Learning

Business

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Business Studies equips pupils with essential skills for life in a dynamic and ever-changing world. Through the course, students are introduced to the world of business and explore what makes individuals and organisations successful. Pupils learn how to develop ideas, identify opportunities and turn these into viable business ventures, while gaining an understanding of how businesses operate, manage finances and respond to the world around them.

The course encourages students to think critically about real-world business issues and to understand the impact of economic, social and environmental factors on businesses and stakeholders.

Overview of the Curriculum

Key Stage 4: GCSE Business (Pearson Edexcel)

Theme 1: Investigating Small Business

This theme focuses on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. Students explore core concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business. They are introduced to local and national business contexts and consider how these impact business behaviour and decision-making.

Students develop an understanding of the nature of business activity through operations, finance, marketing and human resources, and examine the relationship between businesses and their external environment.

Theme 2: Building a Business

This theme examines how businesses develop beyond the start-up phase and focuses on the decisions businesses make to grow and expand. Students explore national and global business contexts, considering how finance, marketing and human resources interact as businesses respond to internal and external influences.

Key Stage 5: A Level Business (WJEC Eduqas)

Component 1: Business Opportunities and Functions

This component focuses on new business start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Students also study a wide range of business organisations, from recently formed small businesses to well-established multinational companies.

Component 2: Business Analysis and Strategy

Building on Component 1, this component develops students’ ability to analyse business information, apply analytical techniques and develop effective business strategies.

Component 3: Business in a Changing World

This component focuses on how businesses adapt to succeed in a dynamic external environment. Students examine the opportunities and threats faced by businesses of all sizes and consider how organisations respond to change.

Key Stage 5: A Level Economics

Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Economics A (9EC0)

• Theme 1: Introduction to Markets and Market Failure
  Focuses on core microeconomic concepts.

• Theme 2: The UK Economy – Performance and Policies
  Focuses on macroeconomic concepts and government policy.

• Theme 3: Business Behaviour and the Labour Market
  Develops microeconomic concepts with a focus on business economics

• Theme 4: A Global Perspective
  Develops macroeconomic concepts and applies them in a global context.

Assessment and Feedback Approach

GCSE Business

• Two compulsory units

• Externally assessed

• Each examination: 1 hour 45 minutes

A Level Business

Three written examinations at the end of the two-year course

• Component 1: Business Opportunities and Functions
  Written Examination: 2 hours 15 minutes

• Component 2: Business Analysis and Strategy
  Written Examination: 2 hours 15 minutes

• Component 3: Business in a Changing World
  Written Examination: 2 hours 15 minutes

A Level Economics

• Paper 1: Markets and Business Behaviour
  Assesses microeconomics (Themes 1 and 3).

• Paper 2: The National and Global Economy
  Assesses macroeconomics (Themes 2 and 4).

• Paper 3: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
  Assesses content across all four themes, requiring students to apply knowledge, make connections and demonstrate higher-order skills.

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Staff List

• Mrs P Watson – GCSE Business

• Mrs L Croft – GCSE Business

• Mrs S Airley – GCSE Business, BTEC Business

• Mr P Zinzombe – A Level Business and A Level Economics

Resources, Revision Guides and Homework Expectations

GCSE Business

Homework and independent study are crucial to student progress. Students are set homework weekly, which may include case studies, exam questions, revision quizzes and knowledge-based tasks.

All GCSE students are expected to have the Pearson Edexcel revision guide and revision workbook and to use these regularly to consolidate learning.

Key Stage 5: OCR Cambridge Technicals Business – Extended Certificate (360 GLH)

This qualification provides students with a strong foundation in business knowledge while developing practical, vocational skills relevant to real business contexts. The course combines theoretical understanding with applied learning through a mixture of examinations and coursework.

Externally Assessed Units (Year 12)

• Unit 01: The Business Environment
  Introduces different types of businesses and the environments in which they operate, including economic, legal, ethical and global influences.

• Unit 02: Working in Business
  Focuses on organisational structures, job roles, teamwork and the importance of effective communication in the workplace.

Internally Assessed Units (Year 13)

• Unit 04: Customers and Communication
  Explores customer service and communication methods and their impact on business success.

• Unit 05: Marketing and Market Research
  Develops understanding of customer needs, market research and marketing strategies.

• Unit 08: Human Resource Management (HRM)
  Examines recruitment, training, motivation and workforce management and their impact on business performance.

Assessment and Feedback Approach (Cambridge Technicals)

The qualification includes both externally assessed examinations and internally assessed coursework.

External Assessment

• Formal examinations or tasks set and marked by OCR

• Some units include pre-release materials

• Mark schemes and examiner reports are issued after each series

Internal Assessment

• Teacher-assessed assignments against OCR criteria

• Internally standardised and externally moderated

• Structured feedback provided against assessment outcomes

Resources and Independent Study

Teachers and students have access to a wide range of OCR-approved resources through Teach Cambridge, including planning tools, progress trackers, model assignments and exemplar materials. OCR-endorsed textbooks (such as Hodder Education) are used to support both classroom learning and independent study.

Students can expect regular homework, which may include assignment drafts and improvements, exam-style questions, research tasks linked to real business contexts, and consolidation of lesson content using online and textbook resources.

Useful Websites

Bized – http://www.bized.co.uk

Business Studies Online – www.businessstudiesonline.co.uk

Tutor2U – www.tutor2u.net

BBC News (Business) – www.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business

Federation of Small Businesses – www.fsb.org.uk

Dragons’ Den – www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden

BBC Bitesize – www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/business

Career Pathways Linked to the Subject

Business Studies allows students to explore how different organisations operate across a wide range of industries. Students develop transferable skills including data analysis, decision-making, problem-solving and effective communication through presentations and written reports.

The subject provides a strong foundation for careers in marketing, human resources, finance, management and law. Studying Business alongside Mathematics can also support progression into finance-related roles or entrepreneurship.

Contact Information

Mrs P. Watson

P.watson@kdhigh.co.uk