Business

Business is an exciting, modern A Level subject that has evolved significantly since it was introduced many years ago. The subject balances academic theory with an appreciation of ‘real-world’ application and many pupils go on to study business-related degrees at Russell Group universities. Business A Level teaches many skills that are essential for other subjects at university or in the workplace. Employers look for people who can make judgements and analyse real scenarios: this subject helps to build a foundation in these critical areas. The surge in demand for business or economics-related subjects nationally, both at A Level and degree level, reflects the current turbulent business world and the realisation that to improve the way businesses function, people who have studied them and the economy in which they function are required. Pupils who wish to get a head start in the business world benefit from the foundation this course builds.

The topics studied involve engagement with the business world. The specification and assessment encourage pupils to follow business developments and think critically about contemporary business issues. Most of the assessment material is based on real business situations. By examining and thinking critically about them, girls gain an insight into different contexts. This develops their critical and comparative skills, thereby enriching their studies in all disciplines at Sherborne Girls.

1. What is business? 2. Managers, leadership and decision-making 3. Decision-making to improve marketing performance 4. Decision-making to improve operational performance 5. Decision-making to improve financial performance 6. Decision-making to improve human resource performance 7. Analysing the strategic position of a business 8. Choosing a strategic direction 9. Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies 10. Managing strategic change

The course is taught with a strong emphasis on current events in the business environment. That makes it unpredictable, as pupils try to make sense of the changes happening daily. It therefore presents a great opportunity for individual interpretation, quick thinking and eloquent expression. This subject demands that pupils conceive creative solutions to business problems, with the only limit being their imaginations. The course provides a sound understanding of how business works, giving girls helpful knowledge for future success.

Business sits well with most subjects and is commonly studied with Geography, Economics, Religious Studies, History of Art, Classical Civilisation, Design and Technology, Mathematics, English and Modern Languages.

It is a good pathway to university courses in Business and Finance, Management, Marketing and Economics. It improves girls’ employment prospects in a wide range of careers, as companies continue to seek employees with a working knowledge of business.

Examination board: AQA Specification Code: 7132

Three 120-minute examinations Each paper accounts for 33.3% of the marks

e.morrayjones@sherborne.com