Menu Login Quick Links Business and Economics Overview Welcome to the Business and Economics department, whether students are studying GCSE, A-Level or Vocational options they are guaranteed the very highest standards of teaching, enabling students to achieve grades that will assist in their chosen future careers. Further to this, the department strives to give students a real understanding of business and economics by using carefully chosen case studies, support from established organisations and keeping students up to date with changes in the economic environment. A highly successful department that values every student, we ask for the commitment to achieving the best grades possible and working with us to ensure this happens. We look forward to working with you. Key Staff Ms Mills - Head of Department Mr Aitken - 2nd in Department / Teacher in charge of Economics Mr Dangerfield - Teacher of Business Mr Matthews - Teacher of Economics Mr Jackson - Teacher of Business and Economics Mrs Shepherd - Teacher of Business Results 2021 (Teacher Assessed Grades) GCSE Business students achieved 98% 9 - 4 with 46% achieving a grade 7 or above GCSE Economics students achieved 100% 9 - 4 with 38% achieving a grade 7 or above BTEC Business Level 2 Tech Award students achieved 100% Distinction* - Pass with 57% achieving a Distinction or above A-Level Business students achieved 100% A* - C with 70% achieving a grade B or above A-Level Economics students achieved 100% A* - C with 88% achieving a grade B or above and 53% achieving a grade A or above BTEC Business Level 3 Extended Certificate (single award) students achieved 100% Distinction* - Pass with 95% of students achieving a Distinction or above BTEC Retail Business Level 2 students achieved 100% Distinction* - Pass Destinations Our students had a fantastic year despite the challenges of the pandemic and this was reflected in the paths our students chose. 12 of our students went on to read Economics at university (71% of our Economics cohort) with students now studying Economics across the country including Bath and Exeter. We also had 13 of our Business students take their Business studies further at university (65% of the Business cohort). As with the economists, we saw Business students move all over the country with students at universities including Leeds and Southampton. Resources Laptops: 30 new Dell Laptops available for student/staff use. Each classroom has between 6 – 8 PCs available for use Shared area: the Business Studies department uses a student shared area on the school network to store lessons, resources and photos Videos: there are several DVDs and videos on Business and Economics available at all times Books: the online system available to all Key Stage 5 students to access the textbook remotely at any time. we also carry books for all classes in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. Exam papers: for Key Stage 5 A-Level students there is a range of past papers available in the shared area and a paper copy will be issued to all students to help in preparing for the Exam. Example answers and mark schemes are also available to save from the shared area. Curriculum Intent The aim of the Business and Economics Department is to equip students with a broad understanding of the world of business and economics, by applying subject concepts to real-world issues. We promote a ‘Can-do’ attitude; and through learners’ curiosity, reflection, independence and grit, true potential is fulfilled – creating business and economic leaders of the future! Key Stage 4 GCSE Business (Eduqas) GCSE Business is an exciting and fast-moving subject that looks at the way businesses start and operate to satisfy customers and make profits for investors. Students will be shown how business decisions are made and have the opportunity to practice their own business decision-making in a variety of simulated business situations. How would you set the price for a new games console? How would you raise the capital finance to start your own business? How can a new product idea be protected? Students’ business decision-making skills will gradually be improved and they will begin to understand business articles in newspapers, become confident in assessing business opportunities and discover a whole new area of study and possible future career paths. Studying Business Studies is engaging and inspiring, reflecting the demands of a truly modern and evolving business environment, which enables the subject to come to life for our students. The themes spark students’ imaginations and inspire commercial thinking as they develop their business knowledge. This qualification is one of the most popular options available at KS4 in Edgbarrow school. GCSE Business has several exciting themes, which include: Business activity Influences on business Business operations Finance Marketing Human Resources Key points attached to this qualification are: 6 units covered over 2 years Lessons are engaging and brought to life by the consistent use of business events reported in the news to illustrate the topic being taught Externally examined, 2 written exams held at the end of Year 11. No coursework Students performance is typically within or exceeds the top 25% of the National benchmark Full course information can be found at qualification.eduqas.co.uk Year 10 Curriculum Assessment Plan Year 11 Curriculum Assessment Plan Business BTEC: Level 2 Tech Award in Enterprise The BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise is to give students a practical introduction to life and work as an entrepreneur. Students will explore what it means to set up and run a business enterprise, as well as develop key skills and discover potential careers. The qualification enables learners to develop their technical skills, such as market research skills, planning, promotional and financial skills using realistic work scenarios, and personal skills, (such as monitoring own performance, time management and problem-solving) through a practical and skills-based approach to learning and assessment. BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise includes the following exciting themes: Exploring Enterprises Planning for and Pitching an Enterprise Promotion and Finance for Enterprise (externally assessed, 2-hour written exam) Key points attached to this qualification are: Equivalent to 1 grade at GCSE 3 components of work over 2 years 60% coursework 40% external exam Typically students achieve or exceed target grades Full course information can be found at: qualifications.pearson.com Year 10 Curriculum Assessment Plan Year 11 Curriculum Assessment Plan GCSE Economics (OCR) Thinking of a career in which you can make a real difference to the lives of other people? If so, then learning about economics could be crucial to your future success. The GCSE course involves the study of how we use our world’s limited resources, such as land, time and money, to satisfy our needs and wants. It focuses on real-world decisions faced by businesses as they attempt to satisfy customers to make profits, and on the decisions faced by governments as they try to tackle problems such as poverty, unemployment, disease, pollution, climate change, traffic congestion and inflation. Themes include: Basic economic problem The role of markets and money Economic objectives and the role of the government International trade and the global economy Key points attached to this qualification are: 4 broad units covered over 2 years It will develop your ability to think logically, analyse information, debate issues and find solutions to problems Externally examined, 2 written exams held at the end of Year 11 Students performance is within or exceeds the top 25% of the National benchmark Full course information can be found at qualification.ocr.org.uk Year 10 Curriculum Assessment Plan Year 11 Curriculum Assessment Plan Key Stage 5 A-Level Business (AQA) A-Level business examines how business decisions are made in the context of accounting and finance, marketing, human resources, production and the economy at large. The objectives and strategies of businesses are studies and students are invited to develop and recommend courses of action for businesses facing a range of problems. Much reference is made to businesses in the news and the subject is lively and relevant either as a route to a business career or simply as a way of becoming more informed as a consumer. Year 12 students start with an introductory unit on 'What is business?' This is followed by work on Managers, Leadership and Decision-making. Decision making to improve marketing performance, operational performance, financial performance and human resources performance. Year 13 students study themes such as Analysing the Strategic Position of a business, Choosing Strategic Direction, strategic Methods: How to pursue Strategies and Managing Strategic Change. There are three exams entitled Business 1, Business 2 and Business 3, each worth 33.3%. All three exams are synoptic and cover all of the content taught at A-Level. Assessment is a mixture of multiple-choice, short answer, data response and essay questions. Business is a broad and interesting subject that enhances career and university choices. It fits well in combination with both arts and science subjects but in particular Maths, English, Government and Politics, Psychology, and Sociology complement the subject well, and can open up new areas of interest. A-Level Business is one of the most popular courses at Edgbarrow. Our students’ performance is typically within or exceeds the top 25% of the National benchmark. Year 12 Curriculum Assessment Plan Year 13 Curriculum Assessment Plan A-Level Economics (Edexcel) Economics is the study of scarcity. As a subject, it is concerned with trying to get the most out of the limited resources that planet earth has, to best satisfy its population. The subject tries to answer three basic questions: What should we produce? How should we produce it? For whom should we produce? From these basic questions, the subject is developed, dealing both in scarcity issues on a small scale (microeconomics) and those on a larger scale (macroeconomics). Unit 1 (micro) – Markets and business behaviour – An introduction to economics and economic thought, a study of how markets work and why they fail, economic problems and models, supply and demand, market structure, costs, revenues and profit, efficiency, game theory, mergers/takeovers and labour economics (35% of A-Level). Unit 2 (macro) – The national and global economy – This unit focuses on government policies, the economy and its indicators and the economics of happiness, limitations of government, international trade and currencies, global and development economics, poverty and inequality and emerging economies (35% of A-Level). Unit 3 (synoptic) – covers both microeconomics and macroeconomics (30% of A-Level) Assessment is a mixture of multiple-choice, short answer, data response and essay questions. Future opportunities A good grade in Economics at A-Level is highly valued by universities and employers because it requires the student to develop a high level of critical thinking and analytical skills. Potential careers include banking, finance, accounting, financial journalism and practice as a private or public sector economist. However, it is an excellent subject for any degree as a high grade in Economics shows that a student has a wide range of skills which are very attractive to universities and employers. Year 12 Curriculum Assessment Plan Year 13 Curriculum Assessment Plan Level 3 Business Diploma and Extended Certificate BTEC (Edexcel) Most people will work in business at some stage in their lives, and if you choose to study a BTEC, you will find the answers to lots of business questions that you may have, such as, how does Tesco manage to sell their food so cheap compared to the corner shop, and how does Apple persuade us to pay twice as much as we should for the new iPhone? If you like a more practical approach to work and wish to focus more heavily on business then this course is for you. You will gain skills that apply to the workplace and assignments will be based around business visits or business scenarios. Students take part in several different trips and activities to support and develop their understanding of business concepts. Students also have the opportunity to visit Thorpe Park. The trips and visits are a valuable part of the course, giving students a real insight into how actual businesses work. The department offers two Level 3 BTEC qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Business (Double Award) Key points attached to this qualification: 2-year course and is worth the equivalent of two A-Level 8 business units of which 6 are mandatory: Unit 1 – Exploring Business Unit 2 – Developing a Marketing Campaign Unit 3 – Personal and Business Finance (Written Examination) Unit 4 – Managing an Event Unit 5 – International Business Unit 8 – Recruitment and Selection Process Unit 14 – Investigating Customer Service The 8 units are assessed in a variety of ways, e.g. through two controlled assessments, one examination and 5 pieces of coursework based on presentations, practical assessments and observations. Five units are assessed internally and three units are assessed externally. Level 3 Extended Certificate in Business (Single Award) Key points attached to this qualification: 2-year course and is worth the equivalent of one A-Level 4 business units of which 3 are mandatory: Unit 1 – Exploring Business Unit 2 – Developing a Marketing Campaign (Controlled Assessment) Unit 3 - Personal and Business Finance (Written Examination) Unit 14 – Investigating Customer Service The 4 units are assessed in a variety of ways, e.g. through one controlled assessment, one examination and 2 pieces of coursework based on presentations, practical assessments and observations. Two units are assessed internally and two units are assessed externally. These courses would be ideal for a student wishing to go into business at some point in the future, although the course could be taken alongside other AS/A2 qualifications (but not A level Business) The course has UCAS points and can therefore be used to apply for one of the several universities in the UK and abroad. 8 – 10 hours of self-directed study is required for success on the course. Full course information can be found at qualifications.pearson.com Year 12 Curriculum Assessment Plan Year 13 Curriculum Assessment Plan Level 2 Retail Business (Eduqas) This is a vocational pathway for students who do not currently meet the entry requirements to study Level 3 qualifications. This is a one-year course that will provide students with a practical, real-world approach to learning which will include relevant work experience. This is a stand-alone package and cannot be combined with any other Level 3 course that we offer. This pathway is designed to provide students with progression into future Level 3 course, employment or apprenticeships. Programme of study is as follows: Eduqas Level 2 Award in Retail Business Combined with other vocational courses such as IT and Leisure and Tourism Resit opportunities for GCSE English and Maths (if required) Extended Work Experience Enhanced tutorial Access to a range of enrichment opportunities Assessments are through assignment-based coursework and by examinations. The assignments are continuous throughout the course with a variety of written reports, reflective journals, presentations, teacher observation, discussions and written tests. Full course information can be found at qualification.eduqas.co.uk. Year 12 Curriculum Assessment Plan Trips The Business and Economics department works in conjunction with several well-known and established businesses. Each year different opportunities arise however we often visit Thorpe Park, Jaguar, Bank of England, invite local businesses as guest speakers and take our KS5 students to superb revision conferences offered by Tutor2u and Econplusdal! Also, students can speak with the staff directly through Twitter, the school email system and google Classroom to ensure they are fully up to date on work, revision and what is going on in the business world. For further information regarding our Business and Economics Curriculum please contact: Miss Mills keniesha.mills@edgbarrowschool.co.uk Within this Section Corvus Learning Trust Headteacher's Welcome Curriculum Pastoral Support Departments Art & Photography Business and Economics Careers & Work-Related Learning Computer Science and IT Design & Technology Drama and Theatre English Geography History Languages Library Mathematics Music Physical Education Politics Progress-SEND Religious Studies Science Social Sciences Governors Pupil Premium Newsletters OFSTED Parent View Policies Safeguarding School Vision & Values Latest News Sixth Form Open Evening 2021 Edgbarrow School Grant Road, Crowthorne Berkshire, RG45 7HZ 01344 772 658 01344 776 623 Email Us Get Directions Edgbarrow School is an academy and part of the Corvus Learning Trust, a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales, company number 11045796, registered at Corvus Learning Trust, Grant Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire, RG45 7HZ. 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