Curriculum intent

The study of business, marketing and enterprise and economics incorporates a variety of real-life contexts. It helps young people make sense of a complex and dynamically changing modern world. It explains how businesses work and what policies governments can use to help the economy. Our curriculums provide examples from business and economics to develop students’ understanding of concepts and theories that broaden and deepen their knowledge of different areas of business, marketing and enterprise and economics. It develops their knowledge and understanding of the external influences that impact how a business operates in a local, national and global context. Students learn to think critically and use diagrams and technologies, to obtain, present and analyse information.

Throughout our curriculums we approach lessons through enquiry to encourage questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people’s lives, now and in the future. Case studies and real-life examples is an essential element of this, ensuring our curriculum is modern and engaging. The role of business in the world often allows us to explore British values and broaden students’ understanding of the global context.

Providing active and engaging learning opportunities is central to our thinking, as students develop the verbal and teamwork skills and a ‘can-do’ attitude that are often the key to success within business. Students also become more independent through metacognitive strategies and retrieval strategies. Our curriculum also facilitates the development of students’ literacy and numeracy skills and motivates them to develop transferable positive work ethics which can be beneficial to them in the future.

Our curriculum helps students explore their own place in the world, their values and their responsibilities to other people. This helps students become effective employees and employers as they better understand the positive role they can play in the world. Our ambition is that many of our students will choose to study business and economics courses beyond key stage 4 and 5 and pursue future careers linked to the subjects we offer.

Key stage 4 – GCSE

YearUnitContent coveredKnowledge and skills
10Unit R068: design a business proposalMarket research; identifying customer profiles; designing a product proposal; review financial viability of business proposal; and review the likely success of the business proposal.Develop an understanding of how enterprises identify opportunities and meet customer needs. Conduct and interpret market research, create customer profiles, generate and evaluate business ideas, assess financial viability, and design a realistic business proposal. Apply analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills to justify recommendations.
11Unit R067: enterprise and marketing concepts Characteristics, risk and reward for enterprise; market research to target a specific customer; explore financial viability of product; creating a marketing mix to support a product; and factors to consider when starting up and running an enterprise.Understand how and why enterprises operate. Analyse the role of market research in identifying customer needs, explore sources of finance and financial planning, evaluate marketing activities and the marketing mix, and assess the factors involved in starting and running a successful enterprise. Develop knowledge required for the examined unit and strengthen analytical and evaluative skills.
11Unit R069: market and pitch a business proposalDevelop a brand identity to target a specific customer profile; create a promotional campaign for a brand and product; plan a pitch a proposal; and review a brand proposal, promotional campaign and professional pitch.Create and develop a brand identity targeted at a specific customer profile, produce promotional materials, plan and deliver a professional business pitch, and evaluate the effectiveness of marketing and branding decisions. Develop communication, presentation, creative thinking and self-evaluation skills while applying enterprise and marketing knowledge in a practical context.

Key stage 4 GCSE assessment information

AssessmentTopicInformation
Exam (R067)Enterprise and marketing conceptsWritten examination assessing understanding of enterprise and entrepreneurship, characteristics of successful entrepreneurs, risk and reward, market research, customer needs, marketing mix, financial viability and factors that influence the success of an enterprise. Students apply knowledge to business scenarios and demonstrate analysis and evaluation skills. (70 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes)
Coursework / controlled assessment (R068)Design a business proposalCentre-assessed task in which students conduct market research, identify a target market, create customer profiles, develop a product proposal, assess financial viability and evaluate the likely success of their business idea. Students demonstrate planning, research, business analysis and decision-making skills.
Coursework / controlled assessment (R069)Marketing and pitch a business proposalCentre-assessed task requiring students to create a brand identity, develop promotional materials, plan and deliver a business pitch, and review the effectiveness of their proposal and marketing campaign. Assessment focuses on communication, presentation, marketing and evaluation skills.
Synoptic assessmentEnterprise and marketing skillsStudents apply knowledge and understanding from across the qualification when designing, marketing and pitching a business proposal. Assessment rewards the ability to integrate enterprise, marketing, financial and communication skills in realistic business contexts.

Key stage 5

Visit our post 16 BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in marketing course information page for more details on our key stage 5 offer.

AssessmentTopicInformation
Exam (R067)Enterprise and marketing conceptsWritten examination assessing understanding of enterprise and entrepreneurship, characteristics of successful entrepreneurs, risk and reward, market research, customer needs, marketing mix, financial viability and factors that influence the success of an enterprise. Students apply knowledge to business scenarios and demonstrate analysis and evaluation skills. (70 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes)
Coursework / controlled assessment (R068)Design a business proposalCentre-assessed task in which students conduct market research, identify a target market, create customer profiles, develop a product proposal, assess financial viability and evaluate the likely success of their business idea. Students demonstrate planning, research, business analysis and decision-making skills.
Coursework / controlled assessment (R069)Marketing and pitch a business proposalCentre-assessed task requiring students to create a brand identity, develop promotional materials, plan and deliver a business pitch, and review the effectiveness of their proposal and marketing campaign. Assessment focuses on communication, presentation, marketing and evaluation skills.
Synoptic assessmentEnterprise and marketing skillsStudents apply knowledge and understanding from across the qualification when designing, marketing and pitching a business proposal. Assessment rewards the ability to integrate enterprise, marketing, financial and communication skills in realistic business contexts.

Careers and future pathways

Further study opportunitiesCareer pathways
Cambridge Technicals in businessMarketing executive /assistant
A level business studies / economics Digital marketing officer
BTEC business Brand manager
T level management and administration / digital business services Market research analyst
Level 3 apprenticeships in business administration / marketing Finance assistant
Accounting and finance courses Business manager
Higher education in business, marketing or management Marketing manager
Apprenticeships in sales and customer service Events manager
Further study in enterprise and innovation Entrepreneur / start-up founder
Professional marketing qualifications (CIM) Operations manager
Combined business and digital media courses