Business Studies

Business studies is a dynamic and ever-changing subject and covers broad topical issues from the global economy to getting hired and the importance of people to a workplace. We teach over 200 students from Y9-Y13, and imbed business studies through varied working environments, using classroom technology and creative learning opportunities throughout the learning journey. We encourage every student to achieve their full potential within a friendly yet determined environment.  

Our curriculum is implemented in many ways including taught lessons and project based learning opportunities. Recent projects have included The Chocolate Project, The Cereal Project and The Theme Park Project. Out of class experiences have included pupils undertaking primary research in the Town Centre and a visit to Cadbury’s World. 

In Key Stage 5 business studies, you can decide to study two different pathways; Edexcel BTEC Business Extended Certificate or Edexcel A Level Business. In both courses, we encourage visits to local and national businesses, as well as Open Days at Universities within the West Midlands. Within BTEC Business students are able to complete coursework units alongside external assessments, which help to balance out the demanding nature of examinations in Year 13. Within A Level business studies, students are equipped with the skills to approach final assessments in Year 13 with confidence.   

Exam Board and Specification Code 

Edexcel A Level Business Studies (9BS0) 

What skills do I need? 

• develop an enthusiasm for studying business 

• gain an holistic understanding of business in a range of contexts 

• develop a critical understanding of organisations and their ability to meet society’s needs and wants 

• understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives 

• be aware of the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by organisations and individuals 

• acquire a range of relevant business and generic skills, including decision making, problem solving, the challenging of assumptions and critical analysis 

• apply numerical skills in a range of business contexts. 

How is the course assessed? 
The course is assessed by three written papers. Both papers are 2 hours in length: 

• Paper 1 Marketing, People and Global Businesses, consists of 4, 10, 12 and 20 mark questions. Questions will be drawn from Themes 1 and 4, and from local, national and global contexts. This paper is worth 35% of the total marks. 

• Paper 2 Growing a Business, consists of 4, 10, 12 and 20 marks questions. Questions will be drawn from Themes 2 and 3, and from local, national and global contexts. This paper is worth 35% of the total marks. 

• Paper 3 Growing a Business, consists of 8, 10, 12 and 20 marks questions. This paper will assess content across all four themes. Questions will be drawn from local, national and global contexts. This paper is worth 30% of the total marks. 

Each of the questions will be assessed against AO1 (knowledge), AO2 (application), AO3 (Analysis) and AO4 (Evaluation). 

Exam Board and Specification Code 

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Business 

What will I do? 

All learners will study 3 mandatory units and 1 optional as follows: 

• Unit 1 – Exploring Business 

• Unit 2 – Developing a Marketing Campaign 

• Unit 3 – Personal and Business Finance  

• Unit 8 – Recruitment and Selection Process 

How is the course assessed? 

• Unit 1 – Exploring Business – A mandatory piece of coursework. 

• Unit 2 – Developing a Marketing Campaign – A mandatory externally assessed element 

• Unit 3 – Personal and Business Finance – A mandatory externally assessment element  

• Unit 8 – Recruitment and Selection Process – An optional unit which has been chosen by our department to complete the qualification