As citizens in 21st Century Britain, we interact with businesses of all shapes and sizes everyday. It is a subject that is recognised internationally and has no geographical boundaries. A knowledge of business and business processes can be useful in many different jobs including roles within the administrative and clerical sector, accountancy, banking and finance, and retail sales and customer services. It can also be useful if you are thinking about setting up your own business or being self-employed in the future.

Miss Parker -Head of Department Computing/ICT and Business
Mrs Hesson -Teacher of Computing/ICT and Business
Mr Mound – Teacher of Business, Assistant Headteacher
Mr Stewart, Teacher of Business, Deputy Headteacher

Students who opt for Business Studies at the end of year 9 will follow the AQA GCSE Business Studies 9-1 course. This is a linear course which means that students will complete exams at the end of the course. In year 10 the course Covers Business in the Real World where students study the role of business enterprise and entrepreneurship and the dynamic nature of business. Influences on business Where students look at the importance of external influences, such as government policy, changes in social trends and technology and how businesses change in response to these influences.
They also study Business operations where they investigate all aspects of production such as managing stock effectively and the use of technology. They also look at what business operations involves, its role within the production of goods and the efficient provision of services.
Finally they study Human Resources ,covering the purpose of human resources, its role within a business and how it influences business activity. It includes training, motivating and developing staff.

In year 11 students study Marketing where they look at the purpose of marketing, its role within business and how it influences business activity. They also investigate the importance of using market research to develop an effective marketing mix is included.
They then go on to develop their knowledge of Business Finance exploring the purpose of finance, its role within business and how it influences business activity. The role of business accounts is included as well as how to analyse these. Study then prepare for their final exams which take place in May and June.

A Level Business – AQA 7131/2
Introduction
This two year course can lead to careers in a wide variety of areas including:
• banking
• retailing
• commerce
• teaching
• administration
• self employment
Studying the subject at GCSE level is not essential, although some of the topics covered at A level are included in the GCSE course, albeit at a lower level. The ability to cope with a variety of questions is essential, as the exams include 25 mark essay type questions as well as shorter answer questions. Good performance at English and Maths GCSE is essential to be able to succeed in A level Business. There will be a lot of reference made to the so-called “higher level” skills of Application, Analysis and Evaluation throughout the course as these are key to success at AS and A level, as well as a thorough knowledge of the subject content.

Learning Plan
After each topic you will have an internal assessment. This will typically consist of a set of multiple choice questions and a data response question.

Year 12 Term 1
Topic 1 – What is business? An introduction to some of the topics that will appear throughout the course and the 4 functional areas of a business: marketing, operations, finance and human resource management.
Topic 2 – Managers, leadership and decision making. Looking at different leadership and management styles and particularly how decisions made in one area can affect the rest of the business. Is one method of leadership always better than another?
Year 12 Term 2
Topic 3 – Decision making to improve marketing performance. How an effective use of the various marketing tools (including the “7Ps”) can increase profitability.
Topic 4 – Decision making to improve operational performance. Can the Operations department cope with a surge in demand? What are the possible challenges it might face and how can they be overcome?
Topic 5 – Decision making to improve financial performance. Using financial accounts (Cash Flow Forecast, Income Statement and a Statement of Financial Position) to plan, monitor and control a business.
Year 12 Term 3
Topic 6 – Decision making to improve human resource performance. Ensuring your recruitment and retention is effective. Are you making the most of your staff?
You will then prepare for the 2 AS level exams that you will sit in May/June. These consist of two 1 hour 30 minute written exams taken at the end of the year.
Both papers will draw on material from the whole course and will feature a range of question styles including multiple choice questions, short answer questions, essay questions, data response questions and case studies.
The results of the AS level do NOT count towards the final A level grade.
After you have completed these you will start the A level course content.

Year 13 Term 1
This year builds upon the knowledge gained in year 12 and focuses on a more detailed investigation of the strategic decisions that all businesses have to make.
Topic 7 – Analysing the strategic position of a business. You will have started this after your year 12 exams. This is a large section of the specification that covers a wide range of areas; from hard-nosed decisions taken on purely financial grounds to decisions that are taken from an ethical perspective.
Year 13 Term 2
Topic 8 – Choosing the strategic direction. Do you focus on your “core” areas or look to take a risk by diversifying? Can you afford to do nothing?
Topic 9 – Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies. Once you have decided on your strategic direction, what is the best way of carrying out your plans? Do you have the necessary functional requirements or are changes necessary?
Topic 10 – Managing strategic change. This combines a large number of previous topics. How do you ensure that your ambitious plans are carried out effectively?
Year 13 Term 3
You will now prepare for your A level exams. A level assessment consists of three two hour written exams taken at the end of the year.
Each exam will be worth a third of the A-level. All three papers will draw on material from the whole course and, as with AS level, will feature a range of question styles including multiple choice questions, short answer questions, essay questions, data response questions and case studies.

Mind Maps, Look-Cover-Remember

A Level

You will complete all the Revision Questions that are set in the core text at the end of each chapter as homework in addition to longer answer questions and revision homework. It is essential that you are revising as you go through the course as it makes life easier when you come to revise for your end of year exams.

GCSE Business Paper 1 and Paper 2

Two equally weighted components of one hour and 45 minutes, worth 90 marks each. The exam will use a mixture of question styles, such as multiple choice, short answer and extended response questions.

A Level Business Studies; Level 3 Applied Business Studies; Business Studies apprenticeship  

Business Studies Learning Journey

AQA GCSE (9-1) Business, Second Edition Paperback – 26 May 2017 by Malcolm Surridge (Author), Andrew Gillespie (Author) https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zvwb382