Business

Introduction

Business Studies concerns the business aspects of organisations, both large and small, and their relationship with the community, the government and the economy. This subject involves understanding how entrepreneurs use their skills to make profits (or losses!) by producing goods and services. The factors which make a business profitable and successful are explored by the use of real-life case studies such as the invention of the Dyson vacuum cleaner, how and why Coca-Cola developed Coke Zero and other such business examples. The world of business takes place at such a breath-taking pace, and, consequently, there are always plenty of examples to draw upon.

Pupils will be taught, in addition to the content of the course, the skills of application, analysis and evaluation. This will not only equip them to make rational judgements of businesses but will also serve as invaluable transferable skills.

View the staff team

Curriculum Leaders
Ms S Ceasar and Mr M Sakhi
Teaching Staff
Mr R Sadhra

KS4

Summary

Business is an option from Year 10 onwards. Each course offered to students facilitates the analysis of contemporary events via a variety of activities that may be practical, written, collaborative or individual in nature.

Students analyse and evaluate the process of starting a new business and the issues that are likely to need consideration as it expands from small and local to national or multinational. Should the business owner set up as a limited company or not? Is buying a franchise a good idea? How do small business owners manage the financial, marketing and production aspects of their business? How can the owners of the business maintain control of the financial, marketing and production aspects of the new business? Will the expansion of the business benefit all of its stakeholders?

GCSE Business Studies

Specification Code: 1BS0
Level: GCSE
Examination Board: Edexcel

Year 10

Curriculum

In Year 10, students will study the following topics:

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

Assessment

Unit 1 – Investigating Small Business
Written examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 10 curriculum.

BBC Bitesize: GCSE Business – Business Studies at the BBC.
Tutor2U – a useful revision tool.
Business Studies Online – provides students with Business resources.
GCSE Business Studies Revision Resources – some excellent revision resources for Key Stage 4 students.

Year 11

Curriculum

In Year 11, students will study the following topics:

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

Assessment

Theme 2 – Building a Business
Written examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 11 curriculum.

BBC Bitesize: GCSE Business – Business Studies at the BBC.
Tutor2U – a useful revision tool.
Business Studies Online – provides students with Business resources.
GCSE Business Studies Revision Resources – some excellent revision resources for Key Stage 4 students.

KS5

Summary

In Year 12, students have the option to take either A level business or one of our BTEC options – the BTEC Extended Certificate (4 units) or the BTEC Diploma in Business (8 units). Both BTEC courses are designed to develop students’ understanding of the world of business, by using a combination of internal and external assessments which will be studied over the two-year period. The A level is assessed by examinations and gives students a strong knowledge of business organisations.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business

Level: BTEC Level 3 (A level equivalent)
Examination Board: Edexcel

Year 12

Curriculum

In Year 12, students will study the following topics:

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign
Learners will gain skills to have an understanding of how a marketing campaign is developed and produced.

Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance
Learners will understand the importance of personal and business finance to create important financial documents.

Assessment

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign
Timed controlled assessment task – 20%

Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance
Written examination – 2 hours – 40%

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 12 curriculum.

Tutor2U (BTEC Diploma) – a fantastic revision resource for students.
S-Cool – in-depth website with excellent resources for Business students.
Revision Guru – careers advice, revision notes and other great resources.

Year 13

Curriculum

In Year 13, students will study the following topics:

Unit 1: Exploring Business
Learners will develop the knowledge on business ownership and the influences on businesses when setting their strategic aims and objectives.

Unit 14: Investigating Customer Service
This unit introduce the learners to how customers play a crucial role in the world of business.

Assessment

Unit 1: Exploring Business
Internal assessment – 20%

Unit 14: Investigating Customer Service
Internal assessment – 20%

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 13 curriculum.

Tutor2U (BTEC Diploma) – a fantastic revision resource for students.
S-Cool – in-depth website with excellent resources for Business students.
Revision Guru – careers advice, revision notes and other great resources.

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business

Level: BTEC Level 3 (A level equivalent)
Examination Board: Edexcel

Year 12

Curriculum

In Year 12, students will study the following topics:

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign
Learners will gain skills to have an understanding of how a marketing campaign is developed and produced.

Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance
Learners will understand the importance of personal and business finance to create important financial documents.

Unit 8: Recruitment and Selection Process
Learners will be introduced to recruitment and the importance of ensuring that the best people are selected to work in organisations.

Unit 5: International Business
Learners will study how businesses operate internationally.

Assessment

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign
Timed controlled assessment task – 12%

Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance
Written examination – 2 hours – 20%

Unit 8: Recruitment and Selection Process
Internal assessment – approx. 7%

Unit 5: International Business
Internal assessment – approx. 12%

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 12 curriculum.

Tutor2U (BTEC Diploma) – a fantastic revision resource for students.
S-Cool – in-depth website with excellent resources for Business students.
Revision Guru – careers advice, revision notes and other great resources.

Year 13

Curriculum

In Year 13, students will study the following topics:

Unit 1: Exploring Business
Learners will develop the knowledge on business ownership and the influences on businesses when setting their strategic aims and objectives.

Unit 14: Investigating Customer Service
This unit introduce the learners to how customers play a crucial role in the world of business.

Unit 4: Managing a Business Event
Learners will be introduced to how a business event is managed, they will plan and host their own event.

Unit 6: Principles of Management
Allows the learners to examine how businesses adapt their approaches to management in response to challenges in the different environments.

Assessment

Unit 1: Exploring Business
Internal assessment – 12%

Unit 14: Investigating Customer Service
Internal assessment – 7%

Unit 4: Managing a Business Event
Internal assessment – 10%

Unit 6: Principles of Management
Timed controlled assessment task – 20%

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 13 curriculum.

Tutor2U (BTEC Diploma) – a fantastic revision resource for students.
S-Cool – in-depth website with excellent resources for Business students.
Revision Guru – careers advice, revision notes and other great resources.

A level Business

Specification Code: 9BS0
Level: AS level
Examination Board: Edexcel

Year 12

Curriculum

In Year 12, students will study the following topics:

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

Assessment

Unit 1 – Marketing and People
External examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 50% of AS

Unit 2 – Managing Business Activities
External examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 50% of AS

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 8 curriculum.

Tutor2U (A level) – a fantastic revision resource for students.
S-Cool – in-depth website with excellent resources for Business students.
Revision Guru – careers advice, revision notes and other great resources.

Year 13

Curriculum

In Year 13, students will study the following topics:

Theme 3 – Business Decisions & Strategy

Business objectives and strategy
Business growth
Decision-making techniques
Influences on business decisions
Assessing competitiveness
Managing change

Theme 4 – Global Business

Globalisation
Global markets and business expansion
Global marketing
Global industries and companies

Assessment

Paper 1 – Marketing, People and Global Businesses
External examination – 2 hours – 35% of A2

Paper 2 – Business Activities, Decisions and Strategy
External examination – 2 hours – 35% of A2

Paper 3 – Investigating business in a competitive environment
External examination – 2 hours – 35% of A2

Further Resources

Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 8 curriculum.

Tutor2U (A level) – a fantastic revision resource for students.
S-Cool – in-depth website with excellent resources for Business students.
Revision Guru – careers advice, revision notes and other great resources.

Extra-Curricular

Student Investor Challenge