Business Studies

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Business Studies

Business Studies at Dormston is a subject that aims to provide pupils with an insight into how businesses operate in the real world. We cover topics such as Ownership, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing and External Influences.

It is a subject that will challenge pupils to think about the global economy and factors that influence business success and failure. Pupils will be encouraged to think creatively, whilst being able to work independently and in a group.

Business Studies is a subject that is useful regardless of the career pathways of pupils. The content of the course will ensure that pupils touch on many different topics, equipping them with knowledge that would be transferable to a real business setting

GCSE Curriculum

Outline of Course:

The specification is structured into two themes, taking students from how entrepreneurs start businesses (Theme 1) through to growing and global businesses (Theme 2). There are two equally weighted exam papers, focusing on each specification theme.

Theme 1 concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. It provides a framework for students to explore core concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business.

Theme 2 examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase. It focuses on the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business, with an emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. It also considers the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows.

Content Overview
Course Overview
Assessment Overview
Paper 1 (1BS0/01):
Investigating small business
90 Marks
1 hour and 30 minutes
50% of total GCSE
Paper 2 (1BS0/01):
Building a business
90 Marks
1 hour and 30 minutes
50% of total GCSE

The papers will consist of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions. Questions in Sections B and C will be based on business contexts given in the paper. Calculators may be used in the examination.

Post 16 Opportunities:

GCSE Business provides a suitable platform for further study in this subject at college, or for further study in related courses, including Business Management, Accounts, Economics, Marketing, Leisure & Tourism and Finance. There is a wide variety of courses available in these areas, including; A-level, A/S-level, GNVQ, VCE’s and NVQs. Possible career paths include running your own business (entrepreneur) or working within areas such as accounts, customer services, marketing, finance, human resources, government and many more!