Business provides students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the business environment and to focus on a specific aspect of business through applied learning. Students will develop an understanding of the wider external contexts in which businesses operate and of the internal business functions. The course allows students to appreciate how legal, financial, ethical and resource constraints can affect business behaviour and influence stakeholders.

The vocational aspect of the course allows students to learn how to use a variety of business documents and the different organisational protocols that most businesses would expect employees to follow. Through studying customers and communication it will allow students to appreciate how vital customers are to the success of a business.

The course also allows students to develop transferable skills that are valued by higher educational institutes and employers such as communication, planning, teamwork, research and analysis. Students who have previously studied Business at Lincoln Minster School have gone on to study a variety of courses at university including International Business Management, Economics, Accountancy and Marketing. Students have also gained school leaver places at John Lewis, Grant Thornton and Mazaars.

Course Content and Methodology

• The Business Environment
• Working in Business
• Customers and Communication
• Marketing Strategy
• Marketing Campaign

The units are taught through a variety of teaching methods including visits to local businesses, industry speakers and students own research. The three marketing units are all focused on local businesses and so students will get the opportunity to apply their work to a real business situation. The department has a wide range of resources for the students including text books, industry magazines, subscriptions to the Business Review and Economic Review.

Assessment

Exam Board: OCR Cambridge Technical, course code: 05835

• The Business Environment, written examination, 2 hours, overall marks 33%
• Working in Business, written examination, 1 hour 30 minutes, overall marks 17%
• Customers and Communication, coursework, overall marks 17%
• Marketing Strategy, coursework, overall marks 16.5%
• Marketing Campaign, coursework, overall marks 16.5%

Course Requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, but it is recommended that learners have a grade 4/grade C or above in English and Maths GCSE. Students must also be able to work well to deadlines and be willing to dedicate extensive amounts of time to completing work during study periods.

Facilities