Business & Economics

The study of business and economics has never been more relevant in our rapidly changing world.

Challenges to the global economy, the credit crunch, Brexit, environmental sustainability, business ethics and changes in the global power balance are issues that are rarely out of the news spotlight.  Furthermore, our interest in entrepreneurship has never been higher, with television series such as ‘Dragon’s Den’ and ‘The Apprentice’ encouraging innovation and enterprise.  The business and economics department offers a range of courses from GCSE, A Level and BTEC Nationals.  The staff all have significant industry experience and strive to make all courses relevant and engaging for our students.

Key Stage 4:  Edexcel GCSE Business (1BSO)

Students will have the opportunity to study the following topics in preparation for two exam papers at the end of the course:

• Theme 1 (Paper 1, 90 minutes): Investigating small businesses:  enterprise and entrepreneurship, business opportunities, business ideas into practice, effective businesses and external influences on businesses.
• Theme 2 (Paper 2, 90 minutes): Building a business:  business growth, marketing, financial, operational and human resource decisions.

Key Stage 4:  AQA GCSE Economics (8136)

Students will have the opportunity to study the following topics in preparation for two exam papers at the end of the course:

• How markets work (Paper 1, 1 hour 45 mins): economic foundations, resource allocation, how prices are determined and production, costs, revenue and profit.
• How the economy works (Paper 2, 1 hour and 45 mins): introduction to the national economy, government objectives, how the government manages the economy, international trade and the global economy and the role of money and financial markets.

Key Stage 5:  Pearson Edexcel A Level Business (9BS0)

In Theme 1 students learn about dynamic markets, social media and online retailing, innovation and entrepreneurship. Theme 2 introduces business finance, the impact of economic uncertainty on businesses and the competitive environment.

In the second year of the course Theme 3 moves from functions to strategy, exploring business decision-making, small business survival, managing change and scenario planning. Finally, Theme 4 explores global business, investigating overseas markets, cultural and social differences and the impact of multinationals.

Assessment is through three examinations:

• Paper 1 has data response and essay questions and focuses on Theme 1 and Theme 4 content.
• Paper 2 has data response and essay questions and focuses on Theme 2 and Theme 3 content
• Paper 3 has a pre-released context so you will investigate an industry or market in which businesses operate before your exam. The data response and essay questions in the exam are linked to the context.

Key Stage 5:  Pearson BTEC Nationals in Business

There is a choice for students wanting to study the BTEC Business.  They can either opt for the one A Level equivalent or the 2 A Level equivalent course.  Depending on their choice they will study the following:

• Extended Certificate (4 units, equivalent to 1 A Level): Units:  Exploring business (coursework), developing a marketing campaign (controlled assessment) and personal and business finance (external exam) and customer service (coursework).
• Diploma (8 units, equivalent to 2 A Levels): Units as above plus:  principles of management (controlled assessment), managing an event (practical and coursework), international business and pitching for a new business.

Assessment is through assignments, controlled assessments and examinations.

Key Stage 5:  Edexcel A Level Economics (9ECO)

Students will study the following themes:

• Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure
• Theme 2: The UK economy – performance and policies
• Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market
• Theme 4: A global perspective

There are three exam papers at the end of the second year.  Paper 1 will assess microeconomics, drawn from themes 1 and 3, paper 2 will assess macroeconomics, drawn from themes 2 and 4, and paper 3 will assess the content from all 4 themes.