Department overview

The intent of the Business Department is to ensure that, in addition to academic achievements, pupils are developed into well-rounded citizens with the soft skills required to be successful in the workplace. Through our full range of enrichment activities, we focus on the 'whole-child' and ensure they can express themselves, whether that be through developing business acumen or professional skills.

Key Stage 4 curriculum

Edexcel GCSE Business provides students with an understanding of how businesses operate, make decisions, and respond to changes in the marketplace. The course explores key business concepts including entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, operations, and human resources. Students investigate how small businesses are established and how larger businesses grow and develop. Through the study of real-world business examples, learners develop analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, as well as confidence in interpreting business data and financial information. Assessment is through two written examinations, with no coursework required. GCSE Business provides an excellent foundation for further study in Business and Economics and helps students develop transferable skills that are valued in a wide range of careers and industries.

Key Stage 5 curriculum

A level Business

Edexcel A Level Business provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate in an increasingly competitive and globalised economy. The course develops commercial awareness, critical thinking, and analytical skills, enabling students to evaluate real-world business decisions and their impact on organisations, stakeholders, and society.

Students explore a wide range of business concepts, from entrepreneurship and marketing to finance, operations, and strategic management. Through the study of contemporary business issues and case studies, learners gain insight into how businesses respond to opportunities, challenges, and changes in the external environment.

A level Economics

Edexcel A Level Economics provides students with a deep understanding of how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions in a world of limited resources. The course explores the forces that shape economies at both a national and global level, developing analytical, evaluative, and quantitative skills that are highly valued by universities and employers.

Students investigate contemporary economic issues such as inflation, unemployment, economic growth, inequality, international trade, and government policy. By applying economic theories to real-world events, learners develop the ability to interpret data, assess evidence, and construct well-supported arguments.

CTEC Business Level 3

CTEC Business is a practical and engaging qualification designed to provide students with a strong understanding of the modern business environment. Combining academic study with vocational learning, the course allows students to develop both theoretical knowledge and real-world business skills that are highly valued by employers and universities.

The qualification explores how businesses operate, grow, and respond to challenges in competitive markets. Students investigate key business functions, including marketing, finance, human resources, operations, and business planning, while applying their learning to realistic business scenarios and case studies.

Catholic Social Teaching

Business Studies supports Catholic Social Teaching by helping students understand the ethical responsibilities of businesses and their role in society. Students explore how organisations can balance profitability with fairness, sustainability, and social responsibility.

The course promotes the dignity of the human person through the study of employee welfare, equality, and ethical leadership. It develops an understanding of the common good by encouraging students to consider how business decisions affect communities and wider society. Through topics such as globalisation and supply chains, students learn about solidarity and the importance of treating all stakeholders fairly.

Business Studies also reflects stewardship of creation by examining environmental sustainability and responsible resource management. By applying ethical principles to real-world business scenarios, students develop the knowledge, skills, and values needed to become responsible decision-makers, future leaders, and active contributors to society.

Enrichment opportunities

Tenner Challenge

KS4/5. Lunch and after school ( 4 weeks)

Dragons Den pitches

KS4. Lunch and after school ( 2 weeks)

Stock Exchange competition

KS4/5. Lunch and after school.

Curriculum road map

KS4 GCSE Business

Year 10 Theme 1:

• 1.1 Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
• 1.2 Spotting a business opportunity
• 1.3 Putting a business idea into practice
• 1.4 Making the business effective
• 1.5 Understanding external influences.

Theme 1 revision and mocks.

Year 11 Theme 2:

• 2.1 Growing a business
• 2.2 Making marketing decisions
• 2.3 Making operational decisions
• 2.4 Making financial decisions
• 2.5 Making human resources decisions.

Final revision and exams.

KS5 A Level Business

Year 12 – Theme 1 Marketing and people and Theme 2 Business activities, decisions and strategies.

• 1.1 Meeting customer needs.
• 1.2 Market
• 1.3 Marketing mix and strategy
• 1.4 Manging people
• 1.5 Entrepreneurs and leaders.
• 2.1 Raising finance
• 2.2 Financial planning
• 2.3 Managing finance
• 2.4 Resource management
• 2.5 External influences.

Year 13 – Theme 3 Business decisions and strategy and Theme 4 Global Business

• 3.1 Business objectives and strategy
• 3.2 Business growth
• 3.3 Decision-making techniques
• 3.4 Influences on business decisions
• 3.5 Assessing competitiveness
• 3.6 managing change
• 4.1 Globalisation
• 4.2 Global markets and business expansion
• 4.3 Global marketing
• 4.4 Global industries and companies.

KS5 A level Economics

Year 12 – Theme 1 Introduction to markets and market failure and Theme 2 The UK economy-performance and policies.

• 1.1 Nature of economics
• 1.2 How markets work
• 1.3 Market failure
• 1.4 Government intervention
• 2.1. Measure of economic performance
• 2.2 Aggregate demand
• 2.3 Aggregate supply
• 2.4 National income
• 2.5 Economic growth
• 2.6 Microeconomic objectives and policies

Year 13 – Theme 3 Business behaviour and the labour market and Theme 4 A global perspective.

• 3.1 Business growth
• 3.2 Business objectives
• 3.3 Revenue, costs and profits
• 3.4 Market structures
• 3.5 Labour market
• 3.6 Government intervention
• 4.1 International economics
• 4.2 Poverty and equality
• 4.3 Emerging and developing economies
• 4.4 Financial sector
• 4.5 Role of the state of the macroeconomy

CTEC Business Level 3

Year 12 Unit 1 The business environment, Unit 2 Working in business and Unit 4 customers and communication.

• 1.1Understanding different types of businesses and their objectives
• 1.2 understand how the functional areas of a business work together
• 1.3. Understand the effect of different organisational structures
• 1.4. Be able to use financial information
• 1.5. Understand the relationship between businesses and stakeholders
• 1.6. External influences
• 1.7. Business plans
• 1.8. Assess the performance of a business.
• 2.1 Protocols to follow when working for a business
• 2.2 factors that influence business meetings
• 2.3 business documents
• 2.4 prioritising business tasks
• 2.5 communication with stakeholders.

External exams. Unit 4 customers and communication.

Year 13 Unit 5 Marketing and market research and Unit 8 Introduction to human resources. Taught at the same time.

Useful websites

• Tutor2u
  GCSE Business, A Level Economics and A level Business.
• Tutor2u
  Resources and courses for exam success
• Seneca
  GCSE Business, A level Business and A level Economics revision and quizzes.
  Free Homework & Revision for A Level, GCSE, KS3 & KS2
• Office of national statistics
  Economics, statistical data on UK/Global economy.
• BBC Bitesize
  GCSE Business, revision and quizzes.
• Physics and Math tutor
  A level Economics, resources and past papers.
  Physics & Maths Tutor

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