EXAMINATION BOARD: Edexcel
Business offers pupils the opportunity to explore the world of work before entering into it fully, And equips pupils with an understanding of how to start a business, how larger businesses operate, and what decisions businesses make and why. It seeks to provide a good balance between theory and practice, giving pupils the opportunity to study individual business models in some depth. In an increasingly globalised economy, the course provides insights on international business and the implications of a fast changing global market. Business pupils often go on to study the subject further at university, either as a single subject, or combined with a complementary subject, such as Finance, Management or ICT.
The four Themes for study are “Marketing and People”, “Managing Business Activities”, “Business Decisions and Strategy” and “Global Business”. Themes 1 and 2 are studied in the first year, with the more advanced Theme 3 and 4 studied in the second year.
The new A-Level specification closely mirrors previous versions. The main difference is in the assessment, which will assess a range of subject topics over three papers, using a mix of case study, and short response questions.
Pupils will:
• Create their own business plan, in order to better understand the challenges and difficulties of starting a business, as well as being introduced to key business language.
• Gain an understanding of the four functional areas of a business, and consider the differing roles and objectives of Finance, Human Resources, Operations and Marketing.
• Discuss the role of international trade and markets in business planning, with reference to international and domestic competitiveness.
• Consider the external environment of Business, looking at how Political, Economic, Social, Technological and Legal factors have a role to play in business decision making.