Examination Board: AQA
Who to speak to:
Mr Lee
The aim of this course is for students to gain the knowledge and understanding of how the business world works. If students are intrigued by the types of discussions seen in Dragons’ Den or The Apprentice, then they will enjoy many aspects of this course. We cannot guarantee that students will become millionaires, but the course will provide a real insight into the business world.
Students will need to apply strong analytical and evaluative skills to much of the course. They will work independently on a number of inquiry-based activities, thinking critically and reflecting on different circumstances in order to make informed business recommendations. Students will use both literacy and numeracy skills, a requirement of the course is to write extended responses to questions. Confidence in using basic formula substitution and the use of ratios is essential in the financial aspects of this course.
This course is suitable for students of all ability levels. For all students there will be regular past paper assessments to allow them to monitor their own progress against standardised assessment criteria.
Students aiming for Grade 3 and higher will be well supported with sentence structures to help craft written responses, activities that are differentiated, enabling students to choose their starting point and level of difficulty.
As students approach the examinations we offer both targeted and general revision sessions after school and at key times during tutor periods.
The subject aims for students to learn and apply their knowledge in a range of different business contexts, ranging from small local business to transnational corporations. They will start by exploring the world of small businesses through the lens of an entrepreneur. They will investigate; how and why business ideas come about and what makes a successful business. They will learn how to develop an idea, spot an opportunity and turn it into a successful business. They will understand how to make a business effective, manage the finances and see how the world around us affects small businesses and all the people involved.
Then students move on to investigating business growth. Considering the main topic of how does a business develop beyond the start-up phase? They will learn about key business concepts, issues and decisions they need to make when growing a business and working in a global environment. They will learn about meeting customer needs, making decisions regarding marketing, operations, financial and human resourcing and they will explore how the wider world impacts the business as it grows.
Over the two years you will study:
The real world of Business
Influences on Business
Business Operations
Human Resources
Marketing
Finance
We study the AQA specification for Business Studies. It is assessed through two equally weighted exam papers.
For those students who may want to run or manage a business in the future this would be a great course. There really is something for everyone, as most of us one day will work for a business and this course provides a great introduction to the world of business.
Marketing, advertising, public relations, online retail, accountancy, law and the leisure and tourism industry are just some of the careers/industries our previous students have undertaken and entered.