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Business and Economics

We study Business Studies through themes according to business contexts to ensure a holistic approach is adopted throughout the course of study. This develops students’ understanding of the interdependent nature of business activity, business operations, finance, marketing and human resources as well as external influences within a business context. It also supports students in applying their knowledge and understanding of how these interdependencies underpin business decision making.

Students must draw on their knowledge and understanding to apply a range of quantitative skills relevant to business contexts. This includes calculations and the interpretation, use and limitation of quantitative and qualitative data in business contexts to support, inform and justify business decisions. 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.

Principles

In Business Studies students will learn their subject by:

Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of business concepts and issues.
Applying knowledge and understanding of business concepts and issues to a variety of contexts.
Evaluating business information and issues to demonstrate understanding of business activity, make judgements and draw conclusions.
Carrying out calculations in a business context.
Interpreting and using quantitative data in business contexts to support, inform and justify business decisions.

Key Stage 4 content

GCSE Business

The qualification consists of two themes. 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. In this theme, students will be introduced to local and national business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions.

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. In this theme, students will be introduced to national and global business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions.

Key Stage 5 content

A Level Business

GCE in Business is structured into four themes and consists of three externally examined papers. 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.

BTEC Business

Technical qualifications in Business develops students’ core skills and understanding of the requirements of the business sector. Students gain hands-on experience and have the opportunity to focus on specific topics such as human resources, marketing, accounting and business planning.

A Level Economics

Economics is not simply all about numbers. It is important as it’s the study of the world around us from a social, financial and cultural perspective, gaining an understanding of economic theories and interrelationships between macro and micro economic issues.

Economics content encourages the learners to ‘think as economists’ and develop the appropriate range of analytical, questioning and reasoning skills to achieve this objective. In addition the qualification will enable learners to develop strong grounding in both microeconomics and macroeconomics, drawing on local, national and global contexts.