�� Partnership accounts
�� Published accounts of limited companies
�� Stock valuation
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A2 Unit 4:
Further Aspects of Management Accounting
�� Manufacturing costs
�� Marginal. absorption and activity based costing
�� Standard costing and variance analysis
�� Capital investment appraisal
�� Budgeting: further considerations
�� Other factors affecting decision-making: social
accounting
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How will I be assessed?
Four compulsory questions for each unit - each carrying a variable number of marks, each with a variable number of sub questions
What do I need to know or do before being able to take the course?
Candidates need to have a good understanding of maths. Read through the information and if you have any queries please see Mr Georgiou.
What courses or employment could I progress to at the end of my course?
As with all Level 3 subjects, successful completion of this course will enable progression onto both further and higher education, a Modern Apprenticeship or employment in a range of industries. To become a fully qualified accountant will require successful completion of many years of further study, therefore this could be a good 'taster' to the world of accountancy to help inform you as to whether this is a route you wish to follow beyond the sixth form. You may find that this course will give you a good insight into aspects of the financial world which could help to shape future career options.
AS and A2 Business
What will I learn?
- The diverse nature of business enterprise and its ever changing character
- The interdependence of the business world and of business itself with society and economies
- A critical understanding of organisations, the market they serve and the process of adding value
- The process of decision-making in a dynamic internal and external environment
- An awareness that business behaviour can be studied from the perspective of a range of stakeholders
- The importance of economic, environmental, ethical, governmental, legal, social and technological issues associated with business activity
- The skills of numeracy, communication, presentation analysis, interpretation, application, problem- solving,decision-making and evaluation
Who is the course for?
- Students who want a broad understanding of the world of business
- Students who enjoy challenges and problem-solving
- Students with strong numeracy skills
- Students who want a recognised qualification for entry to employment or higher education
What is the structure of the course?
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AS
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Unit 1 - Planning and Financing a Business
�� Starting a Business - The challenges and issues
of starting a business: enterprise: entrepreneurs
�� Financial Planning - Key financial concepts
needed to start a business including: sources of
start up finance, planning cash flow, contribution
and break even.
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Unit 2 - Managing a Business
�� People - Communication; motivation;
recruitment; HR planning
�� Operations Management - adding value;
quality; customer service
�� Finance - improving cash flow, measuring profit,
improving profitability
�� Marketing and Competition - planning 4 'P's;
analysing the competitive environment
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A2
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Unit 3 - Strategies for Success
�� Financial Strategies and Accounts - financial
information, measuring performance, financial
decisions.
�� Marketing Strategies - analysing markets,
devising marketing strategies
�� Operations Strategies - location, R & D,
improving operational efficiency
�� Human Resource Strategies - workforce
planning, measuring performance, adapting
organisational structures, employee relations.
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Unit 4 - The Business Environment and Change
�� External Influences - the effects of changes in
the economic, political, legal, social and ethical;
corporate culture; risk strategy; change
management and response of organisations
�� Leadership, Corporate Culture, Ethics -
leadership styles, role of leaders in response to
change, corporate culture
�� Managing Change - planning for change,
corporate strategies, managing change, decision
making
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How will I be assessed?
Unit 1 - Multiple choice questions plus one compulsory multi-part data response question plus short answer questions.
Unit 2 - 2 compulsory, multi-part data response questions
Unit 3 - 5 questions focusing on measuring business performance and assessing appropriate functional strategies to achieve success. Unseen case study with a range of data.
Unit 4 - A two part paper - Section A will contain questions based upon prior research. Section B will be a selection of three essay titles from which the candidates will select one. This will be a synoptic paper and draw on all the specification.
What do I need to know or do before being able to take the course?
Read through the information and if you have any queries arrange to see a member of the Business Studies team.
What courses or employment could I progress to at the end of my course?
As with all Level 3 subjects, successful completion of this course will enable progression onto both further and higher education, a Modern Apprenticeship or employment in a range of industries. Business Studies will equip you with many valuable skills required in the modern employment market. As there are so many different themes within Business Studies you will have a 'taster' for numerous areas which may be studied beyond the sixth form or may lead directly to employment in specialist fields - such as marketing, product development, human resource management, etc.
What do I need to know or do before being able to take the course?
Read through the information and if you have any queries arrange to see a member of the Business Studies team.
What courses or employment could I progress to at the end of my course?
As with all Level 3 subjects, successful completion of this course will enable progression onto both further and higher education, a Modern Apprenticeship or employment in a range of industries. Business Studies will equip you with many valuable skills required in the modern employment market. As there are so many different themes within Business Studies you will have a 'taster' for numerous areas which may be studied beyond the sixth form or may lead directly to employment in specialist fields - such as marketing, product development, human resource management, etc.
AS and A2 Applied Business (Double Award) A2 Applied Business
What will I learn?
The course is designed to give you an opportunity to develop both a broad understanding of Applied Business principles and the opportunity to focus on a specific pathway, e.g. Marketing, Finance, Human Resources and Administration.
You will develop knowledge and understanding of:
- The practices and techniques used within marketing, finance, operations management, human resource management and the links between them
- The processes, attractions and risks of setting up an enterprise
- The relationship between the business and the changing external environment
- Social and ethical issues in business
In addition you will:
- Contribute to the development of the skills required for success as an entrepreneur, manager or employee
- Apply numerical and written business techniques to a variety of business contexts
- Explore business problems and learn to identify possible solutions
It is important that you actively experience the business environment, therefore a variety of approaches to learning are used, including links with local employers, case studies and research. The skills of communication, ICT, numeracy, presentation, analysis, interpretation, application, problem solving, decision-making and evaluation are all developed through the course.
Who is the course for?
- Students who want to gain an understanding of key pathways in Business
- Students who have an interest in Business and/or an entrepreneurial nature
- Students who enjoy independent research, communication and presenting ideas through a variety of methods
- Students who enjoy coursework
- Students who want a recognised qualification towards entry to employment or higher education
What is the structure of the course?
Applied Business is a double award, meaning that it is worth two AS levels or two full A Levels. Six units comprise the AS levels or 'subsidiary' units. Students may choose to either 'cash in' on this award, or continue on to the A2 levels, where a further six units are completed.
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AS Double Award
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A2 Double Award
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�� Investigating Business (compulsory)
�� People in Business (compulsory)
�� Financial Planning and Monitoring (compulsory)
Plus two of the following:
�� Planning a Venture
�� Career Planning
�� Business Planning
Plus either
�� Meeting Customer Needs or
�� Business Information and Communications
Systems
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�� Business Planning (compulsory)
Plus three of the following:
�� Marketing Strategy
�� Promotional Activities
�� Managing Information
�� Managing Change
�� Managing Resources
Plus two of the following:
�� The Marketing Environment
�� Managing People
�� Financial Accounting for Managers
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& A2 Applied Business continued
How will I be assessed?
AS
The following three units are assessed through a two hour external exam (you are required to take two of them):
- Financial Planning and Monitoring (compulsory)
- Meeting Customer Needs
Or
- Business Information and Communication Systems
The remaining four units are internally assessed through assignment and project work. These units will be externally moderated.
The AS in Applied Business is worth two AS levels.
A2
The following three units are assessed through a two hour external exam (you are required to take two of them):
- The Marketing Environment
- Managing People
- Financial Accounting for Managers.
The remaining four units are internally assessed through assignment and project work.
These units will be externally moderated.
The A Level (A2) in Applied Business is worth two full A levels.
What do I need to know or do before being able to take the course?
The course is designed and delivered using a variety of learning methods and teaching styles. It is not necessary to have studied any particular subject at Level 2 although GCSE Business Studies would be an advantage.
What courses or employment could I progress to at the end of my course?
Higher education: These awards provide a sound basis for progression to a range of HE courses, e.g. BA degrees in a variety of business subjects, and HNDs. Combining Applied Business with other AS and A2 subjects will of course broaden your choice at university.
Employment: The course aims to maintain and support the recognised standards demanded for Applied Business education and training in order to meet the requirements of various Business sectors.
Level 2 BTEC First Diploma in Business
What will I learn?
The course is designed to enable you to gain an understanding of how a business operates and the processes that enable it to produce goods and services to satisfy customer needs. You will acquire a broad background of understanding and core knowledge but at the same time, study in detail specific functional areas such as Business Finance and Customer Service. Much of your learning will be developed in a
practical and realistic way as several units of work are linked to trips and visits. The skills of communication, ICT, numeracy, presentation, analysis, interpretation, application, problem - solving, decision-making and evaluation are all developed through the course.
Who is the course for?
- Students who want to gain an understanding of key pathways in Business.
- Students who have a genuine and active interest in Business.
- Students who enjoy independent research, communication and presenting ideas through a variety of methods.
- Students who enjoy coursework.
- Students who enjoy practical business based activities.
- Students who enjoy teamwork.
- Students who want to progress to Advanced courses in the sixth form.
What is the structure of the course?
The BTEC First Diploma in Business is a one-year course divided into six units, three core and three specialist. You must follow the course for the full year to achieve accreditation.
The unit titles are:
Core compulsory: Specialist units - choose three:
- Introduction to Business Activity �� Business Communication
- Exploring Key Business Pressures �� Employee Contributing to Working Conditions
- Investigating Financial Control �� Introduction to Business Administration
- Sales and Customer Service
- Business Online
- Starting up a New Business
How Will I be assessed?
Each unit contains statements of evidence that each learner should produce in order to receive a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade. However, Unit 1, Introduction to Business Activity, will be assessed through an externally set assignment.
The BTEC First Diploma in Business is broadly equivalent to four GCSEs at grades A* to C, depending on whether a Pass, Merit or Distinction has been achieved.
To progress to Advanced courses it is preferable that you achieve a merit or distinction. What do I need to know or do before being able to take the course?
The course is designed and delivered using a variety of learning methods and teaching styles. There is a heavy emphasis on coursework. Students must be committed and prepared to work independently. It is not necessary to have studied any particular subject at GCSE although taking Business Studies at GCSE would be an advantage, and a grade C in English Language is preferable.
What courses or employment could I progress to at the end of my course?
The BTEC First Diploma in Business has been designed to form a qualification that provides a broad knowledge of this vocational area. It is an ideal course to allow progression to the AS Applied Business course. The course also provides a choice of specialised studies and skills such as accounting, administration, customer service, facilities, finance, IT Management, online operations, personnel, sales and self-employment - all directly relevant to employment opportunities in Business.
The Business sector provides a very diverse range of employment opportunities, and the well developed personal skills [e.g. teamwork, problem solving, initiative] combined with work related knowledge gained means that students are suitable for recruitment , albeit at a junior level initially, in a range of fields.
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