Main School

Business

Business Studies

We aim to develop our students’ understanding of various Business concepts, developing our students into the future businesspeople of tomorrow. We look at how a business is created, marketed, staffed and take a dip into the world of finance.

As a department, our intent is to ensure that our curriculum provides students with the effective opportunities to:

  • enjoy a knowledge-rich curriculum and explore the best that has been said and done in the field of business
  • research relevant businesses locally and nationally and globally
  • allow our students to meet with business owners to deepen their own understanding of the curriculum
  • provide our students with an array of transferable knowledge which will aid them in their further learning, employment or apprenticeships through delivering presentation, written reports and self-review

The business curriculum is underpinned by the following key business concepts and themes. These concepts/themes are revisited in each unit in order for students to connect prior learning with new:

  • role of Entrepreneurs in business activity
  • ownership types
  • growth
  • stakeholders
  • marketing
  • 4ps
  • market research
  • role of HR
  • training and development
  • organisation structures and ways of working in the modern day
  • discrimination
  • operations including production methods
  • customer service
  • sales process
  • sources of finance
  • financial documentation, cash flow, break even, profit and loss and ARR
  • profitability calculations
  • liquidity
  • global influences on business
  • ethics and the environment
  • interest rates and inflation
  • globalisation
  • business strategy and decision making 

Key Stage 4 - Years 10 & 11

Our GCSE in Business equips students with the skills and confidence to explore how different business situations affect decision-making. They develop their understanding of concepts, objectives and terminology, and the impact of contemporary issues on business operations.

Students who achieve a Grade 6 can go on to study Business at A-level or use their skills in the world of work.

Through KS4 students will cover, business activity, marketing, HR, operations, finance and global influences.

KS4 Objectives:

  • know and understand business concepts, business terminology, business objectives, the integrated nature of business activity and the impact of business on individuals and wider society
  • apply knowledge and understanding to contemporary business issues and to different types and sizes of businesses in local, national and global contexts
  • develop as enterprising individuals with the ability to think commercially and creatively to demonstrate business acumen, and draw on evidence to make informed business decisions and solve business problems
  • develop as effective and independent students, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds
  • use an enquiring, critical approach to make informed judgements
  • investigate and analyse real business opportunities and issues to construct well-argued, well-evidenced, balanced and structured arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of business
  • develop and apply quantitative skills relevant to business, including using and interpreting data

Specification and Exam board: GCSE OCR 9-1 Business

Business Key Stage 4 Curriculum Business staff info 2022 Business Key Stage 4 student work