Business

Through the Business GCSE, we develop students who are engaged in the world of business and excited about the career opportunities that are opened up for them. Through the course, students learn about many of the different aspects of running a business, applying that knowledge and understanding to contemporary business issues and to different types and sizes of businesses in local, national and global contexts.

Course Outline

The course is split into two themes.

Theme 1: Investigating small business

This theme concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. The primary topics it covers are:

  • Enterprise and entrepreneurship
  • Spotting a business opportunity
  • Putting a business idea into practice
  • Making the business effective
  • Understanding external influences on business

Theme 2: Understanding external influences on business

Theme 2 examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase. It focuses on the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business, with emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. The topics it covers are:

  • Growing the business
  • Making marketing decisions
  • Making operational decisions
  • Making financial decisions
  • Making human resource decisions

Assessment

Students complete 2 exams at the end of year 11.

Paper 1 focuses on theme 1: Investigating a small business

Paper 2 focuses on theme 2: Building a business

Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes in length and accounts for 50% of the marks.

Grading System

Level 1 – 9

Progression to Sixth Form

Business is one of the most popular A Level subjects. The A Level course builds on the knowledge and skills that are covered in the GCSE course, with more of an emphasis on developing students’ analytical and evaluation skills as well as their judgement on issues relating to business.

Future Career Links

The knowledge and skills that students gain through GCSE Business are relevant for most roles and careers students pursue when they leave school. These could include:

  • Accountancy and financial services
  • Law
  • Marketing and digital communications
  • Management
  • Human Resources
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