Ralph Thoresby School

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Economics and Business

Curriculum

The Economics & Business Department at Ralph Thoresby is possibly the highest achieving department in the school. This is based on pupils across the range of subjects taught consistently achieving above national average grades. Our teaching offer currently consists of: AQA GCSE Business Studies, Btec L2 Business Enterprise, Edexcel A Level Economics B and Btec L3 Business. Our course provision is designed to offer a range of subjects that can best meet the needs of pupils in both an academic and vocational setting to ensure both enjoyment and learning outcomes are achieved. Each December we alternate between a 6th form New York and a European study experience trip.

Staff: Mr Jones (head of department) [email protected]; Mrs Bradley [email protected]; Mr Hancock [email protected]; Mr Turner  [email protected]

Links to SMSC and British Values

S – Pupils are encouraged in Business & Economics lessons to explore racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination that can be discussed in relation to current employment law legislation.

M – A business decision may not be illegal but does that mean it is morally to correct to go ahead with it? Should an MNC employ child labour in another country if there is no law to prevent it?

S – There will be many opportunities for pupils to work in teams and show leadership skills through enterprise tasks.

C – Cultural development within Business Studies involves students being given the chance to see how the functions of a business operate. Students look at the changes within society and how they may impact on businesses. We will also look at the EU and its impacts upon business operations and trade whilst also exploring the wealth of different countries and how developed they are.

Examples of British Values in Business Studies include:

  • In KS4 & 5 Business lessons, we would regularly learn about different laws in Britain and how they can compare to other countries.
  • Students know that they have a voice that is listened to in Business Studies as when we they take part in group activities like Enterprise or competitions and challenges, we actively promote democratic processes used to vote people in certain positions or roles.
  • We use opportunities such as general or local elections to promote fundamental British values and provide pupils with the opportunity to learn how to argue and defend points of view. We would discuss politics, the voting system and how who is in power may affect businesses.
  • In sixth form students have the opportunity to take part in an Enterprise group as an extra-curricular activity, where as a group they run an enterprise over a period of time.

Courses available to take at KS4 and KS5

  • KS4: L2 BTEC Enterprise, GCSE Business Studies
  • KS5: L3 BTEC Business, A Level Economics
  • Year 9 Overview
    • 01

      Course Topic(s)

      BTEC – Introduction to component one – Exploring enterprises. GCSE: Introduction to Business and Enterprise

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Characteristics of enterprises
      Types and characteristics of SMEs
      The purpose of enterprise
      Entrepreneurs
      Market research
      Measuring success

      Marketing, Characteristics of Entrepreneurs, Finance, People in Business

      Assessment

      PINS assessments

    • 02

      Course Topic(s)

      BTEC Introduction to component two – planning for and pitching an enterprise activity. GCSE: Business in the Real World

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Generating ideas for an enterprise
      Planning for an enterprise
      Pitching a micro enterprise idea
      Reviewing own pitch

      Changing business environment, Factors of Production, Entrepreneurs and enterprise, Legal structures, Setting business objectives, Stakeholders, Factors of Location, Business planning, Expanding, Economies of scale.

      Assessment

      PINS assessments. Pitch of an idea – self and peer assessment

    • 03

      Course Topic(s)

      BTEC Introduction to component three – promotion and finance for enterprise. GCSE: Influences on Businesses

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Promotional mix
      Market segmentation
      Financial records
      Financial planning and forecasting
      Sources of business finance

      Digital communication; E-commerce; Technology; Ethics, environment and sustainability; Economic environment; Globalisation; Markets and competition

      Assessment

      PINS assessments

    Useful Links

    How can I support my child?

    Revision materials/support for any exams:

    Revision guides can be purchased at a discount from the retailer price through purchasing through the school. Please contact Mr Jones at [email protected] for more information. 

    Equipment required: A calculator and a resourced pencil case. Home access to a PC/laptop is very desirable.

    Regular activities to undertake: Private revision is essential if full potential is to be reached. All Btec deadlines MUST be met as the examination board has the discretion to fail pupils.

    Homework Information

    Homework set will aim to deepen understanding, improve research skills and find real world examples/scenarios that can help bring class learning to life.

  • Year 10 Overview
    • 01

      Course Topic(s)

      BTEC Component 2- planning for and pitching a business. Component 3- promotion and finance in business. GCSE: Human Resources

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Generating ideas for an enterprise
      Planning for an enterprise
      Pitching a micro enterprise idea
      Reviewing own pitch

      Promotional mix
      Market segmentation

      Organisational structures, Decentralisation, Recruitment and selection processes, Contracts of employment, Motivating employees, Training,

      Assessment

      Btec specific as per exam board guidelines. Course work will go towards final BTEC grade. PINS assessments

    • 02

      Course Topic(s)

      BTEC Component 3- promotion and finance in business. GCSE: Business Operations

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Financial records
      Financial planning and forecasting

      Methods of production, Efficiency in production, Lean production, Just-in-time (JIT) production, Factors affecting choice of suppliers, Procurement and logistics, Supply chain management, Quality issues, Total quality management, Customer service.

      Assessment

      PINS assessments

    • 03

      Course Topic(s)

      BTEC Component 3- promotion and finance in business. GCSE: Marketing

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Sources of business finance
      Revision

      Identifying and satisfying customer needs, Segmentation, Market research, Pricing methods, Product development and differentiation, Product lifecycle, Promotional methods, Place and channels of distribution, E-commerce and m-commerce, Using the marketing mix to influence and implement business decisions.

      Assessment

      Exam in Summer 2019. PINS assessments

    Useful Links

    How can I support my child?

    Revision materials/support for any exams:

    Revision guides can be purchased at a discount from the retailer price through purchasing through the school. Please contact Mr Jones at [email protected] for more information. 

    Equipment required: A calculator and a resourced pencil case. Home access to a PC/laptop is very desirable.

    Regular activities to undertake: Private revision is essential if full potential is to be reached. All Btec deadlines MUST be met as the examination board has the discretion to fail pupils.

    Homework Information

    Homework set will aim to deepen understanding, improve research skills and find real world examples/scenarios that can help bring class learning to life.

  • Year 11 Overview
    • 01

      Course Topic(s)

      BTEC Component 1 Learning aim A. BTEC Component 3. GCSE: Finance

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      What is an enterprise
      Types and characteristics of SME
      Purpose of enterprise
      Entrepreneurs

      Revision of promotion and finance unit for those resitting

      Methods to raise finance, Sources of finance, Cash flow, Financial terms and calculations, Average rate of return, Break-even analysis, Financial statements, Analysing financial performance.

      Assessment

      BTEC specific as per exam board guidelines. Course work will go towards final BTEC grade. PINS assessments

    • 02

      Course Topic(s)

      BTEC Component 1 Learning aim B. GCSE: Preparation for GCSE examinations

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Market research to understand customer needs
      Using market research
      Understanding competitors

      Revisions sessions focusing on specific areas of the course, utilising exam-practice questions to assess progress

      Assessment

      Resit of component 3 for any students not meeting target grade in Jan 2020. BTEC specific as per exam board guidelines. Course work will go towards final BTEC grade Exam-practice questions.

    • 03

      Course Topic(s)

      BTEC Component 1 Learning aim C. GCSE: Preparation for GCSE examinations/GCSE examinations.

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Investigating the factors that contribute to the success of an enterprise:
      Internal factors
      External factors
      SWOT/PESTLE
      Measuring success

      Revisions sessions focusing on specific areas of the course, utilising exam-practice questions to assess progress.

      Assessment

      BTEC specific as per exam board guidelines. Course work will go towards final BTEC grade. Exam-practice questions/GCSE examinations

    Useful Links

    How can I support my child?

    Revision materials/support for any exams:

    Revision guides can be purchased at a discount from the retailer price through purchasing through the school. Please contact Mr Jones at [email protected] for more information. 

    Equipment required: A calculator and a resourced pencil case. Home access to a PC/laptop is very desirable.

    Regular activities to undertake: Private revision is essential if full potential is to be reached. All Btec deadlines MUST be met as the examination board has the discretion to fail pupils.

    Homework Information

    Homework set will aim to deepen understanding, improve research skills and find real world examples/scenarios that can help bring class learning to life.

  • Year 12 Overview
    • 01

      Course Topic(s)

      Economics – Theme 1. BTEC Business – Unit 1, 2, 5

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Economics –
      Scarcity, choice and potential
      conflicts
      Enterprise, business and the
      economy
      Introducing the market
      The role of credit in the economy
      Market failure and government
      intervention
      Revenue, costs, profits and cash

      BTEC–
      Unit 1 – Features of businesses, Stakeholders, Effective communications, Structure of organisation, aims & objectives.
      Unit 2 – Principals of marketing, marketing aims & objectives, types of markets, market segments, brands, Internal & external influences, using market information, market research methods, interpreting market research.
      Unit 5 – Why trade internationally, where to trade, Factors affecting choice of market, financing international business, support for international trade, globalisation, trading blocs, barriers to international business.

      Assessment

      PINS – Tests 1 & 2. BTEC specific as per exam board guidelines.

    • 02

      Course Topic(s)

      Economics – Theme 2. BTEC Business – Unit 1, 2, 5

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Economics –
      Business growth and competitive
      Advantage
      Firms, consumers and elasticities of
      demand
      Productive efficiency
      Life in a global economy
      The economic cycle
      Introduction to macroeconomic policy

      Btec –
      Unit 1 – External environment, internal environment,
      Competitive environment, situational analysis, market structures, supply & demand, pricing & output decisions.
      Unit 2 – Marketing campaign activity planning, marketing mix, conducting marketing campaign, evaluation of campaign.
      Unit 5 – External influences, international business support systems, cultural factors & impacts.

      Assessment

      PINS – tests 3 & 4. BTECspecific as per exam board guidelines.

    • 03

      Course Topic(s)

      Economics – Themes 1&2 . BTEC Business – Unit 1, 2, 5, 27

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Economics –
      Completion of theme 2 and revision for both themes before internal examination

      Btec –
      Unit 1 – Role of innovation & enterprise, benefits & risks of innovation & enterprise
      Unit 2 – Final revision and mock before examination taken.
      Unit 5 – Strategies for operating internationally, resource considerations for operating internationally.
      Unit 27 – Work experience.

      Assessment

      INS – tests 5 & 6. BTEC specific as per exam board guidelines.

    Useful Links

    How can I support my child?

    Revision materials/support for any exams: Revision guides can be purchased at a discount from the retailer price through purchasing through the school. Please contact Mr Jones at [email protected] for more information.

     

    Equipment required: A calculator and a resourced pencil case. Home access to a PC/laptop is very desirable.

     

    Regular activities to undertake: Private revision is essential if full potential is to be reached. All Btec deadlines MUST be met as the examination board has the discretion to fail pupils.

    Self-study Information

    All pupils will be issues with a specific course guide. This should be used to plan revision and monitor topic coverage. This should also be used to help prepare a revision timetable that ensures all topics are covered. Examination mark scheme guidance, tips and higher level evaluation exemplars should also be regularly used to improve examination technique.

  • Year 13 Overview
    • 01

      Course Topic(s)

      Economics – Theme 3. BTEC Business – Units 4, 5 & 6

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Economics –
      Globalisation
      Economic factors in business expansion
      Impact of globalisation on global companies
      Impact of globalisation on local and national economies Global labour markets
      Inequality and redistribution

      Btec –
      Unit 4 – Tasks to complete by an event organiser, Skills of an event organiser, Investigate feasibility of an event,
      Unit 5 – Why trade internationally, where to trade, Factors affecting choice of market, financing international business, support for international trade, globalisation, trading blocs, barriers to international business.
      Unit 6 – Management & leadership, functions of management & leadership, business culture, leadership styles, leadership skills, human resources.

      Assessment

      PINS tests – 1&2. BTEC specific as per exam board guidelines.

    • 02

      Course Topic(s)

      Economics – Theme 4. BTEC Business – Units 4, 5 & 6

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Economics –
      Competition and market power
      Market power and market failure
      Market failure across the economy
      Macroeconomic policies and impact on firms and individuals Risk and the financial sector

      Btec –
      Unit 4 – Develop a detailed business plan for event,
      Unit 5 – External influences, international business support systems, cultural factors & impacts.
      Unit 6 – HR planning, motivation in the workplace, skills requirements, appraisal, organisational change

      Assessment

      PINS tests – 3&4 Btec specific as per exam board guidelines

    How can I support my child?

    Revision materials/support for any exams: Revision guides can be purchased at a discount from the retailer price through purchasing through the school. Please contact Mr Jones at [email protected] for more information.

     

    Equipment required: A calculator and a resourced pencil case. Home access to a PC/laptop is very desirable.

     

    Regular activities to undertake: Private revision is essential if full potential is to be reached. All Btec deadlines MUST be met as the examination board has the discretion to fail pupils.

    Self-study Information

    All pupils will be issues with a specific course guide. This should be used to plan revision and monitor topic coverage. This should also be used to help prepare a revision timetable that ensures all topics are covered. Examination mark scheme guidance, tips and higher level evaluation exemplars should also be regularly used to improve examination technique.

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