Welcome to Business Studies

Whatever your future plans and career goals, business is a subject which will support you, as you will be working within a business organisation or running your own business.

Business supports you to develop essential communication skills (through verbal presentations and discussions), in addition to building your literacy (through the writing of academic essays and reports) and numeracy skills (through the study of business finance).

In studying business you’ll develop a broad knowledge of business operations, such as customers, marketing, finance, strategy, communications and IT.  

You’ll typically also be challenged to explore these fields within a local, national, and international context, through case studies and independent investigations. 

You will gain valuable transferable skills and knowledge, which can be put to use in both everyday life and your further education.  

The study of business leads to a range of careers including, accountant, economist, entrepreneur, financial advisor, human resources manager, marketing professional, project manager and social media marketer. 

Within the department there are many opportunities for students to develop Christian values, which support the Academy Christian Ethos. We teach and actively encourage respect between students and other adults in all lessons and this is evident when listening quietly to others opinions, for example.  We promote forgiveness in lessons, by encouraging students to reconcile and accept differences in opinion yet promote courage in speaking out loud and sharing opinions with peers. We explore the importance of community by relating to local and true to life case studies when exploring theoretical concepts.  Within assessments and independent work we encourage self-control and stillness to promote reflection and deeper thought. We endorse endurance and reverence, especially when considering extending reports and essays which can span the entirety of a term to complete.  Honestly is an important element in the teaching of malpractice, particularly around formal coursework submission.  

Within business at KS4 students learn through vocational contexts and practices by studying enterprises, entrepreneurs, customers, competitors, the external environment, business planning and presenting, marketing and finance.  Students develop their transferable skills, such as researching, planning, making decisions and judgements, financial literacy using realistic vocational contexts, and personal skills, such as creativity and innovation, time management, reviewing, communication and planning through a practical and skills-based approach to learning and assessment.

Specific areas of study include skills and characteristics of enterprises and entrepreneurs, and the internal and external factors that can affect the success of an enterprise; in addition, the process of developing a business plan and using and applying marketing and finance knowledge.  Students will develop key skills that prove aptitude in planning an enterprise idea, including market research, planning, carrying out financial transactions, communication and problem-solving.  In addition attitudes and ways of working that are considered most important for enterprise, including monitoring and reflecting on the performance of an enterprise idea and own use of skills.

Business can support learners to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector, preparing learners for further education.

All Year 10 subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Sociology

All Year 11 subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Sociology

The Extended Certificate in business is for learners who are interested in learning about the business sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in business-related subjects.

50 % of the course is assessed through coursework assessments that are completed throughout the course. In addition, you will complete two external assessments (one written examination paper and one controlled assessment.

All Year 12 subjects Next Year 12 Subject - Sociology

All Year 13 subjects Next Year 13 Subject - Sociology

Professional Pathways is an innovative programme of study offered at sixth forms across the Ark network. It has been designed in close collaboration with partners from the commercial and public sectors. Those on this pathway will study towards the BTEC Extended Diploma, worth three A levels, in Business.

The majority of the course is assessed through coursework assessments that are completed throughout the course. In addition, you will complete one controlled assessment and one exam at the end of each year. These will make up approximately 30% of your final grade.

All Year 12 subjects Next Year 12 Subject - Sociology

All Year 13 subjects Next Year 13 Subject - Sociology