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AS Level Issues (New specifications)


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NB You subscribe to Unit 1, Unit 2 and the Other resources separately

This section is aimed at AS Business Studies teachers who are planning to deliver the new specifications. It provides you with a lot of help and support in many areas such as planning for the course, staff scheme of work, students' scheme of work, lesson plans, revision packs for units 1 (two modules), 2 (four modules), simulations, debates, tips for teaching and learning, Student's action plan, staff hand book, magazines and newspaper article review and tips for application skills.

Lesson plans

These lesson plans should help all Business Studies teachers who teach and deliver AS Business Studies. Each is a one hour lesson which includes teaching and learning strategies, activities, case studies and also home work. The lessons also include relevant explanatory diagrams to aid teachers deliver the topics.

Each lesson plan has learning objectives, and is divided into the following stages: introduction, development and conclusion.

The lesson plans are consistent with the schemes of work for all the Business Studies modules. Please refer to the relevant scheme of work before delivering the lesson.

Unit 1 - Module 1 - Start up a business

Lesson plans

  1. Lesson plan 1-enterprise
  2. Lesson plan 2-motives for becoming an enterpreneur
  3. Lesson plan 3-what is enterprise
  4. Lesson plan 4-examples of entrepreneurs
  5. Lesson plan 5-the importance of risk and rewards
  6. Lesson plan 6-opportunity cost
  7. Lesson plan 7-government support
  8. Lesson plan 8-government support
  9. Lesson plan 9-questions
  10. Lesson plan 10-ideas
  11. Lesson plan 11-market niche
  12. Lesson plan 12-copy right
  13. Lesson plan 13-questions
  14. Lesson plan 14-franchise
  15. Lesson plan 15-questions
  16. Lesson plan 16-case study
  17. Lesson plan 17-developing business plan
  18. Lesson plan 18-questions
  19. Lesson plan 19-content of a business plan
  20. Lesson plan 20-purpose of business plan
  21. Lesson plan 21-practical business plan
  22. Lesson plan 22-quick questions
  23. Lesson plan 23-transforming resources
  24. Lesson plan 24-the transformation process
  25. Lesson plan 25-value added
  26. Lesson plan 26-questions
  27. Lesson plan 27-marketing plan
  28. Lesson plan 28-conducting start up market research
  29. Lesson plan 29-importance of market research
  30. Lesson plan 30-meaning and purpose of market research
  31. Lesson plan 31-desk and field research
  32. Lesson plan 32-questions
  33. Lesson plan 33-sampling methods
  34. Lesson plan 34-understanding markets
  35. Lesson plan 35-market size growth and share
  36. Lesson plan 36-questions
  37. Lesson plan 37-the importance of demand
  38. Lesson plan 38-factors affecting demand
  39. Lesson plan 39-market segmentations
  40. Lesson plan 40-market segmentations
  41. Lesson plan 41-market segmentations
  42. Lesson plan 42-market segmentations
  43. Lesson plan 43-sole trader
  44. Lesson plan 44-partnership
  45. Lesson plan 45-limited co
  46. Lesson plan 46-similarities and differences
  47. Lesson plan 47-non profit making organisations
  48. Lesson plan 48-case study
  49. Lesson plan 49-raising finance
  50. Lesson plan 50-questions
  51. Lesson plan 51-locating the business
  52. Lesson plan 52-impact of locational factors
  53. Lesson plan 53-impact of locational factors
  54. Lesson plan 54-questions
  55. Lesson plan 55-employing people
  56. Lesson plan 56-questions
  57. Lesson plan 57-case study

Unit 1 - Module 2 - Financial planning

Lesson plans

  1. Lesson plan 1-costs and revenue
  2. Lesson plan 2-contribution
  3. Lesson plan 3-questions
  4. Lesson plan 4-case study
  5. Lesson plan 5-breakeven
  6. Lesson plan 6-changing variables on breakeven
  7. Lesson plan 7-breakeven and spreadsheet
  8. Lesson plan 8-breakeven chart
  9. Lesson plan 9-limitations on breakeven
  10. Lesson plan 10-questions
  11. Lesson plan 11-cash flow forecast
  12. Lesson plan 12-difference between cash and profit
  13. Lesson plan 13-cash flow forecast1
  14. Lesson plan 14-spreadsheet and cash flow
  15. Lesson plan 15-sources of information for cash flow forecast
  16. Lesson plan 16-questions
  17. Lesson plan 17-case study
  18. Lesson plan 18-budgeting
  19. Lesson plan 19-types of budget
  20. Lesson plan 20-complete a budget
  21. Lesson plan 21-questions
  22. Lesson plan 22-assessing business start ups
  23. Lesson plan 23-questions
  24. Lesson plan 24-case study
  25. Lesson plan 25-Severn Bridge simulation-planning
  26. Lesson plan 26-28 Severn Bridge simulation
  27. Lesson plan 29-Severn Bridge simulation-feedback
  28. Lesson plan 30-end of unit assessment

Unit 2 - Module 1 - People in business

Lesson plans

  1. Lesson plan 1- improving business structure
  2. Lesson plan 2- organisation chart
  3. Lesson plan 3- communications
  4. Lesson plan 4- the workforce roles
  5. Lesson plan 5- the workforce roles
  6. Lesson plan 6- the workforce roles
  7. Lesson plan 7- the workforce roles
  8. Lesson plan 8- Questions
  9. Lesson plan 9- Questions
  10. Lesson plan 10- measuring the performance of workforce
  11. Lesson plan 11- reasons for recruitment
  12. Lesson plan 12- internal and external recruitment
  13. Lesson plan 13- the role and preparation of job description
  14. Lesson plan 14- the role and preparation of person specifications
  15. Lesson plan 15- selection
  16. Lesson plan 16- training
  17. Lesson plan 17- methods of training
  18. Lesson plan 18- Questions
  19. Lesson plan 19- motivation
  20. Lesson plan 20- motivation theories
  21. Lesson plan 21- motivation theories
  22. Lesson plan 22- motivation
  23. Lesson plan 23- Questions
  24. Lesson plan 24- motivation in practice
  25. Lesson plan 25- financial and non financial reward
  26. Lesson plan 26- employees participation
  27. Lesson plan 27-Questions
  28. Lesson plan 28- case study

Unit 2 - Module 2 - Operation management

Lesson plans

  1. Lesson plan 1- operational targets
  2. Lesson plan 2- capacity utilisation
  3. Lesson plan 3- capacity utilisation
  4. Lesson plan 4- productivity
  5. Lesson plan 5- non standard orders
  6. Lesson plan 6- Questions
  7. Lesson plan 7- quality
  8. Lesson plan 8- Quality circle
  9. Lesson plan 9- Questions
  10. Lesson plan 10- customer service
  11. Lesson plan 11- monitoring customer service
  12. Lesson plan 12- benefits of customer service
  13. Lesson plan 13- TQM
  14. Lesson plan 14- Questions
  15. Lesson plan 15- working with suppliers
  16. Lesson plan 16- relationship with suppliers
  17. Lesson plan 17- Questions
  18. Lesson plan 18- types of technology
  19. Lesson plan 19- benefits and problems with technology
  20. Lesson plan 20- case study

Unit 2 - Module 3 - Marketing

Lesson plans

  1. Lesson plan 1- purpose of marketing
  2. Lesson plan 2- market niche
  3. Lesson plan 3- niche and mass marketing
  4. Lesson plan 4- Questions
  5. Lesson plan 5- the marketing mix
  6. Lesson plan 6- the marketing mix
  7. Lesson plan 7- Questions
  8. Lesson plan 8- product development
  9. Lesson plan 9- USP and product life cycle
  10. Lesson plan 10- product portfolio
  11. Lesson plan 11- promotion
  12. Lesson plan 12- pricing
  13. Lesson plan 13- case study
  14. Lesson plan 14- PED
  15. Lesson plan 15- PED
  16. Lesson plan 16- PED
  17. Lesson plan 17- Questions
  18. Lesson plan 18- place
  19. Lesson plan 19- Questions
  20. Lesson plan 20- locational decisions
  21. Lesson plan 21- Questions
  22. Lesson plan 22- marketing and competitiveness
  23. Lesson plan 23- competitiveness
  24. Lesson plan 24- Questions

Unit 2 - Module 4 - Finance

Lesson plans

  1. Lesson plan 1- budget
  2. Lesson plan 2- budget
  3. Lesson plan 3- variance analysis
  4. Lesson plan 4- Questions
  5. Lesson plan 5- improving cash flow forecast
  6. Lesson plan 6- liquidity problems
  7. Lesson plan 7- Questions
  8. Lesson plan 8- profitability ratios
  9. Lesson plan 9- profitability ratios
  10. Lesson plan 10- ROC
  11. Lesson plan 11- improving profitability ratios
  12. Lesson plan 12- Questions
  13. Lesson plan 13- cash and profit
  14. Lesson plan 14- end of unit assessment
  15. Lesson plan 15- end of unit assessment-feedback

Classroom Notes

These Classroom notes are written in a new and different way from existing text books, to cater for examination demands, and promote student evaluation and reflection skills. The notes include coloured diagrams to illustrate and explain key points in the syllabus.

Unit 1 - Module 1 - Start up a business

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 1 - Module 1 - Business ideas and entrepreneurs

  1. Choosing a business idea
  2. Famous entrepreneurs
  3. Generating ideas
  4. Opportunity cost
  5. Personal qualities
  6. Reasons for the success or failure of enterprise
  7. Starting and running a business
  8. Starting up a business
  9. The nature and reward of risk taking

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 1 - Module 1 - Business plan

  1. Business plan
  2. Famous entrepreneurs
  3. Financial issues
  4. Marketing and sales
  5. Starting and running a business

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 1 - Module 1 - Market research

  1. Market research
  2. Market segments
  3. Marketing and sales

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 1 - Module 1 - Methods of raising finance

  1. Borrowing
  2. Credit
  3. Government
  4. How to choose the best method of finance
  5. Methods of Raising Finance-notes
  6. Owner's money
  7. Retained profit
  8. Selling 6assets

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 1 - Module 1 - Support and advice

  1. Advice and support
  2. Sources of help and information

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 1 - Module 1 - Transformation of resources

  1. The Production Function-notes

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 1 - Module 1 - Types of business ownership

  1. Franchise-notes
  2. Limited Companies-notes
  3. Partnership-notes
  4. Setting up a limited company-notes
  5. Sole trader-notes
  6. Types of limited company-notes
  7. Types of ownership in the private sector-notes

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 1 - Module 1 - Understanding markets

  1. Market segments
  2. Market share and growth
  3. Market share
  4. Scope of market
  5. Types of Market-notes

Unit 1 - Module 2 - Financial planning

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 1 - Module 2 - Breakeven

  1. Breakeven-notes
  2. Cash flow forecast-notes
  3. Types of cost

Unit 2 Modules 1-4

  • Module 1 - People in business
  • Module 2 - Operation management
  • Module 3 - Marketing
  • Module 4 - Finance

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 2 - Module 1 - People in business

  1. Chain of command-notes
  2. Communication and effective decision making-notes
  3. Decision Making in Businesses-notes
  4. Delegation-notes
  5. Employees involvement diagram
  6. Factors affecting decision-notes
  7. Features of business organisation-notes
  8. General job roles-notes
  9. Job description
  10. Job specification
  11. Methods of Application-notes
  12. Methods of recruitment
  13. Motivation in practice
  14. Motivation theories
  15. Motivation
  16. Organisation Chart-notes
  17. Organisation structure
  18. Organisational structure in large businesses-notes
  19. Organisational structure in small businesses-notes
  20. Recruitment and selection
  21. Span of Control-notes
  22. Technological Considerations-notes
  23. Training and development
  24. Training-notes
  25. Types of employment

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 2 - Module 2 - Operation management

  1. Capacity utilisation
  2. Competitiveness
  3. Customer Service
  4. Measuring quality-notes
  5. Productivity
  6. Stock control
  7. The role of technology in production-notes
  8. TQM
  9. Use of ICT

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 2 - Module 3 - Marketing

  1. Advertising-notes
  2. Boston Matrix Analysis
  3. Channels of Distribution-notes
  4. Desk research-notes
  5. Factors affect pricing
  6. Factors affecting location-notes
  7. Field research-notes
  8. Introduction to marketing
  9. Introduction to pricing-notes
  10. Market research report-notes
  11. Market research
  12. Market segments
  13. Marketing objectives
  14. Marketing planning
  15. Place
  16. Price elasticity of demand
  17. Pricing Strategies
  18. Product Development-notes
  19. Product life cycle
  20. Promotion
  21. Sampling methods-notes
  22. The Dynamic nature of marketing-notes
  23. The marketing mix

New Spec AS Classroom notes - Unit 4 - Module 2 - Finance

  1. Budget-notes
  2. Budgeting
  3. Cash flow forecast-notes
  4. Cash flow forecast
  5. Financial ratios-notes
  6. Methods of raising finance-notes
  7. Ratio-notes
  8. Types of cost
  9. Variance analysis

Learning difficult topics with diagrams

This document aims at AS students. Evidence indicates the dealing with diagrams is one of the areas which students lack confidence in. Therefore, this pack should help them to focus, read, use and also understand most popular diagrams in their AS syllabus. All diagrams are coloured and each one is followed by few questions to ensure student understanding of concepts related to the diagrams and also get them familiar with examination techniques.

The following topics are covered.

  • Finance
  • Strategies
  • External influences
  • Marketing
  • Operations management
  • People

New Spec AS - Learning difficult topics with diagrams

  1. People in business
  2. Operation management
  3. Marketing
  4. Finance

PowerPoint presentations

Unit 1

  • Module 1 - Start up a business
  • Module 2 - Financial planning

New Spec AS - PowerPoint presentations - Unit 1 - Module 1

  1. Start up a business

New Spec AS - PowerPoint presentations - Unit 1 - Module 2

  1. Financial planning

Unit 2

  • Module 1 - People in business
  • Module 2 - Operation management
  • Module 3 - Marketing
  • Module 4 - Finance

New Spec AS - PowerPoint presentations - Unit 2 - Module 1 - People in business

  1. Job description person specification
  2. Maslow's hierarchy
  3. Motivation 2
  4. Motivation 3
  5. Motivation
  6. Organisation and structure
  7. Organisational structures mix and match
  8. Organisational structures
  9. Recruitment and selection
  10. Recruitment and training
  11. Structures handout
  12. Training and development
  13. Training evaluation
  14. Training

New Spec AS - PowerPoint presentations - Unit 2 - Module 2 - Operation management

  1. Stock control

New Spec AS - PowerPoint presentations - Unit 2 - Module 3 - Marketing

  1. Analysing promotional campaigns
  2. Bean pricing
  3. Boston Matrix
  4. Dynalite Shampoo-pricing
  5. Elasticity of demand
  6. intro to marketing mix-1
  7. Intro to marketing-trainers
  8. Kellogg sorting activity
  9. Market research 1
  10. Market research 2
  11. Market research and analysis - lesson five
  12. Market research and the marketing mix
  13. Market research quiz
  14. Market research
  15. Marketing mix - promotion
  16. Marketing mix and the product life cycle
  17. Marketing mix at Tesco
  18. Marketing mix mind map
  19. Marketing mix
  20. Marketing
  21. Place1
  22. Place2
  23. Portfolio Analysis
  24. Price is right game extended
  25. Price
  26. Pricing strategies worksheet
  27. Pricing with gaps
  28. Pricing
  29. Product (boot)
  30. Product Life Cycle
  31. Product portfolio
  32. Promotion
  33. Promotion1
  34. Promotion2
  35. Sampling
  36. Secondary research
  37. Segmentation lesson
  38. Segmentation

New Spec AS - PowerPoint presentations - Unit 2 - Module 4 - Finance

  1. Break-even analysis
  2. Breakeven
  3. Cash flow forecasting
  4. Variance analysis

Staff Schemes of Work

These schemes of work for the AS Business Studies course integrates role plays, students activities, and case studies across all the modules. The main sources of information are:

  • Philip Allan Publisher
  • Times 100
  • Business Review Journal
  • Malcolm Surridge's new text book
  • The scheme also includes suggested active teaching and learning strategies and ideas on how to deliver each business studies topic.

New Spec AS Staff Schemes of work

Detailed Schemes of work for these modules
  1. Module 1 - Starting up a Business
  2. Module 2 - Financial Planning

New Spec AS Staff Schemes of work

Detailed Schemes of work for these modules
  1. Module 1 - People in Business
  2. Module 2 - Operation management
  3. Module 3 - Marketing
  4. Module 4 - Finance

Student Schemes of Work

These schemes of work outline the content and strucutre of the course and give students the opportunity to quality assure what is delivered in the classroom.

Main sources of information are

  • Times 100
  • Business Review Journal
  • Malcolm Surridge's new text book

New Spec AS Student Schemes of work

Detailed Schemes of work for these modules
  1. Module 1 - Starting up a Business
  2. Module 2 - Financial Planning

New Spec AS Student Schemes of work

Detailed Schemes of work for these modules
  1. Module 1 - People in Business
  2. Module 2 - Operation management
  3. Module 3 - Marketing
  4. Module 4 - Finance

Staff handbook

Staff Handbook

  1. Staff Handbook

Student activities

Unit 1

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 1 - Module 1 - Start up a business

  1. Generating ideas
  2. Kraft Foods budget
  3. Market & competition grid
  4. Mass or niche u decide
  5. Mass vs niche handout
  6. Sources of finance extension questinos
  7. Sources of finance quiz answers
  8. Sources of finance quiz
  9. Sources of finance workpack
  10. Starting a small business task

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 2 - Financial planning

  1. Break even case study
  2. Break even chart
  3. Break even for Meridian
  4. Cash flow example
  5. Cash flow forecast example
  6. Cash flow Shelleys flowers example with answers
  7. Cash flow Shelleys Flowers example
  8. Cash flow Shelleys Flowers

Unit 2

Module 1 People in business

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 1 - People in business

  1. British Airways activity
  2. Business communication 1
  3. Business communication 2
  4. Case studies motivation
  5. Copland Chocoholics Ltd - activity
  6. Employee motivation - financial reward
  7. Maslow worksheet
  8. Motivation in Sparks Ltd worksheet
  9. Motivation teacher notes
  10. Motivation word search-answers
  11. Motivation word search
  12. Scenarios - organisational structures
  13. The role of managers and supervisors

Module 2 Operation management

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 2 - Operation management

  1. Capacity utilisation
  2. Customer needs and expectations - answers
  3. Customer needs and expectations-task
  4. Customer service article
  5. Customer v product worksheet
  6. Stock control case study Macdonalds

Module 3 Marketing

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 3 - Introduction to marketing

  1. Marketing definitions
  2. Starter for marketing overview
  3. Student Worksheet - Levi Strauss

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 3 - Market research

  1. Blue Wave Roving Hair Stylist
  2. Market research and market segmentation questions - Nivea
  3. Market research handout
  4. Market research homework sheet
  5. Market research questions - Nestle

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 3 - Market segmentation

  1. Kellogg's Case study - segmentation and research
  2. Market segment questionnaire
  3. Market segmentation activity1
  4. Market segmentation BIC case study
  5. Market segmentation worksheet
  6. Market segmentation
  7. Sampling activity
  8. Sampling
  9. Segmentation exercise
  10. Segmentation handout - Nivea
  11. Starter market segmentation
  12. Super markets case study - segmentation & market research exam questions

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 3 - Marketing mix

  1. Marketing definitions
  2. Marketing mix - answers for task
  3. Marketing mix contents
  4. The marketing mix at Guinness
  5. The marketing mix at Innocent Smoothies
  6. The marketing mix at Original Source
  7. The marketing mix at Oxo
  8. The marketing mix at Parker Pens
  9. The marketing mix at Warburtons
  10. The marketing mix of Manchester United activity
  11. The marketing mix promotion
  12. The marketing mix

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 3 - Place

  1. Distribution
  2. Place and distribution
  3. Place question
  4. Place

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 3 - Price

  1. PED activity
  2. Price
  3. Pricing methods word search
  4. Pricing strategies
  5. Pricing

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 3 - Product

  1. Boston Matrix student handout
  2. Packaging

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 3 - Promotion

  1. Advertising questions
  2. Answers for price and place worksheet
  3. Below the line sales promotion
  4. Promotion
  5. Promotional material worksheet

Module 4 Finance

New Spec AS - Student activities - Unit 2 - Module 4 - Finance

  1. Break even case study
  2. Break even chart
  3. Budgeting exercise and answer
  4. Budgeting
  5. Budgets exercise
  6. Cash flow Example
  7. Cash flow forecast example
  8. Cash flow forecast from scratch
  9. Cash flow forecast worksheet differenciated
  10. Cash flow forecast worksheet
  11. Cash flow Hill Electronics answers
  12. Cash flow problems and solutions-homework sheet
  13. Cash flow Shelleys flowers example with answer
  14. Cash flow Shelleys flowers example
  15. Cash flow Shelleys flowers
  16. Cash flow template for Sandwich Bar
  17. Cashflow gaps plenary
  18. Cashflow template
  19. Pocket money2
  20. Production budget student exercise
  21. Production budget worksheet
  22. Ratio analysis figures for Tesco and Sainsbury
  23. Reasons for cash flow problems worksheet
  24. Sandwich Bar cash flow
  25. Variance filling gaps

Student revision packs

New Spec AS - Student revision packs

  1. Do you know-people in business
  2. Do you know-operation management
  3. Do you know-marketing
  4. Do you know-finance
  5. Do you know-planning and financing a business

Student Induction Pack

New Spec AS - Student Induction Pack

  1. Induction pack

Student Tips

Student tips

  1. How to achieve A in External Influence
  2. How to achieve A in Objectives and Strategy
  3. Tips for answering case studies
  4. Tips for improving application skills
  5. Tips for writing essay
  6. Tips for writing numerical reports
  7. Tips to achieve grade A in unit 3-operations management
  8. Tips to achieve grade A in unit 3-finance
  9. Tips to achieve grade A in unit 3-people
  10. Tips to answer data response questions
  11. Tips to develop your analysis skills
  12. Tips to develop your evaluation skills
  13. Tips to develop your knowledge and understanding
  14. Tips to get grade A in unit 3-marketing

Simulations and Role play

Second Severn Bridge Simulation

Teachers' Pack

This pack is aimed at AS/A2 Business Studies teachers. It includes background information about the organisation before, and during the simulation, teachers' role, students', role and advisers' role. In addition it provides detailed information for the design, and construction of the bridge.

This package should be read in conjunction with students' workbook.

Students' pack

In 1984 the government set up a study panel to look at the increasing use of the existing Severn Bridge which had been constructed in 1966 with an expected usage 1/3 of what the bridge was now experiencing. The bridge was built to link the M4 motorway in England to the M4 motorway in South Wales. Prior to this bridge being built the shortest route across the River Severn was to travel north to Gloucester and then south to Chepstow, meaning a round trip of 49 km. The building of this bridge, overnight, cut this journey quite dramatically, as it is only 2.5 km long.

Whilst the bridge has always been fondly regarded by local people, the problems were created by the increasing numbers of vehicles. Frequently there were mile long traffic jams waiting for people to cross the bridge, as it could not cope with the increased traffic demands.

The findings of the inquiry were that within 20 years the amount of traffic using the bridge would have increased to such an extent that the Severn Bridge would no longer be able to cope with the continued increase in traffic. It was proposed that a new bridge needed to be built.

In this simulation students are going to investigate the possibility of building a new Severn Bridge to replace the old one. Therefore student are set to do the following tasks:

  1. Select the best location for the bridge
  2. Choose a type of business organisation for the bridge
  3. Draw an organisational chart to illustrate job roles and the hierarchy structure of the organisation
  4. Design, and build the bridge using the provided materials
  5. Cost the bridge by working out total variable costs and fixed costs
  6. Work out the number of cars needed to break even
  7. Run a successful and efficient second bridge over the River Severn
  8. Produce a report to present their findings

After the simulation the teacher is going to debrief students about the actual new Severn Bridge.

Students' workbook

This workbook is aimed at AS Business Studies students. It helps them to think of and do the tasks of the assignment. Students should be encouraged to use this book during their group work in the simulation. All answers and ideas should be recorded in this workbook. It should then be used to judge the quality of students' work and their problem solving skills.

De-briefing package

This package is aimed at AS Business Studies students who carried out the Severn Bridge Simulation. This pack should be introduced after the simulation, as it provides students with historical background information about the bridge, how the idea developed, how the bridge was designed and constructed, who built the bridge and how it was financed.

The Magic Muffin Simulation

The Magic Muffin simulation is aimed at GCSE and AS students. The Simulation lasts for the whole school day, from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm. Students have to represent the Healthy Magic Muffins Ltd, which had been set up, and it needed to expand, promote and sell more muffins. The simulation looks at the roles of different departments in Magic Muffins Ltd.

  1. Marketing Department - time anticipated is 60 minutes
  2. Production Department - time anticipated is 80 minutes
  3. Finance Department - time anticipated is 80-85 minutes

Students will be working in groups of ten and each group is attached to an adviser.

Students are set tasks of:

  1. carrying out market research to find out about people's attitude towards a new brand of muffins and competitors prices
  2. preparing a market research report to present the findings
  3. selecting a design and a brand name
  4. selecting a logo
  5. carrying out an advertising campaign
  6. manufacturing the muffin boxes
  7. working out the cost of making muffins
  8. working out revenues
  9. working out break-even analysis
  10. working out trading account
  11. working out profit and loss account

Simulation - Location

  1. Scenario
  2. Site 1
  3. Site 2
  4. Site 3
  5. Site 4

Customer service

  1. The role of customer service
  2. Customer service - subjective or objective?

Student's Action Plan

AS Student Action plan

This is a self-assessment exercise, which is aimed at AS Business Studies students. It helps them to assess their performance on the scale 1-5 (1 for the very poor, and 5 for excellent). It also helps them to identify areas of strength and weakness across different areas of the subject.

Based on this assessment exercise, students should be able to identify the areas, which they need to focus on and set themselves targets to be achieved. It is suggested that students carry out this self-assessment exercise three times in the year, pre-November, pre-March, and pre-June.

Students Welcome Pack

New Spec AS - Students Welcome Pack

  1. Pack

Debates

The Harwood Industrial Debate

The debate is aimed at year 11 Business Studies/AS students. The debate should last a whole school day, from 9.30 am - 3.30 pm

Students have to debate three main issues

  1. Threat of redundancy
  2. An injury accident
  3. Claim of discrimination against canteen workers
Business Studies students are divided into two large groups, the first group represents the management of the company the second group represents the trade unions. Students are then divided into smaller groups of ten and each group should be attached to an advisor.

Students are set tasks of:

  1. Representing the personnel department in the company to deal with these incidents
  2. Representing the trade unions that act on behalf of employees involved in these incidents.
Two employers should be involved, representing the arbitrators in the industrial Tribunals.

Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate

Teachers' package

This pack is one of the Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate series. It is aimed at Business Studies teachers who teach GCSE and AS. The pack contains background information and details about the Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate. It provides teachers with guidelines on how to organise and prepare students for the simulation.

Adviser's pack -company

This pack is one of the Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate series. It is aimed at Business advisers who are going to take part along side students, and representing Hessle Company in the debate. The pack contains background information and details about Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate. It also provides advisers with guidelines regarding their role in the play.

Advisers' pack -council

This pack is one of the Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate series. It is aimed at Business advisers who are going to take part along side students, and represent Barnsley council in the debate. The pack contains background information and details about Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate. It also provides advisers with guidelines regarding their role in the play.

Students-company

This pack is one of the Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate series. It is aimed at Business students who are representing Hessle Company in the debate. The pack contains background information and details about Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate. It also provides students with guidelines regarding their role in the play.

Students-council

This pack is one of the Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate series. It is aimed at Business students who are representing Barnsley Council in the debate. The pack contains background information and details about Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate. It also provides students with guidelines regarding their role in the play.

Students' workbook

This pack is one of the Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate series. It is aimed at Business students who are representing Hessle Company and the council in the debate. The pack contains questions, which students have to answer while they are debating their issues. It is strongly recommended that students work in this book while they are preparing their answers, as it draws their attention to what they need to focus on.

Arbitrators' pack

This pack is one of the Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate series. It is aimed at people who are representing arbitrators in the debate. The pack contains background information and details about Rose Edge Wind Farm Debate. It also provides arbitrators with guidelines regarding their role in the play.

Magazine & Newspaper Reviewing

Magazine/Newspaper article review

This review sheet is aimed at both AS and A2 students. It helps them to review Business articles from newspapers and magazines. It includes some criteria, which students need to consider in their evaluation. It is recommended that students carry out a weekly article review to familiarise themselves with evaluation skills and techniques.

General Guidelines on Teaching A2 & AS courses

AS/A level courses

This document provides some guidelines for basic teaching and learning strategies on AS/A level Business Studies courses, which aim at achieving the course assessment objectives. It also highlights areas of difference between AS and A level courses in terms of assessment objectives and content. In addition it contains some tips for monitoring and reviewing students' work on the AS/A level courses and a suggested homework system for students on the course. All teachers especially, NQTs, will find this document very useful.

Student Media Resource Checklist

Students' media resource checklist

This checklist aims to ensure that students have used a full range of media over the AS and A2 courses. This includes the use of newspapers, videos, the Internet, CD ROMs and computers.

Video Reviewing

Video review sheet

This review sheet is aimed at both AS and A2 students. It helps them to review Business Studies videos. It includes some criteria, which students need to consider in their evaluation/review. It is recommended that students carry out their reviews at least twice a term.

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