BUSINESS, ECONOMICS & FINANCE
Contacts:
Ms M Jaimini: Head of Business Studies & Head of New Business Technologies Faculty
Ms I Susi: Business & Economics Teacher
Our Curriculum Vision
Provide a curriculum for the whole ability range at Hampstead which allows for different progression pathways right through to the Sixth Form and beyond. This means we give students a range of course options at Key Stage Four and Key Stage Five that has both breadth and balance, and embraces the needs of all learners. Our learners are given appropriate information, advice and guidance to ensure that they are motivated, can see links to their own future aspirations and allow them to achieve their full potential.
The department comprises three full-time teachers with a variety of experience in industry and enterprise initiatives. The department has developed working links with industry where our students get to attend and network at various City based seminars and training events, and we also organise annual visits abroad for our KS5 students, which encourages them to put their knowledge into the wider context.
All Faculty students may also have the opportunity to take part in the Tycoon in Schools programme, where they can apply to the Peter Jones Foundation for funding to set up and run a small business as part of their studies, and so develop their real entrepreneurial skills.
We support many of our students in applying for business/finance/economics based degrees, as well as support access to internships and high quality apprenticeship programmes, where we have had significant successes with companies like HSBC, KPMG, Barclays, Airbus & PWC to name a few.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum and Assessment:
LiBF* CeFE (Certificate in Financial Education – Grades A*-C)
This is an industry led qualification and is a great introduction to the 3 key areas of personal finance, basic economics and business & entrepreneurs. Students will acquire the knowledge to understand the issues involved in setting up and running a business, what skills you need and the impact of individuals and businesses on the economy and each other. The course enables students to see how understanding and having good management of personal finances also link to business success, and you will analyse and evaluate different types of business scenarios linking all 3 business disciplines together.
Assessment is modular i.e. 3 exams ( 2 x 45mins & 1 x 60mins) equally spread throughout yr10 & 11, each contributing 33% to the overall grade.
*LiBF is the London Institute of Banking & Finance
Edexcel Business GCSE (2017 – Grades 1-9)
This course should inspire student imagination and commercial thinking as you develop your business knowledge over . Through studying this qualification students will: apply knowledge and understanding to business decision-making, develop problem-solving and decision-making skills relevant to business, develop and apply quantitative skills relevant to business, including using and interpreting data and investigate analyse and evaluate business opportunities and issues.
Assessment is linear i.e. 2 x 1hr 30mins written exams at the end of yr11, with each one contributing 50% of the overall grade.
AQA Economics GCSE (2017 – Grades 1-9)
A challenging subject that invites students to understand how different factors impact the UK economy, as well as investigate basic economic problems revolving around the allocation of scarce resources to achieve societies demands. Students will engage in abstract, theoretical thought and then apply it to the real world by interpreting and analysing data. Students will learn about supply and demand, competitive markets, UK government objectives, the national budget as well as monetary and fiscal policies.
Assessment is linear ie. 2 x 1hr 45mins written exams at the end of yr11, with each one contributing 50% of the overall grade.
OCR Cambridge National L2 Certificate in Business & Enterprise
This is a vocationally-related L2 qualification that provides a broad foundation of knowledge about how businesses operate and requires students to set up and run their own enterprise. Another unit focuses on career planning (including recruitment), where students can acquire employability skills through project work and hands-on experience.
Assessed by 2 coursework projects and 1 exam.
Key Stage 5 Curriculum and Assessment:
Edexcel BTEC Diploma in Enterprise & Entrepreneurship (equivalent to 2 “A” levels – grades D*D* to PP)
Championed by Peter Jones, the famous Dragon’s Den entrepreneur, this 2 year course will allow students to study a total of 8 units covering entrepreneurial themes that are key to understanding how to set up and run a successful business. Not only will you study the theory of business & enterprise, but you will also apply your learning by setting up and running a business of your own during the course. You will participate in relevant work experience opportunities and engage with external companies and entrepreneurs who will contribute to your portfolio, provide real-world contributions about the challenges faced and overcome by successful organisations, and perhaps provide vital networking & mentoring opportunities that could be useful in your future endeavours.
Assessment is modular and is a combination of exam, controlled assessment & coursework projects. The overall assessment split will be approximately 50:50 of external assessment via exams & controlled assessment, compared to coursework projects that are assessed internally and then moderated externally by the exam board.
LiBF* DipFS (Diploma in Financial Studies – grades A* - E)
This is a level three qualification equivalent to an A Level that is designed to develop students’ personal financial knowledge and skills to make them competent in dealing with money both now and in the future. In today’s evolving financial services market place, this means being able to understand the increasingly complex world of financial services and products, the associated risks, regulations and obligations that are involved, and the strategies required to achieve personal needs, wants and aspirations, both in the short and the long-term. Students will also study macroeconomics and how this impacts individuals’ financial positions at different stages of their lives. 2 units will be completed in yr12, followed by another 2 units in yr13.
Assessment is modular i.e. 2 unit’s exams are sat in yr12 and 2 in yr13. Each unit has 1 x 45mins multiple choice paper & 1 x 2hrs written paper. Exam sittings are in January and April/May, with each unit contributing 25% to the overall grade.
*LiBF is the London Institute of Banking & Finance
AQA Economics GCE (Grades A* - E)
This course enables students to understand the theoretical and practical implications of how the forces of supply and demand determine the way the world's scarce resources are distributed. Students will learn about the UK economy and how the government attempts to influence inflation, unemployment and economic growth. They will also study economics in the global context, and understand the various markets’ influence across the world. Student skills will be developed such that you will be able to apply economic theory to support analysis of current economic problems and issues and appreciate the interrelationships between microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Assessment is linear i.e. 3 x 2hr written exams all taken at the end of year 13, with each unit contributing 33% to the overall grade.