Business Studies

Curriculum Intent

Business Studies provides opportunities for transferable skills allowing students a smooth transition from an educational environment to a work environment. Students eyes can be opened to opportunities in the world of work beyond the sometimes-narrow experience of life in Dorset. The subject provides an insight to a multitude of business sectors and departments. At St Edward’s students studying business will develop a range of life skills including: team working, problem solving, independent learning and communication skills whilst instilling confidence in our students to make themselves stand out in a competitive working environment.

Students will take a proactive part in their studies by maintaining a good understanding of current affairs and applying this to their studies on the impact of the external environment on business. Business Studies will also nurture their creative side in developing marketing and promotional campaigns, planning and pitching a business idea whilst also developing their financial acumen when it comes to understanding personal finance in the form of; mortgages, lending, savings and investments.

Students will also have the opportunity to develop employment skills such as CV writing and interview skills in order to be in a strong position to gain employment or continue into higher education. We believe that Business Studies is a living and breathing subject and therefore as a department we must engage with employers so that we remain pro-active in our subject area. We have successfully partnered with Purbeck Ice-Cream, Chococo, and Young Enterprise. We have organised trips to BMW Mini, Cadbury and Thorpe Park.

Key Stage 3

Business is not a discrete subject at Key Stage 3, however prior to the pandemic there have been activities such as  the “Tenner Challenge” which invited groups of students to develop their creative and entrepreneurial skills in setting up small business enterprises to multiply their investment.  In addition, we have conducted “Enterprise Challenges” which is a series of group activities culminating in a half day event where students create and present their own brand of confectionery product to a team of Business Sixth Form judges.

Key Stage 4

The study of GCSE business is a dynamic and fascinating one.  We use contemporary business contexts to provide a real and relevant insight into the running of a business in an ever-changing world.  The course provides students with the opportunity to study small business examples in Theme 1 through to the study of international brands students recognise in Theme 2.

Year 10 – Concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business.  Many young people will be thinking about setting up their own business in the future and this study will provide an excellent insight into the skills and qualities required.  It provides a framework for students to explore concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business.

Year 11 – builds on the first year and examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase.  It explores topics such as marketing, operations, finance and human resources.  It uses these key business concepts to explore the issues and decisions required to help grow a business.  It also considers the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows.  This will include the ethical and social decisions international businesses have to make in a complex globalised economy.

Method of Assessment GCSE

Exam Board: Edexcel

Exam Structure: 2 external examinations (50% each at end of Year 11)

Pathways after Year 11

Business GCSE aims to develop students’ understanding of many concepts and situations that will be encountered after leaving school.  It is an excellent foundation for Advanced Level Courses in Business and Economics, or simply to develop some of the key skills and knowledge required to set up your own business.

Such is the real and relevant use of case studies that students will be more informed of the globalised nature of business and the economy.  This will be important knowledge when pursuing any career in a dynamic economy such as the UK.  The course can also act as a catalyst to pursue careers in areas such as accountancy, marketing, human resources and public relations.

Key Stage 5

Business is studied at A Level.  This course looks at a wide range of inter-related topical issues. The first year of Advanced level study focuses on the key functional areas of business such as marketing, human resources, production, and finance. The second year then uses this prior knowledge to develop strategic decisions investigates business in an international context.  It is a dynamic course where you have to keep a close eye on world events. Indeed, we have to look through a different lens with many topics now as a result of the pandemic over the past year.

Method of Assessment A level

Exam Board: Edexcel

Exam Structure: 3 external examinations:

Marketing, people and global businesses 35%

Business activities, decisions and strategy 35%

Investigating business in a competitive environment 30%

Course Contact

Mr C Kilpatrick

Business Subject Leader