- Head of department: Nina Bassett
- Email: nina.bassett@cncs.school
We study the OCR Syllabus. Our GCSE in Business equips students with the skills and confidence to explore how different business situations affect decision-making. They develop their understanding of concepts, objectives and terminology, and the impact of contemporary issues on business operations.
In the first part of the course we examine the elements of Business Activity, Marketing, and the management of People. The first paper in the final exams at the end of Year 11 is based on those topics. The second part looks at the Operations of a business, the element of Finance, and the wider Influences on a business. This forms the basis of the Paper 2 exam at the end of Year 11.
Many of our students go on to study either Business or Economics at A Level, and they do so with great success at all levels. It is a course with academic rigour as it is meant to equip students with a good working knowledge of modern business practice, very useful alongside almost any set of options. The course develops and tests the skills of analysis and evaluation in particular. Given its nature, students need to have some interest in current affairs and events if they wish to succeed on the course.
In the Business department, we offer three subjects that can be studied in sixth form
- A level Business
We study the Edexcel A level specification. This involves studying four different themes across the two years and culminates in three exams at the end of year 13.
Students take three two-hour exams at the end Year 13, paper 1 includes Theme 1 and 4, paper 2 includes Theme 2 and 3 and paper 3 is a pre-release context paper, where students apply their knowledge to an industry. Past industries have included; Entertainment, Leisure, Fast food and Travel.
- A level Economics
We study the AQA A level specification. The specification is split into two main sections, the first section introduces students to microeconomic issues and the second section covers mainly macroeconomic issues.
Students will be assessed through three examination papers. The first paper will examine mainly the topics that are outlined in the microeconomics issues, the second paper will include topics outlined in the macroeconomic section and the third paper will include topics from both sections of the specification and students, particularly when answering questions linked to the case study, will be expected to recognise when it is appropriate to use microeconomic and/or macroeconomic models.
Our approach to Economics is to apply economic theory to support analysis of current economic problems and issues, and encourage students to appreciate the interrelationships between microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Students develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand and analyse data, think critically about issues and make informed decisions.
- Level 3 Financial Studies
The course encourages students to become responsible borrowers and sensible savers, and to appreciate the need for financial planning throughout their life. It prepares them for further study by developing the core skills of critical analysis and evaluation, verbal communication (through classroom discussion) and written communication.
This greater understanding of financial planning can support entry to university on finance and banking courses and a wide range of other disciplines. It also supports progress to a wide range of entry level occupations within finance, ensuring that learners understand the sector and have a range of transferrable skills and knowledge.
Unit 1 is examined in January of Year 12 and Unit 2 in May of Year 12. If students successfully pass both units, then they can progress onto the Diploma in Financial Studies where two more units are studied in Year 13.