Curriculum Intent:

Studying Business allows students to apply knowledge and understanding of contemporary business issues and concepts to broaden independent, creative and reflective thinking. Through the application and interpretation of data to inform business decisions in order to solve problems.

Business is everywhere in everyday life, and can be seen discussed in newspapers, and news on TV and online. You will learn to relate what you have learnt in lessons to the real business world.

Edexcel Business 9-1

Year 10:

In GCSE Business, learning is split into 2 themes, both making up 50% of the overall qualification through written examinations lasting 1 hour 45 minutes and marked out of 90. There is no coursework requirement in this subject.

In year 10, students will focus on theme 1, where they will investigate a ‘Small Business’. This will include how the original idea was conceived, from spotting the opportunity through to making this business effective. Students will also learn about the external influences on business.

Furthermore, students will learn about what skills they need to become an entrepreneur and the risk and rewards associated with this. They will also learn about market research, why this is important and how this provides data for use in the business sector to make a business more successful. Finally, focussing on key financial terms such as revenue, profit and costs as well as short and long-term financial sources for companies.

Year 11:

In year 11, students will explore theme 2: ‘Building a Business’, involving learning about the day-to-day decisions of a business and marketing. Focussing on the 4 Ps of product, price, promotion and place to identify gaps in the market. They will also learn about sales processes, product knowledge, customer engagement and employee responses. Further topics include business operations and human resources, where students will learn about effective recruitment, training and development as well as looking at staff morale/motivation.

These topics will then be applied to a business with the purpose of growing that business to make it bigger and more effective/profitable.

If you decide to study Business at college or university, you will be in a strong position facing the graduate job market. Business students find themselves working in a range of related and unrelated sectors: international business, finance, accountancy, retail, marketing, human resources, events management.

Possible careers include:

• Business Analyst
• Development Director
• Human Resources Director
• Finance Manager
• Chief Executive Officer
• Chief Marketing Officer

Extra-curricular:

• Opportunities will be available for additional study through period 6 lessons in years 10 & 11
• Students will witness a guest speaker