Business Intermediate GNVQ (General National Vocational Qualification)

This is a one year Sixth Form course suitable for students wanting to improve and increase their GCSE results which provides knowledge, understanding and a broad background in business. The Intermediate GNVQ is equivalent to four GCSEs between A* to C and is awarded at Pass, Merit or Distinction. No grade is awarded below a Pass.

The well developed personal skills and work related knowledge means that students are suitable for recruitment in a range of further study and/ or employment. Some of the successful Business Intermediate GNVQ students remain the School to study AVCE Business, some go to college to pursue a related course while others go straight into employment.

To do well, you need to be prepared to work hard at school and at home throughout the year to the required high standards, give work in promptly and carry out individual research outside lessons.

GNVQ Business is made up of six vocational units of work. The mandatory or compulsory units are

Investigating how businesses work How businesses develop Business finance (examination) In addition, students study three optional units of

People in business (examination) Communication and administration Customer service The use of IT is emphasised throughout the course.

Assessment

Two of the units are assessed by external examinations taken in January. The other four units are assessed by coursework, the student’s portfolio of evidence, which is externally moderated by the exam board. Some assessments involve giving presentations. Portfolio assignments must be completed and marked by the first week in May.

The final grade is based upon the total portfolio evidence and examination results. All evidence must be produced in a vocational context ie related to the real world of business. There are some major assignments to complete as well as smaller tasks.

Approach to Learning

As a business student, you are involved in drawing up and following an action plan of work. You need to commit yourself to consistent effort throughout the course, especially meeting deadlines. Staff will support and advise you in one to one tutorials. You will learn through individual study and research as well as group work. You will be involved in visits to business and industry. Representatives from the world of work will be helping with the learning process.

What could I go onto at the end of this course?

You can progress onto the Applied Business GCE course, taking the Double (two A Levels) or Single (one A Level) award. Past student who have done well at Intermediate GNVQ Business have progressed through vocational Business A Level courses and from there onto employment or Higher Education in business.