Mrs Jessica Booker Subject Leader for Business & Economics

Miss Safiya Raqib Business & Economics Teacher

Ms Sarah D’Souza Business & Economics Teacher

Our Business curriculum develops commercially aware, curious students who can interpret how organisations make decisions in a competitive, changing environment. Students build secure knowledge of key business functions and learn to apply this to real firms through purposeful case studies and current news, so theory becomes a tool for explaining what businesses do and why it matters. 

We explicitly teach the skills that underpin success in Business and beyond. Analysing quantitative and qualitative data, constructing logical chains of reasoning, evaluating trade-offs for different stakeholders, and communicating judgements clearly with evidence. Across GCSE and A Level, students’ progress from understanding core concepts to synoptic thinking, strategic decision-making, and confident critical reflection on ethics, sustainability and risk. 

KS4 Syllabus

GCSE Overview

1.1 Enterprise and entrepreneurship  

1.2 Spotting a business opportunity   

1.3 Putting a business idea into practice   

1.4 Making the business effective  

1.5 Understanding external influences on business  

 

2.1 Growing the business  

2.2 Making marketing decisions  

2.3 Making operations decisions  

2.4 Making financial decisions  

2.5 Making human resource decisions 

KS5 Syllabus

A-Level Overview

1.1 Meeting customer needs​​ 

1.2 The market​​ 

1.3 Marketing mix & strategy​​ 

1.4 Managing people​​ 

1.5 Entrepreneurs & leaders 

2.1 Raising finance​​ 

2.2 Financial planning​​ 

2.3 Managing finance​​ 

2.4 Resource management​​ 

2.5 External influences 

3.1 Business objectives & strategy​ 

3.2 Business growth​ 

3.3 Decision-making techniques​ 

3.4 Influences on business decisions​ 

3.5 Assessing competitiveness​ 

3.6 Managing change 

4.1 Globalisation​ 

4.2 Global markets & business expansion​ 

4.3 Global marketing​ 

4.4 Global industries & companies

Students also benefit from speakers visiting the school who in recent years have included entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and CEOs, as well as representatives of the Bank of England and large companies. 

Students have the opportunity to take part in a number of enterprise activities and competitions throughout the course, including a share challenge. 

Students are encouraged to read a range of texts and news to further their own emerging areas of interest.  

Details are published of summer school opportunities with leading universities and are regularly attended by Waddesdon students. 

Students are able to take a free subscription to the Financial Times online.