Curriculum Team Leader:
Mr Craig Benoit (c.benoit@tgs.starmat.uk)
Key Stage 3
The purpose of the Business and Economics Education programme at Key Stage 3 is to give students the opportunity to explore the theories and concepts of the business and economic world. Students undertake written and practical tasks to investigate business and its environment. The course of study provides progression for those wishing to continue their studies to GCSE Business, Tech Level 2 Enterprise or GCSE Economics
Year 9 Business and Economics Program
In Year 9, students will embark on an exciting introduction to both Business and Economics, providing them with essential foundational knowledge.
Business Studies Students will explore why individuals might start a business and what skills are needed to become a successful entrepreneur. They will learn about different business structures, including sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies. The program also includes a focus on basic business finance, teaching students how to calculate profitability and determine if a business is breaking even. Additionally, students will participate in a marketing challenge where they will develop a strategy to market a soft drink.
Economics In Economics, students will examine the basic economic problem of scarcity and opportunity cost, exploring different types of economies. They will learn how prices are set in a market economy through the forces of supply and demand, including how to model price changes. In the summer term students will investigate market failure, looking at externalities like pollution and obesity, and explore government interventions. The course also introduces the national economy, covering key concepts such as the economic cycle, causes of unemployment and inflation, government fiscal policy, taxation, and government spending.
This engaging program equips students with practical skills and knowledge, preparing them for future studies in Business and Economics.
GCSE Business
Students study AQA Business Studies (Specification 8132)
The specification gives the students the opportunity to explore real business issues and how businesses work. Students consider the practical application of business concepts. The units provide opportunities to explore theories and concepts in the most relevant way, through the context of events in the business and economic world. The knowledge and skills gained from this specification will provide the students with a firm foundation for further study.
Students apply their knowledge and understanding to different business contexts ranging from small enterprises to large multinationals and businesses operating in local, national and global contexts. Students develop an understanding of how these contexts impact on business behaviour. Students will apply their knowledge and understanding to business decision making including:
the interdependent nature of business activity, influences on business, business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, and how these interdependencies underpin business decision making how different business contexts affect business decisions the use and limitation of quantitative and qualitative data in making business decisions
In Year 10 students will study
Business in the Real World
Influences on Business
Business Operations
Human Resources
In Year 11 students will study
Marketing
Finance
Assessment
2 Examinations
Each 1 hour 45 minutes
90 marks
50% of GCSE Questions
Section A has multiple choice questions and short answer questions worth 20 marks.
Section B has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 34 marks.
Section C has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 36 marks.
BTEC Tech Award Enterprise
All businesses need enterprising employees to drive their organisations forward, to have ideas and initiatives to instigate growth, and to ensure that businesses survive in this fast-changing world. Enterprise is a key government focus and is set to form an important part of the UK’s global economic status, both now and in the future. Enterprise skills provide a fantastic progression pathway into a number of roles in an organisation and are transferable into all businesses. Study of this sector at Key Stage 4 will complement GCSE study through providing an opportunity for practical application alongside conceptual study. There are also strong opportunities for post-16 progression in this sector.
Year 10
Component 1 Exploring Enterprises (Internal Assessment) – During this year students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the different types of enterprise and their ownership, looking at the characteristics of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs with reasons for levels of success. Students will understand the importance of having a clear focus on the customer and the importance of meeting their needs. Enterprises can struggle if they do not carry out market research so students will develop relevant skills in market research and to analyse and be able to interpret your findings to support their understanding of customers and competitors. Students will explore why enterprises are successful, looking at the impact of factors both inside and outside the control of the enterprise, and investigate ways in which situational analysis can be used to support decision making. They will discover how success can be monitored in an SME. This component will give the students an understanding of the factors that contribute to a successful enterprise.
This work is assessed through an extended piece of coursework which accounts for 30% of the final grade
Year 11
Component 2 Planning and Pitching an Enterprise Activity (Internal Assessment)- If you are going to succeed as an entrepreneur or as an innovator in business, you need to have great ideas and plan how you are going to put them into practice. Any enterprise needs to plan how it will succeed through working out how it can harness physical, financial and human resources – which means the skills that you and others bring. An entrepreneur will also have to pitch their ideas to an audience in order to secure funding. In this component, you will use the research knowledge gained from Component 1 to consider a number of ideas before developing a plan for a realistic micro-enterprise activity. You will have the opportunity to plan how best to set up the chosen enterprise and how to fund it. You will need to take responsibility for creating and then delivering a pitch for your developed idea to an audience using your knowledge of business, and demonstrating entrepreneurial characteristics, qualities and skills. In the final part of the component you will use feedback to review your plan and pitch for the micro-enterprise activity, reflecting on your plan, your pitch and the skills you demonstrated when pitching. Developing your planning and research, presentation, communication and self-reflection skills will help you to progress to Level 2 or Level 3 vocational and academic qualifications.
This work is assessed through an extended piece of coursework which accounts for 30% of the final grade
Component 3 Exploring Enterprises (External Assessment) The performance of an enterprise can be affected by both internal and external factors. To monitor and improve an enterprise’s performance, students need to be aware of the impact of these factors and the strategies you can use to make the most of opportunities and minimise any threats. In this component, students assess and analyse financial information in an enterprise context to monitor the performance of an enterprise and strategies to improve its performance. They will investigate cash flow forecasts and statements, exploring the effects that positive and negative cash flow can have on an enterprise, and suggesting ways to improve them. Students will consider the different elements of the promotional mix in order to be able to identify target markets and put forward strategies that enterprises can use to increase their success in the future.
This work is assessed through an examination in February of Year 11 which accounts for 40% of the final grade.
GCSE Economics
Examination Board AQA
The students who study GCSE economics will gain a greater understanding of how markets and economies work, they will develop an economic awareness to benefit them personally and professionally for years to come. Contemporary and contextualised up to the minute events and news stories are used with the students so that they can enjoy the content of the course. There are lots of opportunities to talk about today’s economic issues in the lessons. Students can develop communication, critical thinking and analytical skills through tasks based on anything from ways to cut the budget deficit caused by the Covid Pandemic to the impact of BREXIT on trade and economic growth.
Year 10 Economics
During this year students will study How Markets Work
Economic foundations
Resource allocation
How prices are determined
Production, costs, revenue and profit
Competitive and concentrated markets
Market failure
Year 11
During this year students will study How the economy works:
Introduction to the national economy
Government objectives (page 18)
How the government manages the economy
International trade and the global economy
The role of money and financial markets
Assessment
Students will sit two written examinations one on How Markets Work and a second on How the Economy Works
Exams: 1 hour 45 minutes
80 marks
Section A: 10 multiple choice questions followed by a range of calculation, short and extended response questions.
Section B: five questions involving a mix of calculations, short and extended responses.
Sixth Form
A Level Business
Examination Board AQA
A-level Business Studies helps students:
develop a critical understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value
be aware that business behaviour can be studied from the perspectives of a range of stakeholders acquire a range of skills including decision-making and problem-solving be aware of the current structure of business and business practice.
The specification studied requires students to develop their ability to acquire a range of important and transferable skills including data skills, presenting arguments, making judgments and conducting research.
This course is assessed through three examinations. These exams cover a broad style of questions including multiple choice questions, short answer questions, essay questions and a case study paper.
A Level Economics
Examination Board AQA
The A-level Economics course helps students:
develop an interest and enthusiasm for economics and its contribution to the wider political and social environment
develop an understanding of a range of concepts and acquire an ability to use these concepts in a variety of different contexts
develop an enquiring, critical and thoughtful ‘economist’s mind’
practice skills, qualities and attitudes which will equip them for the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities of adult and working life
develop an understanding of current economic issues, problems and institutions that affect everyday life
apply economic concepts and theories in a range of contexts and appreciate their value and limitations in explaining real world phenomena
analyse, explain and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the market economy and the role of government within it
The course provides a good basis to move forward and study economics at degree level as well as moving directly into employment..
The course has no coursework or controlled assessment units. It is not necessary for students to have studied GCSE Economics before starting work on this specification and no prior knowledge of economics is necessary. Students who wish to continue their studies are encouraged to study A level Mathematics alongside economics.
Students are assessed by three A2 examination – The Operation of Markets and Market Failure, The National Economy In a Global Context and Economic Principles and Issues. A broad range of questions are used including multiple choice questions, short answer questions, data analysis questions and essays. The final summative assessment Paper 3 is based on a case study.
A Level Law
Examination Board AQA
A-level Law develops knowledge and understanding of the English Legal system. Students will study a range of legal problems through the context of criminal law, tort law and contract law. As well as these principle focuses students will also have the opportunity to study how laws are created and implemented and the foundations Uk law through their study of the English legal system. Legal concepts also sit across the course with students studying law and morality, law and justice, balancing conflicting interest and judicial creativity.
The study of Law at A-level enables students to develop their analytical and critical thinking skills. It also develops students’ problem solving skills through the application of legal rules, together with an understanding of legal method and reasoning. These skills provide excellent preparation for those students who wish to progress to degree level study or pursue a wide range of careers.
The A-level Law specification is designed to encourage and engage students to sustain their interest and enjoyment in law and the course does not depend upon students having any prior knowledge of the subject.
Students are assessed through three examination papers at A2: Criminal Law, Tort Law and Contract Law.