Business
Business is front-page news. The way companies operate is under greater scrutiny than ever before, while TV programmes like The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den have raised the profile of Business to a new generation. This course brings business up-to-date, enabling you to engage with, explore and understand business behaviour and develop a critical understanding of what business is and does.
Students will explore the world of small businesses through the lens of an entrepreneur. How and why do business ideas come about? What makes a successful business? They will learn how to develop an idea, spot an opportunity and turn it into a successful business. They will understand how to make a business effective, manage money and see how the world around us affects small businesses and all the people involved. Then they will learn about business growth. How does a business develop beyond the start-up phase? They will learn about key business concepts and issues and decisions you need to make when growing a business and working in a global business. They will learn about meeting customer needs, making marketing, operational, financial and human resourcing decisions and they will explore how the wider world impacts the business as it grows.
Click here for our curriculum intent.
Assessment at KS4:
Paper 1: Investigating small business
- Written exam: 90 minutes, 90 marks
- 50% of the total GCSE
Topics include:
- Enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Spotting a business opportunity
- Putting a business idea into practice
- Making the business effective
- Understanding external influences on business
Paper 2: Building a business
- Written exam: 90 minutes, 90 marks
- 50% of the total GCSE
Topics include:
- Growing the business
- Making marketing decisions
- Making operational decisions
- Making financial decisions
- Making human resource decisions
Beyond the classroom
- Business Enterprise Days
- Entry to The National Enterprise Competition
- Business Mentoring
