LearningBusiness
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Studying Business in the Sixth Form at The King David High School provides students with a strong understanding of how organisations operate within a dynamic and ever-changing global economy.
Students explore how businesses start, grow and respond to challenges in competitive markets. The course develops critical thinking, analytical skills and commercial awareness, enabling students to evaluate real-world business issues and understand how economic, social and environmental factors influence decision-making.
Through the study of real business examples and case studies, students gain insight into entrepreneurship, management and strategy, while developing transferable skills that are highly valued in higher education and the workplace.
Courses Offered
A Level Business (WJEC Eduqas)
The A Level Business course develops students’ understanding of how businesses operate and how strategic decisions are made in a range of organisational contexts.
Component 1: Business Opportunities and Functions
Students study business start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), exploring how businesses are established and managed. The course introduces key functional areas such as marketing, finance, operations and human resources.
Component 2: Business Analysis and Strategy
Students build on their knowledge by analysing business performance and evaluating strategic decision-making. They develop analytical techniques used to assess business information and explore how organisations respond to internal and external challenges.
Component 3: Business in a Changing World
This component examines how businesses adapt within a rapidly changing external environment. Students consider the opportunities and risks created by economic change, competition and globalisation.
A Level Economics (Pearson Edexcel)
Economics enables students to understand how markets, governments and global economic forces influence businesses and society.
Students explore both microeconomics and macroeconomics, developing analytical skills and an understanding of how economic theory applies to real-world issues.
The course includes four key themes:
Theme 1: Introduction to Markets and Market Failure
Students explore how markets operate, how prices are determined and why markets sometimes fail.
Theme 2: The UK Economy – Performance and Policies
Students examine macroeconomic concepts such as economic growth, inflation, unemployment and government economic policy.
Theme 3: Business Behaviour and the Labour Market
This theme develops microeconomic theory with a focus on business behaviour, competition and labour markets.
Theme 4: A Global Perspective
Students analyse global economic issues including international trade, globalisation and economic development.
Cambridge Technicals Business – Extended Certificate (OCR)
The Cambridge Technical in Business provides students with a vocational pathway that combines academic understanding with practical, applied business skills.
The course focuses on real business contexts and develops knowledge that is directly relevant to the workplace.
Year 12 (Externally Assessed Units)
Unit 01: The Business Environment
Students explore different types of businesses and the environments in which they operate, including economic, legal, ethical and global influences.
Unit 02: Working in Business
This unit focuses on organisational structures, teamwork, communication and the roles individuals play within businesses.
Year 13 (Internally Assessed Units)
Unit 04: Customers and Communication
Students examine how businesses communicate with customers and the importance of effective customer service.
Unit 05: Marketing and Market Research
This unit explores how businesses identify customer needs and develop marketing strategies through market research.
Unit 08: Human Resource Management
Students investigate recruitment, training, motivation and workforce management and how these influence business performance.
Assessment
A Level Business
Assessment takes place through three written examinations at the end of the two-year course:
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Component 1 – 2 hours 15 minutes
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Component 2 – 2 hours 15 minutes
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Component 3 – 2 hours 15 minutes
A Level Economics
Assessment consists of three examination papers:
Paper 1: Markets and Business Behaviour
Assesses microeconomic content (Themes 1 and 3).
Paper 2: The National and Global Economy
Assesses macroeconomic content (Themes 2 and 4).
Paper 3: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
Students apply knowledge across all four themes and demonstrate analytical and evaluative skills.
Cambridge Technicals Business
Assessment includes a combination of external examinations and internally assessed coursework.
External assessments are set and marked by OCR, while coursework assignments are assessed by teachers against OCR criteria and externally moderated.
Students receive structured feedback throughout the course to support their progress and development.
Independent Study and Resources
Sixth Form students are expected to develop strong independent learning habits.
Homework and independent study tasks may include:
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Exam-style questions
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Case study analysis
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Research tasks linked to real business examples
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Coursework preparation and assignment drafts
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Consolidation of key concepts using textbooks and online resources
Students are supported with a range of approved teaching resources and digital learning platforms.
Career Pathways
Business-related courses develop a wide range of transferable skills including analysis, decision-making, problem-solving, communication and strategic thinking.
Students who study Business or Economics often progress to university courses and careers in areas such as:
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Business management
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Marketing and advertising
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Finance and banking
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Human resource management
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Law
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Entrepreneurship and start-ups
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Consultancy and corporate management
Studying Business alongside subjects such as Mathematics or Economics can also support progression into finance-related careers.
Teaching Staff
Mrs P. Watson – Business Studies
Mrs L. Croft – Business Studies
Mrs S. Airley – Business Studies / BTEC Business
Mr P. Zinzombe – A Level Business and A Level Economics
Contact
For further information about studying Business or Economics in the Sixth Form, please contact:
Mrs P. Watson