This course will allow students to be introduced to business and gain an understanding of different functions of a business including Business Start-Up, Accounting and Finance, Marketing, Operations Management and Human Resources.  As a School a strength we possess are the links to Businesses that are local, national and international in order to bring the students educational experience to life. Recently we have visited Cadbury World in Birmingham.

Throughout the course students will be involved in a range of learning activities which will allow them to develop important transferable key skills (numeracy, communication, ICT, problem solving, working independently and working with others) as well as developing their understanding of the business world.

The course helps prepare students for further and higher education, through a range of routes, including A Levels as well as BTEC and NVQ courses.  It provides an insight into the world of work and enables students to appreciate the different functional areas within business and provides helpful career guidance.  The course can lead to business focused degrees and career pathways such as business administration, business management, accountancy, law, marketing, banking or the leisure and tourism industry.

How is the course organised?

The subject is divided into two main areas and ten topic areas.

Unit 1: Investigating Small Business (Examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 50%)

• Enterprise and entrepreneurship
• Spotting a business opportunity
• Putting a business idea into practice
• Making the business effective
• Understanding external influences on business

Unit 2: Building a Business (Examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 50%)

• Growing the business
• Making marketing decisions
• Making operational decisions
• Making financial decisions
• Making human resource decisions

Both exam papers will consist of calculations, multi-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions.