Economics and Business Studies Department
Why choose Business Studies?
If the words inflation and income tax throw you then you need Business Studies! These are everyday terms you NEED to know.
If you go shopping and it turns out your new top is faulty, do you know your rights as a consumer on getting a full cash refund?
Have you ever wondered how a product goes from becoming an idea to an actual product on the shelf?
Business Studies will show you the processes that are followed all over the world including the advertisements you see on television everyday.
Do you know the processes of getting a job, from the initial job advertisement right through to actually becoming employed?
Ever thought that you might want to run your own business when you are older? Well, Business Studies can help you as it will teach you the differences between sole traders, partnerships, franchises and co-operatives. You will learn the benefits of each type of business and how easy or just how hard it is to survive in the UK and International market.
Business Studies not only prepares you for all of these things but it also gives you an in-depth look into businesses all over the world. You will learn what goes on behind the scenes and who it is that in fact controls all the money!
If you think that none of the above applies to you then read again because everybody needs a job one day and Business Studies will give you the foundations you need for surviving in the real world!
Department Mission Statement
In accord with the school mission statement, we look for the Economics and Business Studies Department to : -
1) Prepare pupils for GCSE, AS and A-Level exams in as thorough a manner as possible.
2) Raise the standards of both pupils and staff.
3) Standardise work and increase efficiency within the department.
4) Foster within their studies the pupils’ awareness of the world and the responsibility of humankind.
5) Allow the pupils’ development to be such that they move with ease to their next destination whether it be further education or work.
6) Cultivate a Christian attitude in class through which pupils can be taught.
7) Provide students with business, leadership, teamwork and communication skills, to prepare them for personal growth, service to the community, and successful careers in the global economy.
The Department aims to help pupils to:-
1) understand the basic economic and business issues on a personal, regional and national level.
2) be able to write well-organised pieces of work on a variety of economic and business issues.
3) speak sensibly and coherently on these issues.
4) be able to read, understand and assimilate articles on a variety of economic and business issues.
5) follow the economic and business issues of the day on radio and television and in the press.
Since Economics and Business Studies both deal with the allocation of scarce resources and distribution of income and wealth, they cannot avoid touching on ethical, spiritual, social and political spheres. Our aim is to develop pupils’ ability to consider all the issues thoughtfully, logically, without prejudice and in common with the general aims of the school.
The department is closely linked to the school mission statement in that we seek to build upon whatever each pupil brings to the subject and allow him to develop to the limit of his potential. Economics and Business Studies are particularly useful subjects in their links with the world of work and provide a sound foundation for many further education courses. Over the years, pupils of widely differing abilities have derived great benefit from their study of Economics and/or Business at GCSE and A-Level.
Departmental Staff
Mr A Clarke, Head of Department
Mrs J Percival
The Department is entirely concerned with groups following courses in preparation for GCSE, AS and A2 examinations. We have no pupils in Years 7, 8 or 9. The curriculum is therefore determined by the specifications of the exam boards. At GCSE we follow the EDEXCEL course in Business Studies. At AS/A2 Level we follow the OCR specifications for Business Studies and for Economics.
Economics A-Level
The full specification is available at http://www.ocr.org.uk/Data/publications/key_documents/AS_ALevel_GCE_Economics_Specification.pdf
Exam board: OCR Specification: (AS code H061 A2 code H461)
Website: www.ocr.org.uk
Teachers: Talk to Mr Clarke to find out more
Why Should You Choose Economics?
Economics is a subject of great interest especially for students who wish to gain an understanding of major regional, national and international issues. It is directly useful for anyone who wants to follow a career in finance, banking, accountancy or journalism but also has relevance for many other career paths and for a wide variety of choices in further education. You can study AS/A2 without having studied GCSE Business Studies. In previous years many students have gained great benefit from A-Level Economics without previously studying GCSE Business Studies or Economics . Economics is an excellent main choice but also fits in well as a 4th subject with both science and arts subjects.
What will you study?
There are TWO AS modules (in Y12):-
F581
Markets in action
F582
The National and International Economy
There are TWO A2 Modules (in Y13)
Transport
Global Economy
It is a well-constructed and integrated course and each of the modules helps in the understanding of the others.
How will you be assessed?
Students are entered for the first module in January of Y12 and the second in June.
In Y13 there is a similar pattern with module 3 being sat in January and modules 4 in June.
The department has a policy of buying back students’ own examination papers and analysing their performance with the aim of improving performance in other modules and in any re-sits.
Entry Requirements
Essential- 5A*-C grades at GCSE
Useful Websites
www.Tutor2U.com
This is a truly monumental site which makes an epic contribution to Economics learning and teaching.. It can be overwhelming because of the sheer scope but it offers all sorts of resources which are extremely useful for the interested student.. Students can sign up for a free daily Economics Blog.
www.businessstudiesonline.com
This site contains a variety of games and activities with an economic theme. It is very useful for some light relief and for mastering troublesome definitions and facts.
AS GCE Scheme of Assessment AS GCE Economics (H061) |
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AS F581: Markets in action |
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50% of the total AS GCE marks 1.5h written paper 60 marks |
Candidates are required to answer questions based on a particular theme or case study, including some short-answer and some data-interpretation questions, plus one question which requires an answer written in extended continuous prose. |
All questions are mandatory. |
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AS F582: The National and International Economy |
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50% of the total AS GCE marks 1.5h written paper 60 marks |
Candidates are required to answer questions based on a particular theme or case study, including some short-answer and some data-interpretation questions, plus one question which requires an answer written in extended continuous prose. |
All questions are mandatory. |
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Advanced GCE Scheme of Assessment Advanced GCE Economics (H461) |
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AS units as above, each unit being 25% of the total Advanced GCE marks, as well as |
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A2 F584: Transport Economics |
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25% of the total Advanced GCE marks 2h written paper 60 marks |
This question paper has two sections: |
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Section A: Candidates are required to answer one mandatory data-response question. |
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Section B: Candidates are required to answer one structured question from a choice of three. Each structured question is split into two parts. |
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Candidates answer two questions in total. |
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This unit is synoptic. |
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A2 F585: The Global Economy |
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25% of the total Advanced GCE marks 2h written paper 60 marks |
Candidates are required to answer questions based upon pre-released stimulus material. Some questions may involve data interpretation. Most questions will require an essay-style answer of varied lengths written in continuous prose. |
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This unit is synoptic. |
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Business Studies A-Level
Exam board: OCR Specification code: AS code H030 A2 code H430
Website: www.ocr.org.uk
Teachers: Mr Clarke and Mrs Percival
WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE BUSINESS STUDIES?
Business Studies is an excellent option both for students who have already obtained GCSE and for those coming fresh to the subject in Y12. You can choose Business Studies without having studied GCSE. Students will find it helpful in developing an understanding of some of the internal and external problems faced in running a successful business. It is directly useful for anyone who wants to follow a business career in any of the main disciplines which are Marketing, Sales, Human Resources, ICT, Finance and Production. It also has great relevance to many career choices and subject choices in Higher Education. Business Studies is an excellent main subject choice but also fits well with both science and arts subjects as a 4th AS subject.
WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?
At AS (Y12) the TWO modules are
F291
An Introduction to Business
F292 Business Functions.
At A2 we offer
F296
Business Production (this module is an option and depending on the preferences of a particular group could be replaced by Marketing, Business Accounts or People in Business.
F297:
Strategic Management
HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED?
Students are entered F201 in January of Y12 and then sit F292in June. In Y13 there is a similar pattern with F296 being sat in January and F297 in June. The department has a policy of buying back students’ own examination papers and analysing their performance with the aim of improving performance in other modules and in any re-sits.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Essential- 5A*-C grades at GCSE
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Useful Websites
www.tutor2u.com
This website now features an interesting and useful weekly Business quiz.
www.businessstudiesonline.com
This site contains many useful games and activities with Business Studies themes and applications
Summary of A-Level Business Studies Assessment
AS GCE Scheme of Assessment AS GCE Business Studies (H030) |
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AS Unit F291: An Introduction to Business |
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40% of the total AS GCE marks 1 h written paper 60 marks |
This question paper consists of short-answer and data-response questions. |
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Candidates answer five questions. |
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AS Unit F292: Business Functions |
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60% of the total AS GCE marks 2 h written paper 90 marks |
This question paper has two sections: |
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Section A: Candidates are required to answer one six-part question. |
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Section B: Candidates are required to answer all four questions based on the pre-released case-study stimulus material. |
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Candidates answer five questions. |
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Advanced GCE Scheme of Assessment Advanced GCE Business Studies (H430) |
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AS units as above, Unit F291 being 20% of the total Advanced GCE marks and Unit F292 being 30% of the Advanced GCE marks. |
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A2 Unit F296: Business Production |
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20% of the total Advanced GCE marks 2 h written paper 60 marks |
Candidates are required to answer six questions based on the case-study stimulus material. |
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This unit is partly synoptic. |
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with |
A2 Unit F297: Strategic Management |
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30% of the total Advanced GCE marks 2 h written paper 90 marks |
Candidates answer four questions based on the pre-released case-study stimulus material, one of which will include a specified numerical element. |
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This unit is synoptic. |
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Business Studies Y10/Y11 for GCSE
COURSE GCSE Business Studies
EXAM BOARD EDEXCEL
SYLLABUS CODE 1503
ASSESSMENT MODEL Examination 75% Controlled Assessment 25%
The Full Course is made up of Units 1 and 2 and 3, 4 or 5.
GCSE in Business Studies
Unit 1: Introduction to Small Business
Unit 2: Investigating Small Business
Unit 3: Building a Business
Why Choose Business Studies?
This is a subject of interest to pupils who want to find out about how the world of business works.
It helps them to understand why businesses exist, to explore the needs and wants of people and to learn how to make sure that goods and services are available at the right time, in the right place and at the right price. It is helpful in giving pupils an understanding of how businesses operate and provides an excellent grounding for those wishing eventually to run a business of their own.
Finally, it is very good preparation for A Level courses in both Economics and Business Studies.
How will you be taught?
A variety of methods will be used including individual research, group projects, presentations, topical case studies and use of ICT.
Students will have the opportunity to take part in a week of Business Studies activities covering all aspects of the course, organised in conjunction with the Education Business Partnership. This will take place during the summer term of year 10 and will provide students with valuable transferable skills.
How will you be tested?
Exam on Unit 1 (Summer Y10) 25%
Controlled Assessment (Autumn term Y11) 25%
Exam on Unit 3 Summer Y11 50%
How can you find out more?
Ask Mr Clarke or Mrs Percival
The following websites all offer interesting and helpful insights into the business world.
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Fair Trade
The department have helped organise and facilitate a student Fair Trade Group over the last 4 years. Within this time the students have helped raise money for Fair Trade by selling Fair Trade products at a regular school stall, parents evenings, school events, five a side football tournament and coffee mornings.
This group helps to develop students and their enterprise skills as well as raising awareness of the work of Fair Trade.
Trips
In the past Business and Economic students have taken part in many field trips including
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A week of activities organised by the Education Business Partnership – including visits to local businesses, a first aid course and presentation skills
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Y12 conference to Euro Disney in Paris
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Visits to London
Special Educational Needs
The Economics and Business Studies Department at St Cuthbert’s High School follows the procedures for the identification, assessment and monitoring of pupils with special educational needs, outlined in the school’s Handbook of Special Educational needs, and recommended in the 1994 Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs.
Health and Safety
The department adheres to the Education Department Manual for Health, Safety and Risk Assessment. There are no further risks pertaining to the Economics and Business Studies department other than the Core Risks.
