Business is offered as a GCSE option for students in Years 10 and 11, providing an exciting opportunity to explore the world of business and enterprise. Our GCSE Business curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to understand how businesses operate in an ever-changing world. We aim to develop commercially aware, enterprising individuals who can think critically, solve problems and make informed decisions.
Through the study of real-world businesses, students explore key concepts such as marketing, finance, operations and human resources, while also considering the impact of external factors including the economy, sustainability and technology.
The course encourages curiosity, resilience and independent thinking, preparing students not only for further study in business-related subjects but also for the demands of the modern workplace.
We follow the AQA Business Specification, which is split into six key areas/topics.
Year 1
Year 2
Assessment is through two written examinations at the end of Year 11. These exams test students’ knowledge, application, and ability to analyse and evaluate business scenarios through 3 assessment objectives (AO):
AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of business concepts and issues.
AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of business concepts and issues to a variety of contexts.
AO3: Analyse and evaluate business information and issues to demonstrate understanding of business activity, make judgements and draw conclusions.
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Paper 1: Influences of operations and HRM on business activity |
Paper 2: Influences of marketing and finance on business activity |
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What’s assessed
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What’s assessed
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How it’s assessed
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How it’s assessed
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Questions
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Questions
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A strong emphasis is placed on developing transferable skills. Students learn to analyse data, interpret business information, evaluate different strategies, and justify their decisions. These skills are highly valuable for further study and future careers. Whether you dream of starting your own business, working in finance or marketing or simply want to feel more prepared for the world of work, GCSE Business provides an engaging and solid foundation. It opens the door to further study at A level and beyond while giving you confidence in navigating the economic and commercial world around you.