Business Studies

A LEVEL BUSINESS STUDIES

A Level Business Studies investigates the world around you. You will look at all the different functions within a business and how they work together. What external influences can affect the ways businesses operate in the economy? And how businesses address social and environmental issues.

Business Studies should appeal to those who:

  • Have an interest in how business operates.
  • Enjoy studying a subject that is relevant to their own lives and experiences.
  • Would like to study an area that offers opportunities for a career in business.
  • Would like to learn how to make business decisions and solve business problems.
  • Wants to keep their options open – Business Studies can be a useful choice for a wide range of careers and can be combined with a wide range of subjects.

 

What skills/qualifications do I require to enter a Business Studies course?

We do advise that candidates have a good grade in both GCSE Maths owing to the course having financial aspects and GCSE English as candidates are required to write analytical essays and reports.  No previous knowledge in Business Studies is necessary.  We would expect you to be familiar with current commercial affairs.

Course Descriptor

Marketing and Accounting and Finance - the study of marketing focuses on the process of identifying, targeting and satisfying customers.  The finance section of this module looks at drawing up company accounts and analysing them, managing cash-flow and budgets.

People and Operations Management - the study of people looks at what motivates people to work, how to manage people, different leadership styles, organisational structures etc.

YOUNG ENTERPRISE AT THE MARIST

The Young Enterprise Team meet each week.  Each person is allocated a role within the company such as Managing Director, Finance Director and Marketing Director.

Young Enterprise is a national education charity founded in 1963 to forge links between schools and industry. Its mission is:

‘To inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed through enterprise’

At the Marist we participate in the Company Programme.  All Year twelve students have the opportunity to participate in the scheme regardless of their ‘A’ level choices.  After an initial introductory period pupils vote amongst themselves for directors to operate the scheme.  When these positions have been filled the young achievers decide on a product and a strategy for a product launch.  Students are empowered to take the lead.  It is their company and they make the decisions.  Trained advisers assist by providing a bridge to the real world of work and business.  

Over the last five years the following companies have been formed:

  • Spag Bol (Personalised hoodies)
  • Driven (Personalised track suit bottoms)
  • Sanps (Personalised Calendars)
  • Jim Jams (Pyjamas)
  • Persona (handmade mirrors)
     

This year (2008/2009) there are 4 YES companies.

We encourage students to participate in local events to meet pupils from other schools in South East Berkshire and broaden their appreciation of the diversity and ingenuity displayed by other schemes.

Pupils at the Marist have been very successful and four of these companies have been placed first or second in the S.E. Berkshire Area Cup Competition which has enabled them to participate in the County Final.