Business

The Business and Economics department is a vibrant and enthusiastic team of four full time specialist subject teachers. At Balcarras, business is taught to a GCSE and A-Level standard. GCSE Business studies is a very popular subject at Balcarras. We have six groups in both year 10 and 11 which gives us in excess of 260 students studying GCSE Business over the two year groups. Students complete the Eduqas syllabus which involves two exams and no coursework.

At A level, the department offers 2 courses; AQA Economics and AQA Business Studies. Both of these courses are very popular with over 160 students within the department at sixth form level. A number of students take both subjects which is becoming more popular. A number of our students who took both subjects last year have gone on to Russell group universities to studies either Business or Economics.

Business Department

Intent of curriculum

Our intent for the curriculum is to promote and embed the vital role of business in understanding its importance to how business functions, from small start- up’s through to large multi-national corporations and the vital role that business plays in keeping the UK and global economy growing. Students will learn of many enterprising role models with a wide variety of race, gender, age and academic ability. We aspire to deliver a modern and relative business curricular, as business adapts quicky and new successes and failures appear, we always aspire to keep our curriculum up to date with current affairs. As a department we look to provide local, national and global examples and scenarios that build the students key skills. We try to adapt an environment that allows students to become self-reliant confident and independent learners in preparing them for the national exams that they will sit.

Links to whole school

We are confident that through the content of the curriculum and the way in which business is delivered we can have a positive impact on our students and link to the schools overall aims. Key stage 4 supports students in learning the fundamental basics in business and the importance of the economy. This area of the syllabus helps students understand the important decisions that face consumers, businesses and the government. In addition at both GCSE and A Level the subject covers financial aspects such as cashflow, budgeting and investment appraisal that gives the students more financial understanding and awareness for the future. The department generates activities such as the side hustle (In Yr10) and Young Enterprise (In Yr12) that allow students to develop and apply their entrepreneurial skills. We have had great success in both areas and this develops further engagement in the subject and school life.

GCSE 

GCSE curriculum map Year 10 Business

Autumn 1

Autumn 2

Spring 1

Spring 2

Summer 1

Summer 2

Section 1: Business activity

Section 1: Business activity

Section 5: Marketing

Section 5: Marketing

Section 3: Business operations

Section 3: Business operations

1.1   The nature of business activity

1.5  Business aims and objectives

5.1  Identifying and understanding customers

5.4  Product

3.1  Methods of production

3.3  Supply chain

1.2  Providing goods and services

1.6  Business ownership

5.2  Market research

5.5 Price

 

3.2  Quality

3.4  Sales process

1.3  Business enterprise

1.7  Business growth

5.3  The marketing mix

5.6 Promotion

Revision

 

Revision

1.4  Business planning

1.8  Business location and site

 

 

5.7 Place

 

Exam Technique

Exam Technique

Curriculum map Year 11 Business 

Autumn 1

Autumn 2

Spring 1

Spring 2

Summer 1

Summer 2

Section 6: Human resources

Section 4: Finance

Section 4: Finance

Section 2: Influences on business

Revsion

 

Exams

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.1  Recruitment

4.1  Sources of finance

4.4  Cash-flow

2.4  Economic influence on business activity

Exam technique

6.2  Training

4.2 Revenue and costs

4.5  Financial performance

2.5  The impact of globalisation on businesses

Exams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.3  Motivation

4.3  Profit and loss accounts (income statements)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section 2: Influences on business

2.6  The impact of legislation on businesses

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.4  Organisational structures

2.1  Technological influence on business activity

6.5  The interdependent nature of business

 

 

 

 

2.2  Ethical influence on business activity

2.3  Environmental influence on business activity

GCSE Business Learning journey

By the end of the course the students should:

  • Know and understand the key business concepts and theory from all six units within the syllabus. This includes Business Activity, Marketing, Operations, Human Resources, Finance and External Influences.
  • Understand business terminology, business objectives, the integrated nature of business activity and the impact of business on individuals
  • Be able to apply knowledge and understanding to contemporary business issues and to different types and sizes of businesses in local, national and global contexts
  • Be able to develop as enterprising individuals with the ability to think commercially and creatively to demonstrate business acumen, and draw on evidence to make informed business decisions and solve business problems
  • Be able to develop as effective and independent learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds
  • Be able to investigate and analyse real business opportunities and issues to construct well argued, well-evidenced, balanced and structured arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of business
  • Develop and apply quantitative skills relevant to business, including using and interpreting data

This GCSE specification introduces learners to the business world, empowering them to develop as commercially minded and enterprising individuals. Learners will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills, enabling them to use business information critically, to develop arguments, to make justified decisions and to prepare them for further study and career pathways. The focus of the specification is to introduce and nurture an enthusiasm for studying business in a range of contexts. Learners will appreciate how businesses operate in a dynamic and competitive environment and develop an understanding of the interdependent nature of business functions from a local to a global perspective.

A level  

Curriculum map Year 12 Business

Curriculum map Year 13 Business

At A level, the department offers 2 courses; AQA Economics and AQA Business Studies. Both of these courses are very popular with over 160 students within the department at sixth form level. A number of students take both subjects which is becoming more popular. A number of our students who took both subjects last year have gone on to Russell group universities.