Business Studies at KS4

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If you require any further information about the curriculum we are following in this subject, please contact the Head of Department.

Course ID

AQA 8132

Faculty

Social Sciences

Department

Business Studies

Level

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

Head of Faculty

J. David

Head of Department

B. Smith

KS4 Business Studies is studied as an optional subject. It is a subject that would be new to the students and will focus on basic Business Studies content.

There are four main focus areas we concentrate on; marketing, finance, management and production. This forms the basis of any further study around the subject areas. Students will be able to study the interrelated nature of business using business theories and techniques to support their analysis skills. They will be able to apply this to a range of traditional and contemporary businesses.

Curriculum Termly Breakdown by Year

Year 10

Term	Unit of Work	Assessment
Autumn 1	Business in the Real World: (the purpose of business, basic functions and types of business, business enterprise and entrepreneurship, dynamic nature of business, business ownership and stakeholders). Business in the Real World: (business location, business planning, expanding a business). Influences on Business: (technology, ethical and environmental considerations, economic changes, globalisation, laws and legislation).	End of topic test.
Autumn 2	Business in the Real World: (the purpose of business, basic functions and types of business, business enterprise and entrepreneurship, dynamic nature of business, business ownership and stakeholders). Business in the Real World: (business location, business planning, expanding a business). Influences on Business: (technology, ethical and environmental considerations, economic changes, globalisation, laws and legislation).	End of topic test.
Spring 1	Influences on Business: (ethical and environmental considerations, competitive environment). Human Resources: (organisational structures, recruitment, motivation and training).	End of topic test.
Spring 2	Influences on Business: (ethical and environmental considerations, competitive environment). Human Resources: (organisational structures, recruitment, motivation and training).	End of topic test.
Summer 1	Business Operations: (production processes, procurement, quality and customer services).	End of topic tests; Year 10 Mock; Full paper 1.
Summer 2	Business Operations: (production processes, procurement, quality and customer services).	End of topic tests; Year 10 Mock; Full paper 1.

Year 11

Term	Unit of Work	Assessment
Autumn 1	Marketing – (customers, segmentation, market research, marketing mix, promotion and distribution). Finance – (sources of finance and cashflow). (Finance topics might be swapped depending on the mock examination paper chosen).	End of topic test.
Autumn 2	Marketing – (customers, segmentation, market research, marketing mix, promotion and distribution). Finance – (sources of finance and cashflow). (Finance topics might be swapped depending on the mock examination paper chosen).	Year 11 Mock.
Spring 1	Finance – (financial terms and calculations and analysing financial performance). Revision of all topics.	End of topic test.
Spring 2	Finance – (financial terms and calculations and analysing financial performance). Revision of all topics.	Year 11 Mock 2 Faculty based.
Summer 1	Revision of all topics.	Revision.
Summer 2	GCSE Examination.	GCSE Examination.

Extended Learning

Year 10

Websites	Read	Visit or Watch	Extra
Tutor2Net; BBC Bitesize Business.	AQA GCSE Business Studies Textbook (Malcolm Surridge and Andrew Gillespie)	The Apprentice on BBC – insight into variety of business topics; Dragon’s Den – highly recommended as students get insight on business planning and financial planning; YouTube – Bizconsesh.	Visit shopping malls and conduct customer observations, studying consumer behaviour. Interview local shop owners / teachers / parents for market research. Potential trip: Coca-Cola Edmonton plant.

Year 11

Websites	Read	Visit or Watch	Extra
Tutor2Net; BBC Bitesize Business.	AQA GCSE Business Studies Textbook (Malcolm Surridge and Andrew Gillespie)	The Apprentice on BBC – insight into variety of business topics; Dragon’s Den – highly recommended as students get insight on business planning and financial planning; YouTube – Bizconsesh.	Visit shopping malls and conduct customer observations, studying consumer behaviour. Interview local shop owners / teachers / parents for market research. Potential trip: Coca-Cola Edmonton plant.