We were pleased to welcome local entrepreneur Laura Kemp to the college last week for our Enrichment Day enterprise activity. Laura, who set up Holistix Herbal Products - creating and selling a range of natural handmade health & bodycare products - ran a workshop for our Year 9 GCSE Business Studies students. During a fascinating day, students were given an insight into running a small business from home and some of the challenges involved in creating, manufacturing and selling natural healthcare products. After considering the various properties of the natural ingredients and essential oils and calculating the required quantities required to produce small-scale batches of peppermint lip balm and lavender hand balm, the students got involved in producing their own personal tins of balm. They then worked on designs for the packaging and labelling required to complete the finished product.

Our thanks go to Laura for an excellent day and the workshop has clearly inspired a number of our students to consider ideas for running their own mini-enterprises from home. We look forward to seeing them come to fruition over the next few months.

Year 9 Baking Challenge

Year 9 students from Newton Abbot College were challenged to make as much money from a £10 note as possible as part of their Certificate of Personal Effectiveness coursework portfolio.

They were given the opportunity to use the fantastic Innovate catering facilities that we have in our Green Tree Restaurant for three afternoons, under the guidance of Catering Manager, Sue Lewis. They made as many cookies or muffins as they could to sell on to fellow students at break times between Wednesday 22^nd and Friday 25^th May 2012.

The students worked in three groups of five. They had to choose the right products to make and sell, setting the right prices for their goods based on the production costs, name and promote their small enterprises effectively, and work together as a team.

The winning team was the second group, who made £29 profit. In this team there was Jodie Dennis, James Dennis, Linards Ainsons, Timothy Cullen and Jamie Benefer. The team in second place made £16.80 profit, they were Kieden Cude, Alfi Spicer, Caleb Hopkins, Georgia Snell and Jack Phillips. Finally the team that came in third place was of Lauren Phelps, Gabrielle Smith, Roberts Ainsons, Tomas Male and Joe Jacklin who made a profit of £10

Each team will now donate 20% of their profits to the OXFAM group, run by teacher Jo Danby after paying back their £10 loans, which is a total of £14. Once the overheads have been paid off the students will share out the profits equally.

Laura Davey, the teacher who set the challenge, said:

“This course lends itself very well to providing students with opportunities to learn outside of the classroom allowing students to enjoy learning in new and different environments. The cakes the students made were delicious and were popular with the student body, as well as staff. The next step is to award certificates to the teams that makes the most profit and works most effectively as a team.”

 

Last Minute Revision Tips - BUSS2

Our Year 12 & 13 students will be familiar with the online revision clinics which have been run by the Tutor2U team for units BUSS1 & BUSS2 over the past couple of weeks. We’ve spent some time in class looking through the transcripts of these and with each clinic running for an hour and open to all, it’s no surprise that there have been lots of questions, answers, advice and warnings given with regard to tackling the exams effectively.

As a last minute piece of revision for the BUSS2 exam, I’ve summarised the best tips for you below. Please take some time to have a look through. Take note – and good luck!

11+ mark questions:

11+ mark questions test your ability to produce an answer rich in content (knowledge) that has been applied to the case study and is well developed/explained (analysis). Finally you must reach a judgement that is justified (evaluation).

A good structure to follow is:
1. Short paragraph defining the core term in the question and showing you understand what is being asked.
2. One argument for the statement/opinion in the question, which you explain well using connectives (this means, therefore, as a result, consequently). Use four connectives to really explain the logic of your argument. Refer to specific points in the case study to help justify. Try and combine aspects of the case study, or use numbers in it to help you.
3. One argument against/for another point of view with the same approach as above)
4. A conclusion that starts with a statement that directly addresses the question e.g. I think that cashflow forecasting is not a guarantee of success because...

Avoid making lots and lots of points without explaining them well, or just using theory without relating it to the case study.

Calculations: In addition to learning the formulas I gave you on the revision sheet, make sure you know how to work out percentage increases and decreases. The Difference / The Original x 100 Connectives: A connective is a word that joins your points to show chains of analysis: Therefore … which means that ... which might lead to ... consequently … They are your best friend – use them! Time management:

Time is a huge issue in the BUSS2 exam. You need to be strict with 45 minutes on each case, 5 minutes reading time and a mark-a-minute. One tip is to only analyse one point in the 7/8 markers even if it asks for two...saves time and can still get full marks...but your point needs lots of application and analysis.

Knowledge Marks (AO1)

Ensure you define the key terms in questions. Get into this habit. A good definition will gain most of the knowledge marks so you can then concentrate on moving up the skills levels. The first level on the mark scheme is knowledge, if the examiner does not think you understand the theory he/she can’t award you the rest – but keep your definitions brief and focussed.

Application Marks (AO2)

Your answer needs to be rooted in the case study. You should use information in the case study to support your arguments.

Case Study

Use the data tables provided in the case. You will get a very good idea about the business by looking at the table of data - students often leave this or don’t use it enough.

Paragraphs

Leave gaps between your paragraphs (2 or 3 lines) so you can go back and add more information should you need to at a later stage.

Evaluation Marks (AO4)

In addition to evaluating your points as you go (using your connectives), the final paragraph should conclude and answer the question you were initially asked, giving an overall judgement. Prior to writing this, take a minute to re-read the question. Many students lose sight of what they were asked. Read the question and then make sure you answer it in your final evaluation.

Revision, Coffee and a Cake!

For three Saturdays during April and May, fifteen A Level Leisure Studies and Business Studies students were invited to attend 2-3 hour intensive revision sessions with a twist: they happened in a coffee shop over a mug of hot chocolate and a cake!

Seated on comfy chairs in the sophisticated atmosphere of Newton Abbot’s Coffee Republic, the varied topics of conversation included how a customer’s needs and wants should be met in a leisure organisation and financial planning for start-up businesses.

The unusual revision space was kindly donated by Matt Hotchkiss, owner of the Coffee Republic franchise in the town. This new informal learning environment seemed to stimulate high level discussions - the students made exceptional progress in their preparation for the exams which start on 8^th May 2012.

Teacher Laura Davey said: “Students engagement in the discussions taking place and revision activities was higher than if I’d taught the session in my classroom at Newton Abbot College at the end of a busy day of lessons. I cannot thank Matt enough for giving us the space for a second year; we very much hope the exercise can be repeated next year.”

Our visit to Cadbury World

On Friday 20^th April 2012, a group of year 9 and 10 students embarked on a 3 hour coach journey to Cadbury World in Bourneville, Birmingham.

Once we had arrived and checked in we got stuck into all that Cadbury World had to offer. We found at the door you got free chocolate and we went through a jungle where we learnt about the origin of the cocoa bean. As we enjoyed our free chocolate we found ourselves in a Victorian high-street, called Bull Street, where the first Cadbury’s tea shop was started in 1824.

We were then taken into a theatre where they showed us a film about how John Cadbury set up the company and then merged with his brother, and how the company expanded from there. After that we were taken into another theatre about how chocolate is made and processed; they also shook our seats to make it a lot more interesting and exciting!

Soon afterwards, we made our way into the Factory where we could see the chocolate being processed, from liquid chocolate into finished packaging. A worker showed us how the chocolate is moulded and we even got a little shot of liquid chocolate.

After this we had great fun going around a little track on these electric cars, which went through the stages of Cadburys. It was quite fun, but it was so slow…and embarrassing, Mr Leet’s photo wasn’t the best!

As we walked around the factory we saw different advertisements for Cadbury, including the robotic gorilla playing the drums, and were given more free chocolate bars.

After that we were allowed to enter the mother of all chocolate shops where you could buy a 1kg bar for just £4.99.

After lunch we went to the Essence exhibition where we learnt about how John Cadbury and his brother discovered the glass and a half of milk, we then entered a chocolate bar, which was amazing, we got to make our own chocolate concoction and eat it, it was delicious!

After the fun of making our own chocolate concoction we had a seminar where we learnt about the takeover of Cadbury by Kraft and the affects this had on the business.  We also learnt about reasons for John Cadbury choosing Bourneville for his factory and who the stakeholders of Cadbury are.

Overall we had a fantastic day at Cadbury World, we learnt about how the business was run and how Kraft took it over, we also learnt about the history of Cadbury and how it has changed ownership over the years. It was very worthwhile going to Cadbury and I enjoyed the day out.

By Rachael Holland, Adam Shalders, Ryan Dunkley and Reece Benson

Former Student - Update

You may recall I blogged a few months ago about former student Michael Border's visit to the college whilst he was home on holiday from university. I managed to persuade him to write an article about his first few months away at the University of Worcester where he is studying Business Management. Thanks for taking the time to write for us Michael:

The summer of 2011 brought to an end seven memorable years at Newton Abbot College and a time of my life that I will never forget because of highlights such as completing the Ten Tors challenge in 2008 which is an event that I highly recommend everyone to take part in.

Results day in August 2011 was the beginning of a new chapter of my life by achieving the results that I needed to get into the University of Worcester and carry on my education in business management.  That day made the previous two years of hard work worthwhile as it allowed me to go on to another exciting period.

University is an experience that I would recommend that everyone takes on because it is such an exciting time.  Since I moved to the University of Worcester I have made so many friends from all over the country and got myself involved in lots of societies that allow you to meet lots of new people both inside and outside of the university.

Freshers’ week is one of the best weeks of the year because there is no work and the university put on lots of activities for freshers to take part in.  At the university of Worcester there were many events that took place in the evenings that help you to get to know lots of new people.  For example there was a pub quiz that they put on which we took part in as a flat from my halls of residence, and a ghost walk that visited many of Worcester’s older buildings which was very interesting.  Also there was the Ffreshers’ Ball at which Alex Zane and Chris Fountain were the DJs. 

During the first semester there have been lots of acts performing in the local nightclub including all of the X Factors finalists as they get kicked out of the show! The following week they will perform in Worcester and many other universities.  Also during this semester on one of the nights we have had “I’m a Celebrity “runner up Mark Wright doing a DJ set.

Overall, the step from Newton Abbot College to university is the best decision that I have made because it has meant that I have made so many great friends that I will never forget.  It is an experience that everyone who has the opportunity should take.  Remember though, there is a lot of hard work too - so be prepared.

Mike Border

Developing your exam technique in A Level Business Studies

Doing well in your exams is not just about what you know. It's also about the application of your understanding to a given case study, providing an analysis where you develop a balanced argument and then stating your opinion and providing an evaluation.

Below is a presentation taking you through how you can achieve higher-level answers in the exam. The presentation looks at each assessment objective and breaks it down so that you can see what the examiner is looking for when they are marking your work. It is also available on Moodle.

One thing that we are starting to notice more when marking AS and A Level answers is the lack of planning involved in answering the question you have been given.  Included in the power point is one proven method known as PEE, this stands for Paragraph point, Evidence (examples & explanation) and Evaluation. This planning tool makes you think about what you are going to write so that you can carefully plan how you will be able to develop an argument and support your argument with evidence from the case study, thus enabling you to write a higher-level answer.

Try using these techniques in the next practice exam question and see if you can achieve that higher-level answer.