CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
At Horizons Academy Bexley, we recognise that a strong foundation in Business studies is essential for future success in the world of work and offer a high-quality vocational and applied curriculum that is broad and engaging for all learners. Therefore, we aim to support students to:
- Develop their transferable interpersonal skills, including working with others, problem solving, independent study and personal learning and thinking skills
- Enable learners to enhance their English and mathematical competence in relevant applied scenarios and naturally occurring, relevant contexts
- Give learners opportunities to link education and the world of work in engaging relevant and practical ways
ASSESSMENT
The qualification provides an engaging, practical and relevant introduction to the world of business. It encourages you to explore the range of business types and understand the factors that influence success through analysing business models. It enables you to develop, enhance and apply your research, practical, communication and technical skills through creating and presenting a business plan for a realistic business start-up in your local area. You will study finance and analyse key financial statements (e.g. income statements and statements of financial position) reviewing their importance in the successful financial management of business.
You will study 3 mandatory units:
- Introduction to business by exploring how businesses operate, considering how market research helps a business to understand the market and investigating the use of the marketing mix (4P’s)
- Finance for business by understanding the costs involved in business and how businesses make a profit. Understand how businesses plan for success and how the measure that success and identify areas for improvement
- Enterprise in the business world by knowing how trends and the current business environment may impact a business, plan a new business idea and present a business model for a business start-up and a further optional unit which covers
- Promoting a Brand (marketing) by exploring the use of branding and the promotional mix in business and develop and promote a brand for a business
- Principles of customer service by understanding how businesses provide customer service and demonstrating appropriate customer service skills in different situations OR
- Recruitment, Selection and Employment by knowing about job roles and functional areas in business. Producing documentation for specific job roles and demonstrating interview skills and planning career development.
This level 2 course is graded either pass, merit or distinction, with one exam on the financial unit taking place, with various work-related activities and engagement with employers and practising of working skills through teamwork activities.
LINKS TO FUTURE STUDY & CAREERS
- The knowledge and skills acquired will support progression to a broad range of level 3 study, whether academic or vocational e.g. a BTEC National in Business or a BTEC National in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, A Level Business or A level Economics
- The vast majority of employers require learners to have certain technical skills, knowledge and understanding to work in a particular sector, but they are also looking for employability skills to ensure that employees are effective in the workplace.
CURRICULUM MAP
Please click here for the BTEC Business curriculum map.