The Friary School - an Arts and Sports College

Business Studies

Why

Business

Studies?

You’ve heard of the Apprentice and Alan Sugar, Richard Branson and Virgin, the battle of the supermarkets -

Tesco, Asda etc. Business Studies provides an insight into the world around us, from recession, international trade, marketing and recruitment of staff, to finance, production and legislation.

News

Y11 GCSE Business Studies students visited Cadbury’s World in September 2011, and Y12 AS Business Studies students visited the National Brewery Centre in October 2011. Both visits provided the students with an insight into the production process, and also invaluable information about marketing during two marketing presentations that the students attended.

Talks are currently under way to develop links with Barclays Bank.

Business Studies lunchtime club runs each week (Wednesday and Thursday every week in G12) to provide students with an opportunity to revisit topics and complete any outstanding tasks.

Celebrations

“Student of the Month” awards are made to Business Studies students in years 10 -13. These awards recognise commitment, enthusiasm, and the hard work of individual students.

Facilities

Lessons are timetabled for all groups in classrooms and computer rooms which facilitates a range of activities and teaching strategies.

Staff

The Business Studies department consists of two Business Studies teachers.

Mrs K Van Block (Subject leader for Business Studies)
Mrs J Sherry (Assistant Head of Sixth Form and Teacher of Business Studies)

Courses & Syllabus

KS4

At KS4 we offer WJEC GCSE Business Studies. Students complete a controlled task (25%) in the Autumn term of year 11 and an examination paper (75%) in the Summer term of year 11.

The specification is designed to:
Develop an understanding of business activity, integrating business theory and practice;

Raise awareness of current business issues, both domestic and international;

Understand the need for businesses to adopt a moral / ethical stance and a responsible attitude towards the environment.

The controlled task enables the students to undertake market research, analyse and evaluate the findings, and carryout decision-making and problem-solving.

KS5

At KS5 we offer a challenging GCE Business Studies (WJEC). This specification is suitable for students who have either completed GCSE Business Studies or have not done so, and would like the opportunity to study the subject at this level. It is divided into four examination units, two for AS and two for A2.

The specification is designed to enable students:

•   to develop an enthusiasm for studying business;
•   to generate enterprising and creative solutions to business problems and issues;
•   to raise awareness of the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by organisations and individuals;
•   to acquire a number of skills including: decision-making skills, problem solving, challenging assumptions and quantifying and managing information.