The specification is structured into two themes, taking students from how entrepreneurs start businesses (Theme 1) through to growing and global businesses (Theme 2). The students are assessed at the end of year 11 through two equally weighted exam papers, focusing on each specification theme.

Theme 1 is covered in year 10 and concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. It provides a framework for students to explore core concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business. The students take regular assessments to ensure that they are progressing towards their target grade.

Theme 2 is covered in year 11 and examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase. It focuses on the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business, with an emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. It also considers the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows.

Students can purchase a Collins revision guide and workbook for this course through the school shop.

For further information on this course and the units you can access the exam boards website on the following link:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/business-2017.coursematerials.html#filterQuery=Pearson-UK:Category%2FTeaching-and-learning-materials

‘A Level Business will give you an exciting insight into the dynamic world of business. It is not just a theoretical subject, it is about real life. This combination of academic challenge and practical focus makes the prospect of studying A Level Business highly appealing.

You will learn about businesses and the way they operate in today’s society. You will investigate problems which real businesses are currently facing and use your initiative to develop possible solutions.’ AQA

You will study a wide range of different topic areas looking at the different functional areas of a business and also the external environment in which they operate. The assessment is 100% exam based, with 3 x 2 hour exam papers to be taken at the end of course. These exam papers are all synoptic and are based on case studies of different businesses.

For further information on this course and the units you can access the exam boards website via the link below:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/business/as-and-a-level/business-7131-7132