Business
KS4
The intent of the Business Curriculum
Business is relevant to all areas of working life, whether setting up your own business, or working in someone else’s business, the skills and concepts you learn in Business will be useful. Business teaches students how companies operate; how they affect and are affected by the competitive market environment and how to be successful and achieve their objectives.
How is the Business Curriculum implemented?
GCSE Business introduces you to the exciting world of how businesses are created, managed and developed. Throughout the course, you will learn key business concepts such as marketing, finance, operations and human resources. You will then apply your knowledge to real business case studies and realistic business scenarios, helping you think like a business owner or manager. Lessons will develop your analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills while preparing you for the GCSE examinations. By the end of the course, you will have a strong understanding of how businesses operate in the real world.
The impact of the Business Studies Curriculum at the end of Key Stage 4
How is it examined?
There are two examinations:
Theme 1: Investigating small business
Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes
50% of the qualification
90 marks
Content overview
● Topic 1.1 Enterprise and entrepreneurship
● Topic 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
Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes
50% of the qualification
90 marks
Content overview
● 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
What Qualifications will I get? What could it lead to?
Edexel Level 1/2 GCSE (9-1) Business
From GCSE Business you might go on to study A-level Business or an A-level vocational Business course which would then allow you entry to college or university.
Career directions could include: Sales, Retail, Marketing, Accountancy, Personnel Management, Business Management, Administration or work in an office environment. Business Studies will also provide you with the basic skills for setting up your own business.
KS5
Business – A-Level Qualification
Examining Body:
Edexcel
Entry Criteria:
Ideally Grade 5 GCSE English Language and Grade 5 GCSE Mathematics
Course Leader:
Mr J Trenchard
Why? :
Entry numbers for Business and related subjects at university are growing more rapidly than for any other subject. This reflects its relevance to almost any career and progression to higher education particularly in Business, Accountancy, Marketing and Economics. Students should have a broad interest in current affairs and a specific interest in investigating and responding to practical problems. Business touches on a range of issues that arise in managing organisations of all kinds. As such it provides a sound and illuminating background to the world of business
Course Structure:
Theme 1: Marketing and People
• Meeting customer needs
• The market
• Marketing mix and strategy
• Managing people
• Entrepreneurs and leaders
Theme 2: Managing business activities
• Raising finance
• Financial planning
• Managing finance
• Resource management
• External influences
Theme 3: Business Decision and strategy Develops the concepts introduced in Theme 2
• Business objectives and strategy
• Business growth
• Decision-making techniques
• Influences on business decisions
• Assessing competitiveness
• Managing change
Theme 4: Global business Develops the concepts introduced in Theme 1
• Globalisation
• Global markets and business
• Expansion
• Global marketing
• Global industries and companies (multinational corporations)
A Level Assessment Questions will be drawn from local, national and global contexts.
Paper 1 - 2 hours (35% of qualification) Themes 1 and 4
Paper 2 - 2 hours (35% of qualification) Themes 2 and 3
Paper 3 - 2 hours (30% of qualification) Themes 1, 2, 3 and 4
Extended Learning:
Regular extended learning tasks will include business case studies, research activities and exam practice questions. In addition, students are recommended to read a high quality newspaper on a regular basis.
Curriculum Road Map - Business