Why do we learn business?
Business activity affects the daily lives of all people, as they work, spend, save, invest, travel, and play. Business influences jobs, incomes, and opportunities for personal enterprise and development. Business has a significant effect not only on the standard of living and quality of life, but also on the environment in which people live. At some point in their lives, all students will encounter the world of business. They, therefore, must be prepared to engage in business activity with confidence and competence, by understanding how businesses function and the role it plays in our society.
At Ark Putney Academy students will engage with the world of business and enterprise through the context of current business developments and real business situations. Students will learn how management, leadership and decision-making can improve performance in marketing, operational, financial and human resources.
At KS4 students follow the BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Award in Enterprise and at KS5 students follow the BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business.
Year 10
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Component 1: Exploring Enterprises Students will examine different local enterprises to develop their knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of enterprises and the skills needed by entrepreneurs. This is split into three areas: Component 1A - Examine the characteristics of enterprises Component 1B - Explore how market research helps enterprises meet customer needs and understand competitor behaviour Component 1C - Investigate the factors that contribute to the success of an enterprise Component 2: Planning for and Pitching an Enterprise Activity Students will individually select an idea for a micro-enterprise activity to plan and pitch. They will individually pitch their business plan for their idea to an audience and then use the feedback to review their plan and pitch. Component 2A - Explore ideas, plan and pitch for a micro enterprise activity |
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| Component 1 and 2 - Internal assessment through assignments that are subject to external standards verification. |
Year 11
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| Component 3: Promotion and Finance for Enterprise |
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| Component 3 - External assessment in the form of a set task/external assessment taken under supervised conditions, which is then marked and a grade awarded by the exam board. Component 2 - Internal assessment through assignments that are subject to external standards verification. |
Year 12
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Unit 1 - Exploring Business: In this introductory unit, Students 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. Unit 2 - Developing a Marketing Campaign *: Students will gain skills relating to, and an understanding of, how a marketing campaign is developed. Unit 3 - Personal and Business Finance *: Students 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. Unit 5 - International Business: Students study how UK businesses develop strategies to trade globally. Students will also consider the factors that influence the implementation of these strategies. Unit 8 - Recruitment and Selection: Students explore how the recruitment process is carried out in a business. The unit gives Students the opportunity to participate in selection interviews and review their performance. Unit 14 – Investigating customer service: Students will study how excellent customer service contributes to business success. The unit gives Students the opportunity to develop their customer service skills. Unit 22 - Market Research: Students examine the different aspects of market research used by businesses. They will undertake a research project, interpret their findings and produce a report. |
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Year 13
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Unit 4 - Managing an Event: Students will work as part of a small group to plan, coordinate and manage a business or social enterprise event and evaluate the skills gained. Unit 6 - Principles of Management *: This unit enables Students to understand how the role of management and leadership in the workplace contributes towards business success. Unit 7- Business Decision Making *: Students study skills relating to business concepts, processes and data developed in earlier mandatory units to enable the formulation of business decisions and solutions. Unit 9 - Team Building: Students study the dynamics of team building, examine the underpinning theory and participate in team activities. Unit 19 – Pitching a business: Students study the practical skills and acquire the knowledge needed to undertake the necessary preparation and steps to set up and pitch for funding for a micro-business Unit 21 – Training and development: Students study training and development and recognise that successful businesses need to plan and manage the training programmes they offer. |
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Unit 1, 5, 8, 14 and 22 are internally assessment through assignments that are subject to external standards verification. Units 2 and 3 are externally assessment in the form of a set task/external assessment taken under supervised conditions, which is then marked and a grade awarded by the exam board. Units 6 and 7 are externally assessment in the form of a set task/external assessment taken under supervised conditions, which is then marked and a grade awarded by the exam board. |