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Business Studies

This course is only available in Years 10 and 11 as part of the options process.

If you have any questions please contact the staff in the technology and ICT faculty.

Head of Computing and Business Faculty: Mr Higgins

 

Title of qualification

GCSE Business

 

Exam Board

Pearson Edexcel

 

What will I learn?

Theme 1 concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business.  It provides a framework for you to explore core concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business.

· Topic 1.1: Enterprise and entrepreneurship.

· Topic 1.2: Spotting a business opportunity.

· Topic 1.3: Putting a business idea into practice.

· Topic 1.4: Making the business effective.

· Topic 1.5: Understanding external influences on business.

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 an emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources.  It also considers the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows.

· Topic 2.1: Growing the business.

· Topic 2.2: Making marketing decisions.

· Topic 2.3: Making operational decisions.

· Topic 2.4: Making financial decisions.

· Topic 2.5: Making human resource decisions.

 

How will this course be assessed?

 Examination

· Paper 1: Investigating small business (1 hour 45 mins, 50%)

· Paper 2: Building a business  (1 hour 45 mins, 50%)

 

What skills do I need?

· Able to apply knowledge and understanding in different business context.

· Have a high standard of written communication and the understanding of the need to develop and produce long written essay style questions to evaluate and justify in the exam. This skill will be developed throughout the course.

· Able to use mathematical skills to work out financial calculations.

 

What is next for me after this course?

You can progress from this qualification to a number of different academic and vocational qualifications at level 3, including A-levels in business, history, geography, economics and psychology and BTEC Nationals in business.  The knowledge and skills gained from GCSE business support students’ entry into employment or other training in specific aspects of business, such as apprenticeships and vocational qualifications which focus on more specialised business areas.

GCSE business provides a strong foundation for employment, with students progressing, with further training, to a wide range of careers training such as banking, sales, product management and general management.

 

Are there any restrictions with this course?

None.

Queries?

For more information about the curriculum at Westfield, please contact enquiries@westfield.chorustrust.org.