Business
Overview
Introduction
Students learn key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. They then move on to the concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business. This course also encourages students to consider the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows.
Qualification
GCSE
Awarding body
Pearson Edexcel
Course leader
Mr J Higgins
Assessment
- Examination: 100%
- Paper 1: Investigating small business | 1 hour 45 mins | 50%
- Paper 2: Building a business | 1 hour 45 mins | 50%
- Non-examined assessment: 0%
Curriculum
Course content
Theme 1 concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. It provides a framework for you to explore core concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business.
Theme 2 examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase. It focuses on the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business, with an emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. It also considers the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows.
Topics
- Topic 1.1: Enterprise and entrepreneurship.
- Topic 1.2: Spotting a business opportunity.
- Topic 1.3: Putting a business idea into practice.
- Topic 1.4: Making the business effective.
- Topic 1.5: Understanding external influences on business.
- Topic 2.1: Growing the business.
- Topic 2.2: Making marketing decisions.
- Topic 2.3: Making operational decisions.
- Topic 2.4: Making financial decisions.
- Topic 2.5: Making human resource decisions.
Skills and requirements
Skills required
- Able to apply knowledge and understanding in different business context.
- Have a high standard of written communication and the understanding of the need to develop and produce long written essay style questions to evaluate and justify in the exam. This skill will be developed throughout the course.
- Able to use mathematical skills to work out financial calculations.
Beyond the classroom
Future pathways
Students can progress from this qualification to a number of different academic and vocational qualifications at level 3, including A-levels in business, history, geography, economics and psychology and BTEC Nationals in business. The knowledge and skills gained from GCSE business support students’ entry into employment or other training in specific aspects of business, such as apprenticeships and vocational qualifications which focus on more specialised business areas.
GCSE business provides a strong foundation for employment, with students progressing, with further training, to a wide range of careers training such as banking, sales, product management and general management.