Business Studies
The business faculty believes it is important for students to understand business and it’s important in society. Business Studies helps to prepare students with the skills needed in the working environment. It is important that students understand what makes a successful business and how this can benefit society. We look at how business can combine making a profit with social responsibility.
Students will investigate both smaller and larger businesses to gain a greater understanding of entrepreneurship. Students will learn what makes a business effective and how businesses respond to external influences. Students will apply business concepts to real life case studies. Business provides employment and careers and allows people the opportunity to develop. Studying business helps students develop life skills for both professional and personal development.
Curriculum Overview (Click here)
Our Curriculum Learning Pathway
Business Studies Curriculum Pathway (PDF)
Key Stage 4: Curriculum
Students study NCFE Level 1 / 2 Technical Award in business and Enterprise and is a Business equivalent to GCSE. The course will develop students' knowledge and understanding in business and enterprise. The course encourages students to use knowledge and practical enterprise tools to prepare them for business. Students studying this course will develop personal and vocational business skills that can be transferred to further study or employment. Key business and enterprise topics include legal structures, marketing, market research, operations management, resource planning, human resources, funding, finance and planning.
The qualification structure and assessment consists of Unit 1: An introduction to business and enterprise. This unit is assessed using an external examination and has a weighting of 40% of the students final grade. Unit 2 is an Internal synoptic, this is a case study style piece of coursework with a weighting of 60% of the students final grade.
In year 10 students prepare for the external examination unit an introduction to business and enterprise which is sat in November in year 11 . Students also cover the learning for the internal synoptic coursework unit which focuses on business planning and resources. The coursework is completed in year 11
Key Stage 5 Curriculum
Student study OCR Cambridge Technical in Business. The course is equivalent to one A level, students completing this course will receive UCAS tariff points. Students studying this course can progress into higher education, employment or an apprenticeship. Students will learn how businesses might evolve and also understand the internal working of businesses. Students will also study the external constraints business work in, including legal, financial and ethical constraints. Students will develop practical employability skills including communication and time management skills.
The course is modular in structure and consists of five units in total. In year 12 students will study and prepare for their unit one examination: The Business Environment. They will also complete coursework for unit 5 Marketing and Market Research, unit 4 Customers and Communication. In year 13 Students study for the unit 2 examination Working in Business and complete coursework for unit 8 An Introduction to Human Resources.