Business Studies

Vision

BTEC qualifications at Rutlish are designed to provide specialist work-related qualifications in a range of sectors. They have been developed to provide the knowledge, understanding and functional skills necessary to prepare learners for employment and/or to provide career development opportunities for those already in work.

KS4 Provision

The BTEC Tech Award suite as a part of vocational learning give learners the opportunity to build skills that show an aptitude for further learning both in the sector and more widely. All businesses need enterprising employees to drive their organisations forward, to have ideas and initiatives to instigate growth, and to ensure that businesses survive in this fast-changing world.

Enterprise is a key government focus and is set to form an important part of the UK’s global economic status, both now and in the future. Enterprise skills provide a fantastic progression pathway into a number of roles in an organisation and are transferable into all businesses.

BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise 

The BTEC Level 1 and Level 2 Tech Award in Enterprise is a Level 2 qualification. However, it is graded at Level 2 Pass, Level 2 Merit, Level 2 Distinction, Level 2 Distinction*, Level 1 and Unclassified. The two years course consist of:

• 120 guided-learning-hour qualification (equivalent in teaching time to one GCSE);
• 3 core components
• 40% of the qualification that is externally assessed – Component 3 ‘Promoting and Finance for Enterprise’. Edexcel sets and marks these assessments;
• available on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF);
• the development of core knowledge and understanding, including the range of enterprises and the key features and factors that contribute to an enterprise’s level of success;
• the development and application of skills such as analysing research, information, planning and financial forecasting, communicating and problem solving;
• reflective practice through carrying out a small enterprise activity that allows learners to respond to feedback and identify areas for improvement.

Year 10
Component 1- Exploring Enterprises (36 GLH)

Learning aim A: Examine the characteristics of enterprises

Description

• Learners will investigate two real different SMEs, e.g. a service provider or supplier of goods locally and a larger SME.
• Learners will consider the characteristics of the SMEs and their owners, and the importance of these characteristics in achieving success.

We seek local businesses to participate in our questionnaire below. You are welcome to click the link below: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LQ59939

Component 3 -Promoting and Finance for Enterprise (48 GLH)

Learners will explore the different promotional methods used by enterprises and the factors that influence how enterprises identify and target their market. Learners will explore financial documents and how to use them to monitor and improve the performance of an enterprise in order to make decisions and recommend strategies for success.

Year 11

Component 2 – Planning and Finance for Enterprise (36 GLH)

Learners will individually select an idea for an enterprise to plan and pitch. They will work individually or as a small group to run a micro-enterprise activity and will develop their skills in operating and reviewing the success of the enterprise.

KS5 Provision

The Department offers two routes for students to study Business Studies at KS5: A Level Business Studies (academic) and BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business (vocational).

A Level Business Studies

For a number of years we have followed the AQA specification that includes:

• What is business?
• Managers, leadership and decision making
• Decision making to improve marketing performance
• Decision make to improve operational performance
• Decision making to improve financial performance
• Decision making to improve human resource performance
• Analysing the strategic position of a business
• Choosing strategic direction
• Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies
• Managing strategic change

Assessment:

Paper 1 lasts for 2 hours. It contains three compulsory sections which contain a mixture of multiple choice questions, short response questions and finishes with two essay questions.

Paper 2 lasts for 2 hours. The paper is based upon three data response questions which have different parts to them.

Paper 3 lasts for 2 hours. It has one compulsory case study from which six questions would follow based upon the information which candidates have been given.

Each of the different assessments make up 33.3% of the final A Level grade. All assessments take place at the end of the second year and each paper could focus on any of the topics which have been studied

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business (Edexcel)

Our Business BTEC KS5 provision is BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business is 360 GLH Equivalent in size to one A Level. Four units of which three are mandatory and two are external. Mandatory content (83%). External assessment (58%). The Extended Certificate is for learners who are interested in learning about the business sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in business-related subjects. It is designed to be taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels.

Resources

A Level Business Studies course is supported with wide range of resources including AQA approved textbooks and department own designed working and revision booklets.

BTEC Tech Award and BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business uses a variety of Edexcel approved revision guides and materials to supplement your class notes. There is an access to online textbooks in the classroom.

It is highly recommended that you watch TV programs such as BBC’s Dragons Den and The Apprentice in order to help you develop your own pitch for personal Enterprise idea for the Tech Award. In addition, it is expected that you read the business pages of the broadsheet newspapers: The Times, The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Independent etc, some of these being available on a daily basis in the library. There will be visits to local/regional businesses as well as hosting of different speakers to enhance a curricular experience.

Expectations

The Business Studies department has high expectations of both students and teachers. Business Studies requires you to undertake independent learning, by way of reading around the subject as well as using a variety of research methods. Your teachers strive to ensure you reach your potential, by us working together in a positive environment we both achieve our goals.

Mr A Redzepagic
Head of Department

Mrs M Graham
Btec Business Lead Teacher