BTEC Business

Edexcel BTEC Level 2

First Award In Business

LEARNER HANDBOOK 2015-2017

THE BROXBOURNE SCHOOL

BTEC Business

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

INTRODUCTION COURSE STRUCTURE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

2. OVERVIEW OF COURSE AIMS

3. COURSE IMPLEMENTATION TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGIES REFERENCE MATERIAL

4. ASSESSMENT METHODS GRADING SUBMISSION OF WORK PROGRESSION WORK EXPERIENCE ASSIGNMENT TIMETABLE

5. EXPECTATIONS OF EACH LEARNER

6. GUIDELINES/ADVICE ON PRESENTING ASSIGNMENTS

7. COURSE EVALUATION/REVIEW/MODERATION MODERATION MEETINGS LEARNER APPEALS PROCEDURE PLAGIARISM EVALUATION

8. USING THE QUALIFICATION

9. CONCLUSION

BTEC Business

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

INTRODUCTION

The course is currently led by the Business Studies Department, co-ordinated and managed by Mrs Kimberley Lamb (Head of Business Studies and Enterprise) and Mrs Rita Bettles (Second in Business). Learners studying BTEC Business have the opportunity to develop skills to support them as they build relationships with a wide variety of customers, internal and external, to a range of business environments. The assessment approach of BTEC Business allows learners to receive feedback on their progress throughout the course as they provide evidence towards the grading criteria. Evidence for assessment may be generated through a range of diverse activities including assignment and project work, case studies, workplace assessment, role play and oral presentation. Delivery strategies should reflect the nature of work within the business sector and learners are encouraged to carry out assessment in the workplace or in simulated working conditions. Learners will develop a specialist knowledge in the following areas:

Finance, which supports development of basic financial principles

Business administration, which supports development of practical administration skills including office systems and equipment, meeting support and filing systems

Aspects of e-commerce and how these can support businesses developing e-business opportunities

COURSE STRUCTURE The course is taught in units, each unit represents 30 guided learning hours (GLHs). To complete the extended certificate the learner must successfully finish 120 GLHs credits. Two units are compulsory core units; one of which is externally assessed. Students must achieve an equivalent of two passes on these two units, to achieve an overall pass. The school can select two more units from a number of optional units. The unit titles the department have chosen are so far are:

UNIT TITLE Method of Assessment

Compulsory Units – these must be successfully completed to pass overall

1 Enterprise in the Business World Internal

2 Finance for Business External

Optional Units – these have been selected by the Department

3 Promoting a Brand Internal

8 Recruitment, Selection and Employment Internal

BTEC Business

COURSE AIMS

To give all learners the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification that can be used when applying either for Post-16 education or employment.

To provide a sound, intellectually demanding vocational learning experience.

To use the motivating interest in business to promote academic learning.

To give the learners the opportunity to develop financial literacy, practical administration skills and an understanding of e-commerce.

The course will provide opportunities for the learners to be aware of and to develop personal qualities of leadership, responsibility, appearance, commitment and teamwork in a range of practical and academic situations.

COURSE IMPLEMENTATION

TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGIES The course is learner centred. Learners learn through investigation and active involvement. They have a big responsibility for their own learning. Units are taught through ‘learning outcomes’ and each assignment will concentrate on testing and extending the learner’s knowledge in one or more of the outcomes. The tutor will act as a learning resource for the learners, offering advice and guidance as to how to approach the work. Nevertheless, the course team recognise, maintain and support the use of traditional teaching methods where appropriate throughout the course.

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Business Level 2 BTEC First (Carol Carysforth and Mike Neild) Execel A Pearson Company

The Internet is a resource widely used within all units.

ASSESSMENT

METHODS All units consist of a set of formal assessment tasks/assignments. The range of tasks will include:

Research based reports

Interviews

Investigative research

Practical assessments

Individual and group presentations

Work experience evaluation tasks

BTEC Business

UNIT 2

This unit is externally graded using an on-line examination system. The students will be prepared for this examination using a number of practice exercises. The examination can be re-sat as required if unsatisfactory results are received.

GRADING BTEC Business attracts the same points as a GCSE’s at A*-C, and is graded as follows:

Individual credits

Points per unit

Level 1 Pass Merit Distinction

GCSE

equivalence

D C B A

Each Unit 6 12 18 24

Overall

Qualification

24

48

66

84

In addition those learners achieving 90 or more receive

a distinction plus which equates to a GCSE A* grade

If you do not achieve a pass grade you can be awarded a Level 1 Award as is shown above. Learners will normally have two opportunities to submit coursework, and a third at the discretion of the Internal Verifier. An appeals procedure is in place if learners believe the grading has been unfair. With the exception of Unit 2, units will consist of one major assignment brief. This will be split up into individual tasks. When a task has been submitted, learners will be given an interim feedback sheet, which will give a guide to the level they are working at. Work may be improved and remarked if resubmitted by a given date. If you submit work late or wish to make a further re-submission this will be at the discretion of the Internal Verifier. If learners have a genuine reason why they cannot submit the work by the final deadline date a written explanation must be handed to the tutor before the deadline, and an extension granted. The tutor will mark all work, a selection will be verified internally and moderated through Edexcel.

SUBMISSION OF WORK Each assignment will indicate an initial submission date. You should be given a minimum of four to five weeks to plan, research and write the assignment. You will then receive feedback to allow you to improve your work. You will then be given a final submission date, by which time all work must be submitted. Any further re-submission will be at the discretion of the Lead Verifier.

BTEC Business

PROGRESSION Throughout the course there will always be assignments to do. It is imperative that learners are able to organise their work schedule efficiently and effectively so as to be able to meet all deadlines. It is very difficult to produce quality assignments if learners allow themselves to get behind.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Learners are expected to attend a one week work experience placement towards the end of Year 10. This is an essential part of the course and experience and research gathered during the placement will form part of a course work unit on return to school. Prior to the work experience placement learners will have an interview so that a suitable position is found. All work experience placements have been approved by Connexions.

EXPECTATIONS

The following is expected of every learner on the BTEC Business Course;

An interest in a business and business development

To develop personal learning and thinking skills (PLTS);

Team working

Self-Managers

Independent Enquirers

Creative Thinkers

Reflective Learning

Effective Participators

Manage your time effectively to achieve objectives and to gain a variety of skills

Work well with others

Hand assignments in on time

Ask for advise and help when needed

Be organised, confident and clear when leading groups – both in the classroom and during work experience.

Those students who are failing to meet expected levels of achievement, or fall behind due to poor attendance, will be required to attend after school catch-up to receive teacher assistance.

BTEC Business

GUIDELINES / ADVICE ON PRESENTING ASSIGNMENTS

You should be given at least six weeks to do each assignment. Work

through it gradually – try not to leave the work to the last minute.

Each assignment will have a deadline date – keep to it, otherwise you will struggle to survive the course.

You will have throughout the year more than one assignment on the go at

the same time – organise your work schedule.

The assignments are your work. You may well use some lesson notes – but mainly the work will come through your own research. If you are unsure

where to do this – ask!

If, you have a good reason why your work cannot be submitted on the

deadline date you need to see the teacher concerned and ask for an

extension.

Make sure you read the task sheet carefully and check that you have

completed all of the work.

Your work should, wherever possible, be word-processed and include computer-aided design and presentation methods.

Any problems or concerns see the teacher concerned or me!

COURSE EVALUATION/REVIEW/MODERATION

VERIFICATION/MODERATION

The tutor, who has set the assignment, marks each piece of work. Learners will be given their assignment back with a standard marking sheet. The teaching team internally verify a selection of work in each unit, with the Lead Verifier. Those that have been moderated are indicated on the marking sheet. The External Verifier, who should visit the school at some stage during the year, also checks the work for marking consistency. All learners will keep a file containing all assignments and other relevant information.

MEETINGS These are considered important in the smooth running and development of the course. The teaching staff meets once per term and will discuss general learner progress as well as other issues relevant to the course. Learner’s concerns about any aspect of the course should be addressed to Mrs Lamb who will address these at the meetings and respond accordingly. All learners will be timetabled for individual tutorials throughout the year.

BTEC Business

LEARNER APPEALS PROCEDURE If learners have any concerns as regards their individual assignments then

the following procedure should be followed:

Speak to the tutor who has set and marked the assignment, explaining the reason for your concerns. The tutor, after considering the learner’s explanation, will provide an immediate response with a clear explanation of the decision taken. If the learner still remains unhappy with the outcome then they should be referred to Mrs Lamb who will explain the school’s policy on ‘How to make an Appeal on an Internal Assessment’.

HOW TO MAKE AN APPEAL ON AN INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

The First Stage – A Written Response

If a candidate, parent or carer, is dissatisfied with an assessment made by the school they should contact the Examinations Officer stating the details of the complaint and the reasons for the appeal. The Examinations Officer must receive this written complaint within two weeks of the assessment being made. If the appeal is acknowledged to be valid, the teacher concerned in making the assessment will indicate in writing to the appellant, within five working days, the change to be made to the original assessment. If the appeal is found to lack substance, the teacher concerned in making the assessment will notify the appellant, within five working days, that the original assessment will stand. The school’s response will also state that in the event of an appellant remaining dissatisfied there is a right to a personal hearing.

The Second Stage – A Personal Hearing

An appellant who is dissatisfied with the school’s response may wish to appeal to the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher. A candidate will be given one week’s notice of the hearing date and will be given copies of any marks given and assessments made in advancement of the hearing. Where candidates are presenting their own case, a parent or carer may accompany them. The teacher concerned in making the assessment and the appellant will have the opportunity to be informed of the other’s submission to the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher. The school will keep a written record of all appeals. This record will include the outcome of an appeal and the reasons for that outcome. The school will send a copy to the appellant within two weeks of the hearing.

BTEC Business

PLAGIARISM In the event of a learner copying and submitting the work of another learner the following procedure will take place:

the assignment will be classified as a referral, and have to be resubmitted by a given deadline.

a written warning will be handed to the learner.

if the offence is committed again then the learner will be withdrawn from the course.

EVALUATION This is a continuous process. At each meeting ways to improve the course are put forward. Nevertheless, at the final meeting of the year a course evaluation item will be put on the agenda.

HOW CAN THE QUALIFICATION BE USED?

Learners studying BTEC Business have many opportunities to put their qualifications to good use. The following are possible routes a learner could take on completion of their course:

Sixth Form / College – to continue studying e.g. a vocational course such as Applied Business or, alternatively an ‘A’Level qualification.

Employment – learners are well equipped to enter into a business related position after completing their course.

CONCLUSION

The BTEC Level 2 First Award is a single award; equivalent to one GCSE pass at ‘C’ or above. Remember that students have to receive a total of 24 points on Units 1 and 2 to achieve a Level two pass on the award. Hard work is essential, as is taking responsibility for organising your own work. The continuous assignments mean that the work (and the pressure) is spread evenly throughout the year. Make sure you seek advice if you have difficulties or need something clarifying. On behalf of all of the teaching team I wish you all the best over the next two years and hope you do well.

MRS R BETTLES

SECOND IN BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE

BTEC Business

Please could you complete and return this tear-off slip by

15/6/15

…………………………………………………………………………

Parent/Student BTEC Agreement

I have read the coursework handbook, and agree that should

my son/daughter fall behind he/she will attend after-school

catch-up

Parent………………………………………………..

I have read the coursework handbook, and agree that should I

fall behind I will attend after school catch-up

Student………………………………………………..