Business & Finance

Our Business Studies staff

We have 3 fulltime members of the Computing/Business Studies Department.

• 2 x teachers of Computing, Business and Finance
• 1 x teacher specialising in Computing

All members of the department teach across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. David Jenkins (Vice Principal T&L) teaches the Year 11 GCSE Business Studies class (2017 leavers).

Business – KS4 Examination Course

We are following the OCR course which covers the following modules:

• Unit A291 – Marketing and Enterprise
• Unit A292 – People in Business
• Unit A293 – Production, Finance and the External Environment

(http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-business-studies-j253-from-2012/)

 

Study Guide

Unit	A291	A292	A293
Unit title	Marketing	Types of Business Activity	Production, Finance & External Business Environment
Course Content	Analysing the market Market Research Data Collection The Marketing Mix Price Product Place Promotion Enterprise Business Planning	Business Objectives Stakeholders Organisation/Growth Location Sole Proprietors and Partnerships Private and Public Limited Companies Other Types of Business Organisation Employment/retention Motivation/Training Employment Law Trade Unions Communication ICT and Communication Organisation Charts	Types and Control of Production methods Quality and Productivity Revenue, Costs and Break even Sources of Finance Profit/loss accounts Cash Flow Competition Business Ethics Environmental Influence Demand Globalisation Supply/Demand The European Union
Type of Assessment	Controlled assessment (10 hours)	1 Written exam (1hour)	1 written exam (1½ hours)
	25%	25%	50%
Assessment Date	Summer Term 2016	24th May 2017	9th June 2017
Mock Exams	June 2016	November 2016	February 2017

KS5 – Finance

CeFS develops the knowledge and skills required for young people to make informed financial decisions by introducing them to the risks and challenges involved in personal finance and the tools for effective planning. Within this, it provides a solid basis for creating financial inclusion, by exploring social-economic trends and their relationship with an individual’s circumstances and attitudes.

We study 2 units across 2 years:

Unit 1 – Financial Capability for the Immediate and Short Term	Unit 2 – Financial Capability for the Medium and Long Term
Students will gain an appreciation of why money is important through focusing on what money is; attitudes to it; and how it can affect life choices.	Students will gain the ability to plan and manage their financial needs in the medium and long-term, with particular reference to the importance of the need to budget for future aspirations and life events.
Part A = 1 x multiple choice examination Part B = 1 x written examination Total 100 marks available for the unit	Part A = 1 x multiple choice examination Part B = 1 x written examination Total 100 marks available for the unit
Part A = 35 multiple choice questions in a 45-minute examination. Part B = pre-release case study requiring essay responses to 5 questions in a 105-minute examination.  Part B will also assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG) Grading The overall qualification will be graded A* – E. To achieve a pass, students must achieve a pass of 40% of the Uniform Mark Scheme (UMS) in both units. Units will be graded with pass / fail only.

Key content areas

• Importance of financial capability in the immediate, short, medium and long term.
• Financial services and products, including sources of help and advice.
• Borrowing, budgeting, financial planning and cash flow forecasting.
• The impact of external influences at different stages in the personal life cycle.
• Risk and reward in managing personal finance.

Key skills developed

The qualification will encourage students to:

• analyse financial information, financial services products and services and begin to make judgements about suitability for people in different circumstances.
• develop an understanding of financial concepts and terminology to enhance financial literacy.
• analyse, synthesise, evaluate and reflect.
• demonstrate numeracy skills, including the ability to manipulate financial and other numerical data to reflect the conceptual activity of financial maths.
• select appropriate data and information to make arguments.
• structure and communicate ideas logically and coherently.
• increase your ability to work and learn independently.

What progression does the CeFS qualification offer?

The skills and knowledge developed in CeFS can be extended by taking two further units to form LIBF Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS), or by other options for Further or Higher Education study. CeFS offers maximum 70 UCAS points which can contribute to your university entry.

Teaching and Learning

GCSE Business Studies gives students a detailed look into how a business works. The subject uses an analytical, evaluative and investigative approach. Students complete most of their work using ICT and particularly use the Microsoft application, Class OneNote, which is an electronic workbook. This means all of their work is accessible to them whether in class or at home. It also means the teacher can have access to the work at the same time.

We want our Business Studies students to have a happy and successful learning experience. Conversations about how students can develop their learning are at the heart of business lessons. Students learn best in a positive, supportive and consistent environment and we ensure well prepared and stimulating lessons are delivered. This enables business students to make progress and strive to achieve their potential in Business Studies.

Extra Curricular

Students are encourages to carry out wider reading tasks and revision tasks. Homework is set regularly and students often complete this in their ClassNote. We are trying to encourage wider links with business and are looking to arrange visits to aid and support delivery for unit A293.