Welcome to the Business Studies World
Business Studies is a popular option subject at Key Stage 4. The subject aims to introduce students to all aspects of the business world and the effect businesses have on our everyday lives.
The department is run by Mr A Plastow, a specialist Business Studies teacher. Lessons take place in a well equipped Business Studies suite. This includes a classroom area and an ICT suite containing 25 networked computers.
Course Content
Year 11 Students follow a GCSE course provided by OCR. The official syllabus title is OCR Business Studies A - Course Code 1951.
OCR National Award
This course is entirely assignment based. There is no final examination.
Students complete 3 assignments - Understanding Business, Enterprise and Operations, and Marketing. These all involve students applying their business knowledge to real world businesses.
Students gain a Pass, Merit or Distinction based on the quality of the assignments they produce.
GCSE Course
Assessment
There are 3 parts that make up the marks to determine the grade pupils reach in this GCSE:
Examination Papers:
Both written papers are taken in the summer of Year 11. Students write their answers on the examination paper and are given a range of questions from those requiring one word answers to those requiring longer explanations. The majority of questions expect short answers about 2-3 lines long. Examples of past papers may be found on the OCR website (www.ocr.org.uk).
Students will be entered for either the higher or foundation paper. The higher paper allows a grade of A*-D and the foundation allows a grade of C - G. The majority of students are entered into the higher paper. This decision is made when Year 11 reports are written.
Coursework:
The coursework involves pupils preparing an extended piece of work showing evidence of individual research, knowledge of relevant areas of business studies and the ability to make and justify decisions.
Pupils only need to complete one assignment and the majority of this coursework is completed in the Autumn Term of Year 11. Pupils are given the opportunity to make amendments and improve their assignment in Year 11, with teacher support and guidance.
Resources:
Whilst a range of textbooks and other resources are used to deliver the course, a key textbook which covers all the necessary content of the course is:Business Studies for OCR GCSE' by Peter Kennerdell, Alan Williams and Mike Schofield
(published by Hodder & Stoughton, ISBN 0-340-79052-0)
Further details about the course can also be obtained from the OCR website www.ocr.org.uk
Home Study and Support
There are a number of ways parents can support the Business Studies work pupils will be doing in lesson time:
- Check on the homework they are doing - pupils will be set at least one task a fortnight. This may be a written task, research work, a past paper question or coursework.
- Coursework - take a special interest in the Spring Term of Year 10. Pupils will need to be using their own time to complete coursework.
- Revision Guides - the two recommended by the department are 'GCSE Business Studies - The Revision Guide' published by CGP (ISBN 1-841463094) and 'GCSE Success - Business Studies' published by Letts (ISBN 1-84085-601-7). These will be offered for sale by the school at discounted prices during the Autumn or Spring Term (subject to availability). Most bookshops offer these or other revision guides in the subject.
- Talk to them about news and current affairs - particularly business or related stories, like Malcolm Glazier taking over Manchester Utd, the latest Richard Branson venture or why there are so many out of town shopping centres springing up etc.
Meole Brace School Science College, Longden Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 9DW
phone: 01743 235961 Fax: 01743 364017 E-Mail: admin@meolebrace.shropshire.sch.uk
