Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School

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Business & Economics

GCSE Business Studies

 

Contact Teacher(s):

Mr P. Kelleher/Mr S. Curley/Miss V. Connolly

Lessons per Week:

2

Examination Board:

AQA

Specification No:

8132

Qualification:

GCSE

Course Content

1. Business in the real world

2. Influences on business

3. Business operations

4. Human resources

5. Marketing

6. Finance

Assessment

This qualification is linear which means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.

Paper 1 – Influences of operations and HRM on business activity (units 1-4)

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes , 90 marks, 50% of GCSE

Paper 2 – Influences of marketing and finance on business activity (units 1, 2, 5 and 6)

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes, 90 marks, 50% of GCSE

Textbook: AQA GCSE (9-1) Second Edition Business by Malcolm Surridge and Andrew Gillespie

 

 

BTEC Business

Subject:

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business

Contact Teacher(s):

Mr P. Kelleher

Lessons per Week:

4.5

Examination Board:

Edexcel/Pearson

Specification No:

601/7157/1

Qualification:

BTEC (Equivalent to two A-Levels)

Course Content

The course is equivalent in size to two A Levels.  Units are assessed using a grading scale of Distinction, Merit, Pass and Unclassified.  Qualifications are graded using a scale of PP to D*D*.  There are 8 units of which 6 are mandatory and 3 are external.  The Diploma is designed to be the substantive part of a 16–19 study programme for learners who want a strong core of sector study. This programme may include other BTEC Nationals or A Levels to support progression to higher education courses in business areas before entering employment.

Mandatory units

There are 6 mandatory units. Learners must complete and achieve at pass grade or above all the 3 mandatory external units. Learners must complete all 3 mandatory internal units and achieve a pass or above in at least 2 units.

Optional units

Learners must complete at least 2 optional units.

Assessment

Year One

Unit (number and title)

GLH

Type

How assessed

Summary

1. Exploring Business

90

Mandatory

Internal assignment

In this introductory unit, learners study the purposes of different businesses, their structure, the effect of the external environment, and how they need to be dynamic and innovative to survive.

2. Developing a Marketing Campaign

90

Mandatory synoptic

External assignment set by Pearson

Learners will gain skills relating to, and an understanding of, how a marketing campaign is developed.

3. Personal and Business Finance

120

Mandatory

External written examination

Learners study the purpose and importance of personal and business finance. They will develop the skills and knowledge needed to understand, analyse and prepare financial information.

4. Managing an Event

90

Mandatory synoptic

Internal assignment

Learners will work as part of a small group to plan, coordinate and manage a business or social enterprise event and evaluate the skills gained.

27. Work Experience in Business

60

Optional

Internal (work experience to be undertaken)

Learners study the benefits of work experience in business. They reflect on their practical workplace skills by completing forty hours of appropriate work experience.

 

Year Two

Unit (number and title)

GLH

Type

How assessed

Summary

5. International Business

90

Mandatory synoptic

Internal assignment

Learners study how UK businesses develop strategies to trade globally. Learners will also consider the factors that influence the implementation of these strategies.

6. Principles of Management

120

Mandatory

External assignment set by Pearson

This unit enables learners to understand how the role of management and leadership in the workplace contributes towards business success.

9. Team Building in Business

60

Optional

Internal

Learners study the dynamics of team building, examine the underpinning theory and participate in team activities.

 

Key assessment and Dates

Unit 2 and Unit 3 Assessment will take place in the Summer 2018 Series of examinations.

Homework

One per week, per unit.

Textbooks

1. BTEC Nationals Business Student Book 1 + Activebook: For the 2016 specifications (BTEC Nationals Business 2016)

 

2. BTEC Nationals Business Student Book 2 + Activebook: For the 2016 specifications (BTEC Nationals Business 2016)

 

A-Level Business

Subject:

A-Level Business

Contact Teacher(s):

Mr P. Kelleher/Mr S. Curley/Miss V. Connolly

Lessons per Week:

4.5

Examination Board: Edexcel

Specification No: 9BSO

Qualification: A-Level

Course Content

Year 1 Content 

Theme 1- Marketing and People 

Theme 2- Managing Business Activities 

Year 2 Content 

Theme 3- Business Decisions and Strategy 

Theme 4- Global Business 

 

Assessment (based on doing A-Level and not AS level) 

Paper 1- Marketing, People and Global Business 

  • Paper 1 will assess marketing, people and global businesses. Questions will be drawn from Themes 1 and 4, and from local, national and global contexts. 
  • Written exam: 2 hours, 100 marks in total, 35% of A-Level 
  • The paper comprises two sections.  Students answer all questions from both sections.  Sections A and B each comprise one data response question broken down into a number of parts, including one extended open-response question. 

Paper 2- Business Activities, Decisions and Strategy 

  • Paper 2 will assess business finance and operations, business decisions and strategy. Questions will be drawn from Themes 2 and 3, and from local, national and global contexts. 
  • Written exam: 2 hours, 100 marks in total, 35% of A-Level 
  • The paper comprises two sections.  Students answer all questions from both sections.  Sections A and B each comprise one data response question broken down into a number of parts, including one extended open-response question. 

Paper 3- Investigating Business in a Competitive Environment 

  • Paper 3 will assess content across all four themes. Questions will be drawn from local, national and global contexts. 
  • For Paper 3, there will be a pre-released context document issued on our website in November of the previous year. A new context will be given to centres each year and will relate to the examination series for the following summer. 
  • The context will focus on a broad context, such as an industry or market in which businesses operate. The question paper will be in two sections. 
  • The first section will focus on the broad context provided. This will be outlined to centres through the pre-released document. Questions will focus on the broad context. 
  • The second section will focus on at least one strand within the context provided, such as a particular business. 
  • Each section will contain unseen stimulus materials comprising quantitative and qualitative evidence. Students are required to apply their knowledge and understanding from Themes 1, 2, 3 and 4 and their understanding of the broad context to this evidence. 
  • Students cannot take any of their research or investigation data carried out as part of the pre-release into the examination. 
  • Written exam: 2 hours, 100 marks in total, 30% of A-Level 
  • The paper comprises two sections.  Students answer all questions from both sections.  Sections A and B each comprise one data response question broken down into a number of parts, including one extended open-response question 

Key assessment and Dates

Based on the new system introduced in 2017, all three examinations will take place in the second year of study. 

Homework

One per week

Textbook

Pearson Edexcel A-Level Business by Ian Marcouse, Andrew Hammond and Nigel Watson 

A-Level Economics

Subject:

A-Level Economics

Contact Teacher(s):

Mr Curley/Miss Connolly

Lessons per Week:

4.5

Examination Board:

Edexcel

Specification No:

 9EC0

Qualification:

A-Level

Course Content

The A level specification is structured into four themes. In this structure students are introduced to core economic concepts and principles and develop an understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic issues, before building on this core knowledge and understanding to consider more complex issues and wider contexts.

In this thematic approach, progression is continuous as students develop their knowledge and understanding throughout the course of study. Students use economic models to help them understand the complexities of the world around them, and use data to help them analyse markets and economies, and how governments try to influence both. Students are introduced to different perspectives, aspects of economic history and develop an understanding of economic issues.

Assessment (based on doing A-Level and not AS level)

Paper 1- Assessing theme 1 and 3- 2 hour paper- 35% of A level

Paper 2- Assessing theme 2 and 4- 2 hour paper- 35% of A level

Paper 3- Assessing all themes- 30% of A level

Key assessment and Dates

All examinations will take place in the second year of study.

Homework

One per week

Textbook

Edexcel AS/A Level Economics Student book (2015) - Alain Anderton

ISBN-13: 978-1447990550