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Business, Economics & Finance: Business

Department
Business, Economics and Finance
Level
A-Level, GCSE
Building
Rothschild
Subject Leader
Mr P Tilley
Business: Business, Economics & Finance

Subject Overview

In Business at GCSE, our aim is to introduce students to the main aspects of business operations, including HR, finance, marketing, operations and entrepreneurship.  Over the course of completing the subject, students develop their ability in making decisions and forming arguments based on material seen for the first time and using their knowledge of business. 

The substance of the course is conceptual knowledge of business, including terminology and procedure along with formulae and calculations, in order to draw conclusions on business performance. 

The course also allows students to apply their existing skills to more vocational and real-world scenarios, with particular attention to developing critical thinking skills and entrepreneurial attributes. 

Teachers

Mr Paul Tilley

Subject Leader for Business, Economics & Finance

Mrs Jessica Booker 

Business & Economics Teacher

Miss Safiya Raqib

Business & Finance Teacher

Curriculum Intent

In Business from KS4 to KS5, the aim is to develop students’ understanding of the main aspects of business operations, including HR, finance, marketing and operations.  With this knowledge, students practise forming arguments and making decisions and recommendations based on material seen for the first time and using their increasing awareness of current issues in the business world.  The courses serve as a helpful introduction to Business courses at higher levels and work-based routes, both of which are popular amongst our students.

At KS5, there is the option for students to specialise further by taking Economics or Finance in the Sixth Form.

Key Stage 4

KS4 Booklet KS4 Syllabus
GCSE Overview

Students are taught the following topics in Years 9 to 11:

  • Enterprise and entrepreneurship
  • Spotting a business opportunity
  • Putting a business idea into practice
  • Making the business effective. Understanding external influences on business
  • Growing the business
  • Making marketing decisions
  • Making product decisions
  • Making financial decisions
  • Making human resource decisions

Key Stage 5

KS5 Prospectus KS5 Syllabus
A-Level Overview

Students are taught the following topics in Years 12 and 13:

The A Level comprises 4 themes as follows:

Theme 1

  • Meeting customer needs
  • The market
  • Marketing mix and strategy
  • Managing people
  • Entrepreneurs and leaders.

Theme 2

  • Raising finance
  • Financial planning
  • Managing finance
  • Resource management
  • External influences

Theme 3

  • Business objectives and strategy
  • Business growth
  • Decision-making techniques
  • Influences on business decisions
  • Assessing competitiveness
  • Managing change

Theme 4

  • Globalisation
  • Global markets and business expansion
  • Global marketing

Global industries and companies (multinational corporations)

Extra and Co-Curricular Experiences

Students have the opportunity to take part in a number of enterprise activities and competitions throughout the course, including the Student Investor Challenge involving teams of students investing in two portfolios of stocks.

Economics 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.

Additional Curriculum Opportunities for our High Prior Attainers

Students are encouraged to read a range of texts 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.

Waddesdon Church of England School’s Assessment and Feedback Policy. At Waddesdon our aim is for assessment to be:

  • Meaningful
  • Motivational
  • Manageable