Curriculum overview for BTEC Technical Award Level 1/2 in Enterprise

Curriculum intent – the knowledge, understanding and skills that students will learn
Students will build knowledge and understanding of the activities, skills and characteristics of enterprises and entrepreneurs; the process of generating, planning and pitching an enterprise idea and will explore how marketing is used by enterprise and how financial documents are used and analysed in order to make strategic decisions. Throughout the course, students will acquire an understanding of factors which can affect the success of an enterprise, areas of strengths and areas to develop in their own planning and pitching abilities, as well as the rationale behind marketing and finance decisions taken by an entrepreneur. The core skills students will develop are the ability to analyse factors affecting an enterprises success, the development of evaluative tools required to make and sustain judgements, as well as the key numerical skills which are required by an entrepreneur when it comes to creating financial documents required as part of creating and running a successful enterprise. This course also enables students to develop personal skills such as creativity and innovation, time-management, reviewing, communication and planning. 

Curriculum implementation – teaching, learning and assessment strategies
In-class teaching is sequenced thematically following the assessment windows set out by the exam board: teaching for the first internally assessed unit, exploring the factors behind the success of enterprises, will take place at the beginning of Year 10 with the assessment submitted at the end of Term 1. Following this, teaching on the second internally assessed unit - planning and pitching an enterprise idea - will take place with the work submitted at the end of Term 2. Work will then begin on the externally-assessed examination unit which will be sat in the Winter examination period in Year 11. Students will be encouraged to improve as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with curious and enquiring minds. As such, students are expected to undertake independent research of enterprises known to them, as well as identifying gaps in their knowledge and working to address the identified needs. As the first two components are assessed by means of an extended piece of coursework writing, assessment will take the form of questioning and formative assessment in order to ensure that students have a sound understanding of concepts being assessed. During the teaching of the externally-assessed unit, students will tackle regular low-stakes knowledge tests to consolidate the learning which has taken place as well as answering exam-style questions.

Curriculum impact – intended outcomes for students 
At Blackfen School, the intention is not to simply have young people completing the BTEC Level 2 course in Business, but rather to give students the opportunity to develop sector-specific applied knowledge. Students will develop a sound understanding of what it means to run a successful enterprise and, in the process, will enjoy coming up with a business idea of their own, thus allowing them to be creative and bring together their own interests and passions within an academic framework. Students will be confident in the creation of financial documents and other maths skills. They will develop primary and secondary research skills within the context of business ideas and develop their use and understanding of business terminology and skills. Students will be able to organise and communicate their knowledge in different ways, analysing key factors, reaching substantiated judgements and being increasingly self-reflective in their work. 

Course overview for BTEC Technical Award Level 1/2 in Enterprise
Exam board: Pearson – https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-tech-awards/enterprise-2022.htmlb
Coursework: Yes – 60%

Component 1: Exploring Enterprises
Internal Assessment    
Window for assessment: September-December of Year 10

Component 2: Planning and Presenting a Micro-Enterprise Idea
Internal Assessment
Window for assessment: January – May of Year 10

Component 3: Marketing and Finance for Enterprise
External Assessment
Window for assessment: January of Year 11