Business (KS4 Only)

Rationale

At The John Wallis Church of England Academy, we believe that a high-quality Business education helps pupils understand the world in which they live, work and make decisions. Business plays a significant role in shaping communities, creating employment, driving innovation and contributing to economic growth.

Through GCSE Business, pupils develop a secure understanding of how businesses are established, how they operate and how they respond to changing internal and external influences. They explore areas including enterprise, marketing, finance, operations, human resources and business strategy, while considering the perspectives of different stakeholders.

The course enables pupils to apply their knowledge to real businesses and contemporary contexts, developing their ability to analyse information, interpret data, solve problems and make well-reasoned judgements. Pupils are encouraged to think critically about business decisions, understand the risks and rewards of enterprise and recognise the importance of ethical, social and environmental considerations.

GCSE Business also provides pupils with knowledge and skills that are valuable beyond the classroom, helping them to become informed consumers, employees, entrepreneurs and citizens, while providing a strong foundation for further study and future employment.

Aims

GCSE Business aims to ensure that pupils:

• develop a secure understanding of key business concepts, terminology and functions

• understand how and why businesses are created, organised and developed

• explore the role of enterprise and entrepreneurship within the economy

• understand the importance of marketing, finance, operations and human resources in business success

• apply business knowledge and understanding to a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts

• develop the ability to interpret and analyse quantitative and qualitative business information

• evaluate business decisions and make justified recommendations based on evidence

• understand how external factors, including economic, technological, legal, environmental and competitive influences, affect businesses

• consider the interests of different stakeholders and the ethical and environmental implications of business decisions

• develop transferable skills including problem-solving, communication, numeracy, decision-making and critical thinking

• provide a strong foundation for further study in Business, Economics and related subjects, as well as future employment and entrepreneurship.