St Catherine's Hospice Business Challenge Presentation 2011. Oriel students win three awards.

St Catherine's Hospice Business Challenge 2012. Oriel wins two awards

Teaching Staff

Mr S Cowley - scowley@oriel.w-sussex.sch.uk

Ms S Szweda - sszweda@oriel.w-sussex.sch.uk

MR B Cleaveley - bcleaveley@oriel.w-sussex.sch.uk

Subject Overview

We aim to deliver Business and Economics as a worthwhile and enjoyable experience that is taught with passion and enthusiasm; preparing learners to become effective and ambitious business people.

Living in a world dependent on Business being successful to drive the global economy we aim to prepare learners for a lifetime of success within business organisations

We are a growing Department currently with 3 full time members of staff. The Department has access to four fully air conditioned ICT suits with full access to interactive whiteboards.

We believe as a team that is important that all students can:

• Work individually and together in teams to explore and develop business ideas
• Understand the moral, social cultural and emotional impact of businesses in the world we live in
• Make informed choices regarding the economic impact of decisions by understanding the costs involved
• Develop learners confidence in expressing their ideas to others and their own self esteem
• Develop learner’s creativity and problem solving skills by being curious, showing initiative, ingenuity and resourcefulness.

Curriculum

KS4- GCSE Business Studies

Students will study the AQA Business Studies GCSE specification which consists of three units as outlined below:

Unit 1- Setting Up a Business

Assessed by : written paper ( 1 hour) 60 marks 40% of the overall GCSE

Unit 2- Growing as a Business

Assessed by: written paper ( 1 hour) 60 marks 35% of the overall GCSE

Unit 3- Investigating Businesses

Assessed by: controlled assessment 40 marks 25% of the overall GCSE

What Skills Students Develop

While studying the first two units of this course students will learn a lot of new things:

· Students will engage actively in the study of business in order to develop as effective and independent and as critical and reflective thinkers

· They will use an enquiring, critical approach to distinguish facts and opinions, to build arguments and make informed judgements

· They will develop and apply their knowledge, understanding and skills to a variety of issues in a range of local, national and global contexts

· They will appreciate the range of perspectives of different stakeholders in relation to business and economic activities

· They will consider the extent to which business and economic activity can be ethical and sustainable

· They will appreciate diversity and recognise similarities and differences of attitudes and cultures in society 

 KS 4  BTEC BUSINESS Level 2

• Business Purposes covers: the nature of business and ownership; classification of business activities; aims and objectives in different sectors; the main functional areas that support business organisation
• Business Organisations covers: aims and objectives of business and how they are organised into functional areas to meet their business aims and objectives.
• Financial Forecasting for Business covers: costs, revenue and profit for a business operation; break even analysis; cash flow forecast; ways of recording financial transactions
• People in Organisations covers: how to prepare for employment; terms and conditions of employment; how working practices are developed; planning career development
• Starting a Small Business covers: presenting the original business idea using relevant criteria; skills and development needed to run a business successfully; legal and financial aspects that will affect the start up of a business; producing an outline business start-up proposal
• Business Online covers: different online business activities; business feasibility of going online; the operation of an online business; benefits of an online business presence
• Promoting and Branding in Retail Business the structure of retail businesses and their supply chains; importance of branding and promotion
• Visual merchandising and Display Techniques for Retail Business covers: techniques retail outlets use to merchandise and display their products; techniques used to influence customers to buy

What Skills Students Develop

Students will develop knowledge and understanding in the business sector, focusing on providing opportunities:

• to acquire technical and employability skills, knowledge and understanding which are transferable and will enable individuals to meet changing employment circumstances
• to gain a nationally recognised vocational qualification to enter employment or progress to other vocational qualifications such as, BTEC National Diploma in Business or Personal and Business Finance, NVQs or Apprenticeship programmes in Administration, Customer Service or Retail.
• to develop personal, learning and thinking skills to enable them to become independent enquirers, creative thinkers, reflective learners, team workers, self managers and effective participators
• to develop ICT skills appropriate for the workplace

How Students Are Assessed

All eight units will be assessed internally and will be externally moderated through a portfolio of evidence. Although there will be some practical aspects, written evidence is highly important and must be thorough and well considered.

Evidence for assessment will be generated through a range of diverse activities including assignment and project work, case studies, role play and oral presentation.

A three-point grading scale of Pass, Merit and Distinction is awarded to all units. Successful completion of all eight units can lead to four GCSE equivalent Grades A*-C.