Business

Curriculum Intent and Overview

The curriculum enables students to understand and engage with the increasingly complex business world in which we live and to empower them to become informed and confident consumers, employees and gain entrepreneurial skills.
In Economics the aim is to develop students’ understanding of how the local, national and global economy works through analysing economic issues, problems and institutions that affect everyday life. In Business our aim is to inspire students with a life-long interest in business and current economic affairs and equip them with a greater understanding of the world around them and develop their employability complemented by extra-curricular opportunities to develop enterprise skills.

The Department

Curriculum Leader: Mr M Brown

GCSE

Exam Board: Edexcel

Specification Number: 1BS0

What will be studied?

In Year 10 and 11, students are able to study for a GCSE qualification. The qualification is engaging and inspiring, and reflects the demands of a truly modern and evolving business environment.

Our course is both active and enjoyable. Students will study all aspects of business from setting up a small business to the largest companies in the world and can find out in depth what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. They will also be able to investigate a variety of departments within a business including marketing, people management, production and finance, as well as the economy.

This qualification enables students to develop as commercially minded and enterprising individuals and helps them to success in their chosen pathway.

Theme 1 : Investigating small business

Topic 1.1 Enterprise and entrepreneurship
Topics 1.2 Spotting a business opportunity
Topic 1.3 Putting a business idea into practice
Topic 1.4 Making the business effective
Topic 1.5 Understanding external influences on business

Theme 2: Building a business

Topic 2.1 Growing the business
Topic 2.2 Making marketing decisions
Topic 2.3 Making operational decisions
Topic 2.4 Making financial decisions
Topic 2.5 Making human resource decisions

How is the course assessed?

Theme 1 : Investigating small business

Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes - 50% of the qualification (90 marks)

Theme 2: Building a business

Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes - 50% pf the qualification (90 marks)

Both papers will consist of calculations, multiple-choice, short answer and extended-writing questions.

What texts are recommended?

Course textbook will be provided to support the student through the course. The student book offers lots of current case-studies, differentiated activities and support for the new assessments.

What websites are recommended?

BBC Bitesize

Edexcel – sample papers

BusinessEd

Gojimo app

What equipment is needed?

A calculator, highlighter, ruler, pen and pencil are essential at all times.

A Level

Exam Board: Edexcel

Specification Number: 9BS0

What will be studied?

Business is a dynamic subject in which you will apply theories and experience to ‘real-life’ settings. In business we have to research solutions to potential problems that a business may face and analyse and evaluate the success of these solutions. The opportunity to see this from the angle of both a student and a business person will allow you to develop a variety of transferable skills such as; evaluating & analysing business data, developing oral and written communication skills. Using these skills to solve problems are much sought after by universities and employers. Above all Business is a subject that requires the student to get involved!