Business

Our Vision

Business encourages students to use their knowledge of ‘real life’ business situations and apply them to theory studied during lessons, enabling them to become informed and confident consumers, employees, and entrepreneurs.

Intent

The Business department at Alderbrook aims to instil into our students both our interest in and enjoyment of the courses we offer, as well as increase their awareness and understanding of the topics and issues covering the wider world. We believe that we are preparing students to work in the ever-increasing competitive world.

The programme of study in Business focusses on students applying their knowledge and understanding to business decision making. In planning our curriculum, we create opportunities to embed content and business skills on a continuous basis whilst introducing new concepts. We do this to support students in being able to build a solid foundation of learning. For example, we introduce business-based maths in years 9&10 to equip students with a basic understanding of revenue, costs, and profit this then leads to a more analytical understanding when we study analysing the financial performance of a business in Year 11. Much of the assessment material is based on real business situations. By examining and thinking critically about real business situations as they study the subject, students will gain an insight into different contexts which will help them to develop employability skills for the future.

The specifications we have chosen are aimed at giving students the opportunity to explore real business issues and how businesses work enabling students to access and engage with the world of business.

 

Implementation

Key Stage 4

GCSE Business (AQA)

Business is an engaging course that encourages students to use their knowledge of ‘real life’ business situations and apply them to theory studied during lessons. The GCSE focusses on students applying their knowledge and understanding to business decision making. The specification and assessment encourages students to follow business developments and think critically about contemporary business issues. Most of the assessment material is based on real business situations. By examining and thinking critically about real business situations as they study the subject, students will gain an insight into different contexts which will help them to develop employability skills for the future.

The course is split into the following areas:

  • Business in the real world (covered in year 9 and revisited in year 10&11)
  • Influences on business (covered in year 9 and revisited in year 10&11)
  • Business operations (covered in year 10 and revisited in year 11)
  • Human Resources (covered in year 10 and revisited in year 11)
  • Marketing (covered in year 11)
  • Finance (covered in year 11)

 The course takes an integrated approach with students making links between these subject areas.

The GCSE is examined by two written examinations of 1 hour 45 minutes, both papers are worth 50% of the final grade. There is combination of multiple choice, short questions, data response and case study questions.

 

Why choose to study Business?

Business is a changing subject, so students have the opportunity to study what is happening at the moment. It gives students the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills including, problem solving, decision making, application of numeracy, collaborative thinking, resilience, analytical and evaluative skills. Students have the opportunity to study a wide range of businesses, including small and large businesses, multinationals as well as businesses in several different industries.

A wide number of teaching techniques are used during the course that give students the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways.

 

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

The department offers its students the possibility of competing in a number of business-related challenges throughout the course. The department have links with Worcester University who offer a Business degree course.

KS4 and 5 Interventions – An opportunity after school by invitation for students to have bespoke guided tutoring and the support of their teacher in small groups.

 

Skills for Success and Career Opportunities

Students who have studied Business at A-level could study a wide number of business-related courses such as Business Management, Marketing, Human Resources, International Business, Business and Economics at university. Students may prefer to seek an apprenticeship opportunity in a business where their knowledge of business can be used.

 

Other Qualities and Key Skills

  • A range of transferable skills such as teamwork, research, and communication
  • Numeracy skills by being able to use/interpret business and financial data
  • Self-reliance, initiative, and the ability to manage time when completing tasks
  • The opportunity for personal growth and engagement in learning
  • Entrepreneurial skills
  • Importance of leadership skills in the workplace
  • A range of skills including decision making and creative problem-solving
  • Critical thinking

 

For further information, please contact Mrs Fisher, Curriculum Leader for Business, Computing ICT/Creative iMedia and H&S Care.