As students leave education and make their way through life, most will work as an employee or even as an employer, within a business of some description. All will be consumers of products or services sold by a business. So, an understanding for how the world around them works will be important for all students.
Within the Personal Development (PSHE) programme, students are taught elements of personal finance, but the study of GCSE Business Studies takes this further and educates students about the structures of businesses and their wider responsibilities.
Students apply their knowledge and understanding to different business contexts ranging from small enterprises to large multinationals and businesses operating in local, national and global contexts. Students develop an understanding of how these contexts impact on business behaviour.
Year |
Half term |
Topics studied; skills and knowledge |
How this will be assessed |
10 |
Autumn - 1 |
Business in the Real World |
Mid-term test |
Autumn - 2 |
|
End of topic exam-style paper |
|
Spring - 1 |
Influences on Business |
Mid-term test |
|
Spring - 2 |
|
End of topic exam-style paper |
|
Summer - 1 |
Business Operations |
Mid-term test |
|
Summer - 2 |
|
End of topic exam-style paper |
|
11 |
Autumn - 1 |
Human Resources/Marketing |
Mid-term test |
Autumn - 2 |
Human Resources/Marketing |
End of topic exam-style paper |
|
Spring - 1 |
Finance |
Mid-term test |
|
Spring - 2 |
Finance |
End of topic exam-style paper |
|
Summer - 1 |
Revision |
|
|
Summer - 2 |
Period of Formal Examinations |
As below |
Homework will be set regularly and involve researching lesson topics with the emphasis on real-world and current affairs. It will increasingly involve writing skills and essay planning in preparation for the exams.
There are two papers each lasting 1hr and 45mins.
Section A has multiple choice questions and short answer questions worth 20 marks.
Section B has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 34 marks.
Section C has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 36 marks.
Paper 1 & 2
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
90 marks
Each is 50% of GCSE
Paper 1
Paper 2
External visits by businesspeople and entrepreneurs in ‘informal’ Q & A sessions after school.
Visits to various business premises to experience and investigate genuine business issues and solutions.
Students can be encouraged to notice and understand relevant current affairs news concerning the business and economic environment locally, nationally and globally. Students should take an interest in the news and read a newspaper or current affairs website. Encourage an involvement in domestic financial choices such as fuel prices, the cost of living and how money is earned and spent.
Access to a personal computer or laptop will enable students to participate interactively with learning material and collaborate in class activities outside the classroom.
Business studies includes financial management exercises and tasks and promotes mathematical, logical and analytical thinking. It links with Mathematics, and Computer Science as well as introducing elements of Economics.