As a new subject at GCSE level, students will be learning everything for the first time, making it an exciting option choice!
During Year 10 students will investigate small businesses, covering introductory topics including; how and why new business ideas come about, risk & reward, the role of entrepreneurship, customer needs, market research, business costs, revenue, profit, break-even, cash flow forecasts, ownership and liability, franchising, business plans, technology, legislation and the economy and business.
In Year 11 the emphasis shifts to exploring how to build and grow a business and topics covered include; methods of growth, financing growth, ethics and the environment, marketing, managing stock, procurement, quality, making financial decisions, effective communication, recruitment, training and motivation.
Students will develop all the skills required to excel in the GCSE examinations as they progress through the course, they will be taught how to write effective analysis and how to evaluate in longer questions. Teachers will support students in every step.
At the end of every unit (there are five units in Year 10 and five in Year 11), the students will sit a formal key assessment, using past paper and/or exam style questions, this will allow students to reflect upon their progress and help to familiarise them with the types of question they will encounter in the examinations. In the run up to these assessments, students will be provided with revision lists and key terms sheets, allowing them to prepare effectively. Personalised written feedback will be given on these assessments, identifying skills that need improving and topic areas that may require further revision. Students will be graded 9-1 for these assessments. In addition to this, there will be regular use of low stakes quizzes in class, this regular re-capping of information will help students to retain information and stay on top of the theory covered. Questioning and verbal feedback will also be used during lessons.
Exam Board: Edexcel
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/business-2017.html
Assessment:
GCSE business is assessed through two examinations, both held at the end of Year 11. Each exam is 1 hour 30mins long, they are evenly weighted (i.e./ both worth 50%) and identical in terms of structure. Each of the two papers is divided into three sections:
Section A: 35 marks
Section B: 30 marks
Section C: 25 marks.
The paper will consist of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions. Questions in Sections B and C will be based on business contexts given in the paper. Calculators may be used in the examination.
Useful links:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z98snbk
https://www.businessed.co.uk/index.php/home/theory/gcse/edexcel-gcse-9-1-theory-notes-public