Head Of Department: Steven Grimes
Second In Charge: Michael Hurley
Overview
The department is housed in a dedicated Business Centre which is furnished and decorated to business standards. Each classroom is fully equipped with computers, flat-screen monitors, a printer and a ceiling-mounted ICT projector; the department also has a set of laptops and a classroom which is laid out as a conference room with full audiovisual capability. The department is at the heart of Business and Enterprise across the school. Our specialist status has enabled the department to offer a wide range of courses across all key stages, offering students continuity and progression. Teachers in the department have a good mix of teaching and industry experience. The curriculum is enhanced by visits to businesses and visiting speakers. Recent visits have included a year 11 trip to Chessington World of Adventures, year 10 and year 12 Business Studies visits to Sainsbury’s , a year 12 Retail visit to Superdrug’s main distribution centre and a year 13 Economics and Business trip to Prague, Czech Republic. A trip to New York is planned for February 2008/09. In addition, the department is involved in Young Enterprise and a SETPOINT Surrey marketing challenge.
KS3 Schemes of Work
Year 7
Business Maths
The department supports the Maths department in the delivery of their year 7 curriculum. Students in year 7 have one lesson each fortnight within the Business Centre, completing practical projects applying their maths skills to the business world. In term 2 [November – December] students complete projects based on basic business finance. The concepts the students encounter include:
- Budgets and budgeting
- Sources of business finance
- Basic accounting.
Year 9
Institute of Financial Services Certificate of Personal Finance
In year 9 students can opt to take the IFS Certificate of Personal Finance. The students follow a 20-week programme and are assessed through an online test. In term 2 [November – December] students learn about the leading world currencies, using money in different countries and how exchange rates work.
GCSE Course(s) Overview
GCSE Business Studies
GCSE Business Studies is a challenging and engaging subject that gives students the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the world in which they live. The students learn how to apply business concepts and theories to specific businesses in a real-world context. In Year 10 students cover a wide range of topics including:
- Location
- The Economy
- Business Ethics
- Ownership
- Growth
- Production
In year 11 students cover the following topics:
- Marketing
- Finance
Students produce a piece of coursework which is worth 25% of their GCSE grade. This piece of coursework is based around enterprise, with students producing a business plan for a new business. The final examination is worth 75% of the final grade.
Applied GCSE Business
This applied course is worth two GCSEs and is usually taught by two teachers. The course is based on investigating real businesses and involves visits and visiting speakers. Businesses have included Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ember Inns and the insurance company The Riverbourne Group. Students study two coursework-based units worth 66% of their final GCSE grade and sit a finance examination worth 33%.
Useful Websites for Key Stage 4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/business/
http://www.businessstudiesonline.co.uk/
http://www.bized.co.uk/learn/business/index.htm
Plus any business/ corporate website.
GCSE Exam Boards Used
GCSE Business Studies AQA 3132, Applied GCSE Business Edexcel 2306.
AS/A Level Course(s) Overview
Business Related Courses at Key Stage 5
The Business Studies Department offers a range of courses to suit students with a range of skills and areas of interest. At Advanced level the department offers GCE in Applied Business, GCE in Economics and Business, GCE in Law and BTEC National in Retail. The department also offers BTEC First in Business, a one-year level 2 course.
Lessons will take place in the Business Centre, which is fully equipped with interactive whiteboards, computers, printers and projection equipment. Teachers will normally be available most days until 5pm to help students complete coursework, prepare for examinations or for general advice and guidance.
GCE in Applied Business
This is a practical, work-related course. Students will learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic, workplace situations and activities. It can be taken as a single award [one A level] or a double award [two A levels]. There is a large element of independent learning associated with the Advanced GCE in Applied Business.
After completing the two-year course, students may progress into business-related careers such as accounting, administration, customer service, IT, human resources or sales. Students may also choose to study business-related qualifications at University.
During this course students will come into contact with lots of different businesses. They will use the Internet and other sources to research the businesses and there will also be guest speakers. There will also be the opportunity to visit different businesses as part of the course.
The units that students will study include:
Applied AS Level
Unit 1 Investigating People at Work
Unit 2 Investigating Business
Unit 3 Investigating Marketing
Unit 4 Investigating Electronic Business
Unit 5 Investigating Customer Service
Unit 6 Investigating Promotion
Assessment: 2 examined units – both taken in June 4 pieces of portfolio work
Applied A2 Level
Unit 8 Business Development
Unit 9 Managing & Developing People
Unit 10 Marketing Decisions
Unit 11 Impact of Finance on business decisions
Unit 12 International dimensions of business
Unit 14 External influences on a business
Assessment: 1 examined unit – taken in January 5 pieces of portfolio work.
GCE in Economics and Business
The GCE in Economics and Business is an academic course developed to combine a range of knowledge about businesses and the economy. There are two examined units at AS and at A2. The course offers a progressive and integrated framework for students to investigate how and why businesses operate within an economy. Students develop an understanding of relevant economic and business concepts, and an ability to apply them to real world issues. There is emphasis on the nature and processes of decision making within organisations. Business behaviour is studied from the perspectives of all stakeholders, including shareholders, managers, customers and the local community.
AS Level
Students study developing new business ideas, this involves investigating how new or existing businesses generate their product or service ideas. Students would also consider the competition in the market, the economic climate, also how businesses might be financed and managed.
A2 Level
In the second year students will continue studying the competitive market. They will also be introduced to the world of international business and the issues which a company trading internationally has to face.
Assessment Format AS: 2 Written exams = 50% A2: 2 Written exams = 50%
Students with AS or Advanced GCE Economics and Business Studies have access to a wide range of possible careers and higher education opportunities. Students will learn and use a variety of transferable skills throughout the course, including analysing and evaluating business and economic information from different sources, developing written communication skills and learning how to solve problems. Such skills are in great demand and are recognised by employers, universities and colleges as being of great value. This subject combines well with a range of social science and humanities subjects to lead to higher education courses in areas such as law, business, accounting, geography, economics or politics.
GCE in Law
Law is a living, dynamic subject which is constantly being modified by changes in opinions, circumstances, what is happening in the country and what the government of this country is trying to achieve. Success in this subject is dependant on a disciplined approach to learn about the law as it is currently. More importantly the key skill is to develop the ability to analyse and challenge the existing laws and the legal system.
Through studying this subject students will develop a range of skills which will help them develop into individuals equipped to deal successfully with the needs of modern society. These skills include: To logically examine problems and come to conclusions based on your knowledge of the law, to argue for and against a particular point of view based on facts rather than emotions, to effectively work as a part of a team, to be able to influence others, to positively challenge others and to work to deadlines.
The course is 100% assessed through exams and is delivered through a range of techniques including student lead teaching, group presentations, visits to the Law Courts & Houses of Parliament, outside visitors and conferences.
AS Examinations
Unit 1 – LAW01 Law Making and the Legal System 50% of AS, 25% of A Level Externally-assessed examination, 1 hour 30 minutes 95 marks Candidates answer three questions Available January and June.
Unit 2 – LAW02 The Concept of Liability 50% of AS, 25% of A Level Externally-assessed examination, 1 hour 30 minutes 95 marks Candidates answer two questions Available January and June.
A2 Examinations
Unit 3 – LAW03 Criminal Law (Offences against the Person) 25% of A Level Externally-assessed examination, 1 hour 30 minutes 80 marks Candidates answer one three-part question Available January and June.
Unit 4 – LAW04 Tort and Concepts of Law 25% of A Level Externally-assessed examination, 2 hours 85 marks Candidates answer two questions Available January and June.
BTEC National Award in Retail
The BTEC National Award is a practical, work-related course that is equivalent to one A level. Students learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations and activities. No examinations are sat on this course.
To take this course of study students will normally need to have at least one of the following:
- a BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in a related subject (Merit Grade)
- at least four GCSEs at grades A*-C.
Employers and higher education establishments (universities and colleges) value BTEC National Awards. With a BTEC National Award, you could work in Food, non-food or fashion retail, Retail finance, Personal selling, Customer service, Human resource management in the retail sector, Stock control, Retail buying or Procurement. Alternatively, if you decide to go to university or college you could take a degree or a BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Retail Management or Business.
The units that students will study are:
Year 12
Unit 1 Developments in Retail Services
Unit 2 Business Principles in Retail
Unit 3 Customer Service
Year 13
Unit 4 Visual Merchandising
Unit 5 Retail Marketing & Promotion
Unit 6 Supply & Stock Management
Assessment: 6 pieces of coursework over two years.
BTEC First in Business
The BTEC First Diploma is a practical work related course. You will learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations and activities. A BTEC first diploma introduces studentsto particular areas of employment and provides a good basis to go onto a more advanced work-related qualification.
A BTEC First Diploma is equivalent to four GCSE grades A* - C and is taken as a full time course. To study for this course students should have at least one of the following:
A standard of literacy and numeracy supported by 4 GCSEs at grades D – G.
BTEC Foundation Certificate in a related subject.
With further study, learners may progress into Business-related careers such as accounting, administration, customer service, finance, IT or sales. A BTEC First Diploma gives good preparation both for employment and more advanced courses at Warlingham Sixth Form, such as a BTEC National Diploma in Retail or an Applied A Level.
The Units that students will study are:
Unit 1 Exploring Business Purposes
Unit 2 Developing Customer Relations
Unit 3 Investigating Financial control
And three from:
Unit 4 Business Communication
Unit 5 Employee contribution to working conditions
Unit 6 Introduction to business administration
Unit 7 Sales and Customer Service
Unit 8 Business Online
Unit 9 Starting up a new business.
To pass the course, students must complete six units. Units are assessed as either Distinction (A grade), Merit (B grade) or Pass (C grade).
AS/A Level Exam Boards Used
GCE Applied Business Edexcel 9721/9722, GCE in Economics and Business Edexcel 9EB01, GCE in Law AQA 2161, BTEC National in Retail Edexcel, BTEC First in Business Edexcel.
Study Days/Educational Trips
Year 10 and 11 GCSE Applied Business visit a range of local, regional and national businesses throughout their course and receive presentations in-house from visiting speakers. Year 12 and 13 students also visit a range of businesses to enhance their studies and have the opportunity to take part in a foreign residential trip to New York, USA.
