Key Stage 4
Edexcel GCSE Business Studies IBS0
Students are taught in classes of mixed ability, with their work being assessed using GCSE Assessment Objectives that reflect the skills within the 9-1 grading system.
Key Subject Aims
GCSE Business Studies, encourages students to be inspired, moved and challenged by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study whilst gaining an insight into related sectors. It also prepares students to make informed decisions about further learning opportunities and career choices.
This GCSE specification requires students to actively engage in the study of business and economics whilst developing the individual as follows:
- Effective and independent learners.
- Critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.
- Adopt an enquiring, critical approach to distinguish facts and opinions when building arguments and to make informed judgements.
- Develop and apply their knowledge, understanding and skills to contemporary issues in a range of local, national and global contexts.
- Appreciate the range of perspectives of different stakeholders in relation to business and economic activities.
- Consider the extent to which business and economic activity can be ethical and sustainable.
Skills
The following skills (within a business context), that students are expected to develop during the course:
- Practical skills – time management, personal organisation and action planning.
- Presentational skills – addressing audiences using a variety of media and forms.
- Personal skills – showing evidence of progression.
- Interpersonal skills – communication and group work.
- Cognitive skills – reflection and review of own and others’ performances.
Content Overview
The qualification is divided into two themes:
Theme 1: Investigating Small Business
Written examination 1 hour and 30 minutes
50% of the qualification
90 marks
This unit concentrates on the key issues and skills involved in Enterprise. It provides a framework to consider the marketing, financial, human and operational issues involved in starting and running a small business.
This unit contains five topic areas.
- Topic 1.1 Enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Topic 1.2 Spotting a business opportunity
- Topic 1.3 Putting a business idea into practice
- Topic 1.4 Making the business effective
- Topic 1.5 Understanding external influences on business
The paper is divided into three sections consisting of of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended writing questions.
- Section A: 35 marks
- Section B: 30 marks
- Section C: 25 marks
Questions in Sections B and C will be based on business contexts given in the paper.
Theme 2: Building a Business
Written examination 1 hour and 30 minutes
50% of the qualification
90 marks
This unit builds on Theme 1 and examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase. It focuses on practical methods used to build up a business, with an emphasis on aspects of marketing, customer service, financial and people management. It also considers the impact of the wider world on the success or failure of a business.
Students develop an appreciation that organisational success requires an understanding of the business as a whole-the interactions between departments and the relationship between the business and outside forces.
This unit consists of five topic areas.
- Topic 2.1 Growing the business
- Topic 2.2 Making marketing decisions
- Topic 2.3 Making operational decisions
- Topic 2.4 Making financial decisions
- Topic 2.5 Making human resource decisions
The paper is divided into three sections consisting of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended writing questions.
- Section A: 35 marks
- Section B: 30 marks
- Section C: 25 marks
Questions in Sections B and C will be based on business contexts given in the paper.
Topics Covered per Half Term
Term |
Year 10 -Theme 1: Paper code-1BS0/01 |
Autumn 1
|
Theme 1 – Investigating a Small Business
|
Autumn 2 |
Theme 1 – Investigating a Small Business
ASSESSMENT: written test of multiple choice, extended writing and data response questions. |
Spring 1 |
Theme 1 – Investigating a Small Business
|
Spring 2 |
Theme 1 – Investigating a Small Business
ASSESSMENT: written test of multiple choice, extended writing and data response questions. |
Summer 1 |
Theme 1 – Investigating a Small Business
|
Summer 2 |
Theme 1 – Investigating a Small Business End of year mock exam |
Term | Year 11-Theme 2: Paper code-1BS0/02 |
Autumn 1 |
Theme 2 – Building a Business
|
Autumn 2 |
Theme 2 – Building a Business
|
Spring 1 |
Theme 2 – Building a Business
Mock exams |
Spring 2 |
Theme 2 – Building a Business
|
Summer 1 |
Theme 2 – Building a Business
|
Summer 2 |
Revision & exam practice - Theme 1 & 2 Examination |