BUSINESS STUDIES & ECONOMICS

OUR CURRICULUM INTENT

In Business and Economics our students are taken on a journey where theory is brought to life through current affairs and students are able to deliberate on decisions that will create the best outcomes for businesses and economies on local, national and global scales. Our students are taught to apply their numeracy skills to interrogate the financial standings of a business/economy through the use of real-world economic models. 

Our students will also understand the need for ethical considerations and its place in the real world. In the long term our students should have the ability to contribute to the ever-changing nature of business dynamics and the economic world.  

Key Stage 4 

GCSE Business Studies

In GCSE Business, the course will provide students with a basic understanding of how businesses work and the complex nature of decision making. 

In year 10, pupils will study theme 1 which concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. It provides a framework for students to explore core concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business.

In this theme, students will be introduced to local and national business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions. Local contexts refer specifically to small businesses or those operating in a single UK location and national contexts relate to businesses operating in more than one location or across the UK. Students will develop an understanding of the interdependent nature of business activity through interactions between business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, as well as the relationship between the business and the environment in which it operates.

In year 11, pupils study theme 2 which examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase. It focuses on the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business, with emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. In addition, pupils will consider the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows.

At the end of Year 11 students will complete two externally assessed exams (Theme 1 and Theme 2). Each exam is 1h 45 minutes and is worth 90 marks.

Examination Board : KS4 : Business Studies - Pearson (EdExcel)

GCSE Economics

This course enables pupils to look at economic activity through the lens of consumers, producers, government and the workings of the global economy. 

Economics is about choice and the impact our choices have on each other. It relates to every aspect of our lives, from the decisions we make as individuals or families to those taken by governments and businesses. It is about scarcity and the problem of resource allocation. Students learn economic theories and develop their ability to apply the knowledge to real life situations at a local, national and global level.  Pupils develop quantitative skills relevant to the subject content and use calculations from economic data to be able to interpret data presented in the form of graphs and charts.

In Year 10 pupils will focus on the following: 

• How Markets Works

• Economic Foundations

• Resource Allocation

• How Prices are Determined

• Production, Costs, Revenue and Profits

• Competitive and Concentrated Markets

• Market Failure

In Year 11 pupils will focus on the following: 

• How the Economy Works

• Introduction to the National Economy

• Government Objectives

• How the Government Manages the Economy

• International trade and the Global Economy

• The Role of Money and Financial Markets

Examination Board : KS4 : Economics - (AQA)

Key Stage 5

A Level Business 

Why is the UK struggling with inflation? What is causing interest rates to rise? Did the pandemic cause a recession? Who is profiting from the cost of living crisis? A set of company accounts shows that despite a turn over £1.3m last year; they are not making a profit; why? Are managers worth high salaries? Why don’t women earn as much as men? Is globalisation good or bad for consumers?  

This course enables students to think critically, analytically and creatively while developing their problem-solving abilities.

Students will gain an insight into the dynamic world of business and achieve a holistic understanding of business in a range of contexts, developing a critical understanding of organisations and their ability to meet society’s needs and wants. This course will support pupils to appreciate how and why business decisions are made and how they affect a variety of people – both within the business and external. 

Many of our students have successfully gone on to studying at a higher level in the following subject areas: business management, accountancy and finance, economics, human resource management and many more. 

Students are introduced to business in Themes 1 and 2 in year 12 through building knowledge of core business concepts and applying them to business contexts to develop a broad understanding of how businesses work. In year 13, Themes 3 and 4, students to take a more strategic view of business opportunities and issues.

• Paper 1 Marketing, people and global business 35%  

• Paper 2 Business activities, decisions and strategy 35%  

• Paper 3 Investigating business in a competitive environment 30%

Examination Boards : KS5 : GCE A Level Business Studies - Pearson (EdExcel)

BTEC Business 

The BTEC programme is a good alternative to A-level and is ideal for students who prefer to complete assignments and exams. This course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the operations and structures of businesses and also to equip students with the skills required to succeed in employment or at university. The course will involve businesses in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The first year of the course covers an introductory unit called exploring business and another unit based around what goes into a marketing campaign. These units offer students the opportunity to complete a written assignment and a controlled assessment. During the second part of the course—students will focus on what goes into recruitment, selection and employment; before taking a closer look at personal and business finances.

Examination Boards : KS5 : BTEC Business Studies - Pearson (EdExcel)

A level Economics 

What is causing interest rates to rise? The Bank of England target for inflation is 2%, so how is it that this figure is so hard to maintain? And why is inflation important? If prices go up, why can’t we have wage increases to match? How will the government tackle the cost of living crisis? Why doesn't the government spend more money on education and health care? How do you put a cost on the environmental impact of economic activity? How do firms behave when under the threat of competition? How can we continue to meet ever increasing wants and needs from finite economic resources? Will studying Economics mean I will earn more money? 

During the course of study, pupils will be encouraged to develop a critical approach to economic models and methods of enquiry. Students will acquire a good knowledge of trends and developments in the economy which have taken place over the past fifteen years and also have an awareness of earlier events where this helps to give recent developments a longer-term perspective.

The course covers the breadth of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students will learn about a range of topics including price determination in a competitive market, understanding effective production and how it relates to cost and revenue and the International economy.  Many of our students have successfully gone on to studying economics at a degree level. 

100% exam based. There are three exam papers that will assess the content over the last 2 years. 

• Paper 1: Markets and business behaviour

• Paper 2: The national and global economy

• Paper 3: Microeconomics and macroeconomics

Examination Boards : KS5 : GCE A Level Economics - Pearson (EdExcel)

EXTRA CURRICULAR & ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Tenner Challenge for KS4

• Bank of England visit

• Escape Room for KS5