Business Studies


Aim of Subject

Business Studies provides students with a unique insight into the world of work. Through its study, students discover how businesses operate and learn about their key elements and essential business functions.

This knowledge, and the holistic understanding that develops, is invaluable to those students who are approaching or currently in the workplace. It offers an excellent foundation for those wishing to pursue careers in management, marketing, project management, business accounting, management consultancy, human resources, and business journalism as well as those interested in continuing on to further study.

Department Staff

Mrs Lynne Gardiner (Head of Department)

Mrs Leah Quinn

Mrs Sharon Street

GCSE Business Studies

This course enables our students to learn about how businesses start up, resources they need, marketing, finance, challenges they face and how they grow. Students also explore the role of stakeholders – groups that have an interest in a business – as well as human resources, the recruitment and selection process, and the value of training and motivation for employees.

Important new topics include the role of social enterprise, e-business and m-business, discovering how businesses can use electronic and mobile technology in different ways. Students also learn to apply useful skills such as proposing business strategies or solutions, understanding other viewpoints and justifying decisions.

A qualification in Business Studies can lead to a career in accounting, advertising, banking, retail, management consulting, marketing, research, human resources, a small business, or self-employment as an entrepreneur.

Assessment is through two written exams, each worth 40% of the final mark, and a controlled assessment unit worth 20%.

The specification has three units:

  • Unit 1: Starting a Business
  • Unit 2: Developing a Business
  • Unit 3: Planning a Business.

GCSE Business and Communication Systems

Through studying our GCSE in Business and Communication Systems, students:

  • gain business knowledge, understanding and skills;
  • gain practical ICT skills; and
  • gain an understanding of how ICT skills are used to enhance business activities, particularly through e-commerce.

This course is very relevant to today’s business world. It helps students understand the changing role of ICT in business and economic activities. It also helps students understand the ways in which market environments are changing because of ICT, for example the rise of e-business.

This course helps students develop practical ICT and business skills that are useful in a diverse range of employment roles. It also prepares students for studying business and ICT at a more advanced level.

BTEC National Level 3 – Subsidiary Diploma in Business

The BTEC qualifications in this specification have been developed in the business sector to:
● provide education and training for employees in the business sector
● provide business employees opportunities to achieve a nationally recognised level 3 vocationally-specific qualification
● provide full-time learners the opportunity to enter employment in the business sector or to progress to vocational qualifications such as the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Business
● provide learners the opportunity to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal skills and attributes essential for successful performance in working life.