Our business curriculum develops our students’ knowledge, skills and qualities required to enhance their professional and personal wellbeing through a career or through enterprise. We inspire our students to be entrepreneurial and take calculated risks in their decision making in order to reach their potential.
At Paddington, we offer business GCSE and business A level, as well level 2 BTEC enterprise and level 3 BTEC business.
Key Stage 4
Business GCSE
Students doing business GCSE learn six key functions of business including HR, finance, marketing and operations.
Students initially establish a foundational understanding of different ways to start and own a business, how to create a business plan, decide on a location and satisfy different stakeholders. This is then followed by an in-depth look at how the external environment (for example technology, legislation or the economic climate) can shape a business’s performance, its model and its ability to compete.
Students then look at how a business makes products through production processes, procurement and quality whilst keeping customers satisfied. Students learn that none of this is possible without human resource management and running an efficient organisational structure whilst recruiting, retaining, motivating and training employees.
In Year 11, students study marketing and the numerous ways of identifying, attracting and maintaining customers. An in-depth look at the marketing mix is carried out here. Students finally explore finance, where they learn about cash flow, income statements, break even and other key financial aspects of running a successful business.
Enterprise Level 2 BTEC
Students compare two different businesses in order to understand how different businesses in general operate. Students also focus on building entrepreneurial skills through exploring and developing their own micro-enterprise. Students pick up a foundational understanding of different ways to start and own a business, how to create a business plan, decide on a location and satisfy different stakeholders.
Students also study marketing and carry out an in-depth look at the promotional mix. Students then move on to look at key financial aspects of running a successful business.
Key Stage 5
Business A level
Students in Key Stage 5 build on their knowledge developed in Key Stage 4, exploring topics including mergers and takeovers in more detail whilst introducing new layers to each function like price elasticity of demand and decision-making tools such as critical path analysis, investment appraisal and decision trees. Students gain a holistic understanding of business in a range of contexts. Students also develop a critical understanding of organisations and their ability to meet society’s needs and wants. Students are made aware of the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by organisations. They also apply numerical skills in a range of business contexts and consider how businesses operate internationally.
Business level 3 BTEC
Students study an array of business topics, including marketing, finance, human resources, operations and influences. Students learn the specific details on how to open, run and manage a successful business, providing our students with the necessary information and knowledge to run a successful business.