Business Studies

Academic and vocational Business Studies courses are offered to KS4 and KS5 students of all abilities. These include GCSE Business Studies, Level 2 Certificate for Preparation for Work Experience, Level 2 Certificate in Business Enterprise and GCE Business Studies.

GCSE Business Studies covers realistic business issues encountered in the business environment. The course enables candidates to consider the practical application of business and economic concepts within the context of the real world. It is a useful subject for those students who wish to pursue Sixth Form study in the Business and Economics Department. GCE Business, GCE Economics, GCE Applied Business, Diploma courses and Extended Assessment in Business and Economics would be natural progressions for students who study this subject. The GCE Business Studies course offers a valuable insight into the operation of business in the economy, and will benefit students wishing to take business courses at university. It will similarly benefit students wishing to develop their understanding of business concepts and theories further, following success in GCSE Business Studies.

Teachers

• Ms A Winkeler (Director of Learning)
• Miss S Mannaru (Assistant Director of Learning)
• Mr M Rivers-Davis (BEC Co-ordinator)
• Ms S Boden
• K Miller
• J Sullivan
• A Feindero
• K McMinnamen
• D Landau (Certificate of Enterprise - Year 9 Enrichment Curriculum)

KS4

Years 9-11: Business Studies GCSE

The GCSE course is based on the AQA syllabus (the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance). Units of Study include:

1. Setting up a Business - Assessed by a written paper (1 hr), 60 marks - 40%
2. Growing as a Business - Assessed by a written paper (1 hr), 60 marks - 35%
3. Investigating Businesses - Assessed by a controlled assessment item, 40 marks - 25%.

The course covers the following main areas:

• Starting a Business Enterprise
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• People in Business
• Finance.

The course is assessed through one controlled assessment item (original, individual work) and two separate written papers. The controlled assessment task will involve individual responses to work under controlled conditions. Students will be assessed on their research, planning and the quality of their response with regards to knowledge, application, analysis and investigation. The course is highly demanding but enjoyable and incorporates a variety of teaching methods ranging from group work, role plays and visits to outside organisations.

Years 9-11: Level 2 Certificate for Preparation for Work Experience

This course is designed to develop students" understanding of the legal, social and commercial aspects of the workplace. The qualification is taught throughout years 10 and Year 11 Business Studies classes. The majority of the subject's practical learning opportunities are gained from Work Experience placements in the summer term. The qualification is a Level 2 Certificate which has the same tariff as a GCSE qualification grade A*-C.

The Certificate for Preparation for Work Experience will be assessed within Hasmonean High School with students providing a portfolio evidence booklet of the learning areas they have covered. This will be the only requirement the board needs to give certificate accreditation. The main units of the course are as follows:

• Unit 1. Understanding the Rights and Responsibilities of the Workplace
• Unit 2. Understanding the Organisation of the Work Environment
• Unit 3. Ability to carry out tasks in the workplace
• Unit 4. Ability to work with others.

As no external examinations are set for this course, students must gather the majority of the evidence for Units 3 and 4 above during their Work Experience placement. Student portfolios for Units 1 and 2 are completed with the support of case studies and business theory taught in the GCSE Business Studies lessons.

Students will be taught the theory of the Certificate during normal Business Studies lessons with the concepts being discussed and covered discretely within the GCSE Business Studies syllabus. Learning material from the internet and local employers' exemplars will be used to support the evidence candidates produce in their portfolio booklets.

Years 9-11: Level 2 Certificate in Business Enterprise

The OCR Level 2 Award in Business Enterprise will be appropriate for those who need or wish to gain some of the crucial skills, knowledge and understanding required to set up their own business. It will allow students to gain some of the knowledge, understanding and skills required to operate as a business manager and to set up their own business.

This course is being introduced in September 2009. The OCR examination board specification (Level 2 Award in Business Enterprise - QAN 500/1798/6 - is being followed. (The Level 2 Certificate is equivalent to a single GCSE at grade A*-C.)

This qualification specifically aims to:

1. Develop critical understanding of the enterprise environment through guided learning and practical experience
2. Develop critical understanding of the factors affecting the success of a business enterprise
3. Recognise candidates" understanding of the enterprising essentials required of all potential entrepreneurs
4. Provide candidates with some of the skills, knowledge and understanding required to set up their own business.

Candidates must achieve a minimum of six credits to achieve success in the Award in Business Enterprise. These will consist of one mandatory credit plus a minimum of three credits from the Level 2 optional list. The remaining optional credits can be achieved by successfully completing optional units from either the Level 2 or Level 3 units.

The course units are as follows:

• Creating a Vision for your Business
• Making a Cashflow Forecast
• Planning to Sell your Product or Service
• Preparing a Plan for your Business
• Producing a Plan for your Business.

KS5

Years 12-13

The Business Studies AS/A Level course follows the AQA Awarding Body Specification (2130). Minimum requirements for the course are 6 GCSEs A-C with A/B in English and Mathematics. Independent study time is set at three hours per week minimum. Additional required reading includes The Times Business Section and The Financial Times.

The course follows the A/S and A2 module system. Two units are covered in the first year of Sixth Form to obtain the A/S Level, with two additional units taken in Year 13 to obtain the full A Level award.

Business Studies covers the following main areas over two years of study:

• Planning and Financing a Business; Starting a Business, Financial Planning
• Managing a Business; People and Communication, Operations, Finance, Marketing and Competition analysis
• Strategies for Success; Financial Strategies, Marketing, Operations and Human Resources
• The Business Environment and Change; External influences, Leadership and Ethics, Managing Change.

A/S modules are assessed by one-hour examinations. These may be taken twice over the course of study. At A2 Level, exams last one hour and thirty minutes.

Business Studies AS/A2 involves a variety of learning experiences and opportunities including group work, case studies and visits to outside organisations.

Students are not able to take the AS/A2 Applied Business with this subject due to over-duplication of material.