GCSE Exam & Specification
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GCSE Exam Board: |
Edexcel |
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Link to GCSE Specification: |
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BTEC Exam Board: |
Edexcel |
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Link to BTEC Specification: |
Specification - BTEC National Extended Diploma in Business (pearson.com) |
Curriculum Intent
Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of our students in our local context and is underpinned by these 4 guiding principles:
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Rich and Powerful Knowledge: Business studies students at INA are equipped with all the tools to develop a deep understanding of business concepts and apply their knowledge to real life case studies.
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Objective and Question Driven: Business studies students at INA explore the big questions that arise when starting and growing a business.
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What are the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a business?
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What are the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business?
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Mastering The Foundations (Literacy and Numeracy): Business studies students develop key literacy skills with case studies provided at the beginning of every unit. These case studies are extensively analysed to enable students to apply the knowledge they have learnt. Business studies students also develop a range of quantitative skills ranging from calculations to interpreting data.
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Inclusive and Ambitious: The business studies curriculum has been carefully created to ensure that students achieve the best possible outcome in the classroom. Our ambition is to cultivate students who are able to apply their extensive knowledge of business studies in the real world. We aim to be inclusive by using case studies from a variety of sectors and communities.
Implementation
Our curriculum implementation is shaped across all phases of the academy by a set of shared principles that underpin pedagogy at AINA. The following curriculum map outlines the ambitious curriculum your child will experience at AINA.
Year 10 - Business Studies
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1.1 Enterprise and Entrepreneurship 1.2 Spotting a Business Opportunity 1.1 Why / How New Business Ideas Come About Risk and Reward Role of Business Enterprise 1.2 Customer Needs Market Research Market Segmentation The Competitive Environment |
1.3 Putting a Business Idea into Practice Business Aims and Objectives Revenues, Costs and Profits Cash and Cash-flow Sources of Business Finance |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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1.4 Making the Business Effective 1.5 Understanding External Influences of Business 1.4 Types of Liability Business Ownership Franchises Business Locations The Marketing Mix Business Plans 1.5 Business Stakeholders Technology and Business Legislation and Business The Economy and Business External Influences |
2.1 Growing the Business Methods of Business Growth Sources of Finance for Growing Businesses Changes in Business Aims and Objectives Globalisation Ethics and the Environment |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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2.2 Making Marketing Decisions The Design Mix The Product Life Cycle, Differentiating a Product Pricing Strategies Promotion Strategies Retailers and E-Tailers Using the Marketing Mix to Make Business Decisions |
Revision Exam Questions |
Year 11 - Business Studies
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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2.3 Making Operational Decisions 2.4 Making Financial Decisions 2.3 Production Processes Working with Suppliers Managing Quality The Sales Process 2.4 Gross / Net Profit Gross / Net Profit Margins Average Rate of Return Understanding Business Performance |
2.5 Making Human Resource Decisions Organisational Structures Communication Different Ways of Working Recruitment Training |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Revision |
Revision |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Exams |
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Year 12 - Business Studies
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Unit 1: Exploring Business A: Are learners able to explore the features of different businesses and analyse what makes them successful? B: Are learners able to Investigate how businesses are organised? Unit 22: Market Research A: Are learners able to examine the types of market research used in business? B: Are learners able to plan and implement a market research activity to meet a specific marketing objective? Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance A: Do learners understand the importance of managing personal finance? B: Are learners able to explore the personal finance sector? C: Do learners understand the purpose of accounting? D: Are learners able to select and evaluate different sources of business finance? |
Unit 1: Exploring Business C: Are learners able to examine the environment in which businesses operate? D: Are learners able to examine Business Markets? E: Are learners able to investigate the role and contribution of innovation and enterprise to business success? Unit 22: Market Research C: Are learners able to analyse and present market research findings and recommend process improvements? Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance E: Are learners able to create and analyse concepts of Break-even and cash flow forecasts? F: Are learners able to complete statements of comprehensive income and financial position and evaluate a business's performance? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Unit 4: Managing an Event A: Are learners able to explore the role of an event organiser? B: Are learners able to investigate the feasibility of a proposed event? C: Are learners able to develop a detailed plan for a business or social enterprise event? Unit 20: Investigating Corporate Social Responsibility A: Are learners able to examine the CSR issues facing large private sector businesses? B: Are learners able to investigate the benefits and drawbacks for businesses of adopting a CSR policy? Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign A: Do learners understand the principles and purposes of marketing that underpin the creation of a rationale for a marketing campaign? |
Unit 4: Managing an Event D: Are learners able to stage and manage a business or social enterprise event? E: Are learners able to reflect on the running of the event and evaluate own skills development? Unit 20: Investigating Corporate Social Responsibility B: Are learners able to investigate the benefits and drawbacks for businesses of adopting a CSR policy? C: Are learners able to review the CSR record of a private sector business? Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign B: Are learners able to use information appropriately to develop the rationale for a marketing campaign? C: Are learners able to Plan and develop a marketing campaign? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Unit 8: Recruitment and Selection A: Are learners able to examine how effective recruitment and selection contribute to business success? B: Are learners able to undertake a recruitment activity to demonstrate the processes leading to a successful job offer? Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign C: Are learners able to plan and develop a marketing campaign? (Examination preparation) |
Unit 8: Recruitment and Selection B: Are learners able to undertake a recruitment activity to demonstrate the processes leading to a successful job offer? C: Are learners able to reflect on the recruitment and selection process and your individual performance? Unit 6: Principles of Management A: Do learners understand the key definitions and functions of management? B: Are learners able to define, analyse and evaluate management and leadership styles and skills? |
Year 13 - Business Studies
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Unit 14: Investigating Customer Service A: Are learners able to explore how effective customer service contributes to business success? B: Are learners able to investigate the methods used to improve customer service in business? Unit 6: Principles of Management C: Are learners able to define, analyse and evaluate the management of human resources? D: Are learners able to define, analyse and evaluate the factors influencing management, motivation and performance of the workforce? Unit 7: Business Decision Making A: Are learners able to define, analyse the use of Business plans? B: Are learners able to understand and analyse various decision-making scenarios in business? C: Are learners able to define, analyse and evaluate the Use of research to justify the marketing of a business? |
Unit 14: Investigating Customer Service C: Are learners able to demonstrate customer service in different situations, using appropriate behaviours to meet expectations? Unit 6: Principles of Management E: Are learners able to define, analyse and evaluate the impact of change? F: Are learners able to define, analyse and evaluate quality management methods? Unit 7: Business Decision Making D: Are learners able to understand how to maintain efficient operational management of the business? E: Are learners able to define, analyse and evaluate the importance of managing resources? F: Are learners able to create and interpret financial forecasts? G: Are learners able to analyse the viability of a business? H: Are learners able to demonstrate business skills/IT skills? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Unit 5: International Business A: Are learners able to explore the international context for business operations? B: Are learners able to investigate the international economic environment in which business operates? Unit 19: Pitching for a New Business A: Are learners able to explore potential ideas for a micro-business start-up? Unit 23: The English Legal System A: Are learners able to examine the jurisdiction of the courts, and their alternatives, in contributing to case outcomes? |
Unit 5: International Business C: Are learners able to investigate the external factors that influence international businesses? D: Are learners able to investigate the cultural factors that influence international business? Unit 19: Pitching for a New Business B: Are learners able to develop a business plan for a viable micro-business start-up? Unit 23: The English Legal System B: Are learners able to investigate the role of the legal profession and lay people in contributing to case outcomes? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Unit 5: International Business E: Are learners able to examine the strategic and operational approaches to developing international trade? Unit 19: Pitching for a New Business C: Are learners able to carry out a pitch for funding for the chosen micro-business? Unit 23: The English Legal System C: Are learners able to explore sources of law relevant for providing legal advice? |
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Support from Home
Recommended websites/online platforms for home/independent learning:
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BBC Bitesize
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BBC News App (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business)
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Tutor2U Business Blog (https://www.tutor2u.net/business/blog)
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Podcasts: The diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett (Spotify)
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Revision World
Feedback
Our aim is to ensure feedback helps drive student achievement by providing meaningful information that helps to address misconceptions and close curriculum and knowledge gaps.
Every piece of feedback given to our students should results in an action by the student. The following types of feedback that are given to students at AINA are:
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Self and peer assessment
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Written feedback
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Verbal feedback
Students receive written teacher feedback after formative diagnostic or interim assessments. The cycle is as follows:
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A score/percentage for the assessment
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Precise teacher comment/s linked to the curriculum/knowledge gap written in red
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A response/action/redo by the student in green pen
Career Pathways
Success in this subject can lead to:
University courses in:
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BSc Accounting and Finance
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BSc Business
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BSc Business Analytics
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BSc Business Management
Careers in:
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Bank Manager
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Business Analyst
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Business Development Manager
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Business Project Manager
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Customer Services Manager
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Digital Marketer
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Estate Agent
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Financial Adviser
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uman Resources Officer
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Market Researcher
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Pensions Adviser
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Retail Buyer
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Retail Merchandiser
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Sales Manager
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Social Media Manager
Enrichment & Educational Visits
We are currently exploring enrichment and educational visits in this subject. Examples may include:
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Entrepreneur workshops
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Essay competitions
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Lectures
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Professional Pathways events