Business and Enterprise

Term 1 
Topic: Market research
Enquiry Question: Why is market research so significant for business owners? 

Term 2
Topic: Market research tools
Enquiry Question: Why do we need to use both primary and secondary research in our design model concepts? 

Term 3
Topic: Marketing
Enquiry Question: Why is it important to consider your target demographic?  

Term 4
Topic: Costs and revenue
Enquiry Question: Why is it vital to understand the pricing of products before sale? 

Term 5
Topic: Financial viability
Enquiry Question: How can you measure the viability of a product alongside success?

Term 6
Topic: Branding concepts
Enquiry Question: How can global businesses dominate an industry? 
 

 

Term 1
Topic: Promotional tools
Enquiry Question: How does a successful business promote itself? 

Term 2
Topic: Entrepreneurial skills
Enquiry Question:  How do you sell a product effectively to a target demographic? 

Term 3
Topic: Pitching your product
Enquiry Question:  How can you deliver an effective pitch to a select range of audiences? 

Term 4
Topic: Ownership
Enquiry Question: What is the significance of the style of ownership and liability a person may have?

Term 5
Topic: Business cycle
Enquiry Question: Why do we need to know how to pinpoint the life stage of a product effectively? 

Term 6
Topic: Revision and exam preparation.
Enquiry Question: How do we successfully revise Business?

How is the course assessed?
Coursework units and an exam.
 

 

BTEC Business

Year 12

Course outline: 

Term 1 
Topic: Unit 1 Exploring business
Enquiry Questions:
What are the features of different types of businesses, their aims and objectives?

What factors contribute to a successful business?

What  role and influence do stakeholders have on a business's operations and success?

Topic: Unit 3 Business and finance.
Enquiry Questions: 
What types of finance are available to businesses? 

Where do businesses get their money from to start up, operate and grow? 

Term 2 
Topic: Unit 1 Exploring business
Enquiry Question: 
What are the types and purposes of different businesses? 

Topic: Unit  3 Business and finance.
Enquiry Questions: 
How can we understand  financial statements? 

How can we apply  financial analysis techniques, such as ratio analysis, cash flow forecasting and budgeting, to evaluate business performance and make informed financial decisions?

Term 3 
Topic: Unit 2 Developing a marketing campaign. 
Enquiry Question: 
What are the fundamental concepts? 

How do market research  and strategies  targeting specific customer groups and position products or services effectively in the market?

Topic: Unit 4 Managing a business event.
Enquiry Questions:
What is the  scope and purpose of event management?
What are the stages of  event planning?  
What are the different roles and responsibilities involved in successfully managing an event from conception to execution?

Term 4
Topic: Unit 2 Developing a marketing campaign. 
Enquiry Questions: 
How can we plan a complete marketing campaign for a specific product or service? 

How can we review and evaluate the effectiveness of the planned campaign?

Topic: Unit 4 Managing a business event. 
Enquiry Question:  how do we plan the logistics, risk assessments, budgeting and resource allocation for an event. 

How can we review and evaluate the success of the event against its objectives, reflecting on the process and outcomes?

Term 5
Topic: Unit 2  Developing a marketing campaign. 
Enquiry Questions: 
How can we apply marketing principles? 
How can we develop and evaluate marketing campaigns in response to diverse business scenarios? 

Topic: Unit 3 Business and finance.
Enquiry Question: 
How can we analyse a business's financial health? 

Term 6
Topic: Business super curriculum.
 

Year 13

Course outline: 

Term 1
Topic: Unit 2 (single business only), Developing a marketing campaign.
Enquiry Questions:
How can you apply marketing principles? 

How can you develop marketing campaign ideas in response to a specified business scenario. 

Topic: Unit 8  Recruitment and selection. 
Enquiry Questions:
How can businesses effectively attract and choose staff? 

What are the vital legal and ethical frameworks that underpin these processes? 

Term 2 
Topic: Unit 2 (single business only)  Developing a marketing campaign. 
Enquiry Question: 
How can you evaluate  a marketing campaign for a single, specific business, effectively? 

Topic: Unit 8 Recruitment and selection. 
Enquiry Question:
How can you apply  selection methods and evaluate their effectiveness? 

Term 3 
Topic: Unit 5 International Business: 
Enquiry Questions:  
How and why do businesses operate on a global scale? 

What are the reasons for international expansion, different market entry strategies and the fundamental benefits and challenges of global trade?

Topic: Unit 8 Recruitment and selection.
Consolidation of learning and closing of gaps.

Term 4 
Topic: Unit 5 International business.
Enquiry Questions:  
How can you analyse the impact of the  external environment on global operations?
 
How can you apply PESTLE analysis to international markets and explore global marketing and supply chain strategies? 

Topic: Unit 14 Customer service.
Enquiry Question:
What constitutes excellent customer service and why it plays a critical role in business success? 

Term 5 
Topic: Unit 5 International business.
Consolidation of learning, closing of gaps and revision.

Topic: Unit 14 Customer service:
Enquiry Questions: 
How can businesses deliver effective service and  solve customer issues? 

How do businesses measure and improve customer satisfaction? 

How is the course assessed?
The BTEC National Business course is assessed through a blend of external examinations and internal coursework. Exams test the application of core concepts; practical assignments are teacher-marked and externally moderated. The  final grade reflects performance across all units, showcasing both knowledge and practical business skills.
 

 

Term 1
Topic: Foundational elements of marketing and business activity.
Enquiry questions: How do businesses identify and meet customer needs through market research and initial concepts of segmentation, targeting and positioning?
What is the  fundamental purpose of managing business activities?

Term 2
Topic: Building the marketing mix and initial financial understanding.
Enquiry questions: 
What are the characteristics of entrepreneurs and leaders who drive new ventures?
What are the key aspects of raising finance and interpretation of  fundamental financial statements?

Term 3
Topic:  Marketing strategy, people management and financial planning.
Enquiry Question:  What are the key features of the  management of people, human resources, financial planning and financial ratios for assessing profitability?

Term 4
Topic: Leadership, operational efficiency and performance analysis.
Enquiry Questions: What are the diverse leadership styles used and what is the  impact of these? 

What methods are used within resource management, examining operations, quality control and strategies for improving efficiency and productivity? 

Term 5 
Topic: Advanced application, external influences and  interrelationships. 
Enquiry Questions:  What advanced market strategies and ethical considerations need to be applied?
How can we analyse  external influences (PESTLE factors) and  how these dynamic forces necessitate strategic adaptation? 

Term 6
Topic: Comprehensive consolidation and  exam mastery. 
 

Term 1
Topic:  Introducing strategy, growth and globalisation fundamentals.  
Enquiry Questions:
How do we explore business objectives and strategy?

How do aims and objectives shape strategic direction?

What are the  key characteristics of  globalisation and its impact on businesses?

Term 2
Topic: Decision-making, competitiveness and  global market entry. 
Enquiry Questions:
What are the core decision-making techniques?

How do we  assess competitiveness using frameworks like Porter's Five Forces?

What are the  global market entry strategies and the complexities of adapting global marketing approaches, taking into account cultural and ethical factors?

Term 3
Topic: Advanced growth, managing change and global HR/finance.
Enquiry Questions:
What are  advanced business growth strategies, mergers and takeovers?

 What are the  concepts of managing change within organisations, using models like Lewin's and Kotter's theory?
 
What are the fundamentals of global finance and what are the impacts of exchange rates on international trade?

Term 4
Topic: Strategic positioning, advanced decisions and  global risk management. 
Enquiry Questions: 
What decision-making techniques are used within business?

What strategies are used for strategic positioning and competitive advantage? 

Term 5
Topic: Strategic integration and  global business application.
Enquiry Questions:
What strategic decision-making and change management models are used within businesses and why?
 
What are the interdependencies between strategic choices, growth drivers, competitive positioning and the challenges of managing businesses across diverse international markets?

Term 6
Topic:  Consolidation and  exam mastery.

How is the course assessed?

A-Level Edexcel Business is assessed solely through three external examinations at the end of the two-year course. These papers cover distinct themes: 
Paper 1 (Marketing, People and Global Business).
Paper 2 (Business Activities, Decisions & Strategy).
Paper 3 (a synoptic paper drawing from all themes).