KS4 Business
Business provides transferable skills allowing students a smooth transition from an educational environment to a work environment.
At Townsend we aim to ensure that students choosing Business will develop a range of life skills including teamwork, problem solving, independent learning and communication skills whilst enjoying the courses that we offer and meeting their academic potential. We aim to instil a lifelong interest in Business at a local, national and international level.
The Business curriculum provides an insight into a wide range of business sectors and functional areas. The knowledge-based curriculum underpins and enables the application of skills and equips students with an understanding of business language. Delivered content is built upon through a variety of practice questions and case studies with regular feedback supporting student progress.
All students are encouraged to develop an understanding of current events and we aim to ensure that students continue to think critically and question the changing business environment around them.
Course Details
OCR GCSE Business (9-1) – J204
https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/business-j204-from-2017/
Course Description
The OCR Business course allows students to develop their knowledge and understanding of how a business operates and considers the key functional areas of a business including Marketing, Finance, Operations and Human Resources. The external environment that businesses operate within is investigated. The qualification will appeal to students who have a general interest in business and current affairs, or who may wish to pursue a career in the business and enterprise sector in the future. The course is also strong preparation for further study in the subject.
Students have six one-hour Business lessons over a two week timetable. Lessons are classroom based and utilise a wide range of resources in addition to independent study and research. A range of methods will be used to develop the skills of analysis, decision making and evaluation. The emphasis is on learning through case study material that reflects issues faced by firms. Progress is assessed regularly throughout the course.
Programme of Study
The course is comprised of 2 units:
Unit 1 – Business Activity, Marketing and People – Exam – 50%
Students are introduced to business concepts and issues concerning the activities of a business. The unit introduces the aims and objectives of a business and the characteristics and skills needed to become an entrepreneur. They explore the purpose and role of a business from spotting an opportunity and writing a business plan, through to the growth of an established business. A range of legal structures are investigated including sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. Organisational structure is considered in greater detail and the importance of stakeholder engagement. They also look at the role of marketing and human resources.
Unit 2 – Operations, Finance and Influences on Business – Exam – 50%
Students take a closer look at the role of operations and finance in business activity. Operations include production processes, quality of goods and services, customer service, and working with suppliers. Finance covers its role, its sources, costs, profit and loss, cash and cash flow. They also explore how business responds to external influences, such as ethical and environmental considerations, the economic climate and globalisation, and the interdependent nature of business.
Assessment
Unit 1 – Business Activity, Marketing and People – Exam – 50%
1 hour 30 minutes – a mixture of multiple choice (15 marks) and short answer and extended response questions based on 3 case studies (20 – 25 marks). The exam will include numerical questions as well as short and long written answers.
Unit 2 – Operations, Finance and Influences on Business – Exam – 50%
1 hour 30 minutes – a mixture of multiple choice (15 marks) and short answer and extended response questions based on 3 case studies (20 – 25 marks). The exam will include numerical questions as well as short and long written answers.
Both exams will be completed at the end of Year 11.
Home Learning
Students will be given homework tasks each week to complete, these will be set on Google Classroom and include activities such as:
- creating a poster on a successful entrepreneur
- completing a quiz to check understanding of a topic
- answer exam questions on a topic
- research a specific topic, such as the sources of finance available to a business
- create a presentation to deliver in class on a specific topic, such as a the product life cycle of a selected product
As well as completing the weekly homework tasks, students should be reading through their class notes after each lesson to check understanding and prepare questions to ask the teacher where additional help is needed. To help with revision for the exam it is recommended that students prepare revision resources for topics as they are learning them.
Where can Business take you
Further Study:
- A level Business, Economics or Accounting
- BTEC Business Level 3
- Apprenticeship in Business
- Degrees in Business, Economics, Management, Administration, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Human Resources, Hospitality and Leisure and Tourism
- Professional Business and Finance qualifications such as, AAT, CIMA, ACCA, ACA, MBA
Careers:
- Entrepreneur
- Accountant
- Management Consultant
- Actuary
- Business Teacher
- HR Manager
- Marketing
- Human Resource Manager
- Banking
- Stockbroker
- Logistics and Supply Chains
How parents can support their child’s learning
- ask your child to describe what they learnt in their lesson
- discuss current business and economic events to engage your child in wider learning and reading
- review work set on Google Classroom
- use your child’s workbooks / revision posters / flash cards to ask them questions and test their knowledge, regular repetition will consolidate learning and practice key skills
- encourage your child to attend consolidation and revision sessions
Useful links
- BBC Bitesize – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zv8gvk7
- GCSE Pod – https://www.gcsepod.com/
- Seneca learning – https://app.senecalearning.com
- Tutor2u – https://www.tutor2u.net/business