What is our vision in Business Studies?
OCR’s GCSE in Business is an up-to-date and engaging qualification that is relevant to the world of business today. This qualification equips learners with the skills and confidence to explore how different business situations affect business decisions. It is a well rounded introduction to the subject. The qualification will encourage learners to make informed choices about a wide range of further learning opportunities and career pathways as well as develop life skills that enable them to become financially and commercially aware. The specification is divided into topics, each covering key concepts of business.
Business Studies learning journey
Business Studies at KS4
Students will start by exploring the world of small businesses through the lens of an entrepreneur. How and why do business ideas come about? What makes a successful business? Students will learn how to develop an idea, spot an opportunity, and turn it into a successful business. They will understand how to make a business effective, manage money and see how the world around us affects small businesses and all the people involved.
Students will then move on to investigating business growth. How does a business develop beyond the start-up phase? They will learn about key business concepts and issues and decisions you need to make when growing a business and working in a global business. Students will learn about meeting customer needs, making marketing, operational, financial and human resourcing decisions and you’ll explore how the wider world impacts the business as it grows.
Curriculum learning grid in Year 10
Curriculum learning grid in Year 11
Support for students
Reading lists, library books, TV shows such as Dragons’ Den and The Apprentice.
Extended Learning Opportunities in Business Studies
We are proud to be able to offer our students the chance to take part in a wealth of extra-curricular activities to help enrich their learning. For example, there are a range of competitions that students enter throughout the year; taking part in nationally recognised programmes such as Young Enterprise which empowers young people to set up and run a student company under the guidance of a business volunteer. Students make all the decisions about their business, from deciding on the company name, managing the company finances, and selling to the public. Participants gain practical business experience and key skills.
Further Education & Career Pathways in Business
How can parents and carers support learning ?
Parents and carers can offer their support to students by bringing their knowledge of the world to assist understanding. In the exam, all of the case studies are from real life businesses so offering students parental wisdom and insight into what the business is about is an ideal way to clarify comprehension. As we also cover issues such as globalisation and environmental issues, an adult insight will help to deepen student engagement and understanding.
Marking & Assessment Protocol in Business Studies
Formal, exam style assessments take place once per half term on the completion of each unit. Exam question answering technique is built into teaching prior to assessments to develop logical reasoning skills needed for the actual exam. In class marking of assignments and class based work takes place on a fortnightly basis.