Business Studies

A-level Course

Business Studies is practical, applied and exciting. Theories are explored and investigated using real examples and the pupils' own experiences.  The course embodies all the fundamental areas of the subject and is designed so that ideas unfold and you develop an understanding of the relationships which make the economy work. There is a direct link between Business and Languages, Mathematics, Economics, Politics and Design Technology. There are also good cross curricular links with Geography and Physical Education. It is the quintessential A-level for anybody trying to get an idea of the way in which the modern business world works.

All members of the department are incredibly approachable and committed teachers, who see that reaching the potential of each and every pupil as their ultimate goal.

We use the AQA examining board and we have opted for the modular approach, with the AS examinations being taken in January and in May of the Lower 6th and the A2 examinations taken in January and June of the Upper 6th.

Lower 6^th (Year 12)

The AS specification concentrates on small to medium-sized enterprises within a national context. Assessment is via a mini case study and data response questions. Pupils study all components of the syllabus and then sit two separate examinations:

• Unit 1:  Planning and Financing a Business
  This unit focuses on starting up a business and encompasses a wide range of Business Studies topics to give a good appreciation of the breadth of the subject, including concepts such as entrepreneurship, business and financial planning, patents, assessing markets, etc. It also includes a fair amount of numerical material including market growth, share and size, as well as break-even, cash flow and profits. Understanding and using numerical information is an important and integral part of success in this unit.
• Unit 2:  Managing a Business
  The second AS unit focuses on managing an established business more effectively by making functional decisions. The firm could be a sole trader with a handful of workers, or a private limited company with several hundred employees.  It covers topics such as the marketing mix, organisational structure, motivation, choosing suppliers, using technology in operations and finding ways of improving profitability and competitiveness.

Upper 6^th (Year 13)

At A2 the specification moves to a more strategic level, focusing on larger organisations, often in an international context. Pupils will sit 2 separate examinations.

• Unit 3:  Strategies for Success
  Strategic functional decisions provide the focus of this unit. Topics include choosing the right scale of operations, developing an effective workforce plan, selecting and implementing the right marketing strategy and assessing the financial situation of the business. These areas are assessed in the context of a case study in which candidates have to make an overall decision for a business, such as whether to enter an overseas market. The functional analysis will contribute to the overall corporate decision.
• Unit 4:  The Business Environment and Managing Change
  This unit focuses on the external environment and change, and includes political, economic, social and technological factors as well as the competitive environment. It examines the importance of managing change while considering issues such as leadership and culture. The assessment has two parts: one part is a theme (such as globalisation), which will be available for one set of January and June exams. Candidates will be expected to research this theme, within given areas, and answer a question on it in the examination. This pre-release task will give candidates the opportunity to research a major business issue in some depth and explore the underlying issues involved. The second part of Unit 4 is an essay (candidates chose one from three). Pupils will be encouraged to use case studies and to relate their responses to the real world.

Trips and Extra-curricular

We visit a number of businesses during term time including Spinnellis Coffee Shop, when we look at start ups, and Neilson Holidays, as an example of a larger national company.  Visiting speakers have included Tony Elliot, founder of Time Out, and Professor Gerry Musgrave.  We have taken trips to Barcelona and London in the past, visiting the many businesses sited there and plan to go to Brussels this year where we will also tour the European Parliament.  The Business Studies Department offers help with intellectual property and incorporation issues for those pupils wishing to set up their own business.