BTEC Business Enterprise
BTEC Business Enterprise
Head of Department:
To be successful in Business Enterprise at the Poly, students must be prepared to fully engage with their learning journey. They need to work consistently and understand the nature of working within an area that will involve other people and the importance of having clear objectives. Whilst successful Poly Business Enterprise students are great at working on their own, they will also understand the importance of teamwork. Understanding that success both at school and University, will be replicated in their future careers, is key. People who are successful entrepreneurs not only transform their own lives but the lives of others – James Dyson helped keep our houses clean and Steve Jobs connected us to the world around us through his revolutionary Apple products.
Enterprise is a broad and fascinating subject that keeps evolving as the world that we live in as employers, employees and consumers also evolves. Enterprise therefore underpins almost any role and as such can offer exciting and well-paid careers. This qualification will give students the opportunity to explore real business issues and how businesses work. Students will consider the practical application of business concepts whilst conducting their own research and applying their understanding within the assessments of written reports and developing their presentation skills which all contribute to providing a dynamic specification. The depth and breadth of the content is designed to engage and inspire students through topics and issues that are relevant in today’s society – they will study key contemporary developments such as digital technology and business ethics which typically looks at how businesses make decision and their community involvement, helping students to reflect critically on theirs.
The curriculum continues to focus on developing resilient learners who are able to recover from mistakes and effectively solve problems. This will help develop lifelong learning and future preparation. We endeavour to make the curriculum as fun and interesting as possible with a high level of challenge by offering breadth and depth of experiences for the students in order to motivate their active engagement and inspire them to be successful business people or even the next famous Entrepreneur! Our aim is to ensure that students develop and achieve an understanding of enterprises that is directly transferable, not only to other subjects, but also beyond, developing a wide range of practical and theoretical skills that will prepare them for the future. Therefore, this course is aimed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to be ready for the next stage of their life either in further education or career.
Key Stage 4
Course Overview
Enterprise is one of the most internationally studied subjects in the world, due to how broad the subject is. As a broad subject in the social sciences, enterprise opens the study field to a focus of specialities such as accountancy, finance, organisation, human resources management and marketing. Enterprise is a great choice for anyone interested in the world of commerce and entrepreneurship. It's a great way to prepare for lifelong learning in the fields of business and management, and to equip yourself with the know-how to start up your own business or follow a career in finance, accounting, marketing, or management post university.
Students will follow the Pearson/Edexcel Tech Award in Enterprise. They will begin the course in Year 10 and will complete 3 units by the end of Year 11. Through BTEC Enterprise, you'll engage with the real world of business through the context of current business situations. You'll learn how management, leadership and decision-making can improve performance in marketing, operational and financial terms. In addition, you will analyse how internal and external factors influence business success. These areas are all components of the syllabus which are covered in depth, developing your understanding and mastery of the subject. You will explore how businesses act as responsible citizens and give back to the needs of their local community.
You will learn what makes an inspirational leader and how to get the best from your staff. You'll also develop your critical analysis, decision-making and problem-solving skills through challenging content and thorough assessment criteria. The knowledge and skills gained on this course can be utilised in a huge range of business and management fields, are transferable across many areas of study and professions and can be used to manage your personal decision-making, planning and finances.
Assessment
- Component 1 Exploring Enterprises – Controlled Assessment
- Component 2 Planning and Presenting a Micro-Enterprise Idea – Controlled Assessment
- Component 3 Marketing and Finance for Enterprise – 2-hour Exam
Controlled Assessments
Components 1 and 2 are assessed through controlled assessments – a bit like coursework in the classroom. The controlled assessments for these components have been designed to demonstrate application of the knowledge underpinning business enterprise through realistic tasks and activities. This style of assessment promotes deep learning through ensuring the connection between knowledge and practice. The components focus on:
- The development of core knowledge and understanding, including the range of enterprises and the key features and factors that contribute to an enterprise’s success.
- The development and application of skills such as analysing research, information, planning and financial forecasting, communicating and problem-solving.
- Reflective practice through presenting an enterprise idea that allows pupils to reflect on their own communication skills.
Exam
There is one exam, Component 3. Component 3 builds directly on Components 1 and 2 and allows pupils to bring that knowledge together and apply it to real world contexts. Component 3: Marketing and Finance for Enterprise, requires pupils to analyse and interpret information in relation to an enterprise and to make recommendations on strategies to use to improve the performance of that enterprise.
| Component | Description of controlled assessment | Window for assessment |
|---|---|---|
|
Component 1: Exploring Enterprises |
|
December/January and May/June |
|
Component 2: Planning and Presenting a Micro Enterprise Idea |
|
December/January and May/June |
support materials and useful links
- Knowledge Booklets and Knowledge Organisers.
- YouTube channels;
- https://www.youtube.com/@beebusinessbee
- https://www.youtube.com/@mssquiresmeansbusiness5299
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zpsvr82 - The BBC ‘Bitesize’ web site contains much useful information concerning Business and Enterprise.
- www.barclays.co.uk - Barclays – can be used to help explain APRs and the types of rates open to SMEs.
- www.thebigfig.co.uk - The Big Fig – a useful example to consider when working on social enterprise.
- www.britishchambers.org.uk - British Chambers of Commerce – a business network with links across the world.
- http://www.csscloud.co.uk - CSS Cloud Computer Services – an IT support service enterprise.
- www.fsb.org.uk - Federation of Small Businesses – provides members with a range of business services, including a voice in government.
- www.gov.uk/browse/business - Gov.UK – a government website for small businesses and sole traders/self-employed people.
- www.micromentor.org - MicroMentor – an online community of entrepreneurs and volunteer business mentors.
- www.moneysavingexpert.com - Money Saving Expert – can be used to explain terms such as APR in business.
- www.ofcom.org.uk - Ofcom – the UK regulator for communications, including TV, radio and on-demand sectors.www.pastafoods.com Pasta Foods – a useful example to consider for discussing the growth of enterprises.
- http://smallbusiness.co.uk - Small Businesses – a useful website resource giving a range of information on financing, funding, and running a small business. www.socialenterprise.org.uk Social Enterprise – the national body for businesses that have a social or environmental bias.
- www.tripadvisor.co.uk - TripAdvisor – an online review site where customers can post ratings comments and potential customers can read them.
- Textbook – https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/fe-vocational/subjects/business-and-economics-fe-vocational/btec-tech-award-2022-enterprise/btec-tech-award-2022-enterprise-student-book-1#products
- Revision Guide – https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/fe-vocational/subjects/business-and-economics-fe-vocational/btec-tech-award-2022-enterprise/pearson-revise-btec-tech-award-enterprise-revision-guide-2022#products
department information
Any specialist equipment required?
A BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise textbook is a great resource to own but not compulsory. Pen, pencil, ruler and calculator are essential.
Enrichment opportunities
Guest speakers
Competitions
Young Enterprise – running your own micro business
Clubs or Interventions
Homework Club
Revision classes
Full extended school programme approaching public exam periods
Future careers and University courses.
| University Courses | Careers |
|---|---|
|
Business studies Management studies Finance Accounting Marketing Human resource management. Hospitality, leisure, and tourism Transport Entrepreneurship Business Administration and Management Marketing and Marketing Management Management Information Systems Retail Management |
Accountant Management Consultant Social Media Manager Financial Analyst Business Teacher Business Reporter Actuarial analyst Business adviser Business analyst Business development manager Corporate investment banker Data analyst Data scientist Forensic accountant |
Social, Moral, Social, Cultural (SMSC) and British Values
Spiritual development within Business Enterprise involves students being encouraged to explore sexism, racism, and discrimination in the workplace through the discussion of employment laws and implementing this in coursework and through exam work. We refer to case studies and cases of discrimination in the news. Students also explore their own feelings and meaning and reflect upon topics such as ethics. Students are encouraged to explore these concepts and challenge the actions that businesses do take or should take. This also helps to develop student’s empathy and compassion skills and allows them to take into consideration other people aims, values, principles, and beliefs. Students are also encouraged to reflect on their experiences, for example, through producing work experience journals and producing CVs.
Moral development within Business Studies involves students being required to evaluate, comment upon, and discuss various moral issues relating to business practices. They will do this by observations, gathering of information/researching and studying given case studies to support this. Students are given the opportunity to consider a variety of information relating to real life business scenarios to make valid judgments. Students spend a large proportion of the course investigating the impact of a business’s action upon society and the local community in which they operate. For example, students consider the political, social, environmental, and technological issues arising because of a business decision. Students also draw upon their own knowledge to distinguish between what is right and wrong. This happens throughout all units in KS4 & 5.
Social development within Business Studies involves students being encouraged to develop their team working skills through collaborative work and research. The students also explore the concept of teams and the roles that individuals must play and how this can impact a business. Throughout the curriculum, students are given the opportunity to exercise their leadership skills. For example, at KS4 students work in teams on the Coca Cola Real Business Challenge. At KS5 students often work in groups on various challenges and competitions. Students often work collaboratively to understand new concepts and share information researched, thus giving the students responsibility over their work.
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. For example, throughout KS4 & 5 the effect of changes in the economy on businesses, and their actions, is widely studied. Demographics are regularly studied as part of most units, when learning about different customer groups and their needs and requirements. In year 8 all students are exposed to cultural opportunities by outside speakers as part of the Business Languages Career Event. Students also can look at how organisations work by visiting businesses or having guest speakers come in. Students benefit from visits to school by a range business people, to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Examples of British Values in Business Studies include:
- In Business Enterprise lessons, we would regularly learn about different laws in Britain and how they can compare to other countries.
- Pupils know that they have a voice that is listened to in the Business Department as when we they take part in group activities like Young 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.
- Teaching resources from a wide variety of sources are used to help pupils understand a range of faiths, beliefs and backgrounds are held by people who live in this country. These can be case studies, newspaper articles, exam board resources, company reports, and visiting speakers to name a few.