Business Studies

We all come into contact with businesses every day - when we buy things, use goods and services, or even just observe adverts. The vast majority of us have to work for some kind of organisation. Businesses have been in the news more than ever in recent years, with the increasing popularity of television programmes such as The Apprentice and Dragons’ Den, the economic downturn creating hardships for many companies, and the government seeking to promote an enterprise agenda within schools.

The business subjects on offer to Heart of England students will enable them to understand how organisations work, what influences their decisions, and will help to prepare them for the world of work. Students will be introduced to the department through 8-week modules on Enterprise and Personal Finance during Year 9.

Most business teaching takes place at Key Stage 4 and in the Sixth Form. In Year 10 and 11 there are presently two GCSE courses on offer:

  • Business Studies covers these topic areas: Aims and objectives, ownership and control, management of people, finance, production, marketing, and external influences on business, including community and environmental factors, the economy, competition and enterprise culture
  • Business and Communication Systems integrates aspects of computing with business understanding, and consists of these units: the business environment, ICT in business, communication, workplace organisation, human resources

In addition, we now offer the BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Business. The course is divided into a number of units, each unit having a credit level. A total of 30 credits need to be achieved by the end of the two years. There are 2 compulsory units, each worth 5 credits:

  • Business Purposes
  • Business Organisations

Optional units are then selected, and can be a combination of shorter units worth 5 credits or longer units, worth 10 credits. Examples include: People in Organisations, Training and Employment, Business Enterprise, Business Online, Customer Relations. If students gain 15 credits they will achieve the BTEC Level 2 Certificate, equivalent to 1 GCSE.

In the Sixth Form, A Level options are Business Studies, Applied Business (which takes a more practical, coursework-based approach to the subject) and Economics. A further choice is the BTEC First Diploma in Business, worth 4 GCSEs. Students are encouraged to relate business knowledge to real organisations, and to carry out independent research, especially through on-line resources. To support this, the department arranges visiting speakers, and trips to local organisations and conferences.

"The secret is never to have an empty truck" Eddie Stobart

For More information email, Miss L Ferguson - Head of Business.