Y10 students 2024

The Edexcel GCSE Business aims to enable students to:
● know and understand business concepts, business terminology, business objectives, the integrated nature of business activity and the impact of business on individuals and wider society.
● apply knowledge and understanding to contemporary business issues and to different types and sizes of businesses in local, national and global contexts.
● develop as enterprising individuals with the ability to think commercially and creatively to demonstrate business acumen, and draw on evidence to make informed business decisions and solve business problems.
● develop as effective and independent students, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.
● use an enquiring, critical approach to make informed judgements.
● investigate and analyse real business opportunities and issues to construct well-argued, well-evidenced, balanced and structured arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of business.
● develop and apply quantitative skills relevant to business, including using and interpreting data.

The full specification can be found at:

Specification (pearson.com)

The Edexcel GCSE Business (9 - 1) is assessed with 100% examination at the end of Year 11, the final grade awarded consists of:

Theme 1: Investigating small business

Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes 50% of the qualification 90 marks

Content overview: ● Topic 1.1 Enterprise and entrepreneurship ● Topic 1.2 Spotting a business opportunity ● Topic 1.3 Putting a business idea into practice ● Topic 1.4 Making the business effective ● Topic 1.5 Understanding external influences on business

Theme 1 Topics:

Theme 1 comprises five topic areas.

● Topic 1.1 Enterprise and entrepreneurship – students are introduced to the dynamic nature of business in relation to how and why business ideas come about. They also explore the impact of risk and reward on business activity and the role of entrepreneurship.
● Topic 1.2 Spotting a business opportunity – students will explore how new and small businesses identify opportunities through understanding customer needs and conducting market research. They will also focus on understanding the competition.
● Topic 1.3 Putting a business idea into practice – this topic focuses on making a business idea happen through identifying aims and objectives and concentrating on the financial aspects.
● Topic 1.4 Making the business effective – students will explore a range of factors that impact on the success of the business, including location, the marketing mix and the business plan.
● Topic 1.5 Understanding external influences on business – students are introduced to a range of factors, many of which are outside of the immediate control of the business, such as stakeholders, technology, legislation and the economy. Students will explore how businesses respond to these influences.

 

Theme 2: Building a business

Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes 50% of the qualification 90 marks

Content overview: ● Topic 2.1 Growing the business ● Topic 2.2 Making marketing decisions ● Topic 2.3 Making operational decisions ● Topic 2.4 Making financial decisions ● Topic 2.5 Making human resource decisions

Theme 2 Topics:

● Topic 2.1 Growing the business – students are introduced to methods of growth and how and why business aims and objectives change as businesses evolve. The impact of globalisation and the ethical and environmental questions facing businesses are explored.
● Topic 2.2 Making marketing decisions – students will explore how each element of the marketing mix is managed and used to inform and make business decisions in a competitive marketplace.
● Topic 2.3 Making operational decisions – this topic focuses on meeting customer needs through the design, supply, quality and sales decisions a business makes.
● Topic 2.4 Making financial decisions – students will explore the tools a business has to support financial decision making, including ratio analysis and the use and limitation of a range of financial information.
● Topic 2.5 Making human resource decisions – growing a business means that decisions relating to organisational structure, recruitment, training and motivation need to be made to influence business activity. These aspects are considered in this final topic.

Assessment overview
Both examination papers are divided into three sections: Section A: 35 marks Section B: 30 marks Section C: 25 marks.
Each paper will consist of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions.
Questions in Sections B and C of both papers will be based on business contexts given in the paper. Calculators may be used in both examinations.

Useful web links:

GCSE Business - Edexcel - BBC Bitesize

Business: Edexcel GCSE (senecalearning.com)

 

Y11 students 2024

OCR Cambridge National in Enterprise and Marketing

The Cambridge National in Enterprise and Marketing will equip you with sound specialist knowledge and skills for everyday use. The course will introduce you to demanding material and skills; encouraging independence and creativity; and providing tasks that engage with the most taxing aspects of the National Curriculum. During this qualification, you will apply your learning in practical, real-life situations, such as:
• Carrying out market research.
• Planning a new product and pitching it to a panel of experts.
• Reviewing whether a business proposal is financially viable.
The skills and knowledge developed over this course will support you with the independence and confidence that would be relevant to any future Business and Enterprise sector.

This qualification has three mandatory units: one externally assessed (R067) and two Non-Examined Assessment (R068 and R069) units.

R067: Enterprise and Marketing Concepts

This is assessed by an exam. In this unit, you will learn about the key factors to consider and activities that need to happen to operate a successful small start-up business. Topics include:

• Characteristics, risk and reward for enterprise.
• Market research to target a specific customer.
• What makes a product financially viable.
• Creating a marketing mix to support a product.
• Factors to consider when starting up and running an enterprise.

R068: Design a Business Proposal

This is assessed by a set assignment. In this unit, you will identify a customer profile for a specific product, complete market research to generate product design ideas, and use financial calculations to propose a pricing strategy and determine the viability of their product proposal. Topics include:

• Market research.
• How to identify a customer profile.
• Develop a product proposal for a business brief.
• Review whether a business proposal is financially viable.
• Review the likely success of the business proposal.

R069: Market and Pitch a Business Proposal

This is assessed by a set assignment. In this unit, you will develop pitching skills to be able to pitch your business proposal to an external audience. Finally, you will review your pitching skills and business proposal using self-assessment and feedback gathered. Topics include:

• Develop a brand identity to target a specific customer profile.
• Create a promotional campaign for a brand and product.
• Plan and pitch a proposal.
• Review a brand proposal, promotional campaign and professional pitch.

Useful web links:

OCR Level 1/Level 2 Cambridge National in Enterprise and Marketing specification