Business Studies
Core Subjects
Additional Subjects
In the Business Studies department, students are encouraged to always be aware of business events that are happening in the local and national news, to help them put what they have been learning in the classroom into a real context.
GCSE Business Studies
We follow the AQA GCSE Business Studies course. This comprises of the following units:-
Business in the real world
Looking at why people start a business and the skills required.
- Different business types.
- How to plan a business and why it is so important
- Stakeholders of a business
- How businesses choose the best location
- How businesses grow
Influences on business
Looking at how things that are beyond the business’ control can affect them for example:
- The economy
- Globalisation
- Ethical Considerations in running a business
- How new technology can affect business
- How a business can deal with competition.
- How the law effects business
Business Operations
Methods of producing goods and choosing the best method
- Stock control
- Picking the best supplier
- Logistics and supply chains
- How to maintain good quality in the business.
Human Resources
- How businesses organise their staff
- How they recruit and train effective staff
- How to keep staff motivated
- Different types of contracts
Marketing
- How businesses choose their target market
- How businesses promote their products and services
- How businesses decide their prices
- Theory such as the product life cycle and Boston Matrix
- The marketing mix (product, price place and promotion)
- Market Research
Finance
- Calculating revenue, costs, profit and break even.
- The financial documents a business has to produce
- How to find out if a business is doing well financially or might run into trouble.
There are two exams at the end of year 11. Each is 1 hour 45 minutes.
For more information go to https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/business-subjects or speak to the teachers in the Business Studies department.