VOCATIONAL & BUSINESS EDUCATION

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1 VOCATIONAL & BUSINESS EDUCATION The Department offers a range of subjects at various levels within the curriculum including GCSE s A levels and BTECs. These include Business, Economics, Accounting Travel and Tourism, Health and Social Care and Children s Care Learning and Development. Key Stage 4 GCSE Business Studies Offered as a two-year full GCSE course in Year 10 as part of the options programme. The OCR course content is based on: Business structures, control and organisation The aims and objectives of business Judging the success of a business Conducting market research Marketing Pricing products Promotion and advertising Production Methods New technologies in factories New technologies in shops and banks Customer service Impact of ICT Accounting and finance Judging the financial performance of a business Profit and ethics People in organisations Factors affecting a job s wages Leadership Recruitment and selection The course covers a wide range of topics to do with understanding the business world and how it works. This gives a broad foundation to the world of work and offers a wide choice of careers. GCSE Business and Communications Systems Offered as a two-year course in Year 10. The course enables students to gain knowledge and understanding of: Touch Typing Using ICT in a business situation Human Resources Communication There is one controlled assessment, based on a data collection exercise, worth 25% of the total GCSE There are two examination papers at the end of the course.

2 BTEC Level 2 Business The BTEC Level 2 Business enables students to investigate what goes on inside a company and how business decisions are affected by the external environment. During this course students will learn how the admin support function in firm support business activities. This course is assessed over three units. The qualification is worth the equivalent value of 1 GCSE grades A* - C (although students who have a pre disposition towards coursework may achieve the equivalent of 2 GCSEs by the end of the course) The syllabus focuses on two mandatory units which are: Enterprise in the Business World Finance for Business Students will then have a choice of one or the following units to complete the qualification: Promoting a brand Customer Service Retail Business Support Recruitment and Selection Two of the units are coursework assessed. The coursework is worth a minimum of 75% BTEC Children s Care Learning and Development The BTEC in Children s Care Learning and Development allows students to experience various elements of the child care sector such as teaching, social work, nursery care. The course also considers the way in which children and young people develop both physically and mentally. The Level 2 certificate consists of three core units:- 1. Understanding Children s Development 2. Keeping Children Safe 3. Communication with Children and Adults Units are examined through coursework portfolios Many of the BTECs are changing in 2012 to include a tested element. BTEC Children s Care Learning and Development will not change until 2013 and as such is still 100% coursework. This subject runs as a double option and work towards a qualification that is the equivalent of 2 GCSEs at grades A*-C. Students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours work experience over the 2 years of the course.

3 BTEC Health and Social Care Most students manage to complete the BTEC CCLD in Year 10 and can move on to the BTEC in Health and Social Care This enables possibility to study an additional two GCSE equivalent in Health and Social Care for students who work well in Year 10. Students who are considering this course need to be advised that due the nature of the course students will come into close contact with young children and therefore any applications for this course will be vetted before approval based on previous behaviour in the College. Post 16 In the Sixth Form we offer one year full time BTEC First courses in Business and Health and Social Care which are the equivalent of 4 GCSE grades A-C. Students following level 3 programmes will be able to select from GCE courses at AS and Advanced Level in Business Studies and Economics which are assessed solely through external examinations and Applied Business, ICT, and Health and Social Care which are assessed primarily through course work Students who wish to specialise in specific vocational areas may be able to follow double award GCE courses in Art & Design or Health and Social Care or BTEC National programmes in Business, Travel and Tourism or Sport A Level Accounting Accounting introduces students to the world of finance and management of accounts. The course lays an appropriate foundation for further study of Accounting or Finance in higher education. Equally the material studied would be useful for students intending to pursue careers in any area of Finance. The AS specification has 2 units: Unit 1: Introduction to Financial Accounting Unit 2: Financial and Management Accounting The A2 specification has 2 units: Unit 3: Further aspects of Financial Accounting Unit 4: Further aspects of Management Accounting AS Written Paper: 1 hour 30 mins Weighting: 50% of AS mark/25% of total A level mark Written Paper: 1 hour 30 minutes Weighting: 50% of AS mark/25% of total A level mark A2 Written Paper: 2 hours

4 Written Paper: 2 hours Students who are involved in the acceleration programme for Science are able to select AS Accounting as an additional subject in year 11. A level Economics Following this course will enable student with an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to study economics and encourages them to think as an economist. This course is designed to: Encourage student interest with contemporary content; Encourage a critical consideration of current economic issues; Be responsive to the changing world of economics. The AS specification has 2 units: Unit 1: Competitive Markets Unit 2: Managing the Economy The A2 specification has 2 units: Unit 3: Business Economics and Economic Efficiency Unit 4: The Global Economy How is the course assessed? AS Unit 1: Written Paper - 1 hour 15 minutes Weighting: 50% of total AS/25% of total A Level marks Unit 2: Written Paper - 1 hour 15 minutes Weighting: 50% of total AS/25% of total A Level marks A2 Unit 3: Written Paper - 1 hour and 30 minutes Weighting: 20% of total A level marks Unit 4: Written Paper - 2 hours Weighting: 30% of total A level marks A level Business Studies Business Studies will introduces stduents to the challenges and issues of starting a business, including financial planning. The AS specification has 2 units: Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business - Starting a Business and Financial Planning Unit 2: Managing a Business - People, Operations Management, Finance, Marketing and Competition The A2 specification has 2 units: Unit 3: Strategies for Success Financial, Marketing, Operations and HR Unit 4: The Business Environment and Change - External Influences, Leadership, Corporate Culture, Ethics and Managing Change AS

5 Unit 1: Written paper - 1 hour Weighting: 40% of AS mark/20% of total A level mark Unit 2: Written paper - 1 hour 30 minutes Weighting: 60% of AS mark/30% of total A level mark A2 Unit 3: Written paper - 1 hour and 30 minutes Unit 4: Written paper - 1 hour and 30 minutes BTEC Level 3 Business Can be taken as: Single (subsidiary Diploma) - 1 A level equivalent Double (Diploma) - 2 A level equivalent This BTEC National Award in Business is 100% coursework assessed and aimed at students who do not like examinations. It is an equivalent to A level Business Studies. As part of the coursework students must be able to complete research, meet deadlines and show a creative flair. Each of their units will be based on a real-life company which will set students a problem to solve. The Award specification has 6 units: Exploring Business Activity Investigating Business Resources Introduction to Marketing Effective People, Communication and Information Internet Marketing Recruitment and Selection The course is 100% coursework. All units are equally weighted. BTEC Level 2 Business Students who wish to progress into the sixth form but may not have sufficient qualification to progress to Level 3 BTEC or AS levels may opt for this Progression Diploma which is worth 4 GCSEs There is also the option of retaking English and Maths GCSE The qualification is worth the equivalent value of 4 GCSE grades A* - C The syllabus focuses on two mandatory units which are: Enterprise in the Business World Finance for Business Students will then have a choice of 6 or the following units to complete the qualification: Promoting a brand Customer Service Retail Business Support Recruitment and Selection Starting a Business

6 Visual Merchandising Business Communication Business Finance BTEC Level 3 in Travel & Tourism Single (subsidiary Diploma) - 1 A level equivalent Double (Diploma) - 2 A level equivalent This course is linked to travel organisations, airlines, visitor attractions etc which students will visit over the two years. There will also be an overseas trip offered over the period. Throughout the course students will have access to all the resources students need including access to the internet in every lesson. The Award has 6 units: Unit 1: Investigating Travel and Tourism Unit 2: The Business of Travel and Tourism Unit 3: The UK as a Destination Unit 4: Customer Service in Travel and Tourism Unit 7: The European Travel Market Unit 8: Long Haul Travel Destinations If students opt for the certificate (double option) students can choose to specialise in a further 6 units of their choice. These include: Preparation for Employment Work Experience Residential Study Visit Handling Air Passengers Marketing Travel and Tourism The course is 100% coursework. BTEC Level 3 Health and Social Care Subsidiary Diploma 60 Credits (Single) - 1 A level equivalent Diploma 120 Credits (Double) - 2 A level equivalent Extended Diploma 180 Credits (Triple) - 3 A level equivalent The BTEC Nationals in Health and Social Care provide young people with a nationally recognised vocationally specific qualification for entry into employment in the health and social care sector as well as progression routes to higher education. Learners can have a period of work experience which acts as a focal point for learning and provides experience of the sectors. Learners will also gain a range of skills and techniques, personal skills and attributes essential for successful performance in working life. These qualifications are supported by the relevant sector skills councils: Skills for Care and Development Skills for Health The Award has 6 units the core units are: Unit 1 Developing Effective Communication in Health and Social Care Unit 2 Equality, Diversity and Rights in Health and Social Care Unit 3 Health, Safety and Security in Health and Social Care Award students can choose a further 3 units, whilst Certificate students can choose a further 9 units. These may be in an area of interest such as:

7 Early Years Care Working in the Health Sector Nutrition Social Care Elderly Care The course is 100% coursework. Enrichment Activities The Department incorporates a wide range of trips and visiting speakers within all courses. Young Enterprise activities are organised in conjunction with local businesses. Students are encouraged to take part in local and national competitions. Staffing The VBE Department is currently staffed as follows: 6 full-time staff 3 - part-time staff 1 - Departmental Administrative Assistant (2 hours per week)