Business Studies Key information
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” – Estée Lauder
Introduction
Business Studies students follow the Edexcel 9-1 Specification, this specification was chosen as it prepared students well for A Level Business Studies.
Uptake of business studies as consistently above the national average. Business Studies is an optional subject (year 10-11) with all classes being mixed ability.
This is a successful department that gets above national results every year and has a history of positive school residual. Results are particularly good with higher ability students, generally achieving 15 – 20% grade 9s. Quality of teaching is generally seen as outstanding with a large number of students going on to study Business post 16
Course Followed/Exam board
KS4 – Edexcel Business Studies 1-9
Skills the students will develop
Cognitive skills
- Non-routine problem solving – expert thinking, metacognition, creativity.
- Systems thinking – decision making and reasoning.
- Critical thinking – definitions of critical thinking are broad and usually involve general cognitive skills such as analysing, synthesising and reasoning skills.
- ICT literacy – access, manage, integrate, evaluate, construct and communicate.
Interpersonal Skills
- Communication – active listening, oral communication, written communication, assertive communication and non-verbal communication.
- Relationship-building skills – teamwork, trust, intercultural sensitivity, service orientation, self-presentation, social influence, conflict resolution and negotiation.
- Collaborative problem solving – establishing and maintaining shared understanding, taking appropriate action, establishing and maintaining team organisation.
Additional Employability skills
- Adaptability – ability and willingness to cope with the uncertain, handling work stress, adapting to different personalities, communication styles and cultures, and physical adaptability to various indoor and outdoor work environments.
- Self-management and self-development – ability to work remotely in virtual teams, work autonomously, be self-motivating and self-monitoring, willing and able to acquire new information and skills related to work.
Quantitative skills
- percentages and percentage changes
- averages
- revenue, costs and profit
- gross profit margin and net profit margin ratios
- average rate of return
- cash-flow forecasts,
Interpretation and use of quantitative data
- information from graphs and charts
- profitability ratios (gross profit margin and net profit margin)
- financial data, including profit and loss, average rate of return and cash-flow forecasts
- marketing data, including market research data
- market data, including market share, changes in costs and changes in prices.
Future careers and vocations:
Post 16 options:
- A Level Business Studies, A Level Economics
- T Level Business
- Apprenticeships
Higher Education:
There are countless different degree courses available throughout the country
Degree Level apprenticeships
Self Employment
Contacts: leoni.macmanaman@sjchs.uk
Enrichment
Competitions
- In house competitions in year 10 – Dragons Den style
- MyKindaCrowd competitions – when relevant
Reading
Reading for pleasure
Academic Reading Local and national news articles – current affairs linking to current topics
Resources
Websites
- GCSE Business – Edexcel – BBC Bitesize
- Business: Edexcel GCSE (senecalearning.com)
- Case studies | The Times
Please Click the following links to view the Learning Journey Roadmaps:
