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Business Studies
Introduction
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 Rishworth
The 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 classroom
Research exercises are used to reinforce
understanding of topics such as objectivity,
marketing, people, and the impact of external
factors.
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