Within the Department we cover the following subjects:
- V-Cert Business and Enterprise
- GCSE Business Studies
- A Level Business Studies
- A Level Economics
Our Staff
- Mrs L A Peeling - Faculty Leader of Social Sciences / Subject Leader of Business Studies
- Mrs S K Oldfield - Teacher of Business Studies
- Ms S Donnelly - Subject Leader of Economics

GCSE Business Studies (AQA Specification)
Teachers: Mrs L Peeling, Mrs S K Oldfield, Mrs S Donnelly
In Year 9 students will study 1 period of Business Studies Per fortnight. They will start the GCSE Specification during these lessons and will learn the knowledge and exam technique needed for the first unit “Business in the real world” if they opt to take GCSE Business Studies in Year 10 then they will continue to study the remaining 5 units through Years 10 and 11.
- Business in the real world
- Influences on business
- Business operations
- Human resources
- Marketing
- Finance
Paper 1: Influences of Operations and Human Resources on Business Activity
What's assessed:
- Business in the real world
- Influences on business
- Business operations
- Human resources
How it's assessed
- Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 90 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Questions
- Section A has multiple choice questions and short answer questions worth 20 marks.
- Section B has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 34 marks.
- Section C has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 36 marks
Paper 2: Influences of Marketing and Finance on Business Activity
What's assessed:
- Business in the real world
- Influences on business
- Marketing
- Finance
How it's assessed
- Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 90 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Questions
- Section A has multiple choice questions and short answer questions worth 20 marks.
- Section B has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 34 marks.
- Section C has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 36 marks.
GCSE Business Studies (AQA Specification)
Teachers: Mrs L Peeling, Mrs S K Oldfield, Mrs S Donnelly
Throughout years 10 and 11 students will work through the knowledge and exam technique for the six examined units:
- Business in the real world
- Influences on business
- Business operations
- Human resources
- Marketing
- Finance
Paper 1: Influences of Operations and Human Resources on Business Activity
What's assessed:
- Business in the real world
- Influences on business
- Business operations
- Human resources
How it's assessed
- Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 90 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Questions
- Section A has multiple choice questions and short answer questions worth 20 marks.
- Section B has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 34 marks.
- Section C has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 36 marks
Paper 2: Influences of Marketing and Finance on Business Activity
What's assessed:
- Business in the real world
- Influences on business
- Marketing
- Finance
How it's assessed
- Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
- 90 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Questions
- Section A has multiple choice questions and short answer questions worth 20 marks.
- Section B has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 34 marks.
- Section C has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 36 marks.
V Cert Business Studies
NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Business and Enterprise
Unit 1
External Assessment - Exam
Worth 40 % of the overall grade
You can attempt this exam two times, once in March of year 10 and then again in November of year 11. Your highest mark out of these two attempts will be the grade you get.
Unit 2
Internal Assessment - Report / Synoptic Project
You will start writing this in lesson time from January of year 11 aiming to complete it before April.
Grading:
- Not Yet Achieved
- Level 1 Pass
- Level 1 Merit
- Level 1 Distinction
- Level 2 Pass
- Level 2 Merit
- Level 2 Distinction
Specification: What You Will Learn
- Understand entrepreneurial characteristics and business aims and objectives
- Legal structures, organisational structures and stakeholder engagement
- Understand the marketing mix, market research, market types and orientation types
- Understand operations management
- Understand internal and external influences on business
- Understand research, resource planning and growth for business
- Understand human resource requirements for a business start-up
- Understand sources of enterprise funding and business finance
- Understand business and enterprise planning
Learners will Develop Skills and Knowledge:
Analysing data and making decisions that are essential for the business and enterprise sector, such as evaluation skills; responding to data; independent working; working to deadlines; efficient use of resources. The knowledge and skills gained will provide a secure foundation for careers in the business and enterprise sector.
Business Studies
The Business Studies course is very popular and will give you an insight into how businesses operate. It is excellent preparation for anyone seeking to pursue business related courses in Higher Education and those who may be aiming to run a business of their own.
View more information on A-Level Business Studies
Economics
A Level Economics will give you an excellent understanding of how economies allocate their scarce resources to meet the needs and wants of people in the economy.
View more information on A-Level Economics