Business Studies is taught by four specialist teachers, all of whom have considerable experience in the fields of marketing, human resources, social enterprise and finance. Lessons are interactive and the layout of the department is designed to stimulate a professional business environment with business like workspaces. The curriculum is designed to provide an understanding of real business life contexts and to develop links with business careers.
Extensive support is provided for all students through high quality teaching and learning, targeted mentoring and feedback. The department focuses on extended writing and successfully equips students with exam technique skills. Our strategy for raising attainment is built around active learning, high levels of literacy and effective marking and feedback.
The department offers fantastic enrichment opportunities and these include visits to accountancy firms such as Ernst and Young, the IFS Student Investor Challenge and keynote speakers from high profile businesses.
Business Studies is a highly successful and popular choice at Key Stage 4 and 5. At Key Stage 4, we offer OCR GCSE Business and at Key Stage 5 we run A Level Business, A Level Economics and Business BTEC.
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key stage 4 |
GCSE OCR BUSINESS STUDIES:
In the first year, students will learn about business activity, marketing and people and in the second year they will further develop their understanding of operations, finance and influences on business.
Please see below for more information about the assessment for this qualification.
Year 10: Business activity, Marketing and People (01)
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80 marks
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1 Hour 30 Minutes paper
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Section A: MCQ 15 marks
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Section B: short, medium and extended response style questions. 65 marks.
Year 11: Operations, Finance and Influences on Business (02)*
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80 Marks
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1 Hour 30 Minutes paper
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Section A: MCQ 15 marks
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Section B: short, medium and extended response style questions.
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key stage 5 |
AQA A LEVEL BUSINESS
Business students will benefit greatly from drawing on experience of employment, experience as consumers and what they see in the media. Students will develop a range of important and transferable skills such as data analysis, problem solving, evaluating business scenarios and making justified recommendations.
Year 12 Subject Content:
Students will study the following units during the first year of the course:
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What is business?
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Managers, leadership and decision making
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Decision making to improve marketing performance
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Decision making to improve operational performance
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Decision making to improve financial performance
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Decision making to improve human resource performance
Year 13 Subject Content
Students will study the following units during the second year of the course:
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Analysing the strategic position of a business
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Choosing strategic direction
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Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies
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Managing strategic change
Career Opportunities / Routes
This qualification supports progression into higher education or the world of work. It provides a good foundation for careers in banking and accountancy, personnel and human resources, marketing and sales, administration, business law and in education. The subject nature ensures that students develop a broad range of skills that will suit a range of careers.
Assessment
At the end of year 13 there are three 2 hour exams worth 100 marks each. Each exam is synoptic, meaning all content from the course could be assessed.
Paper 1
Written exam: 2 hours
100 marks in total
33.3% of A Level
The exam consists of three compulsory sections:
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Section A has 15 multiple choice questions (MCQs) worth 15 marks.
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Section B has short answer questions worth 35 marks.
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Sections C and D have two essay questions (choice of one from two and one from two) worth 25 marks each.
Paper 2
Written exam: 2 hours
100 marks in total
33.3% of A Level
The exam consists of three data response compulsory questions worth approximately 33 marks each and made up of three or four part questions.
Paper 3
Written exam: 2 hours
100 marks in total
33.3% of A Level
The exam consists of three data response compulsory questions worth approximately 33 marks each and made up of three or four part questions.
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business btec extended diploma (equivalent to 3 a levels) |
BTEC Nationals are widely recognised by industry and higher education providers as a vocational qualification at L3. The qualification provides students with the opportunity to progress into the workplace either directly or via study at a higher level. The BTEC Business Extended Diploma is equivalent in weighting to 3 A Level qualifications.
Exam Board: Edexcel Pearson
Career Opportunities / Routes
This qualification supports progression into higher education or the world of work. It provides a good foundation for careers in banking and accountancy, personnel and human resources, marketing and sales, administration, business law and in education. The subject nature ensures that students develop a broad range of skills that will suit a range of careers.
ASSESSMENT:
Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign (externally marked task)
Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance (written exam)
Unit 6: Principles of Management (externally marked task)
Unit 7: Business Decision Making (externally marked task)
MANDATORY UNITS:
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Exploring Business (written assignment)
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Developing a Marketing Campaign (externally marked task)
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Personal and Business Finance (written exam)
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Managing an Event (written assignment)
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International Business (written assignment)
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Principles of Management (externally marked task)
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Business Decision Making (externally marked task)
OPTIONAL UNITS:
Students will also study six further optional units as part of this qualification.
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