West Craven High School
Business Studies
Business is a subject that enhances students’ critical thinking skills with a vibrant curriculum that equips them with knowledge about the world of work and education for a variety of different careers. It prepares them for life beyond school both academically and vocationally through a range of experiences. It develops a student’s life skills in addition to improving their understanding of decision making in a business environment along with the advantages and disadvantages that can occur. Business aims to excite and engage pupils through wide variety of activities that support the National Curriculum and beyond into further education and careers.
Year Breakdown
Year 10
Unit 1: Business in the Real World: Enterprise and entrepreneurship, growth, planning, ownership, aims and objectives, profit/loss and stakeholders.
Unit 2: Influences on Business: Ethics, Economy and Globalisation.
Unit 3: Operations: Production processes, consumer law, quality of goods and services, sales process and customer service, business location and working with suppliers.
Year 11
Unit 4: Human Resources: The role of HR, organisational structures, communication, recruitment and selection, motivation and retention, training and development and employment law.
Unit 5: Marketing: The purpose of marking, segmentation, research and the marking mix.
Unit 6: Finance: The Finance Function, sources of finance, revenue/costs/profit/loss, cash flow, breakeven, average rate of return, gross/net profit margin.
Marking and Assessment
Formal assessment takes place at the end of each topic area combined with interim tests conducted in examination conditions. Regular feedback is given to students in line with the West Craven Marking policy. Self and peer evaluations takes place frequently.
Examinations
Paper 1
What's assessed?
- Business in the real world
- Influences on business
- Business operations
- Human resources
How it's assessed
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
90 marks
50% of GCSE
Questions
- Section A has multiple choice questions and short answer questions worth 20 marks.
- Section B has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 34 marks.
- Section C has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 36 marks.
Paper 2
What’s assessed?
- Business in the real world
- Influences on business
- Marketing
- Finance
How it's assessed
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
90 marks
50% of GCSE
Questions
- Section A has multiple choice questions and short answer questions worth 20 marks.
- Section B has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 34 marks.
- Section C has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 36 marks.
Careers and Progression
With a GCSE in Business you can continue your studies on A level, vocational courses at college and apprenticeships.
Careers in this sector include but are not limited to:
- Finance/Accountancy
- Law
- Marketing/Branding
- Politics
- Business Ownership
- Business Management
- Human Resources
Revision Guides / Resources
CGP Revision Guide for GCSE AQA Business
CGP Exam Practice Workbook for GCSE AQA Business