Business Studies
The Business Economics Department
An understanding of business and economics gives people a knowledge of how the local, national and global economy works. This has become increasingly important in the modern world and the ability to analyse economic issues, problems and institutions that affect everyday life more and more crucial. The aim of the Business studies curriculum is to equip students with the appropriate knowledge and skills needed to develop their employability and identify business problems and opportunities. This is done through quality teaching which ensures students understand underlying economic and business theory, which students are able to apply to a variety of familiar and unfamiliar case studies. Students are taught to think analytically, reach logical conclusions based on data and make judgements on future changes to markets and the economy.
The Business Department is a vibrant, diverse and exciting department comprising a team of five Business and Economics specialists. Each member of the team has a passion for their subject and is dedicated to inspiring students, raising aspirations and raising standards.
Business through the Key Stages
The Business Department delivers a range of syllabuses that are designed to encourage students to develop their thinking. From the outset they are encouraged to be proactive and to participate in a variety of situations which are designed to stimulate their imagination and encourage them to make informed decisions using their knowledge and understanding of the subject. The Business Department is all about reality and so learning resources are based on ‘real’ organisations and applying theory within those situations. In all courses, the curriculum is sequenced in order to hierarchically build their skills and knowledge. This allows students to accumulate and embed knowledge quickly and develop a real enthusiasm for the subject. The methods of carrying out calculations are consistent with what is learned in maths, strengthening students’ numeracy skills.
In Key Stage 4 students can choose either GCSE or BTEC Business Studies. In Key Stage 5 students have a choice of A Level, Level 2 and Level 3 BTEC Business Studies and A Level Economics. The wide range of courses on offer with the Business Department makes it one of the most popular optional choices within the school.
Key Stage 4
We offer a varied and challenging curriculum within Key Stage 4 and ensure that the needs of all students are catered for with the breadth and depth of courses on offer.
The pathways on offer provide students with the option of following an academic route, vocational route or a combination of both.
For GCSE we currently study the AQA specification, which comprises of the following:
Paper 1: Influences of operations and HRM (External examination 1 hour 45 minutes 50% of GCSE)
Paper 2: Influences of marketing and finance (External examination 1 hour 45 minutes 50% of GCSE)
For the vocational route we currently offer BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Business which comprises the following:
Unit 1: Enterprise in the Business World (Portfolio)
Unit 2: Finance for Business
Unit 4: Principles of Customer Service (Portfolio)
Unit 8: Recruitment, Selection and Employment (Portfolio)
Key Stage 5
At A Level Business Studies (linear study from Y12 to Y13) we currently study the AQA specification which comprises the following:
Paper 1 – Business 1 (written exam: 2 hours)
Paper 2 – Business 2 (written exam: 2 hours)
Paper 3– Business 3 (written exam: 2 hours)
At A Level Economics (linear study from Y12 to Y13) we currently study the Edexcel specification which comprises the following:
Paper 1 – Markets and business behaviour (written exam: 2 hours 35% of the total qualification)
Paper 2 – The national and global economy (written exam: 2 hours 35% of the total qualification)
Paper 3: Microeconomics and macroeconomics (written exam: 2 hours 30% of the total qualification)
At Level 3 we offer BTEC Business at both National Certificate and National Extended Certificate courses.
BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Business which comprises the following:
Unit 1 Exploring Business
Unit 2 Developing a Marketing Campaign (Assessed Externally)
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business which comprises the following:
Unit 1 Exploring Business
Unit 2 Developing a Marketing Campaign (Assessed Externally)
Unit 3 Personal and Business Finance (Assessed Externally)
Unit 8 Recruitment and Selection Process
In the Sixth Form we also provide Level 2 courses for students. The courses on offer are BTEC Level 1/Level2 First Award in Business. Details on the course content can be found under the Key Stage 4 section on courses
Curriculum Map
Enrichment Opportunities
As a department we have a clear ethos that is embedded in the fact that we are passionate about students developing their entrepreneurial skills and their understanding of the world that we live in. As a result the Business Department provides a range of extra-curricular opportunities which includes trips to institutions which are linked to our curriculum, guest speakers, social enterprise activities and an enterprise club.
For further information please contact us via email - schooladmin@bishopdouglass.barnet.sch.uk
