Critical Thinking 

Teamwork 

Business Strategy 

Data Analysis 

Commercial Awareness 

Extracting Important Information 

Ability to Plan 

Expressing Ideas 

Research Skills 

Written Communication 

Communication 

Leadership  

Problem Solving 

Meet Deadlines 

Persuading Others 

Forecasting and Predicting 

• How to set up a small business 

• Finance 

• Marketing 

• Human Resources 

• Investment Appraisal 

• The Economy 

• Enterprise skills 

Course Assessment: 

This is a linear course with all examinations taken in Year 11. 

• Theme 1: Investigating Small Business, worth 50% of final GCSE mark 

• Theme 2: Building a Business, worth 50% of final GCSE mark 

Both 1 ½ hour papers consist of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions. 

Progression Routes 

The knowledge and skills you will acquire in GCSE Business support progression to a broad range of Level 3 study, whether academic or vocational, including those offered by the ITBS Faculty at Great Baddow Sixth Form. 

Students studying A Level Business Studies cover the following topics: 

• Theme 1. Marketing and people: meeting customer needs; the market; marketing mix and strategy; managing people; entrepreneurs and leaders. 

• Theme 2. Managing business activities: raising finance; financial planning; managing finance; resource management; external influences. 

• Theme 3. Business decisions and strategy: business objectives and strategy; business growth; decision-making techniques; influences on business decisions; assessing competitiveness; managing change. 

• Theme 4. Global business: globalisation; global markets and business expansion; global marketing; global industries and companies; multinational corporations. 

Course Assessment 

• Paper 1 - Marketing, people and global businesses- 2 hour written exam - 35%. 

• Paper 2 - Business activities, decisions and strategy - 2 hour written exam - 35%. 

• Paper 3 - Investigating business in a competitive environment - 2 hour written exam - 30%. 

Economics A Level - Edexcel

Economics is a really relevant, useful and interesting subject that helps students to explain the world that they live in and decisions that are made by economic agents by exploring current and historic economic thinking and analysis. Students of Economics at Great Baddow High School develop an inquisitive mind and an eagerness to embrace complex ideas and differing views of the world. The curriculum aims to give students the confidence to defend their beliefs and the ability to be open-minded about the beliefs of others, approaching economic ideas with an objective but critical eye. 

Students studying A level Economics cover the following topics: 

• Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure - nature of economics; how markets work; market failure; government intervention. 

• Theme 2: The UK economy - measures of economic performance; aggregate demand and supply; national income; economic growth; macroeconomic objectives and policy. 

• Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market - business growth and objectives; revenues, costs and profits; market structures; labour market; government intervention.   

• Theme 4: A global perspective - international economics; poverty and inequality; emerging and developing economies; the financial sector; role of the state in the macroeconomy. 

Course Assessment 

• Papers 1 - Markets and Business Behaviour - 2 hour written exam - 33%. 

• Paper 2 - The National and Global Economy - 2 hour written exam - 35%. 

• Paper 3 - Microeconomics and Macroeconomics- 2 hour written exam - 30%. 

 OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Business 

OCR Technical’s are recognised by both employers and universities and are highly regarded. This course is designed with the workplace in mind and provides a high-quality alternative to 2 A Levels. This vocational course provides students with the knowledge and skills required for employment, develops the behaviours and attributes needed to progress and succeed in further education and in work. Students undertaking this course need to be self-motivated and able to work on extended research projects. Organisation and presentation skills are important as is an enthusiasm to learn about business.   

Students studying Cambridge Technical Diploma in Business cover the following topics: 

• Unit 1: The Business Environment 

• Unit 2: Working in Business 

• Unit 3: Business Decisions 

• Unit 4: Customers and Communication  

• Unit 5: Marketing and Market Research 

• Unit 6: Marketing Strategy  

• Unit 7: Marketing Campaign  

• Unit 15: Change Management  

• Unit 16: Principles of Project Management 

• Unit 22: Delivering a Business Project  

Course Assessment 

The assessment criteria is extremely stringent with an emphasis being placed on students working independently and adhering to strict deadlines. Although the majority of this course is made up of coursework, there is also an exam element.  

Internally Assessed 

Much of the qualification content will be internally assessed through coursework. Units take between 60 -120 hours to complete.  

• Units 4, 5, 6, 7, 16 and 22 – worth 58% of overall grade 

Externally Assessed 

External assessment will be set and marked by OCR; there are two opportunities for students to sit these exams, in January and June, so these are taken during Year 12 and 13. 

•  Units 1, 2, 3 and 15 – 2 or 2 ½ hour written exams worth 42% of overall grade 

Progression Routes 

The knowledge and skills you will acquire in any KS5 course, support progression to a broad range of further study, whether at university or vocational. Most students opt for university courses in Business Management, Marketing, Economics, Finance and Banking. Others go onto Degree Apprenticeships or employment including roles in administration, accountancy, banking and finance, and retail sales and customer services.