In GCSE Business, the learning is split into 2 themes. In year 10, students will focus on theme 1, where they will investigate a small business. This will include how the original idea was conceived, from spotting the opportunity through to making this business effective. Students will also learn about the external influences on business.

In this theme students will learn about what skills they need to become and entrepreneur and the risk and rewards associated with this. They will also learn about market research, why this is important and how this provides data for use in the business sector to make the business more successful. Students will learn all key financial terms such as revenue, profit and costs as well as the short- and long-term financial sources for companies.

In year 11, students will then focus on theme 2: “Building a Business”. This involves learning about day to day decisions of a business, including marketing. This focusses on the 4 P’s of product, price, promotion and place, having to think about all of these things to make sure the business is making the most of the gap they have identified in the market. They will also learn about the sales process, product knowledge, customer engagement and employee responses. Other topics will include business operations and human resources where students will learn about effective recruitment, training and development as well as looking at staff morale and motivation.

All of these topics will then be applied to a business with the purpose of growing this business to make it bigger and more effective/profitable.

There is no coursework in this subject and grades are based on performance in 2 separate exams both 1 hour and 45 minutes long. Taking this course will provide you with a strong foundation in learning to a higher level post-16 and opens many business-related careers options such as:

· Business Analyst

· Development Director

· Human Resources Director

· Finance Manager

· Chief Executive Officer

· Chief Marketing Officer