GCSE Business Years 10 & 11
Specification:
AQA - The specification and assessment structure can be found at the link:https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/business-subjects/gcse/business-8132
What will I study?
Business is a subject that aims to give you the ability to analyse activities behind the closed door of a business. The six areas of Business are:
- Business in the real world.
- Influences on business.
- Marketing.
- Human resources.
- Business operations.
- Finance.
What skills/qualities are required?
- Communications skills – both verbal and written. A good command of the English language is particularly important.
- Reasonable level of numeracy, particularly an ability to interpret data.
- Analytical skills.
- Evaluation skills.
- Organisational skills.
- Initiative.
- Independent learning and research skills.
- Working with others.
How will I learn?
You will learn through practical activities, listening, participating in discussions, making own notes, extended writing, working with others, evaluating your own work and that of others, extended reading and research, and engaging in a variety of techniques which support personal and co-operative learning.
How will I be assessed?
The course is assessed by two written examinations. Each exam is worth 50% of the GCSE and covers the topics bullet pointed at the top of this page. Assessment within the exam will comprise of multiple choice questions and a number of shorter and longer data response questions.
Where could it lead?
Business can lead to opportunities in both the public and private sectors. There are now many degree and sandwich courses which combine Business or Management Studies with other subjects e.g. languages, engineering, ICT, law. Career opportunities available are diverse, including marketing, advertising, accounts and finance, management, administration, public relations and personnel. A qualification in Business enables students to use their knowledge in different fields, e.g. arts administration, retailing, health service and hotel management. There are career opportunities both inside and outside the UK.
Year 10
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 | Business in the real world |
The purpose of business activity, the role of business enterprise and entrepreneurship and the dynamic nature of business. Students need to be aware of the impact business in the real world has on the four functional areas of business:
|
Knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation |
| 2 |
Business in the real world (continued) Influences on business |
The importance of external influences on business and how businesses change in response to these influences. Students need to be aware of the impact influences on business have on the four functional areas of business:
|
Knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation |
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 |
Influences on business (continued) Human resources |
Students should understand the interdependent nature of business operations, human resources, marketing and finance. Students should be able to give examples of how business objectives would be split into functional plans with clear links throughout. The purpose of human resources, its role within business and how it influences business activity. | Knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation |
| 2 |
Human Resources (continued) Operations Management |
Students should understand the interdependent nature of business operations, human resources, marketing and finance. Students should be able to give examples of how business objectives would be split into functional plans with clear links throughout. What business operations involve, their role within the production of goods and the provision of services and how they influence business activity. |
Knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation |
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 |
Operations Management (continued) Paper 1 internally assessed exam |
What business operations involve, their role within the production of goods and the provision of services and how they influence business activity. | knowledge, application, analysis, synthesis, research and evaluation |
| 2 | Consolidation of unit 1, case studies and enterprise activities | Students will have the opportunity to look at local, national and international businesses and present their findings to their peers. Students will also focus on the marketing and finance function in preparation for the programme of study in Year 11 | knowledge, application, analysis, synthesis, research and evaluation |
Year 11
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 | Marketing and Finance | Students should understand the interdependent nature of business operations, human resources, marketing and finance. Students should be able to give examples of how business objectives would be split into functional plans with clear links throughout
The purpose of marketing, its role within business and how it influences business activity Students should understand the interdependent nature of business operations, human resources, marketing and finance. Students should be able to give examples of how business objectives would be split into functional plans with clear links throughout. The purpose of the finance function, its role within business and how it influences business activity. |
Knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation |
| 2 | Marketing and finance |
Students should understand the interdependent nature of business operations, human resources, marketing and finance. Students should be able to give examples of how business objectives would be split into functional plans with clear links throughout The purpose of marketing, its role within business and how it influences business activity Students should understand the interdependent nature of business operations, human resources, marketing and finance. Students should be able to give examples of how business objectives would be split into functional plans with clear links throughout. The purpose of the finance function, its role within business and how it influences business activity. |
Knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation |
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 | Revision | Students will go through past papers, exemplar answers and refine exam technique | Knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation |
| 2 | Revision | Students will go through past papers, exemplar answers and refine exam technique | Knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation |
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 | Revision | Students will go through past papers, exemplar answers and refine exam technique | Knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation |
Assessments
| Resources | Topic | Type of assessment |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 1 | All areas covered in term 1 & 2 | Exam paper |
| CAT 2 | All areas covered in Year 10 | Exam paper |
| CAT 3 | Paper 1 exam | Mock exam |
| CAT 4 | Unit 1 exemplar exam paper | Exam practice question |
| CAT 5 | Mock – exemplar exam paper | Exam paper |
| CAT 6 | Mock – Unit 2 past paper | Exam paper |
Main Resources
| Resource | Details | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Guides | AQA Business for GCSE CGP guide/workbook | All |
| Recommended reading | A quality newspaper | All |
| Recommended websites |
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/business www.businessstudiesonline.co.uk |
Enrichment opportunities
| Activity | Day and time or term |
|---|---|
| Lunchtime extension classes | |
| After School Class |
