Business

INTRODUCTION
Business allows students to actively engage in the study of business in order to develop as effective and independent reflective thinkers with enquiring minds. The course explores issues in a range of local, national and global contexts and encourages students to appreciate the range of perspectives of different stakeholders in relation to business and economic activities. All key business areas are studied ranging from business ownership and purpose, to marketing, finance, human resources, production and sustainability.

Students are able to opt for Business from Year 10.

Please click here for the Business Curriculum Overview

COURSE CONTENT & STRUCTURE
The course is divided into two parts covering a wide range of business issues:

Theme 1: Investigating Small Business (50%) – 105 minutes written exam
This theme explores the fundamentals of enterprise and the qualities required to be a successful entrepreneur. Students study how business opportunities evolve and how those opportunities are put into practice with regards to starting a new business. The theme then develops students’ knowledge on the financial side of business and then continues to make links between business and the local, national and world economy.

Theme 2: Theme 2: Building a business (50%) – 105 minutes written exam
This theme focuses on businesses that are already established and how they can continue to be successful. There is a focus on marketing, operational decisions and also investigating the importance of a motivated staff. Students will use the foundations learnt in theme 1 to support their learning throughout theme 2.

ASSESSEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
GCSE Business is externally assessed through two examination papers. Questions range from multiple choice, short written answers, longer written answers and answering questions based on a case study of a real business.

SKILLS DEVELOPED & CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Business is a key component for pupils wishing to learn how a business works and is developed. It opens many pathways as an academic GCSE, most notably into A Level Business Studies, Economics or BTEC National Level 3 in Business. It can also lead to more specific business orientated courses such as retailing, accounting, finance, law, economics, marketing and human resources.

The great aspect of a business qualification is that it provides information and a general understanding for any career path that one may choose. The specific content of the course gives greater insights into some particular roles including retailing, marketing, human resource management, production, customer service, management, finance and administration.