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Business Studies

Curriculum Overview

Vision

"To ignite curiosity, discover potential, and flourish as ethical business leaders."

This vision statement encapsulates the idea of igniting students' passion for business and helping them discover their full potential. By fostering an environment of learning and exploration, Business Studies programs can help students grow and flourish as confident, competent, and ethical business leaders who are equipped to drive positive change in the world.

 

Curriculum Map

Year 10

In Year 10 the curriculum focuses on key skills for success in enterprise and entrepreneurship including:

  • Spotting business opportunities - learning to identify and assess market opportunities.

  • Turning ideas into practice - understanding how to turn a business idea into a functioning enterprise.

  • Optimising business effectiveness - focusing on efficient management and continuous improvement.

  • External influences on business - examining factors like the economy, competition, and regulations.

  • Marketing decisions - developing skills for effective market research, branding, and customer targeting.

  • Practical application - applying knowledge through mock business scenarios.

  • Review and reflection - reflect on decisions and strategies to improve performance.

 

Year 11

In Year 11 the curriculum focuses on the key areas of growing and managing a business including:

  • Growing the business - learn strategies for scaling a business and driving growth.

  • Making operational decisions - understand how to manage day-to-day operations efficiently.

  • Making financial decisions - develop the skills to make sound financial choices, including budgeting and forecasting.

  • Making Human Resource decisions - gain insight into effective recruitment, management, and development of employees.

This curriculum provides students with the tools to make critical decisions in business management, ensuring sustainable growth and success.

 

A Level

This curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of key business management concepts, preparing students to navigate the complexities of the modern business world. It begins with an exploration of how businesses meet customer needs through market research and feedback, followed by market analysis to assess trends and target demographics. Students will then study the marketing mix and strategy, learning how to effectively combine product, price, place, and promotion to deliver value.

The course also covers managing people, focusing on leadership, organisational behaviour, and human resource strategies to support and motivate employees. Students will examine entrepreneurship and leadership, as well as the methods businesses use to raise finance, including venture capital and crowdfunding. The financial planning module will teach students how to manage budgets, cash flow, and costs, while managing finance will focus on financial decision-making, performance evaluation, and investment strategies.

Operations management will be explored through process optimisation, supply chain management, and efficiency improvements. The curriculum also addresses the external factors impacting business, including globalisation, economic trends, and legal considerations. Students will learn to set business objectives, develop growth strategies, and make informed decisions in response to market changes and competitive pressures.

By the end of the course, students will have the skills to effectively manage business operations, finances, marketing strategies, and human resources, ensuring they are equipped to lead and grow organisations in a competitive, global environment.

 

Assessments

Year 10

Autumn Term

1.1 Enterprise and entrepreneurship

1.2 Spotting a business opportunity

1.3 Putting a business idea into practice

 

Spring Term

1.4 Making a business effective

1.5 Understanding external influences on business

 

Summer Term

Mocks

2.2 Making marketing decisions

Review mock

2.2 Making marketing decisions

 

Year 11

Autumn Term

2.1 Growing the business

2.3 Making operational decisions

2.4 Making financial decisions

Mocks

 

Spring Term

Review mock

2.5 Making human resource decisions

Revision

 

Summer Term

 

GCSEs -

Paper 1

1 hour 45 minutes

Year 10 content (1.1 - 1.5)

Section A - short answer questions

Section B / Section C - case study about a business and all questions based on this business

 

Paper 2

1 hour 45 minutes

Year 11 content (2.1 - 2.5)

Section A - short answer questions

Section B / Section C - case study about a business and all questions based on this business

 

Year 12

Autumn Term

1.1 Meeting customer needs

1.2 Market

1.3 Marketing mix and strategy

1.4 Managing people

1.5 Entrepreneurs and leaders

 

Spring Term

2.1 Raising finance

2.2 Financial planning

2.3 Managing finance

2.4 Operations management 

 

Summer Term

Mocks

2.5 External influences

Review mock

4.1 Globalisation

4.2 Global markets and business expansion

 

YEAR 13

Autumn Term

4.3 Global marketing

4.4 Global industries and companies (multinational companies)

3.1 Business objectives and strategy

3.2 Business growth

3.3 Decision-making techniques

3.4 Influences on business decisions

Mocks 

 

Spring Term

3.5 Assessing competitiveness

3.6 Managing change

Revision