Business Studies is taught as an option choice at both GCSE and A Level. Students develop an understanding of the Business world and appreciate that businesses have to operate in society with a wide range of stakeholders with varying perspectives. Students learn and develop valuable skills such as team work, communication, using their initiative, and evaluation skills. Students will apply knowledge to current issues and problems.
GCSE Business
Students studying at GCSE level follow the Edexcel 9-1 Business specification.
Year 9 and 10
Students are introduced to Small Businesses and learn broadly about 5 themes:
- Enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Spotting a business opportunity
- Putting a business idea into practice
- Making the business effective
- Understanding external influences on businesses
Year 11
Students develop their understanding beyond the start-up phase and now focus on national and global businesses. Students also begin to grasp the interdependent nature of business activity:
- Growing the business
- Making marketing decisions
- Making operational decisions
- Making financial decisions
- Making human resource decisions
A Level Business
Business remains a popular course in the Sixth Form. It requires no previous experience in the subject and students are drawn from a wide range of academic backgrounds having studied quite different GCSE subjects. The subject is very much based in the real world and an interest in current affairs and a questioning mind are great assets to have when taking this subject.
Students studying at A Level follow the Edexcel Business specification.
Year 12
Students are introduced to business in Themes 1 and 2 through building knowledge of core business concepts and applying them to business contexts to develop a broad understanding of how businesses work
Theme 1: marketing and people
Theme 2: managing business activities
Year 13
Students build on their understanding from the first year and explore in detail business strategy and global business.
Theme 3: Business decisions and strategy
Theme 4: Global business
A Level Economics
Students studying the subject at A Level follow the OCR Economics specification.
The course comprises three key areas of study: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Themes in Economics. The aims of the course are to encourage students to think as economists and develop their skills as independent learners, critical thinkers and decision makers. The course encourages students to apply the concepts and techniques which they have learned to a range of ‘real world’ issues and contexts. Students will be able to explain, analyse and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the market economy and the role of government within a market economy.
Facilities
We are fortunate to have several dedicated, well-resourced rooms which cater for a variety of teaching approaches. Each room has an interactive white board and computers / laptops for student use.
Mr M Asam
Head of Computing and Business Studies Faculty
masam@kgaprospect.uk
Mr S Alexander
Head of Sixth Form and Business Studies Teacher
salexander@kgaprospect.uk
Mr M Priddey
Business Studies Teacher
mpriddey@kgaprospect.uk