KS4 BUSINESS
At Key Stage 4, students follow the Edexcel GCSE Business specification, which introduces them to the world of business. In Year 10, students focus on how businesses are run, looking at key areas such as enterprise, marketing, and finance. In Year 11, the course moves on to examine how businesses grow, the wider economic environment, financial decision-making, and human resources.
The course helps students develop a range of transferable skills, including data interpretation, quantitative analysis, written communication, and the ability to analyse business case studies. Assessment takes place at the end of Year 11 through two externally examined papers, each lasting 1 hour 45 minutes.
KS4 topics by year
Year 10
1.1. Enterprise & Entrepreneurship
- Role of an entrepreneur
- Risks vs. rewards
Topic 1.1 Assessment
1.2 Spotting a Business Opportunity
- Customer needs
- Market research
- Competition
Topic 1.2 Assessment
1.3 Putting a Business Idea into Practice
- Aims & objectives
- Revenue, costs & profit
- Cash flow forecasting
- Break-even
- Sources of finance
Topic 1.3 Assessment
1.4 Making the Business Effective
- Business location
- Marketing mix
- Types of businesses
- Business plans
Topic 1.4 Assessment
1.5 Understanding External Influences
- Technology and legislation
- Interest rates, inflation, exchange rates
- Stakeholders
- Ethics & environment
Topic 1.5 Assessment
Theme 1 Revision
Year 10 Mocks
Year 11
2.1 Growing the Business
- Organic & inorganic growth
- Mergers & takeovers
- Globalisation
Topic 2.1 Assessment
Year 11 November Mocks
2.2. Making Marketing Decisions
- Marketing mix
- Branding
- Price strategies
- Promotion
- Distribution channels
Topic 2.2 Assessment
2.3 Making Operational Decisions
- Methods of production
- Quality
- Managing stock
2.4 Making Financial Decisions
- Gross profit
- Net profit
- Profit margins
Topic 2.3 & 2.4 Assessment
Year 11 February/March Mocks
2.5 Making Human Resource Decisions
- Organisational structure
- Recruitment
- Motivation
- Employment law
Topic 2.5 Assessment
Theme 1 & 2 Revision
Year 11 May/June External Exams
Year 11 May/June External Exams
Key Contact
If you would like any more information about this subject, please contact Jennifer Thornton, Head of Business & Economics, jennifer.thornton@thebicesterschool.org.uk