Business KS4 | Years 10 & 11
Examination Board | Edexcel
Specification Code | Pearson Edexcel Level 1 - Level GCSE (9-1) in Business (1BS0)
Subject Content
Theme 1 | Investigating small Businesses
Throughout the year we cover enterprise & entrepreneurship, spotting a business opportunity, putting business ideas into practice, making the business effective, and understanding external influences. These areas include learning about marketing and finance. Students will gain a solid base of knowledge and skills to take with them into Year 11.
Theme 2 | Building the Business
In this topic we learn about growing the business, making marketing decisions, making operational decisions, making financial decisions, and making human resource decisions. HR and operations are added to the students’ areas of expertise.
Throughout the two years, students are taught exam techniques to help them apply their knowledge. A wide variety of case studies are used to give practical examples and scenarios so that students can then demonstrate their learning. The course culminates in two exams of 1 hour 45 minutes each. There is an exam for each theme.
Assessment Details
Students will be formally assessed each term and provided with feedback to assist them to improve.
To be successful, students will need to be able to:
- Define and explain key business terms and concepts.
- Describe the different types of businesses (e.g., sole traders, partnerships, corporations).
- Understanding the role of entrepreneurship in business.
- Interpret and analyse financial statements (income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements).
- Calculate and understand financial ratios (e.g., profit margin, liquidity ratios).
- Interpret market research to understand consumer behaviour and preferences.
- Understand marketing strategies to target specific customer segments.
- Understand the 4Ps of marketing (product, price, place, promotion).
- Discuss ethical issues in business, such as corporate social responsibility (CSR).
- Analyse the impact of business decisions on society and the environment.
- Understand the need for business plans, including financial projections and marketing strategies.
- Understanding relevant business laws and regulations, including employment law.
- Discuss ethical dilemmas and decision-making in business.
- Analyse the impact of globalisation on businesses.
- Understand international trade and the importance of cultural sensitivity.
- Reflect on personal and academic growth throughout the course.
- Set goals for continuous improvement in business skills.
What can I do to support my child at home?
Share your real-world experiences in business. Ask what topic they are studying and possibly demonstrate how you or your workplace applies it. This will really help them to contextualise.
Encourage your budding entrepreneur to watch the news, read business blogs, find out how some of the best-known current talent started and where they are now, how did they get there?
Please support the importance of investing time on homework outside the classroom.
Websites
Books
- Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Business textbook (used in class). ISBN - 10 -1398356328
Teaching Staff
Head of Business
Mr Wright - cwright@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk
Teacher of Business
Mrs D’Souza - sdsouza@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk