Department of Business Studies

Our department has two members of staff Mrs S Hamer, Curriculum Coordinator, and Miss R Hurley.

Business Studies Courses

 GCSE Business Studies

In year 10 and 11 students can choose to study GCSE Business Studies, which provides a broad introduction to a wide range of careers. If you do not know what you want to do when you leave school Business Studies will give you loads of new ideas of job opportunities. Or, you might like to be an entrepreneur and start your own business.

There is one final examination paper and students complete one piece of coursework worth 25% of the final mark.

GCSE Business and Communication Systems

All students who do not study Information Technology in Year 10 will take GCSE Business and Communication Systems. This is a very useful ICT qualification with a final 2 hour computer practical and a 1 hour theory paper. There is no coursework requirement. Students can also complete their Level 2 ICT key skills portfolio as part of this course in Year 10.

A/S and A Level Business Studies

In years 12 and 13 students study A Level Business Studies. This is a modular course, the first three modules comprise the A/S qualification. Students do not have to have studied the subject at GCSE to be accepted on the Advanced Level course. Subjects studied as part of the course include Business Objectives and Environment (includes Economics and Business Law) Accounting and Finance, Marketing, Human Resources and Operations Management (Production).

Students can undertake a coursework module in Year 13 or sit an additional examination paper. Three modules are studied in Year 13. All modules can be resat as many times as required. The highest grades are used for the final A or A/S level grade.

Additional Events

Students in all year groups take part in a wide range of events from the induction ‘Gift Bag’ Event in Year 9 to the Sony Business Challenge in Year 12. There is also an optional visit to Cadbury World!

The Business Studies staff also act as advisors on the annual Young Enterprise Scheme where groups of students can form their own company.