Business Studies

Subject:	Business Studies
Contact:	Mrs A Watts

Overview

Business Studies is an optional subject which students can study during Key Stages 4 and 5. Throughout each Key Stage, students study a wide variety of Business topics with an aim to deepen students understanding of the way in which businesses operate in a dynamic, changing and competitive environment. This understanding is rooted in current business theory and practice and reflects the integrated nature of organisations and their decision-making processes. The specifications enable students to actively engage in the study of business and to develop as effective and independent learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds. Students are encouraged to develop and apply their knowledge, understanding and skills to contemporary issues in a range of national, local and international contexts; appreciate the range of perspectives of different stakeholders in relation to business and economic activities; consider the extent to which business and economic activity can be ethical and sustainable.

KS4

Overview

We study the WJEC / CBAC GCSE syllabus. This is a linear course, examined at the end of Year 11. Students are taught a wide range of business topics including: Business ownership, Marketing, Operations Management, Finance and The External Business Environment. Students complete two assessments per term linked to the topic being studied which informs their teacher assessed levels on their reports. Throughout KS4 a central focus is on developing examination skills at level 2. Students have 5 lessons per fortnight taught by Mrs Watts.

Exam board and course

WJEC / CBAC Business Studies (4080)

Curriculum Content

	Term 1	Term 2	Term 3
Year 10	Topic 1 : The Business Framework Topic 2 : Businesses and their customers	Topic 2 : Businesses and their customers Topic 3 : Producing Goods and Services	Topic 3 : Producing Goods and Services Topic 4 : Human Resource Management
Year 11	Controlled Assessment	Topic 5 : The external environment Topic 6 : Business Finance and control	Revision

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Year 10

Topic 1 : The Business Framework

Topic 2 : Businesses and their customers

Topic 3 : Producing Goods and Services

Topic 4 : Human Resource Management

Year 11

Controlled Assessment

Topic 5 : The external environment

Topic 6 : Business Finance and control

Revision

Assessment components

Component 1: Written Paper	Component 2: Controlled Assessment
What’s assessed One paper which will be targeted at the full range of GCSE grades. Compulsory short-answer questions and compulsory questions based on stimulus material. Some of these questions will require extended writing and will assess the quality of written communication.	What’s assessed Task Setting: Externally set by WJEC with centres choosing from a range of comparable tasks Task Taking: Research- medium level of control over a 6 week period. Analysis and evaluation- direct control, up to 2000 words in a time period that should not exceed three hours. Task Marking: Internally marked and externally moderated
How it’s assessed Written exam: 2 hours 100 marks 75% of qualification	How it’s assessed Controlled assessment 60 marks 25% of qualification

Component 1: Written Paper

Component 2: Controlled Assessment

What’s assessed

One paper which will be targeted at the full range of GCSE grades.

Compulsory short-answer questions and compulsory questions based on stimulus material. Some of these questions will require extended writing and will assess the quality of written communication.

What’s assessed

Task Setting: Externally set by WJEC with centres choosing from a range of comparable tasks

Task Taking: Research- medium level of control over a 6 week period. Analysis and evaluation- direct control, up to 2000 words in a time period that should not exceed three hours.

Task Marking: Internally marked and externally moderated

How it’s assessed

Written exam: 2 hours

100 marks

75% of qualification

How it’s assessed

Controlled assessment

60 marks

25% of qualification