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KS 4 - APPLIED BUSINESS



During the course you will investigate actual businesses and gain an understanding of business finance. It is 'applied' because you use what you learn to understand the businesses you investigate. You will:

  • learn about and understand the world of business
  • develop skills in the financial aspects of business
  • carry out research, both within and outside the classroom
  • learn how to work in a team with other class members
  • learn through investigation

An interest in 'business' and the world of work, together with a reasonable standard of English and mathematics would be helpful, but the course is open to everyone.

The course consists of four Units:

Unit 1:

  • This unit is an investigation into what business enterprise is all about, including how businesses are organised and how people are involved. It also looks at issues such as 'ethical' and 'green' business. You will focus on one local and one national or international business.

Unit 2:

  • This unit focuses on how businesses record financial transactions, make payments and keep records of how they are doing. You will learn about a range of important documents including balance sheets, profit and loss accounts and how to use these to understand business performance in a practical context.

Unit 3:

  • This unit builds on the 'people' aspect of Unit 1 and looks at customer service, recruitment (including CVs and applying for jobs) as well as legal aspects affecting businesses, for example consumer protection. It also examines how businesses are affected by factors outside their control, such as economic trends. Again, you will choose two businesses to investigate.

Unit 4:

  • This builds on Unit 2 and examines how businesses plan their finances, looking at topics such as cash flow and break-even forecasts together with how businesses budget and finance themselves. These aspects are looked at in relation to particular examples.

The course is modular and flexible so you can complete either a Single or Double Award (worth one or two GCSE passes). Most students take 3 years to complete either award. Units 1 and 2 make up the single Award and Units 3 and 4 make up the Double Award.

Course books and equipment

  • GCSE Applied Business for Edexcel (Carol Carysforth and Rob Dransfield) Pearson Company.
  • Planner, pen, pencil, eraser, ruler, calculator

Events and Visits

  • Year 9:   Coca Cola & Lea Valley Lesiure Centre
  • Year 10: Thorpe Park & Monkey Bizz

Exam date

  • Year 11: June 2011