Business Studies
Intent
Our intent for Business Studies is to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to navigate and succeed in the world of business and commerce. It provides learners with knowledge and understanding of business issues in local, national and international contexts whilst encouraging them to use an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to the study of business. It provides a foundation for further academic study in business-related fields and prepares students for various career paths, including entrepreneurship.
Further information
Key Stage 4 (GCSE)
GCSE Business Studies is taught at Key Stage 4 and is designed to develop learners understanding of key business concepts and issues. It is organised in a way that will allow learners to develop the depth and breadth of knowledge required to enable them to construct well evidenced and balanced arguments with regards to business issues.
The scheme of learning in year 10 is designed to develop the learners understanding of the concepts, issues and skills involved in starting a small business and considers both local and national contexts (theme 1). At the beginning of the course learners are introduced to the role of entrepreneurship and spend time considering the key characteristics of successful entrepreneurs and how small businesses spot opportunities. (1.1 and 1.2). Learners are introduced to the financial aspects of running a business including the importance of profit, cash flow and funding (1.3) before developing an understanding of the factors which influence a small businesses success (1.4). To complete theme 1 learners spend time considering the effects of the external environment on businesses (1.5) as this understanding is crucial if they are to understand the activities beyond the start up phase.
The course then moves onto theme 2 which considers how businesses develop beyond the start up phase, with emphasis on some key functional areas. In the summer term of Year 10 learners focus on developing human resources (2.5) and operations management (2.3) as these are topic areas not previously covered in theme 1 and yet are fundamental to a businesses success.
The scheme of learning in year 11 continues to focus on how businesses develop beyond the start- up phase. Learners will consider the key concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business, with emphasis on the functional areas and how the interdependencies between them underpin business decisions. This includes marketing (2.2) and financial decision making (2.4). Learners will also be introduced to global (as well as national) business contexts when studying business growth (2.1). Marketing is covered prior to 2.1 as again it provides prior knowledge which can be applied to global marketing and ethics. This allows learners to develop both the depth and breadth of knowledge required to solve business problems.
All years are examined at the end of each topic through an end of topic assessment which is used to inform future teaching.
Key Stage 5: A Level
The A Level Business curriculum has been designed to develop within learners an enthusiasm for studying business whilst preparing them for the study of business or related courses in higher education. The scheme of learning for Year 12 builds on learners’ prior knowledge from Key Stage 4 and their own wider general knowledge. The teaching of Year 12 involves the study of Theme 1 Marketing and People followed by Theme 2 Managing Business Activities. Both themes develop the learner’s knowledge of core business concepts and involves applying them to business contexts to develop a broad understanding of how businesses work. As Theme 1 includes an introduction to entrepreneurs and the key considerations when starting a business this is the theme which is delivered first. Theme 2 builds on this and covers topics related to managing that business start-up.
In Year 13 Theme 3 (Business Decisions and Strategy) and Theme 4 (Global Business) are taught alongside each other with both themes requiring learners to take a more strategic view of business opportunities and issues. These are delivered together as they complement each other with similar topic areas being studied helping to reinforce the learners understanding. This approach allows the delivery of Themes 3 and 4 to develop the concepts delivered in Themes 1 and 2. This approach supports continuous progression and helps learners gain breadth and depth of knowledge.
Key Stage 5: Applied Business
The purpose of Applied Business is to provide learners with an insight into the business world whilst developing qualities businesses wish their employees to have including independence and the ability to meet deadlines, whilst also preparing students with the knowledge required to continue their studies in higher education.
In the Autumn term of Year 12 students complete the Unit 2 piece of coursework “Business dynamics” which is based around the NMA in Plymouth. The reason for this starting point is it allows students to gain an understanding of how a real business operates and learn about the different functions a business is involved in. This provides a good introduction to the subject. In this term the learners also complete the work for the Unit 1 exam “Financial planning and analysis”. Again, this is taught here as it provides an introduction to the key considerations an entrepreneur would face when starting business eg business ownership, objectives, business planning. It also introduces the key financial techniques that learners require to complete the Unit 5 coursework later in the course. The spring term of Year 12 involves the learners completing Unit 3 “entrepreneurial opportunities” which is an external task set by the exam board. This is completed after Unit 1 and 2 as it builds on the knowledge and skills covered. This is also completed before unit 5 as it provides further understanding of to business startup and planning.
The final half of the summer term of Year 12 and the Autumn term of Year 13 involve the students completing the Unit 5 “business planning” coursework. This allows the learners to use the knowledge and skills gained in Year 12 and apply them to their own business plan. The presentation of their idea also helps them to develop oracy skills. Unit 8 is completed after Unit 5 as it involves producing marketing communications for the business idea in Unit 5. Work for Unit 4 the exam in “Managing and leading people” also takes place in the autumn term of Year 13 allowing the learners to bring this knowledge into the human resources section of their business plan.
The approach of delivery to this course allows student to gain the Certificate in Applied Business at the end of Year 12. It also allows learners to build their knowledge throughout the 2 years and revisit key concepts. The nature of the coursework tasks allows students to develop skills for the world of work and higher education including research skills, organisation and communication.
Key Stage 5: Level 2 Certificate in Business
The purpose of the Level 2 Certificate in Business is to equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed for progression into further education, apprenticeships, or entry-level employment.
The course has been designed to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of various aspects of business. It aims to provide students with an understanding of entrepreneurship, marketing and finance whilst helping to develop the transferable skills sought after by employers. The scheme of learning begins with the coursework Enterprise in the Business World (Unit 1) which provides learners with an understanding of the key concepts, issues and skills when starting a business. This is taught in the Autumn term as it provides an introduction to business and the knowledge required to complete the Business Planning coursework (Unit 18) which is completed in the Spring and Summer term. Alongside these two units learners will study for an external exams in both Marketing (Unit 9) and Finance (Unit 2) whilst completing coursework units in Customer Service (Unit 4), Recruitment and Selection (Unit 8) and Financial Forecasting and Monitoring (Unit 13). These coursework units have been chosen as they provide an introduction to a range of functional areas helping learners to gain a breadth of knowledge. The nature of these coursework tasks also allows the learners to develop the skills required for Level 3 study and employment.
Curriculum Plans
Curriculum time allocation
KS4 - 6 hours a fortnight (option)
KS5 A Level Business - 10 hours a fortnight (option)
KS5 Level 3 Applied Business - 10 hours a fortnight (option)
KS5 Level 2 Business BTEC - 14 hours a fortnight (option)
SEND Learner Experience in Business Studies
Planning
When planning lessons, we use all SEND information documents available; Individual Learning Plans, EHCP documents and reading age scores to ensure a sound knowledge of individuals' needs and that appropriate resources are used to support learning. The seating plan is carefully organised and a class plan is completed for every class.
Work scrutiny is used to prioritise students with SEND and assess how effectively progress is being made. If not, we make reasonable adjustments to their experience based on the information we hold and liaise with the SENDCo where appropriate.
When planning our schemes of work, we ensure that we create a curriculum in which there is a clear revisiting of topics, subjects or themes throughout the course. This ensures a deepening of skills and knowledge, with each successive encounter building on the previous one.
- Retrievals used to reinforce learning
- Clear learning journey with ‘know it, link it, say it’
- Explicit teaching of vocabulary
- Explicit modelling using guided practice
- Time for deliberate practice.
Before each lesson
SEND students are highlighted on both the class plans and seating plans. Class plans are annotated to ensure helpful strategies are used to help our learners. These are regularly updated.
Seating plans assist with the provision of intervention for SEND students.
Entry routine
Students are welcomed into the classroom, using thresholding, to ensure all students feel welcome and recognised. Routine and procedure is used to establish common expectations, e.g the retrieval task is always on the board or, where appropriate, printed out and on desks.
During teaching
The Tavistock College Charter is applied to ensure consistency of experience.
Resources are created to ensure all students can access the lesson.
'3,2,1, STAR behaviours’ and tracking are used to ensure all students understand and engage with the task.
Pre-warning students when we are about to cold-call for questions to reduce anxiety.
Circulating around the room during independent practice to help identify and engage with those in need of support.
Prioritising students with SEND for checking in and short marking.
Use of scaffolding to ensure all students can access the tasks.
After each lesson
We use the evidence seen in student books to inform our planning of the next lesson.
After each assessment
We use the evidence seen in student work to inform our planning of the next lesson. We have a reteach lesson where misconceptions and common errors are clarified and explained.
Data analysis includes a focus on SEND students.
Reading and literacy in Business Studies
Subject contact
Mrs Sarah Holt