Department Contacts

 

Key Stage 4 (Year 10) 

Qualification:  

Unit	Assessment method	Marks
R067:  Enterprise and Marketing Concepts	Examination set and marked by OCR	70 marks for 1 hour 15 minutes paper
R068:  Design a Business Proposal	Centre assessed tasks which are moderated by OCR	60 marks
R069:  Market and Pitch a Business Proposal	Centre assessed tasks which are moderated by OCR	60 marks

OCR Level 2 Cambridge National in Enterprise & Marketing (2022 specification) 

Key Stage 4 (Year 11) 

Unit	Assessment method	Marks
R067:  Enterprise and Marketing Concepts	Examination set and marked by OCR	80 marks for 1 hour 30 minutes paper
R068:  Design a Business Proposal	Centre assessed tasks which are moderated by OCR	60 marks
R069:  Market and Pitch a Business Proposal	Centre assessed tasks which are moderated by OCR	60 marks

Qualification:  

OCR Level 2 Cambridge National in Enterprise & Marketing (2016 specification) 

 

Content overview 

There are three mandatory units on the course: 

Enterprise and marketing concepts (Exam unit) 

Students explore the techniques businesses use to understand their market and develop products, investigate what makes a product viable and understand how businesses attract and retain customers. 

Design a business proposal (Coursework) 

Students are presented with a business challenge from which they create a researched and costed business proposal. They will carry out market research, present data, use idea generation tools, seek and act on feedback, and cost their proposals. In their work on this unit they will develop their self-assessment, collaborative working, creativity, numeracy, research and evaluative skills. 

Market and pitch a business proposal (Coursework) 

Students prepare for and pitch the business proposal that they developed in the previous unit. They develop a brand identity and investigate how best to promote their product and then plan, practise and finally deliver their pitch. Afterwards they review both their performance and their business proposal. This will help develop their analysis and self-evaluative skills as well as those relating to self-presentation. 

Key Stage 5 (Year 12/13)

Qualification: OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Business

Unit	Assessment method	GLH*	Assessment time
Unit 1: The Business Environment (Mandatory unit)	Examination	120	2.0 hours
Unit 2: Working in Business (Mandatory unit)	Examination	60	1.5 hours
Unit 4: Customers and Communication (Mandatory unit)	Centre assessed task OCR Moderated (Coursework)	60
Unit 5: Marketing and Market Research (specialist unit – subject to change)	Centre assessed task OCR Moderated (Coursework)	60
Unit 8: Introduction to Human Resources (specialist unit – subject to change)	Centre assessed task OCR Moderated (Coursework)	60

*GLH (Guided Learning Hours) is the approximate time that the teacher will spend supervising or directing study time and assessment activities.

Units

Unit 1 The Business Environment:

Businesses operate in an environment which is dynamic, competitive, uncertain and frequently hostile. They need to constantly adapt to changes in their internal and external environments in order to be successful. These changes may include anticipating the actions of competitors, reacting to economic or political changes or making use of new technologies. Whether the student aspires to be a business professional, manager, charity worker or entrepreneur, understanding the business environment is key to ensuring that the business in which they work reaches its full potential. In this unit students will develop an understanding of how and why businesses operate in the way they do. They will look at a range of different types of business and business structures and explore how the ownership of a business and its objectives are interrelated. They will learn about the importance of different functions within a business and how they work together. They will understand the legal, financial, ethical and resource constraints under which a business must operate and how these can affect business behaviour. They will explore ways in which businesses respond to changes in their economic, social and technological environment, and the necessity for a business to plan. They will appreciate the influence different stakeholders can have on a business, and they will learn how to assess business performance. The knowledge, skills and understanding gained by completing this unit is fundamental to being effective in business and, therefore, has synoptic links to all of the other units in the OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical in Business suite of qualifications.

Unit 2 Working in Business:

Businesses today need employees, managers and entrepreneurs who are multiskilled independent thinkers. When working in business students will have to work in accordance with organisational protocols, be able to prioritise work and communicate effectively with others in a meaningful way. This unit will cover the skills and understanding needed to work effectively within a business environment. This includes arranging meetings, working with business documents, making payments, prioritising business activities and communicating with stakeholders. The way that these activities are dealt with will vary according to the specific business protocols in place. Some of these will be specific to a functional area; however, many are common to almost all job roles. The skills and understanding students will develop through this unit are critical to the success of any business and are highly valued in the business world; they are vital regardless of the role held within an organisation.

Unit 4 Customers and Communication:

Customers are vital to the success of any business. It is essential that businesses consider the importance of the customer experience and ensure that they communicate effectively with them, whether internal or external. Repeat business is crucial for future revenue and financial certainty. Businesses depend on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. To build this, businesses need to know who their customers are and what influences their behaviours. In this unit students will learn the purpose, methods and importance of communication in business and the appropriateness of different forms of communication for different situations. They will develop the skills that will help them create a rapport with customers and have the opportunity to practice and develop their business communication skills. Students will also learn about the legal constraints, ethical and security issues that affect how businesses store, share and use information.

Unit 5 Marketing and Market Research:

Marketing is the function that makes sure a business sells the right products, at the right price, in the right place, using the most suitable promotion methods. Successful marketing is essential if a business is to survive in a very competitive business world. The unit has particular emphasis on the role of market research and how it contributes to marketing decision-making, and the actions a business may take. Market research is the process by which organisations obtain the information they require. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of primary and secondary market research methods used to inform marketing decision-making and any constraints on marketing activities. They will develop an understanding of the importance of selecting appropriate market research methods for market research proposals and they will be able to carry out market research, analyse the market research findings and present the findings.

Unit 8 Introduction to Human Resources:

People are the most valuable resource to any organisation or business, and in order to obtain the greatest value from them, they need to be managed and supported. It is the Human Resources (HR) function within a business that has a significant role in ensuring this happens. In this unit students will gain an overview of the HR function within a business and learn about factors affecting human resources planning. They will understand the importance of motivating and training employees to achieve their potential. They will learn how businesses measure employee performance. Students will be able to appreciate how the role of the HR function links with other key functions in a business to contribute to the overall success of the business. They will also understand the importance of confidentiality for the HR function, as this fosters trust and respect between employee and employer.

Edexcel: A-Level Economics

Why study A-level economics? 

A-Level Economics offers students the opportunity to build a comprehensive understanding of economics, preparing students for real-world scenarios and helping them develop critical thinking skills. 

A-Level Economics covers a wide range of topics, including market structures, consumer behaviour, production and costs, national income, inflation, unemployment, fiscal and monetary policies, international trade, development economics, financial systems, and more. This diverse curriculum ensures that students gain a holistic understanding of how economies function at both micro and macro levels. 

By studying A-Level Economics, students can develop valuable skills. They will learn how to analyse economic issues, evaluate policy options, and make informed decisions. The course also emphasizes the development of quantitative skills, such as data analysis and analysing and producing graphical representations of economic models. 

A-Level Economics encourages students to explore current economic issues and debates, using current examples from the world around us. This ensures that students are equipped with knowledge and awareness of the real-world challenges that economies face today and in the future. 

Choosing A-Level Economics as an A-level option can be beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, economics provides a solid foundation for further studies in economics, business, finance, and many other subjects at the university level. Secondly, it equips students with transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis, which are highly valued in many professions. Lastly, economics helps students develop a better understanding of the world around them, enabling them to make informed decisions as citizens and consumers. 

A-Level Economics is an engaging and valuable course that offers students the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of economic principles and their real-world applications. By studying economics, students can enhance their analytical skills, expand their knowledge of global issues, and lay a solid foundation for future academic and professional pursuits. 

Economics at TCA 

Teaching Staff	Business and Economics department:  Mr McGregor (robin.mcgregor@thomasclarksonacademy.org)  Miss Robinson (isobelle.robinson@thomasclarksonacademy.org)
Course Specification	Edexcel A-Level Economics
Course Details	2 broad topic areas:    Individuals, Firms, Markets and Market Failure (Microeconomics)  Economic methodology and the economic problem  Individual economic decision-making  Price determination in a competitive market  Production, costs and revenue  Perfect competition, imperfectly competitive markets and monopoly  The labour markets  The distribution of income and wealth: poverty and inequality  The market mechanism, market failure and government intervention in markets    The National and International Economy (Macroeconomics)    The measurement of macroeconomic performance  How the macroeconomy works: the circular flow of income, AD/AS analysis, and related concepts  Economic performance  Financial markets and monetary policy  Fiscal policy and supply-side policies  The international economy
Course Assessment	3 x external exams to be completed in May/June of Year 13.  Each is worth 80 marks (33.3% of the final A-level grade)    1. Markets and Market Failure (Microeconomics)    2. National and International Economy (Macroeconomics)    3. Economic Principles and Issues (Whole course)
Lesson Organisation (provisional)	5 x 1-hour lessons per week.    We are planning to divide teaching time into three “blocks”.    2 x lessons per week: microeconomics lessons (towards paper 1)  2 x lessons per week: macroeconomics lessons (towards paper 2)  1 x lesson per week: consolidation and exam preparation (towards papers 1, 2 and 3)    Lessons will be delivered through both traditional lessons and ‘flipped classroom’ learning – pre-reading will be very important in this A-level to get to grips with the trickier concepts we cover.   Lessons will consist of class discussions; analysing, annotating and producing graphical models; working through case studies; class presentations; individual and group tasks; and exam preparation.
Entry requirements	A-level economics is a rigorous but rewarding course which will be invaluable for any students going on to focus on a business, social subject, mathematical or statistical area of study at university.    As such, the desired GCSE qualifications and grades are as follows:    5 GCSEs grade 6 and above, which must include:  GCSE English Language   GCSE Mathematics  1 x Humanities GCSE   History  Geography  Philosophy and Ethics  Citizenship  Sociology    Previous study of Economics or Business is valuable, but not required.
Complimentary A-levels	Due to the multidisciplinary nature of economics, it acts as a great complimentary area of study for many other subjects on offer at TCA.    Mathematics  Sociology  History  Psychology
Potential career paths	Economics is a very popular choice of university degree. Due to the wide range of skills acquired and the flexibility of career destinations, it is the sixth-highest paying degree by graduate salary in the UK (The Complete University Guide, 2021).     Common career destinations for economics graduates include:    Working as an economist in industry or in academia  Financial roles in a business  Accountancy  Business consultancy  Working in politics/government  Banking/investment management  Analytical and statistical roles in businesses  And many more    It is important to remember that studying economics is as much about acquiring transferable skills as the subject content itself. So, economics is a great route into many different careers and industries, even if they don’t seem to have a direct link to the subject.

 

Homework and Revision Resources

Every student at Thomas Clarkson Academy is set homework through Satchel (formerly Show My Homework) and all lessons and learning materials for both of these business courses are available through Microsoft Teams, where each student will have 24/7 access to their subjects’ Team, where they can send messages, see posts and most importantly gain access to all lessons, assignments and learning resources.  Another good resource for Business students is www.Tutor2u.net/Business and BBC Bitesize for Business.