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Business

Why Study Business?

At Beaulieu, Business Studies equips students with the knowledge and skills essential to thrive in the modern commercial world. Our students delve into the dynamic workings of enterprises, exploring how businesses are started, structured, financed, and operated to create value. They learn to analyse market forces, understand consumer behaviour, and appreciate the importance of innovation and strategic decision-making.

The subject is built on developing a practical and critical mindset. Students learn to:

  • Investigate real-world business case studies, applying theoretical concepts to practical situations.

  • Think strategically about problems such as ethical dilemmas, sustainability, and competitive advantage.

  • Develop entrepreneurial skills, understanding the journey from an idea to a viable business plan.

  • Analyse complex data relating to finance, production, and marketing to make informed judgments.

Business Studies fosters crucial transferable skills that are highly valued in any profession:

  • Communication and teamwork through group projects and presentations.

  • Numeracy and financial literacy by interpreting financial statements and managing budgets.

  • Leadership and negotiation by simulating roles within an organisation.

The subject's relevance extends far beyond pure commerce. Its lessons prepare young people to engage thoughtfully with modern issues such as economic uncertainty, globalisation, digital transformation, and corporate social responsibility.

Whether aiming for a career in finance, marketing, human resources, management, or even starting their own venture, studying Business Studies at Beaulieu equips students with the commercial acumen, practical skills, and broad understanding to make informed decisions and confidently contribute to the global economy.

Year 9-11: (GCSE)

In OCR GCSE (9–1) Business, students will develop a broad understanding of how businesses operate in the real world. The course covers key areas such as marketing, including advertising, product development and pricing strategies, as well as recruitment, focusing on how businesses attract, select and retain the right staff. Students will also explore different business structures and the various ways a business can be set up.

The course examines finance in detail, looking at how businesses raise money, manage their finances, and generate profit. Students will study business operations to understand how goods and services are produced, alongside the wider influences on businesses, such as environmental factors and the impact of operating in a global marketplace.

Assessment takes place through two written examinations at the end of the course, each lasting 90 minutes, with no controlled assessment. The exams include a mixture of multiple-choice questions and extended written responses, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding and explain and justify business decisions.

Year 12-13: (CTEC Level 3)

On successful completion of the course, students will be awarded a Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Business. This is a Level 3 qualification equivalent to an A Level and carries equivalent UCAS points. The course is assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations, which together determine the final grade at the end of the programme.

In Year 12, students begin with Unit 5: Marketing and Market Research, a highly practical and hands-on unit. Students conduct their own market research and present their findings to a ‘client’, alongside completing a range of assignment-based tasks. This unit is internally assessed and moderated, allowing students to achieve their first grade in the course. Alongside this, students study Unit 1: The Business Environment, which is assessed through an external examination in May of Year 12. This unit explores different types of businesses, how they are structured, how business functions work together, and how organisations respond to external factors to remain competitive.

Towards the end of Year 12 and into the start of Year 13, students apply the skills they have developed by organising a fundraising event of their choice. This forms part of Unit 20: Business Events and is internally assessed. In Year 13, students sit their final external examination in January and complete their final coursework unit, bringing the course to a conclusion.