Business Enterprise

Key Stage 4:

The course is delivered over a period of two years. The focus for the first year is theme one which focuses on key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. This theme looks at business through the lens of an entrepreneur. Students will be introduced to business in the local and national context. Students will learn the importance of business context and how it influences business behaviour and decision making.

The assessment:

A BTEC Enterprise qualification is equivalent to 1 GCSE grades A*- C and is graded pass, merit, distinction, and distinction *.

Component 1: internal assessed by teacher (worth 30% of the BTEC)

Component 2: internal assessed by teacher (worth 30% of the BTEC)

Component 3: externally assessed (worth 40% of the BTEC)

Breakdown of each component:

Component 1: Exploring Enterprises

In this component, 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 also explore how market research helps enterprises to meet customer needs and understand competitor behaviour, as well as investigating the factors that contribute to the success of an enterprise.

Component 2: Planning for and Pitching an Enterprise Activity

In this component, students 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.

They will have the opportunity to plan how best to set up the chosen enterprise and how to fund it. Students 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.

Component 3: Promotion and Finance for Enterprise

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 they can use to make the most of opportunities and minimise any threats. In this component, students will assess and analyse financial information in an enterprise context to monitor the performance of an enterprise and strategies to improve its performance. Students 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.

Year 10

Year 11

After this qualification students should have a great understanding of the world of business and have developed skills in: making decisions and developing persuasive arguments creative and practical problem solving understanding data, finance and communication. It’s also a great step in preparation for further and higher education such as A levels and BTEC courses, as well as apprenticeships.

This course helps prepare students for an entrepreneurial role and helps gain an understanding of what is involved in a business-related profession, like accountancy, law, marketing or the leisure and tourism industry. Should students wish to study business further, this can lead to different opportunities within different sectors. Currently, the pathway can lead to accounting and finance apprenticeships. Students can also progress once they are on the job ladder. Opportunities are available in retail management, marketing, finance, consultancy and HR.