Business Studies at Whitworth Community High School reflects the past, the present and the future. We intend for students to be equipped to understand the importance of enterprise and the challenges of the ever-developing business world. By the end of the course, students will have a firm foundation for approaching the competitive world of employment and the skill to understand key roles in the industry.  

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:

• know and understand business concepts, business terminology, business objectives, the integrated nature of business activity and the impact of business on individuals and wider society 
• apply knowledge and understanding to contemporary business issues and to different types and sizes of businesses in local, national and global contexts 
• develop as enterprising individuals with the ability to think commercially and creatively to demonstrate business acumen, and draw on evidence to make informed business decisions and solve business problems 
• develop as effective and independent students, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds 
• use an enquiring, critical approach to make informed judgements 
• investigate and analyse real business opportunities and issues to construct well-argued, well-evidenced, balanced and structured arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of business 
• develop and apply quantitative skills relevant to business, including using and interpreting data.

The course is delivered to the students across two years through their KS4 journey. Theme 1 is delivered over Year 10 and Theme 2 during Year 11. Although elements of the two themes interweave, we have decided to deliver the curriculum following the theme of delivery of Theme 1 before adding to knowledge and understanding and delivering Theme 2. We ensure the level of challenge is high enough for the most able, with scaffold and support available for students who need it. Equally, students will enjoy studying real-life case studies and they will see the impact that businesses have on ways of life and our society. 

The curriculum goes beyond what is taught within lessons and although the priority is for all students to achieve the very best examination results, we also develop soft skills, which are not measurable, such as being able to use initiative, developing leadership skills and being able to articulate themselves clearly using Business vocabulary. Opportunities are given for pupils to read news articles and apply their understanding. The reading of case studies and business scenarios is a theme which spreads across all areas of the specification. Linking pupils with current news articles keeps them engaged and informed and helps them in preparation for their external examinations.

Through Business Studies, students’ literacy and numeracy skills are also supported; students produce high-level written responses and they will demonstrate their abilities to articulate themselves with confidence. Assessment for this course is through 2 externally examined written papers. Theme 1: Investigating small business is worth 50% of the qualification. Theme 2: Building a business is worth 50% of the qualification.

This subject offers a route to multiple different careers and job opportunities, from Law, human resources and  finance, to marketing and sales. 

• Learning overviews - Y10 and Y11 

• Curriculum map - Year 10

• Curriculum map - Year 11