Our curriculum for Business at DSTC is designed:

• To cultivate a spirit of enterprise and innovation
• To encourage financial literacy and economic understanding
• To inspire students to consider future careers in business and entrepreneurship

Complementary Subjects:

There are a number of subjects that, when studied together, enhance understanding of business, support skill development and broaden career pathways.  These include:

• Computer Science / IT
• English
• Film / Media Studies
• Geography
• Maths
• Psychology

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KS4

 

The business curriculum is a two year course offered to students in Years 10 and 11.  The course is oversubscribed with two groups running each year.

Divided into two themes, the Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Business course enables students to know and understand:

• Business concepts and terminology;
• Business aims and objectives;
• The integrated nature of business activity and
• The impact of business on individuals and wider society.

The first theme focusses on entrepreneurial aspects of small businesses. Students investigate enterprise and entrepreneurship, how to spot business opportunities and putting business ideas together. They also explore the effectiveness and feasibility of their business ideas and the impact of external influences on a business.

Theme two focusses on how to build and grow a business. Students specialise in how to make marketing, product, financial and human resource decisions.

The business curriculum is not only intended to challenge and stretch all our students to achieve their best academically, but also to motivate them to develop transferable positive work ethics which can be beneficial to them in the future. We encourage collaborative work but at the same time persuade our students to cultivate an independent and research-driven approach to learning. They will develop skills for gathering and critically analysing data to arrive at a mutually beneficial outcome.

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
Year 10	Topic 1.1 Enterprise and entrepreneurship	Topic 1.2 Spotting a business opportunity	Topic 1.3 Putting a business idea into practice	Topic 1.4 Making the business effective	Topic 1.5 Understanding external influences on business	Revision for PPE & Topic 2.1 Growing the business
Year 11	Topic 2.1 Growing the business	Topic 2.2 Making marketing decisions	Topic 2.3 Making operational decisions	Topic 2.4 Making financial decisions & Topic 2.5 Making human resource decisions	Revision

Further Reading/Resources:

Websites

• Specification - https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/business-2017.html
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z98snbk
• https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/seneca-certified-resources/business-gcse-edexcel/
• https://www.tutor2u.net/business

Books

Pearson REVISE Edexcel GCSE Business: Revision Guide

Edexcel GCSE 9-1 Business Complete Revision and Practice

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KS5

 

Students who are successful in business often opt to study the subject at Key Stage 5.  Students will complete the AQA A Level over the two years at Key Stage 5 and will study ten topics that cover the four underpinning functions of any business; Finance, HR, Marketing and Operations.  Techniques to help develop long-term memory and help students master subject content are embedded in the curriculum.  There is strong promotion of independent learning and a focus on effective study skills. 

Our curriculum prepares them for life in Higher Education, an apprenticeship or employment and many students are introduced to careers they may not have realised existed, such as Business Analyst, Compliance Officer or Project Manager.

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
Year 12	Customer Needs and The Market	Marketing Mix and Strategy	HR and Leadership	Finance and Financial Planning	Resource Management	External Influences
Year 13	Objectives, Strategy and Growth	Decision Making	Assessing competitiveness and Change	Globalisation and Expansion	Global Marketing, Global Industries and Companies

Further Reading/Resources:

Further Reading/Resources:

• https://www.tutor2u.net/business
• https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/business-2015.html
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business