Business, Economics & Computing

Intent

The Business environment is an ever-changing one. Businesses must deal with the problems of increasing costs, high interest rates and competing businesses. We wish to equip our students with the skills to meet with confidence these challenges of the dynamic business world.

In order to establish a sound foundation for the subject, GCSE students learn about the purpose of business and why businesses exist. They study the basic functions and types of businesses, business and entrepreneurship and examine the dynamic nature of business. They then learn about the influences on business. This unit of the course is quite flexible, as the economic situation is constantly changing and evolving. Students study concepts such as interest rates, inflation and exchange rates. They are encouraged to analyse and evaluate these economic variables. This unit includes examining ethical and environmental considerations. We believe it is essential that students are aware of the environmental damage that is caused by business activity and how it is the responsibility of all businesses to minimise their environmental impact.

Having established this understanding of the basics of business, students then study the four functions of Operations, Human Resources, Marketing and Finance. Students apply their knowledge and understanding to different business contexts ranging from small enterprises to large multinationals and businesses operating in local, national and global contexts.

We offer both A-Level Business and BTEC Business at Loreto. BTEC Business offers students a more vocational, practical option than traditional A-Level subjects. BTEC Business embodies a learner-centred approach to the curriculum, with a flexible, unit-based structure and knowledge applied in project-based assessments. It focuses on the holistic development of the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills required to be able to succeed in employment and higher education.

The A-Level course builds on the GCSE course. Students who have studied GCSE business will find that they explore the basic concepts learned at GCSE in greater depth. However, it is not essential that students have studied GCSE Business. The course is taught in a way that caters to the needs of both those who have a basic understanding of Business and those who have never studied the subject.

Year 12 students learn about the nature and purpose of business, forms of business, the external environment within which businesses operate, management, leadership and decision making. They study the role and importance of stakeholders. They then study the same functions (Operations, Human Resources, Marketing and Finance) that were studied at GCSE level.

By the time they begin Year 13, students will have developed a comprehensive understanding of business theory. They now explore strategic decision making in the four functional areas. They consider the impact of technology on strategic decision making, the influences of Corporate Social Responsibility, ethical and environmental issues on strategic decisions, the difficulties in forecasting future trends, the importance of assessing feasibility and risk when making strategic decisions and the impact on stakeholders of strategic decisions and their response to such decisions.

Throughout the teaching of Business in our school, we aim to foster in students a passion for the subject. Each student is encouraged to think beyond a basic knowledge of each topic and arrive at a deeper understanding. Students build analytical and evaluative skills, which enable them to confront the challenges of Business in the 21^st century.

Loreto College St Albans

Business, Economics & Computing

Intent

Business Curriculum Maps

Btec Business Curriculum Maps

Economics Curriculum Maps

Computing Curriculum Maps