Remote Learning: Business
Half Term 1: August - October
OCR GCSE Business – Unit 1: Business Activity
Task 1: Business Ownership Types
Research different types of business ownership (sole trader, partnership, private limited company, public limited company). Create a comparison chart explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each type of ownership.
Task 2: Business Aims and Objectives
Choose a small start-up business and a large established company. Write their likely business aims and objectives (e.g., survival, growth, profit, customer satisfaction). Explain why the aims might differ depending on the size and stage of the business.
Task 3: Stakeholders
Identify the main stakeholders in a business (owners, employees, customers, suppliers, government, local community). Create a diagram showing how these stakeholders are connected to a chosen business, and explain what each stakeholder wants from the business.
Task 4: Business Location Factors
Research factors that affect where a business chooses to locate (e.g., cost, proximity to market/customers, transport links, labour availability). Create a case study for a new fast-food outlet choosing between a city centre and a small town. Explain which location would be best and why.
Task 5: Franchising
Investigate how franchising works. Write a short guide for someone thinking about buying a franchise. Include the benefits (e.g., brand recognition, support) and drawbacks (e.g., costs, lack of independence).
Task 6: Business Growth
Research methods of business growth (internal/organic growth and external growth through mergers or takeovers). Create a presentation explaining the difference between the two methods and provide real-world examples.
Year 11 (AQA Specification)
Marketing
Task 1: Marketing Campaign Evaluation Choose a successful marketing campaign (from a well-known brand) and evaluate its effectiveness. Discuss how the campaign used the 4 P's (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) to attract customers.
Task 2: Product Lifecycle Create a diagram showing the stages of the product lifecycle (Introduction, Growth, Maturity, Decline) and provide an example of a product at each stage.
Task 3: Market Research Design a survey for a new product idea (e.g., a new mobile phone app, eco-friendly product, etc.). Explain how the data gathered will inform business decisions.
Task 4: Digital Marketing Strategies Research the use of social media for marketing and create a report on how companies use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to connect with their target audience.
Half Term 2: October - September
Year 10 (OCR Specification)
Topic: Unit 1 – Business Activity
Task 1: Business Ownership
Create a fact sheet comparing the main types of business ownership (sole trader, partnership, private limited company, public limited company). Include advantages and disadvantages for each.
Task 2: Business Aims and Objectives
Write a paragraph explaining what business aims and objectives are. Then, give examples of objectives for a small business and a large business — how might they differ?
Task 3: Stakeholders
Identify different stakeholders (e.g. owners, customers, employees, suppliers, government) and explain their interests in a business. Create a stakeholder map showing their level of influence and interest.
Task 4: Business Growth
Research two ways a business can grow (e.g. internal growth vs. external growth) and provide a real-world example for each. Explain the benefits and drawbacks of each growth method.
Optional Challenge:
Choose a local business and analyse its ownership type, objectives, and stakeholders. Suggest one way it could expand in the future.
Year 11 (AQA Specification)
Topic: Unit 6 – Finance
Task 1: Sources of Finance
Create a table showing different sources of finance (e.g. loan, overdraft, retained profit, share capital). For each one, describe when it is suitable and its advantages/disadvantages.
Task 2: Financial Terms and Formulas
Make a set of flashcards for key finance terms:
- Revenue
- Costs
- Profit
- Gross profit margin
- Net profit margin
- Average rate of return (ARR)
Include the formula and a simple example for each.
Task 3: Cash Flow Forecasting
Using a given scenario (or one you create), produce a simple cash flow forecast for three months. Explain why cash flow forecasting is important for business survival.
Task 4: Break-even Analysis
Draw a break-even chart. Label the fixed costs, total costs, and total revenue lines. Identify the break-even point and explain how a business can use this information when making decisions.
Task 5: Financial Decision-Making
Read a case study of a business facing financial challenges (e.g. cash shortages or low profit). Write a short paragraph suggesting how they could improve their financial performance.
Exam Practice:
- Complete one past paper or set of finance questions from the AQA GCSE Business website.
- Mark your answers using the official mark scheme and highlight areas to revise.
- Practice a 12-mark question: “Evaluate the importance of financial planning for business success.”
Tip:
Use your class notes, revision guides, and BBC Bitesize/AQA/OCR resources to support your independent learning.
Keep up your practice and ask for feedback from your teacher on your written exam answers!
Half Term 4: February - March
Year 9 (OCR Specification)
Business Activity
- Research three different types of business ownership (sole trader, partnership, private limited company) and create a fact sheet explaining their advantages and disadvantages.
- Create a case study on a local business, identifying its objectives, ownership type, and key challenges it faces.
- Use this BBC Bitesize link to complete quizzes on enterprise and entrepreneurship.
- Write a report on the role of an entrepreneur and what makes a successful business owner.
Marketing
- Investigate a well-known brand and explain how it uses the marketing mix (Product, Price, Place, Promotion).
- Create a new product idea and design a marketing campaign, including a logo, slogan, and advertisement script.
- Read about market segmentation and apply this knowledge to describe the target audience for a brand of your choice.
Year 10 (AQA Specification)
Business in the Real World
- Use this AQA revision guide to create a summary sheet on business aims and objectives.
- Watch this video on business growth and write a short paragraph on organic vs external growth.
- Research and summarise the advantages and disadvantages of franchising as a business model.
Human Resources
- Create a diagram illustrating the organisational structure of a business of your choice.
- Research the recruitment process and write a job advertisement for a retail assistant.
- Compare different motivation theories (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory) and apply them to a real-world business example.
Year 11 (AQA Specification)
Operations Management
- Read about different production methods (job, batch, and flow production) and create a table comparing their pros and cons.
- Watch this video on quality control vs quality assurance and create a mind map summarising key points.
- Research a business that has implemented Just-in-Time (JIT) stock control and evaluate its effectiveness.
Finance
- Complete these Seneca quizzes on cash flow forecasts and break-even analysis.
- Create a set of flashcards defining key financial terms such as revenue, costs, profit, and gross margin.
- Write a short case study on a business that struggled financially and explain how it recovered.
Exam Practice
- Complete at least two past paper questions from the AQA website and self-mark using the mark scheme.
- Watch this video on exam techniques for GCSE Business and create a checklist for answering exam questions effectively.
- Plan and write a 12-mark question on the impact of inflation on businesses.
Stay engaged with your learning and contact your teacher if you need any additional support!
Half Term 5: April - May
Year 9 (OCR Specification)
Human Resources
Task 1: Recruitment Methods Research different recruitment methods (e.g., online advertising, recruitment agencies, internal promotion) and create a comparison chart explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Task 2: Job Description & Person Specification Create a job description and person specification for a customer service manager in a retail company. Explain the importance of each section in the recruitment process.
Task 3: Motivation and Leadership Investigate different leadership styles (autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire) and how they affect employee motivation. Create a report with examples from real-world companies.
Task 4: Employee Training Research and create a presentation on the importance of employee training and development. Include the benefits to both employees and the business.
Year 10 (AQA Specification)
Marketing
Task 1: Marketing Campaign Evaluation Choose a successful marketing campaign (from a well-known brand) and evaluate its effectiveness. Discuss how the campaign used the 4 P's (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) to attract customers.
Task 2: Product Lifecycle Create a diagram showing the stages of the product lifecycle (Introduction, Growth, Maturity, Decline) and provide an example of a product at each stage.
Task 3: Market Research Design a survey for a new product idea (e.g., a new mobile phone app, eco-friendly product, etc.). Explain how the data gathered will inform business decisions.
Task 4: Digital Marketing Strategies Research the use of social media for marketing and create a report on how companies use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to connect with their target audience.
Year 11 (AQA Specification)
Operations Management
Task 1: Efficiency vs. Effectiveness - Research and compare the terms “efficiency” and “effectiveness” in operations management. Create a table with examples of each in a real-world business context.
Task 2: Lean Production Techniques - Investigate lean production methods (e.g., Kaizen, JIT) and create a case study on a business that has successfully implemented these techniques to improve production efficiency.
Task 3: Stock Control Methods - Research different stock control methods (e.g., FIFO, LIFO, JIT) and create a flowchart showing how these methods are implemented in a business.
Task 4: Outsourcing vs. In-house Production - Create a pros and cons list comparing outsourcing production versus in-house manufacturing for a business in the fashion industry.
Finance
Task 1: Break-Even Analysis - Create a graph showing the break-even point for a new business. Include a brief explanation of how break-even analysis can help businesses make pricing and cost decisions.
Task 2: Cash Flow Management - Research how businesses manage cash flow during seasonal fluctuations. Write a report discussing strategies to ensure liquidity during low-sales periods.
Task 3: Financial Statements - Using the financial statements of a publicly listed company, analyze the profit and loss statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. Summarize the company's financial health.
Task 4: Cost Classification - Create a table classifying different types of costs (fixed, variable, direct, indirect) and provide examples from a real-world business.
Exam Practice
Task 1: Past Paper Practice - Complete two past paper questions on the impact of global economic factors (such as inflation, exchange rates, or interest rates) on businesses. Use the mark scheme to self-assess your responses.
Task 2: Timed Exam Conditions - Practise writing a 12-mark question under timed conditions (e.g., 15 minutes). Focus on answering clearly and concisely, with a well-structured argument.
Task 3: Revision Focus - Create a revision timetable that focuses on key areas you need to improve. Include specific subjects such as finance, marketing, or operations management. Be sure to set aside time for past paper practice.
Stay on track with your learning and continue to review your work regularly. Keep in touch with your teacher for any questions or additional support!