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

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

A Level

Edexcel

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 Decisions and 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 (multinational corporations).