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KS4: GCSE Business Studies

Intent

All businesses need employees to drive their organisations forward, to have ideas and initiatives to instigate growth, and to ensure that businesses survive in this fast-changing world. Business Studies allows students to look at various aspects of the business world, from starting their own business to understanding what the various business departments actually do and gives them a broad understanding of some of the techniques and roles that they may one day find themselves completing in their working lives. It introduces the students to various new terminology and gives them a broad understanding of the working world and the external environment that it operates in. Business skills provide a fantastic progression pathway into a number of roles in an organisation and are transferable into all businesses.

Students are taught over 2 lessons a week

  • Module 1 – 1.1 – Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
  • Module 2 – 1.2 – Spotting a business opportunity
  • Module 3 – 1.3 – Putting a business idea into practice
  • Module 4 – 1.4 – Making the business effective
  • Module 5 – 1.5 – Understanding external influences
  • Module 6 – 2.1 – Growing the business

Students are taught over 2 lessons a week

  • Module 1 – 2.2 – Making Marketing Decisions
  • Module 2 – 2.3 – Making Operational Decisions
  • Module 3 – 2.4 – Making Financial Decisions
  • Module 4 – 2.5 – Making Human Resource Decisions
  • Module 5 – Examination Preparation and Revision

Implementation

Various methods will be used to allow students to grasp the content which is being delivered. Interactive games and tasks where possible will be used to engage learning and to allow students to use their new found knowledge and skills. During this time we will be looking to develop key analytical skills and develop the students ability to apply their knowledge to real life scenarios and case studies.

Impact

Students will be supported with a number of different types of assessment materials to ensure they reach their full potential.

Students will have the chance to understand some of the key areas that are concerning the workforce at the moment, such as developing an understanding of some of the key economic factors that affect business and the workforce, alongside understanding some of the impacts that this has on the businesses that surround us, both in the UK and globally.

What’s assessed

  • 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

How it’s assessed

  • Written Exam
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 50% of overall grade

What’s assessed

  • 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 it’s assessed

  • Written Exam
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 50% of overall grade

Throughout years 10 and 11, students will be regularly assessed. This can take the form of short tests, exam style questions, classwork activities and/or homework tasks that have been set. At the end of year 10 students will sit a set of mock examinations in all subjects. Then in year 11, students will have two sets of mock examinations; one in module 2 and one in module 3.

  • AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of business concepts and issues.
  • AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of business concepts and issues to a variety of contexts.
  • AO3: Analyse and evaluate business information and issues to demonstrate understanding of business activity, make judgements and draw conclusions.

Additional Resources

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KS5: A Level Business Studies

Intent

Students are introduced to business in Themes 1 and 2 through building knowledge of core business concepts and applying them to business contexts to develop a broad understanding of how businesses work. Breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, with applications to a wider range of contexts and more complex business information, are developed in Themes 3 and 4, requiring students to take a more strategic view of business opportunities and issues.

Students are taught over 5 lessons a week

  • Module 1 – Theme 1: Marketing and People
  • Module 2 – Theme 1: Marketing and People
  • Module 3 – Theme 2: Managing Business Activities
  • Module 4 – Theme 2: Managing Business Activities
  • Module 5 – Theme 3: Business Decisions and Strategy
  • Module 6 – Examination Preparation and Revision

Students are taught over 5 lessons a week

  • Module 1 – Theme 3: Business Decisions and Strategy
  • Module 2 – Theme 4: Global Business
  • Module 3 – Theme 4: Global Business
  • Module 4 – Examination Preparation and Revision
  • Module 5 – Examination Preparation and Revision

Implementation

Various methods will be used to allow students to grasp the content which is being delivered. Interactive games and tasks where possible will be used to engage learning and to allow students to use their new found knowledge and skills. During this time we will be looking to develop key analytical skills and develop the students ability to apply their knowledge to real life scenarios and case studies.

Impact

Students will be supported with a number of different types of assessment materials to ensure they reach their full potential.

Students are given the chance to develop from GCSE or form new knowledge of Businesses and the Business Environment. This will allow them to understand the external environment the business operates in and develop their analytical and application skills. This will allow them to develop written responses and their ability to argue to a justified conclusion and form a logical chain of reasoning and understanding of the business environment.

What’s assessed

Paper 1 will assess marketing, people and global businesses. Questions will be drawn from Themes 1 and 4, and from local, national and global contexts.

How it’s assessed

  • Written Exam
  • 2 hours
  • 35% of overall grade

What’s assessed

Paper 2 will assess business finance and operations, business decisions and strategy. Questions will be drawn from Themes 2 and 3, and from local, national and global contexts.

How it’s assessed

  • Written Exam
  • 2 hours
  • 35% of overall grade

What’s assessed

Paper 3 will assess content across all four themes. Questions will be drawn from local, national and global contexts.

For Paper 3, there will be a pre-released context document issued on our website in November of the previous year. A new context will be given to centres each year and will relate to the examination series for the following summer.

The context will focus on a broad context, such as an industry or market in which businesses operate. The question paper will be in two sections.

The first section will focus on the broad context provided. This will be outlined to centres through the pre-released document. Questions will focus on the broad Context. The second section will focus on at least one strand within the context provided, such as a particular business.

Each section will contain unseen stimulus materials comprising quantitative and qualitative evidence. Students are required to apply their knowledge and understanding from Themes 1, 2, 3 and 4 and their understanding of the broad context to this evidence. 

Students cannot take any of their research or investigation data carried out as part of the pre-release into the examination.

How it’s assessed

  • Written Exam
  • 2 hours
  • 30% of overall grade

Throughout years 12 and 13, students will be regularly assessed. This can take the form of short tests, exam style questions, classwork activities and/or homework tasks that have been set. At the end of year 12 students will sit a set of mock examinations in all subjects. Then in year 13, students will have two sets of mock examinations; one in module 2 and one in module 3.

  • AO1: Demonstrate knowledge of terms, concepts, theories, methods and models to show an understanding of how individuals and organisations are affected by and respond to business issues
  • AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding to various business contexts to show how individuals and organisations are affected by and respond to issues
  • AO3: Analyse issues within business, showing an understanding of the impact on individuals and organisations of external and internal influences
  • AO4: Evaluate qualitative and quantitative evidence to make informed judgements and propose evidence-based solutions to business issues

Exam Board Information

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KS5: A Level Economics

Intent

To enable students to: 

  • develop an interest in, and enthusiasm for, the subject 
  • appreciate the contribution of economics to the understanding of the wider economic and social environment 
  • develop an understanding of a range of concepts and an ability to use those concepts in a variety of different contexts 
  • use an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to the study of economics and develop an ability to think as an economist 
  • understand that economic behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives 
  • develop analytical and quantitative skills, together with qualities and attitudes that will equip them for the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities of adult and working life.

Students are taught over 5 lessons a week

  • Module 1
    • Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure Including nature of economics
    • Theme 2: The UK economy – performance and policies – including measures of economic performance
  • Module 2
    • Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure Including how markets work
    • Theme 2: The UK economy – performance and policies – including aggregate demand and aggregate supply
  • Module 3
    • Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure Introducing market failure
    • Theme 2: The UK economy – performance and policies – including national income
  • Module 4
    • Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure with focus on market failure
    • Theme 2: The UK economy – performance and policies – including economic growth
  • Module 5
    • Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure Including government intervention
    • Theme 2: The UK economy – performance and policies – including measures of macroeconomic objectives and policy
  • Module 6
    • Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market – business growth
    • Theme 4: A global perspective – International economics

Students are taught over 5 lessons a week

  • Module 1
    • Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market – business objectives
    • Theme 4 : Theme 4: A global perspective – poverty and inequality
  • Module 2
    • Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market – revenues cost and profits
    • Theme 4: A global perspective – emerging and developing economies
  • Module 3
    • Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market – market structures
    • Theme 4: A global perspective – The financial sector
  • Module 4
    • Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market – labour markets
    • Theme 4: A global perspective – the role of state in the macroeconomy
  • Module 5
    • Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market – government intervention and revision
    • Theme 4: A global perspective – Role of state in the macroeconomy and revision

Implementation

Various methods will be used to allow students to grasp the content which is being delivered. Interactive games and tasks where possible will be used to engage learning and to allow students to use their new found knowledge and skills. During this time we will be looking to develop key analytical skills and develop the students ability to apply their knowledge to real life scenarios and case studies.

Impact

Students will be supported with a number of different types of assessment materials to ensure they reach their full potential.

Students build knowledge and understanding of core economic models and concepts in Themes 1 and 2, and then build on this and apply their knowledge to more complex concepts and models in Themes 3 and 4. Students will need to apply their knowledge and understanding to both familiar and unfamiliar contexts in the assessments and demonstrate an awareness of current economic events and policies.

What’s assessed

Paper 1 will assess microeconomics and questions will be drawn from Themes 1 and 3.

How it’s assessed

  • Written Exam
  • 2 hours
  • 35% of overall grade

What’s assessed

Paper 2 will assess macroeconomics and questions will be drawn from Themes 2 and 4.

How it’s assessed

  • Written Exam
  • 2 hours
  • 35% of overall grade

What’s assessed

Paper 3 will assess content across all four themes.

Students are required to apply their knowledge and understanding, make connections and transfer higher-order skills across all four themes.

How it’s assessed

  • Written Exam
  • 2 hours
  • 30% of overall grade

Throughout years 12 and 13, students will be regularly assessed. This can take the form of short tests, exam style questions, classwork activities and/or homework tasks that have been set. At the end of year 12 students will sit a set of mock examinations in all subjects. Then in year 13, students will have two sets of mock examinations; one in module 2 and one in module 3.

Assessment Objectives

  • AO1: Demonstrate knowledge of terms/concepts and theories/models to show an understanding of the behaviour of economic agents and how they are affected by and respond to economic issues
  • AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding to various economic contexts to show how economic agents are affected by and respond to economic issues
  • AO3: Analyse issues within economics, showing an understanding of their impact on economic agents
  • AO4: Evaluate economic arguments and use qualitative and quantitative evidence to support informed judgements relating to economic issues.

Exam Board Information