Business

Our progressively sequenced curriculum builds robust financial literacy, critical problem-solving, and analytical teamwork across core domains like Enterprise, Marketing, and Finance. Students transition seamlessly from hands-on, project-based challenges in Key Stage 3 to Edexcel GCSE, culminating in vocational Level 3 BTEC pathways in the Sixth Form.

We firmly believe studying Business acts as a powerful platform for social mobility. Learning is continually enriched through real-world case studies of resilient entrepreneurs, experiential visits to the Bank of England, and high-profile competitive initiatives like the Young Enterprise Competition.

Our Motif in Business is – To think commercially, evaluate critically, and innovate with resilience!

KS4 Business

GCSE Business Studies (Pearson Edexcel)

GCSE Business is a dynamic qualification that focuses on practical, analytical, and enterprise skills. The course gives students a greater understanding and awareness of how individuals and businesses work within the local, national, and global economy. The course is composed of 2 themes of work.

Theme 1 is a written examination based on investigating small businesses. This focuses on the skills needed to spot a business opportunity, turn an enterprise idea into practice, and understand external influences on a business. This is externally assessed in a written examination and accounts for 50% of the final mark.

For Theme 2, students examine how a business grows and develops beyond the start-up phase. In this theme, students focus on marketing, operational decisions, financial planning, and human resource management. This is also externally assessed in a written examination and accounts for 50% of the final mark.

To be successful in this subject student will need to be good at and enjoy:

• Identifying business successes and any limitations
• Being an independent learner
• Applying mathematical concepts to financial calculations
• Organising your own revision time
• Learning about new businesses and economic news
• Analysing data to make strategic business decisions

Progression Routes & Career Opportunities

The GCSE Business qualification provides a solid foundation for progression to Business and Economics related courses, including A-level Business Studies, and a career across professional business sectors. Students who complete the Level 2 qualification can progress on to Level 3 BTEC Business Studies within the Aspire Business & Enterprise Academy.

Possible careers include:

• Business Management
• Marketing & Advertising
• Accountancy & Finance
• Human Resources
• Entrepreneurship / Small Business Owner
• Banking & Investment
• Retail Management
• Public Relations
• Logistics & Project Management

Additional information: Please note that due to the analytical and exam-focused nature of this subject, intervention and revision classes will run after school to help support students.

KS5 Business

Pearson Edexcel BTEC Nationals in Business

BTEC National Extended Certificate (2-Year Course / 1 A-Level Equivalent)

BTEC National Diploma (2-Year Course / 2 A-Level Equivalent)

The KS5 Business curriculum offers a dynamic, vocational route into the corporate world. Designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, these qualifications focus on developing practical, analytical, and workplace-ready skills. By combining academic theory with real-world business scenarios, students gain the confidence needed to succeed in higher education or step straight into their careers.

Entry Requirements

To look under the hood of modern enterprises, students must achieve the standard entry requirements for the Sixth Form, alongside the following subject-specific requirement:

• Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or GCSE English Literature

What Students Will Study

The curriculum is structured around core business concepts, with expanded pathways depending on whether students choose the Extended Certificate or the broader Diploma route.

Core Units (All Students)

• Unit 1: Exploring Business – A deep dive into how real businesses operate, looking at structures, stakeholder influence, and innovation (Internal Assignment)
• Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign – Students analyse market research to pitch and build their own comprehensive marketing strategy (External Task)
• Unit 3: Personal & Business Finance – Developing crucial life skills in personal money management alongside corporate accounting, cash flow, and profit-and-loss analysis (External Exam)
• Unit 8: Recruitment and Selection – Hands-on experience executing a business function, focusing on the human resources cycle and interview processes (Internal Assignment)

Additional Units for the National Diploma

Students opting for the double-award Diploma will expand their business portfolio by exploring complex, global environments. Additional modules include:

• International Business – Investigating how trade, cultural differences, and globalization impact corporate expansion.
• Digital Marketing – Navigating the modern landscape of SEO, social media algorithms, and e-commerce campaigns.

How the Course is Assessed

A Blend of Theory and Practice

The modern BTEC structure uses a combination of assessment styles to build ultimate student confidence. This balanced framework ensures students aren’t judged solely on a single memory-test exam at the end of two years.

Assessment is split into two pathways:

1. Internal Assessments: Practical, vocational coursework assignments where students showcase their research, presentation, and report-writing skills.
2. External Assessments: Practical real-world tasks (such as responding to a marketing brief under supervised conditions) and traditional written examinations.

Progression Routes & Sectors of Employment

This diverse qualification provides an exceptional foundation for both higher education degrees and higher-tier apprenticeships.

Students can leverage their skills across a broad range of professional sectors, including:

• Business, Administration and Law (Management, Corporate Law, HR, Accountancy)
• Retail and Commercial Enterprise (Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Buying)
• Arts, Media and Publishing (PR Agencies, Creative Brand Management)
• Information and Communication Technology (E-commerce, Tech Start-ups, Data Analytics)
• Leisure, Travel and Tourism (Hospitality Management, Event Coordination)
• Preparation for Life and Work (Entrepreneurship, Non-Profit Management)