Business Studies

Business is the study of setting up and growing a company and managing a workforce within it. The Business department comprises Business Studies which is taught at GCSE and A level and Economics which is taught at A level. The department is based on the top floor of the main block, although many lessons are taught in the sixth form block. The Business department has a long record of helping students achieve excellent results and many if our students progress to studying Economics and Business courses at University

Key Stage 3

Business Studies is not taught as a separate subject in Years 7 - 8, but students learn some of the basic principals through history, geography, mathematics and PSHE.

The Business Studies department is active in introducing business studies to key stage three students through extra curricular activities including enterprise days for all years.

GCSE

Why study GCSE Business Studies?

The specification is designed to encourage candidates to consider the practical application of business and economic concepts. GCSE Business Studies provides progression for those wishing to continue their studies to A level Business and A level Economics.

The course commences in Year 9 and continues to the end of Year 11, Business Studies is allocated five hours over a two week period.

Students in year 9 study 2 units;

Business in the Real world including

Business ownership (whether to start as a sole trader, partnership or limited company
Setting business aims and objectives
Business relationships with different stakeholder groups
How businesses choose their location
How entrepreneurs expand their business

Human Resources including

How to structure an organisation
Recruiting and selecting employees
Motivating employess
Training

Students in year 10 study 2 units;

Influences on business including

Impact of technology on business
Business ethics and environmental initiatives
How the economic climate affects business
Globalisation
Legislation
How businesses compete

Business Operations including

The production process
The role of procurement
The concept of quality
Providing good customer service

From 2018-19 onwards students in year 11 will study

Marketing including
Identifying and understanding customers
Market segmentation
Methods of market research
Elements of the marketing mix (product, price, promotion and distribution)

Finance including

Sources of finance
Cash flow
Financial terms and calculations
Analysing the financial performance of a business

Students in Year 11 in 2017-18 only study

Unit 3 – Investigating Businesses

This unit is a controlled assessment unit. The work must be each candidate’s own individual response and must be produced under controlled conditions.

Assessment

All controlled assessment tasks will be set by AQA.
Tasks will be replaced each year and will only be available for one assessment opportunity.
AQA will provide centres with pre-released material which will require students to undertake a business investigation.
This unit is worth 40 marks – 25% of the final GCSE grade

A Level

Why study A Level Business Studies?

If you have a passion for Business and you are interested in the stock exchange or new business ventures this is the course for you. You will gain the skills to analyse real life case studies for companies such as Amazon, Apple, BMW, Tesco's etc. Business studies will also equip you with the skills to analyse key financial data to help business decision making. Overall you will develop essential skills required to run a business such as in Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Marketing and Human Resource Management.

A Level Business Studies considers strategies for larger businesses and how managers might measure the performance of a business. It starts with a comparison of the objectives of the company as a whole and distinguishes them from the objectives of each department. The A-Level specification also equips you with skills to analyse financial information and external influences on a business.

Topic Matter

1 What is business?

2 Managers, leadership and decision making

3 Decision making to improve marketing performance

4 Decision making to improve operational performance

5 Decision making to improve financial performance

6 Decision making to improve human resource performance

7 Analysing the strategic position of a business

8 Choosing strategic direction

9 Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies

10 Managing strategic change

The Business Studies course helps you to develop a number of skills:

How to assemble data and assess it
How to analyse companies' strategies and tactics
Problem solving skills in relation to companies performance and strategy
Knowledge of business models and the business environment

What are the challenging aspects of the course?

To be familiar with financial ratios and interpret and read income statements and balance sheet
Understanding of the differences between functional and departmental objectives.