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Business StudiesIntroduction
Business Studies is a well established and popular subject which is studied at GCSE, AS and A Levels. The subject is certainly one of the most relevant that a student can study and this means that it attracts a wide range of ability levels. Group sizes will vary from year to year but on average a GCSE group of around 20 and a Sixth Form of around 15 are common. Business Studies will give a valuable insight into why and how businesses behave and the subject covers a diverse but related range of topics from Marketing to People, Accounting to Objectives and Production to Government Policy. It is not an easy option, largely because it is not studied until GCSE level, and in some cases not before AS Level but the fact that it is “new”, interesting and relevant makes the subject extremely popular. The Department aims to foster and develop an interest in, and an understanding of, the various components in the subject as well as how they link together. Current affairs provide a great deal of useful information so keeping abreast of the news is an important aspect of the work, as is the need to carry out research and present findings. Students are encouraged to voice their experiences and substantiate their opinions in discussion, and to develop the reasoning skills needed for the examinations. A willingness to learn, an inquiring and considered mind, a reasonable level of basic mathematical ability as well as a genuine interest in the subject will all be useful.
Business Studies at RishworthThe subject is not studied below Year 10. In Years 10 and 11 students can choose Business Studies as a GCSE option. During Year 10 students will study topics relating to starting a new business including Objectives and Stakeholders, Business Planning, Market Research, Recruitment, Sources of Finance, Cash Flow and Customer Service. This topic will be externally assessed by a one-hour examination paper towards the end of Year 10. Year 11 students will study topics relating to the growth and expansion of businesses including Mergers and Takeovers, Private and Public Limited Companies, The Marketing Mix, Profit and Loss Accounts, Balance Sheets, Motivation, Economies of Scale and Productivity. At the end of Year 11 this topic will be externally assessed by a one-hour examination. In addition 25% of the GCSE mark will be for a Controlled Assessment involving a business investigation which will take place during Year 11. In the Lower Sixth students can choose to study Business Studies at AS Level. A GCSE in Business Studies will provide a useful foundation but is by no means essential. The AS specification involves studying topics related to the setting up and management of a small business including Entrepreneurship, Business Planning, Market Research, Cash Flow, Breaking Even and Setting Budgets, Marketing, Customer Service and Motivating Workers. This is assessed by two examination papers. A2 involves strategies for success in larger businesses such as Analysing Balance Sheets, Profitability Statements and Ratios, Lean Production and Human Resource Planning as well as Managing Change in the Business Environment. This is also assessed by two examination papers.
Outside the classroomResearch exercises are used to reinforce understanding of topics such as objectivity, marketing, people, and the impact of external factors.
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