Intent

The Business Studies curriculum is designed to build entrepreneurship and encourage pupils to become risk takers. 

We aim to inspire students to be ambitious and start their own businesses by creating practical and engaging lessons where they learn to analyse financial information, make operational and human resource decisions and create marketing strategies to develop their entrepreneurial skills. The department hopes to broaden student experiences through trips, guest speakers, clubs, and reading resources.

Implementation

Business studies is delivered at Years 10-11.  The holistic teaching of our lessons reflects the collaborative way businesses in the real world work and ensures students gain a clear understanding of each department’s role. Students will consider the practical application of business concepts. The units provide opportunities to explore theories and concepts in the most relevant way, through the context of events in the business and economic world. The knowledge and skills gained from Business will provide students with a firm foundation for their future career.

Assessment Breakdown

Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) in Business (1BS0)

  • Divided into two core themes taking students from start-up foundations to global operations.
    • Theme 1: Investigating Small Business – Covers enterprise and entrepreneurship, spotting business opportunities, putting ideas into practice, making businesses effective, and external influences.
    • Theme 2: Building a Business – Covers growing the business, plus making marketing, operational, financial, and human resource decisions. 
  • Assessment: 100% examination-based, split into two equally weighted papers:
    • Paper 1 (Investigating Small Business): 1 hour 45 minutes (90 marks, 50% of total GCSE).
    • Paper 2 (Building a Business): 1 hour 45 minutes (90 marks, 50% of total GCSE).
    • Question Types: Multiple-choice, calculation, short-answer, and extended-writing questions based on specific business contexts

Unit Covered in Year 10

Theme 1: Investigating Small Business 

Extra-Curricular Trips and Visits

The nature of the subject taught in the department allows plenty of opportunities for students to learn outside the formal classroom environment. Students have participated in The Young Business Leader Programme, which is a Global private initiative. We also offer a range of educational visits and invite speakers from different industries to help their career choices after they complete their course. Business Studies is the highest chosen option at College from George Mitchell School. The Department’s philosophy is to encourage active learning in a variety of contexts.

Enterprise

The department allows plenty of opportunities for students to learn about Enterprise off normal timetable. In year 10, students are able to set up their own Business and design and sell their very own brand of Smoothie or Milkshake. They were involved in the whole Design process as well as Finance and Marketing. Business Leaders were invited in order to select the overall winners.