Welcome to the Business Studies Department
Welcome to the Business Department at Poole High School. Students studying towards a business qualification will learn key skills and understanding that are essential in the modern economy.
We bring business into the classroom through up-to-date examples, speakers and links from our extensive business partners. It is our mission to develop skills such as literacy, numeracy, presentation and interview skills, as well as a good knowledge of how a business works, whether that be a small business or a global multinational. With our wide range of courses on offer, we strive to ensure students are studying the right course for them, whether it be a traditional academic course, technical course or a vocational course.
Departmental Courses
Key Stage 4:
- GCSE Business (Edexcel)
- BTEC Enterprise (Edexcel)
- BTEC Travel and Tourism (Edexcel)
Key Stage 5:
- GCE Business (Edexcel)
- BTEC Business National (Edexcel)
- T Level in Finance (Edexcel)
- T Level in Accounting (Edexcel)
Who do I contact for more information?
Ms E Wyatt (HeadofBusiness@poolehigh.poole.sch.uk)
GCSE Business (Edexcel)
Why study Business?
It is unlikely that you will have studied business before but you might have an interest in businesses or working in a business one day, in particular in a management role. You may also have a family member who owns and runs their own business and this is something that may be of interest in the future.
You may have an enquiring mind and be interested in learning about the world around you, how businesses are set up, and operate. You may have really enjoyed Enterprise experiences lower down the school.
The course is both active and enjoyable. You need to be good at communicating and explaining your ideas, and not afraid of learning new things and working with numbers to solve business problems. You will learn how to be a creative thinker and how to make decisions. What’s more, you will also learn about the world of business through research and investigation, as well as through practical tasks.
Topics include:
- Business activity – what is business? How do businesses operate/work?
- Finance – understanding how to make a business effective and managing finances
- Influences on business – seeing how the world around us affects businesses
- Business operations – how businesses are organised and how they produce goods
- Marketing – how businesses promote themselves and keep their customers happy
- Human resources – how businesses manage the people who work for them.
Assessment
- There are two 1 hour 45-minute papers consisting of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions.
- Questions in Sections B and C will be based on business contexts given in the paper.
Skills you will acquire whilst studying Business
- using business terminology to identify and explain business activity
- applying business concepts to familiar and unfamiliar contexts
- developing problem-solving and decision-making skills relevant to business
- investigating, analysing and evaluating business opportunities and issues
Which students do well in Business Studies?
- ...those who have an interest in working in a big business, particularly in a management role
- ...those looking for a career in finance, retailing, law or management
- ...those who have an understanding of the different industries around us including small businesses
- ...those who have an interest in national and international companies like Amazon, Google, and Coca-Cola
- ...those who have good literacy skills – there is a lot of reading and comprehension involved
For the most up-to-date specification click here
BTEC Tech Award Level 1/2 Enterprise (Edexcel)
Why study Enterprise?
This qualification is designed for learners who wish to acquire knowledge and skills through vocational contexts by studying the knowledge, behaviours and skills related to researching, planning, pitching and reviewing an enterprise idea.
The qualification gives the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. The main focus is on the knowledge, understanding and skills required to research, plan, pitch and review an enterprise idea that include:
- development of key skills that prove aptitude in planning an enterprise activity, including market research, planning, carrying out financial transactions, communication and problem-solving
- knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, such as the features and characteristics of enterprises and entrepreneurs, and the internal and external factors that can affect the performance of an enterprise
- attitudes and ways of working that are considered most important for enterprise, including monitoring and reflecting on performance of an enterprise idea and own use of skills.
Topics include:
- Exploring Enterprises
- Planning for and pitching an enterprise activity
- Promotion and Finance for Enterprise
Assessment
Students’ work is assessed at key points throughout the course. The internal units are completed via an NEA-style assessment where students will be given a brief, conduct research and proprietary notes before sitting a number of lessons in exam conditions. Work is then marked and students will be given a resubmission to make any improvements.
NEA Assessments will take place:
Year 10: January to April
Year 11: September to December
The external exam is a 2-hour paper sat at the end of the course. The paper will be sat in May of year 11.
At the end of the course, the candidates are awarded either a pass, merit, distinction or distinction* at either level 1 or 2.
Which students do well at Enterprise?
- …those who have an interest in small and big businesses or enterprises,
- …those who might like to run their own business one day,
- …those who like demonstrating their skills.
For the most up-to-date specification click here
BTEC Tech Award Level 1/2 Travel and Tourism (Edexcel)
Why study Travel and Tourism?
This qualification introduces you to the world of travel and tourism giving you the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills which you can easily transfer into this industry. The travel industry is one of the biggest sources of revenue and job opportunities in the local economy so would benefit anyone who is thinking of working in this sector in the future.
You will explore some of the key areas within the sector, including accommodation, tourism development and promotion, transportation and visitor attractions. You will also investigate the importance of the travel and tourism sector to the UK, and investigate different types of customers and UK destinations.
Topics include:
- Travel and Tourism Organisations and Destinations
- Customer Needs in Travel and Tourism
- Influences on Global Travel and Tourism
Assessment
Students’ work is assessed at key points throughout the course. The internal units are completed via an NEA-style assessment where students will be given a brief, conduct research and proprietary notes before sitting a number of lessons in exam conditions. Work is then marked and students will be given a resubmission to make any improvements.
NEA Assessments will take place;
Year 10: January to April
Year 11: September to December
The external exam is a 2-hour paper sat at the end of the course. The paper will be sat in May of year 11.
At the end of the course, the candidates are awarded either a pass, merit, distinction or distinction* at either level 1 or 2.
Which students do well in Travel and Tourism?
- …those who have a keen interest in travel and tourism
- …those who wish to go into the travel and tourism sector after studying
- …those who wish to develop knowledge and understanding of the underpinnings of the travel industry
- …those who wish to improve key transferable skills
What can Travel and Tourism lead to?
- This qualification can lead students to a level 3 travel and tourism course.
- Some students may go on to complete a travel and tourism or hospitality-based apprenticeship.
- This is a useful qualification for those with ambitions to become a travel agent, aircrew, or travel representative.
For the most up-to-date specification click here
A Level Business Studies
Studying our A Level Business course will ensure students study a variety of businesses in a variety of contexts through a clear and coherent structure of four engaging and up-to-date themes. Students are introduced to core business concepts and develop a broad understanding of how businesses work before they consider the decision-making tools that help businesses move towards a more scientific approach to management. Some of the key issues students will understand are:
- helping to develop a holistic understanding of business
- providing a real business focus
- reflecting on today’s global world
- developing transferable skills for progression to higher education
- supporting progression from KS4 study
A Level Business complements most other A Levels however we would recommend that students will have a minimum of a 5 in maths and English and be able to draw information and data out of case studies.
Topics include:
- Marketing and People
- Managing Business Activities
- Business Decision and Strategy
- Global Business
Year 12
We focus on the theory base areas of the specification in order for you to develop the correct exam technique for each of type of exam question. Topics include Marketing, Human Resource Management, Recruitment and Selection, Distribution, Ethics and Culture.
Year 13
Students will develop their knowledge further by investigating the global business world as well as all the financial information and calculations required to make effective business decisions.
Assessment
There are three exams, each 2 hours long. Paper 1 relates to themes 1 and 4, Paper 2 relates to themes 2 and 3 and Paper 3 is based on a pre-release research task and could be from any of the learning themes.
For the most up-to-date specification click here
BTEC Foundation Diploma Business (Edexcel)
Studying our BTEC Business course offers a practical introduction to business, and supports progression to further study or employment. Students will study a range of business-related activities and learners will develop transferable knowledge and skills. The qualifications prepare learners for a range of higher education courses and apprenticeships.
Some of the key issues students will understand are:
- helping to develop a holistic understanding of business
- providing a real business focus on particular units of study such as Finance, Marketing and the building of teams
- developing transferable skills for progression to higher education
- supporting progression from KS4 study
- use of non-quantitative and quantitative data in decision making
BTEC Business complements most other pathways however we would recommend that students will have a minimum of a 4 in maths and English to cope with the rigors of the course requirements.
Topics include:
- • Exploring Business
• Developing a Marketing Campaign
• Personal and Business Finance
• Managing an Event
• Recruitment and Selection
We offer the Foundation Diploma qualification which is 1.5 A ‘Levels. This qualification has an element of external (E) assessment as well as internal (I) coursework units.
Year 1
Unit 1: The Business Environment (I)
Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance (E)
Unit 4: Managing an Event (I)
Year 2
Unit 4: Managing an Event (I)
Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign (E)
Unit 8: Recruitment and Selection (I)
Unit 16: Visual Merchandising (I)
For the most up-to-date specification click here
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In September 2023, we launched the T Level qualifications at Poole High School. We are the first school or college within the BCP and Dorset area to be approved to offer the T Levels in Finance and the T Level in Accounting. T Levels are the new technical qualifications the Department for Education has created which combine classroom theory, practical learning and a minimum of 315 hours of industry placement with an employer to ensure all T Level students are work-ready. If a student chooses to study a T Level, this will be the only subject they will take over during KS5. Students who study a T Level will achieve 3 A Levels. Grading will be 2 letter grades (A*-E) and 1 vocational grade (Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction*). Both T Levels we offer cover the following core content knowledge; Assessment Both T Levels have the same assessment model. T Level Finance (Edexcel) Subject-specific core knowledge as per above but also; Occupational specialisms to choose from: T Level Accounting (Edexcel) Subject-specific core knowledge as per above but also: Occupational specialism: The T Level in Accounting has been created with the AAT Accounting qualifications in mind. Students with the T Level in Accounting will be given accreditation toward the AAT Level 3 qualification with one final exam to be taken. Industry Placement Potential industry placements We are continually looking for local companies who have an accounting department as well as any finance and/or accountancy businesses that may be interested in offering industry placements. Current employers offering placements are:
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Business is a qualification that can help you access many opportunities be that through a university degree or an apprenticeship. People who study business generally go into careers such as marketing, accountancy, banking and/or finance, human resources and product promotion, and is helpful if you are considering starting your own business in the future.