GCSE Business |
This course aims to: |
- actively engage students in the study of business
- develop independent learners with enquiring minds
- develop critical and reflective thinkers
- develop a knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues
- encourage students to apply their learning to work-related contexts
Why study GCSE BUsiness? |
This course will enable students to:
- 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.
What kind of student is suitable for this course? |
Students most suitable are those who can:
- make a concise report
- make logical links in their learning
- make decisions about an issue
- have some aptitude for maths
- act on advice
- think creatively and independently
- communicate effectively
- solve problems
- utilise ICT to research and present their findings
What career options are opened up by this course? |
Business Studies provides a good basis for a multitude of career options in the commercial world including:
- Business Manager
- Management Consultant
- Entrepreneur
- Banking
- Insurance
- Accountancy
Course Structure |
Students have three hours of lessons per week in mixed gender and mixed ability groups.
The course is made up of two themes; Theme 1: Investigating Small Business and Theme 2: Building a Business
Theme 1:
Theme 1 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. The subject is explored in five main topics;
- Enterprise and entrepreneurship – the dynamic nature of business, the concepts of risk and reward and the skills required for entrepreneurship
- Spotting a business opportunity – how new businesses come about including the key role of market research and understanding the competition
- Putting a business idea into practice – identifying aims and objectives and understanding key financial measures of business performance
- Making the business effective – considering a range of factors that determine business success including location, business planning and the marketing mix
- Understanding external influences on business – consideration of key external factors such as the economy, technology, legislation and the needs of stakeholders
​Theme 2:
Theme 2 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. Theme 2 also considers the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows.
The topics covered in Theme 2 are:
- Growing the business –methods of growth and how and why business aims and objectives change. The impact of globalisation and the ethical and environmental considerations
- Making marketing decisions – each element of the marketing mix is studied in detail
- Making operational decisions –meeting customer needs through the design, supply, quality and sales decisions a business makes
- Making financial decisions – business tools to support financial decision making, including ratio analysis and other financial information
- Making human resource decisions – decisions relating to organisational structure, recruitment, training and motivation are explored
The content is examined via two exam papers in the summer of the second year of the course.
Each paper is scheduled for 1 hour and 45 minutes and the two themes are examined separately.
Key Contacts |
Mr Rydvquist, Head of Business and Economics
craig.rydvquist@wrenacademy.org
Syllabus Specification |