BUSINESS

Enterprise is an important part of the business sector and plays a major role in the UK’s global economic status.

At the start of 2019 there were 5.9 million small and medium sized businesses, accounting for 99.9% of the business population. Small and medium sized enterprises account for three fifths of the employment and around half of turnover in the UK private sector.

The role of entrepreneurs is to help create wealth for the nation and its citizens through the creation of enterprises that innovate and grow the economy. At The Lakes School, we believe that practical participation in a range of vocational business activities will develop the relevant knowledge and skills our students will need in the future. Whilst business studies at The Lakes School encourages young entrepreneurs to start their own enterprises, the course also provides students with everything they need to prepare them for future employment or higher education. The course gives learners the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of businesses in the UK and the rest of the world.

Our aim is to broaden the knowledge of students of the business world and the frameworks within which businesses work. By gaining an understanding of these issues and considering them on a national and international level, students will be able to develop their own values, standards, morals and ethics. This develops our students as young adults, prepares them for the workplace and ensures they are able to make informed choices about their future careers.

All students can expect a variety of activities, including group work independent learning. As a department, we also emphasise the importance of keeping up to date with current affairs and real-life businesses. The Lakes Business School has developed a variety of links with well-known local businesses and regularly welcomes speakers to share their industry knowledge and enable students to participate in leadership and team building activities. The department places enormous importance on ‘learning by doing’ and organises a regular careers event, numerous small enterprise activities (including competitions) and prepares students for real life interview situations.

In order to achieve the very best possible outcomes, the business department is committed to providing students with extra-curricular sessions after school and at lunchtimes. In this way, we can specifically tailor materials to meet the needs of individual learners.

At The Lakes School, the business department follows a 2 year course in both Key Stage 4 and 5. All students will learn through a variety of methods:

• Discussion
• Research
• Report writing (using ICT)
• Presentations
• Practical work
• Visits to organisations/companies
• Work with visiting enterprises

Students will develop a range of key skills:

• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Innovation
• Project management
• Team working
• Communication
• Financial planning
• ICT
• Organisation
• Presentation skills in a variety of formats

The course:

BTEC Tech Award Level1/ Level 2 Enterprise

Examination Board: Pearson

Subject Content

Component 1

Internally assessed assignment: 30% of the qualification

During Component 1 students will:

• examine the characteristics of enterprises.
• explore how market research helps enterprises meet customer needs and understand competitor behavior.
• investigate the factors that contribute to the success of an enterprise.
• develop transferable skills, such as research and data analysis.

Component 2

Internally assessed assignment: 30% of the qualification.

During Component 2 students will:

• explore ideas and plan for a micro-enterprise activity.
• pitch a micro-enterprise activity.
• review their own pitch for a micro-enterprise activity.
• develop their planning and research, presentation, communication and self-reflection skills.

Component 3

Externally assessed task via examination worth 40% of the qualification.

During Component 3 students will:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of elements of promotion and financial records.
• interpret and use promotional and financial information in relation to a given enterprise.
• make connections between different factors influencing a given enterprise.
• advise and provide recommendations to a given enterprise on ways to improve its performance.

To be successful students will need to be able to:

• Manage time effectively and meet assignment deadlines.
• Reflect and act upon feedback provided.
• Apply subject knowledge to examination questions.

Be able to write clear, concise coursework with good spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Our business curriculum provides a solid foundation for further studies and students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and achievement. We see the confidence of students grow and watch them take ownership of their various enterprise projects. Through the vocational nature of the course, students take responsibility for their work and often this contributes in a very positive way to the local community and a range of charities (through the numerous enterprise activities they engage in). Students’ ideas are always welcome and they are always encouraged to act on them. By the end of the course of study, we see young people ready to pursue the next stage in their lives, whether it be university, apprenticeship or employment. The underpinning knowledge and practical and vocational skills learnt will enable them to be independent individuals ready to succeed in life.

A qualification in Business studies will provide students with many options. The skills acquired during the course apply to a range of future pathways. These could include:

• Management consultancy
• Trading
• Teaching, particularly with head-teacher roles
• Chartered accountancy
• Advertising
• Investment banking
• Bank management
• Retail buying
• Distribution and logistics management
• Insurance underwriting
• Marketing executive
• Consumer products
• Market research executive
• Personnel officer
• Public relations officer
• Retail management
• Sales
• Human resources
• Law
• Catering management
• Running your own business

All assessments are graded Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction* and can be at Level 1 or Level 2.

What can I do to support my child at home?

• Encourage students to carry out wider reading on topics covered in class, additional reading will be provided on Office 365 and Sharepoint.
• Encourage students to watch/read the news and discuss any business related stories with them.
• Use the Pearson BTEC website to practice exam questions, utilise mark schemes and examiners reports.
• Be aware of homework and assignment deadlines and encourage students to meet them to avoid late submission of work.
• Encourage students to learn key words and terminology.
• Support by motivating students in meeting deadlines for assessments.

Recommended resources for the course: BTEC Tech Award Enterprise Student Book 2nd edition.