Business: Key Stage 5

Enterprising minds of the future, through application of business theory and current business practices.  

The Edexcel A-Level Business course equips students with essential knowledge, skills, and insights to thrive in the dynamic world of business. Designed to inspire and prepare future entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry professionals, this course develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning abilities.

Students learn to interpret and evaluate real-world business scenarios, identifying opportunities and challenges. They develop the ability to make informed, data-driven decisions in diverse business contexts as well as master financial calculations, break-even analysis, and other tools essential for business planning. To do this, they will conduct market research and analyse trends, articulate ideas through written reports, group discussions, and presentations, and apply business theories to plan for long-term success.

The Edexcel Business Specification allows students to develop their thinking skills and consider how businesses operate on a local and global scale. Real business examples are regularly brought into lessons. Well known businesses such as GSK, Google, and Ikea are studied and explored, linking the course theory to business examples. Use of news articles, podcasts and interviews are shared in lessons to develop students understanding.

The Business course is well resourced, with excellent textbooks that come with a personalised digital workbook that each student can access. You might want to explore the revision guides and flash cards that are also available.

There are many enrichment opportunities in the department. For example, students in Year 12 can select Young Enterprise as their enrichment subject, giving them the opportunity to run their own business enterprise. Guest speakers from the Bank of England and other business operations are invited to talk to the students. Careers advice and opportunities in the world of work are also embedded into the curriculum. Previous visits to JLR and JCB have provided students with the opportunity to see first-hand global business operations in the UK.

All A level students are given the opportunity to enter the Be the Future competition run by Edexcel, in partnership with Deloitte. This competition requires students to explore social trends and come up with an idea to raise awareness.