Business Studies

There are two themes students will study:

Theme 1 concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. 

Students are introduced to the dynamic nature of business in relation to how and why business ideas come about. They also explore the impact of risk and reward on business activity and the role of entrepreneurship. 

They will investigate how new and small businesses identify opportunities through understanding customer needs, market research and competition. 

Students will explore a range of factors that impact on the success of the business, including location, the marketing mix and external influences such as stakeholders, technology, legislation and the economy. 

Theme 2 focuses on the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business.

Students are introduced to methods of growth and how and why business aims and objectives change as businesses evolve. The impact of globalisation and the ethical and environmental questions facing businesses are explored. 

Students will investigate how the elements of the marketing mix is managed and used to inform and make business decisions in a competitive marketplace. 

They will focus on how businesses meet customer needs through the design, supply, quality and price.

Students will explore the tools a business has to support financial decision making, including ratio analysis and the use and limitation of a range of financial information. 

They will also investigate organisational structures, recruitment, training and motivation that influence business activity.

There are two exams. Each exam is 1 hour 45 minutes and is 50% towards the students final grade.

Each exam paper is divided into three sections: Section A, B and C. 

The papers will consist of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions. Questions in Sections B and C will be based on business contexts given in the paper. 

Students will sit the exams in May/June of Year 11.

Students will relate the theory in lessons to real life business examples. In class we will use a range of local, national and international businesses. Students are encouraged to pick businesses they are interested in.

There will be a combination of individual and group work throughout the course and students will research businesses using IT along with business related programmes and documentaries to support learning.

Business is a valuable subject as it can lead to many careers. When students leave school or university they will work for or in a business. Examples are accountancy, entrepreneur, marketing, human resources, sales, customer service, logistics, management and many more.

This course provides a valuable insight into how businesses are run and supports apprenticeships, colleges and universities. In school it can lead to A Level Business.