Curriculum Areas - Applied Business Studies (ABS)
Extract from a Press Release for Great Yarmouth Mercury for Friday 14th September 2007
(Emma Huggins & her Business Studies Teacher Mrs Wedad Fanous)
Emma Means Business With Top Exam Success
A Bradwell girl is hoping to make Norfolk’s business community sit up and take notice after finishing in the top 10 candidates amongst 7,591 nationally in her Applied Business Studies Double GCSE.
Emma Huggins, achieved three A*, seven A and a Distinction in ICT amongst her 16 GCSE's ....
"I knew I had done well but I was really surprised when I heard my result was one of the best nationally".
Mr David Evans, Headteacher said "This is a fantastic accomplishment for Emma, which tops off a record results year here at Lynn Grove." 81% of pupils achieved 5+ A*-C and 53% 5+ A*-C inc English & Maths.
Her Business Studies teacher Wedad Fanous said the accolade was a first for the school and she was delighted to see one of her pupils achieve so well.
Jerry Jarvis, managing director of the UK’s largest examining board Edexcel, described it as "a tremendous achievement and testament to her hard work".
Emma will now be taking Business Studies among her four A-levels at East Norfolk Sixth Form College.
Once again, the 2007 Business Studies results were encouraging with almost half of the cohort achieving a double B grade or higher. We are especially proud of the fact that Emma Huggins was named as one of the top 10 students in the country.
Business Studies lessons take place in our exceptionally well equipped ICT suites which enables every student to have full computer access every lesson. We are presently using the Vista operating system and the Office 2007 suite.
Rationale
The GCSE in Applied Business (Double Award) has been designed to provide a broad educational basis for further training, further education or for moving into employment within the business sector. This is achieved by ensuring that students develop general skills, knowledge and understanding of the business world. The Applied Business course helps to develop knowledge and understanding of a wide range of business types.
During the two year course we research two different businesses in depth, relating the findings to a wider business context. Coursework accounts for two thirds of the final grade. More able students are encouraged to conduct their own research and make in-depth comparisons whilst other students are guided to enable them to achieve their full potential.
The Finance exam accounts for the remaining third of the final assessment grade. For this element of the course students learn about companies' general financial documentations and decision making. They develop an understanding of business forms, documentation and accounting procedures.
Aims
The aims of the GCSE specifications in Applied Business are to:
- prepare students for progression to employment and/or further training in the business sector through the development of the required knowledge, skills and understanding
- increase students' knowledge and understanding of the business sector through the investigation, analysis and evaluation of a range of business activities, functions and processes
- develop students' awareness of the considerations involved in business activity as seen from a wide range of contrasting stakeholder viewpoints
- promote a critical and analytical approach to problem solving within the vocational context
- empower students to take progressive responsibility for their own learning and development
- provide a range of learning experiences which will enrich students' awareness of the variety of human activities and relationships.
