Business Studies

Business Studies Department Intent

At Sidmouth College, Business Studies is taught to develop an awareness and natural curiosity of the Business and Economic environment around them. It is hoped that students will have a deeper understanding of the businesses that students will work for or run, and the key driving factors that impact the environment. Students will learn how to manage their current and future financial capability in the short, medium and long term.
Business Studies will also introduce students to the dynamics of how a business is set up and organised. It helps individuals to enhance their ability to enter the world of work within a wide range of business organisations. Courses at Key Stage 4 and 5 provide valuable opportunities to develop key skills such as ICT, Maths, team working and communication, as well as developing confidence and inter-personal skills.  It is hoped that a large number of students who study Business at Key stage 4 will go on to study it in the sixth form. In addition, it is hoped that students who take it in the Sixth Form will go on to study Business Studies within higher education institutions or start apprenticeships in their chosen field.
Aims
To enable students to:

• Achieve the highest possible progress in this subject area.
• Provide opportunities and feedback for students to improve their work in line with whole school policy.
• Develop a range of skills such as Communication, Numeracy and Critical Thinking.
• Feel supported through their studies, using extra-curricular support and intervention sessions in school.
• Are challenged and stretched within lessons.
• Enter the world of work with the attributes needed to make them successful.
• Be entrepreneurial, independent learners, confident presenters and strong team players.
• To meet the aspects of social, moral, spiritual and cultural through their learning in this curriculum area.   

KEY STAGE 4

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
Anyone who has an interest in how a business works, wants a career in business,  or who may want to set up their own business in the future. We look at how businesses are set up and how they have to anticipate future trends and outside influences.  A good standard of literacy and numeracy will be required to be successful on this course.
 
EXAM BOARD, COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Exam Board—AQA
Content

• Business in the real world - students will look at the effect that businesses in the real world have on human resources, marketing, finance and business operations.
• Influences on Business - This looks at the effect that external factors such as the government, have on business.
• Business Operations - This section looks at what business operations involve, their role within the production of goods and the provision of services, and how they influence business activity.

Human resources - This looks at the purpose of human resources, its role within business and how it influences business activity.

• Marketing  - This section looks at the purpose of marketing, its role within business and how it influences business activity.
• Finance - This looks at the purpose of the finance function, its role within business and how it influences business activity

 Assessment: 100% Exam with TWO exams, each 1hr 45
 
WHAT CAN THIS COURSE LEAD TO POST 16?
GCSE Business offers an excellent foundation for those wishing to pursue careers in management, marketing, project management, business accounting, management consultancy, human resources, and business journalism as well as those interested in continuing on to further study either at A Level, degree level, apprenticeship or other work based training
 
FOR WHAT CAREERS WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL?

• Setting up your own business
• Business Management
• Accountancy
• Law
• Human Resources
• Events Management
• Marketing

Key stage 5

Introduction
A level Business Studies provides students with the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of business principles, including Decision Making, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources and Management. The qualification covers a mixture of teaching and learning experiences from the theoretical through to those with a clear problem solving emphasis.
 
It provides students with a unique insight into the world of work. Through its study, students discover how businesses operate and learn about their key elements and essential business functions.
 
This knowledge, and the holistic understanding that develops, is invaluable to those students who are considering either the workplace or university. It offers an excellent foundation for those wishing to pursue careers in management, marketing, project management, business accounting, management consultancy, human resources, and business journalism to name but a few!

What do students study?
The Business Studies A Level course gives students the opportunity to gain both a broad understanding of Applied Business principles and the opportunity to focus on a specific pathway such as Marketing, Finance, Human Resources or Management.  In addition, the qualification covers a mixture of teaching and learning experiences, from the theoretical through to those with a clear problem solving emphasis. 

How are students assessed?
Assessment is carried out through examinations only; there are a variety of techniques used – multiple choice, case study and essay type questions. Students will study modules over the two years, leading to an A level qualification in this subject.