GCSE Business Studies

Course summary

Why study this subject? Business Studies is a subject that gives pupils the opportunity to develop a wide range of transferable skills. Pupils will become skilled in making decisions, being creative, solving problems, understanding finance, analysing data and working as part of a team. They will develop as effective and independent learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds. Business Studies gives pupils the opportunity to understand the world we live in and become more aware of global issues and events. What they see and hear on the news will start to make more sense: what inflation means for individuals, how container ships avoiding the Red Sea impacts production chains and prices and which brands might be the next to close their high street shops. What do successful pupils who study this subject go onto at A Level, degree or career? GCSE Business Studies teaches a wide range of skills and helps prepare pupils for further study in a broad range of subjects at A Level and BTEC. We offer BTEC Level 3 Business Studies as a single or double award. This is a highly valued alternative to A Levels, allowing students to study business further, learn vocational skills and undertake work experience placements. Students have gone on to study subjects such as Business Management and Finance at university, or move into an apprenticeship or employment. How can pupils/parents help prepare pupils for Year 10? Start reading or watching the business news regularly so you are aware of current issues in business both in the UK and globally. Have discussions at home about things that are going on in the world and the impact they are having. Watch TV programmes such as ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘Dragons’ Den’, or any documentary type programmes about businesses, such as ‘Aldi’s Middle Aisle’ or ‘Inside the Factory’. Think about some of the brands you buy and start evaluating why you do this. Are there any trips or visits that take place to support the course? In Year 10 we visit The All England Lawn Tennis Club to learn about the business of Wimbledon. We will also visit other businesses to learn about their activities; being a London school we have a great choice of places to visit. Past trips have included a football club, Thorpe Park, Deloitte and The Bank of England. Any other points specific to the subject? Questions in the exam will be based on business contexts given in a source booklet. This makes reading the business news and understanding the impact of business decisions even more important.