Business Studies helps students to understand the world we live in – looking at how businesses are set up, and then how they are successfully developed beyond the start-up phase. Real business case studies are used to present key theories and concepts, applying models to actual small and large businesses, bringing the course content to life. Students also develop an understanding of the wider-world, preparing students for the future by developing an understanding of essential topics such as:

• The Economy (interest rates, inflation, employment rates, taxation, exchange rates)
• Finance (mortgages, loans, overdrafts)
• Recruitment (application forms, CV’s, interviews)
• Law (Consumer Rights, Employment Law)

Studying Business will also support learners in the development of desirable employability skills, allowing students to smoothly transition from an educational setting to a professional work environment through the cultivation of highly transferable skills including teamwork, problem solving, independent learning and communication skills, instilling confidence in our students to make themselves stand out in a competitive working environment.

Investigating Small Business – focuses on how small businesses are set up and run, introducing the skills and attributes of entrepreneurs who set up the businesses. Students will explore how business opportunities are formed through the use of market research, and then focuses on how entrepreneurs can make these ideas reality through the use of aims and objectives. Students will evaluate a range of factors that impact on the success of the business including location, the marketing mix and the business plan. Students will also consider how the external business environment (stakeholders, technology, legislation and the economy) affects small businesses – and how they can effectively respond to these factors.

Building a Business – focuses on how businesses develop beyond the start-up phase. Students will focus on national and global businesses, considering the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows. Students will look at methods of business growth, and consider the impact of globalisation and the ethical and environmental questions facing a growing business. As a business grows, students will consider the key performance indicators, from calculating gross and net profit to conducting ratio analysis. Students will also compare how organisational structures vary depending on the size, scale and culture of an organisation – and how effective recruitment, training and development is key to the success of organisations.

There are 2 written exams at the end of Year 11:

• Paper 1 – Investigating Small Business (1 hour 45 minutes)
• Paper 2 – Building a Business (1 hour 45 minutes)

After studying GCSE Business Studies you could study A-level Business at Bourne Academy Sixth Form.

Business will prepare learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in the business sector.

Studying Business opens up a wide range of possible career routes. Having an understanding of how a business operates prepares learners for almost any industry! Popular career routes following a qualification in Business include banking, digital marketing, estate agent, human resource office, retail buyer, event planning, accountant, marketing manager, productions manager, mortgage adviser, social media officer, sales director and many more!