Course Length: Full academic year (30 weeks)
This Year's Schedule: Click here to view
Aims of the Course
Does your child have a head for business or an interest in marketing? Or perhaps they can picture themselves running a company one day, or playing a crucial role in the growth and success of an organisation. What about having aspirations to be a manager in a business, or just have an interest in the news and how the government and its policies affect their everyday lives? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then Business Studies is the right introduction for them!
Subjects Covered in the Business Studies Course
Unit 1 - Business in the Real World
What is business? A look at private and public firms, multi nationals, sole traders, franchises and
partnerships.
Unit 2 - Influences on Business
There are many things that affect a business from outside like the economy, technology, inflation,
changes in law, ethics and globalisation.
Unit 3 - Business Operations
Production processes and how the efficiency of these is vital for success. How does a firm decide what
and where to produce?
Unit 4 - Human Resources
During this module, students will look at how businesses recruit then lead, train and motivate their employees.
Unit 5 - Marketing
In module five, they'll learn how a company advertises and markets their product.
Unit 6 - Finance
The final module focuses on sources on all things money! This will be finance, cash flow, financial terms
and calculations.
Throughout the course, students will encounter a variety of teaching methods including case studies, role-plays and ICT alongside more traditional methods. They will be expected to immerse themselves in a business-like mind-set and to pay attention to the world around them.
For example, students would be expected to take note of relevant news items, which may be used as a basis for discussion and class work.
Homework Expectations
Each week, students complete a reading assignment, watch a video, answer questions based on
the topic and do a data question. They also attend a one-hour webinar, where they'll look in more
detail at some of the themes in the books.
Add-On Options
Business writing is effective writing that fits the occasion. It needs to be accurate so there is no room for
misunderstanding, and clear so it is easy to understand the message. It must be obvious what action the
reader needs to take. The writing must be concise and to the point, without leaving out important details.
It must be expressed clearly and logically whilst being free for errors with proper spelling, punctuation.
The practice of the business writing will be through CVs/resumes, applications, form filling, newsletters,
emails, agendas, social media posts and reports. Students will practice the different types of writing
needed for each occasion.
How It Supports Your Child's Education
Dreaming Spires Business Studies will encourage students to observe and question the world
around them. We do this by relevant reading from "living books" and by exploring concepts,
ideas and theories and discussions of business events.
For UK students, this course will form a good foundation for any of the GCSE syllabi in business or business studies, while for the US, it can be classified as a one-year high school credit for electives.
Who Teaches Economics?
Helen Harrold completed her Economics degree at Lancaster University and then did a post graduate teaching qualification. She currently tutors GCSE maths, AP Economics and is a UK consultant for an American high school program . Whilst living in the UK, she has homeschooled her own 7 children using the American curriculum: so has straddled both the UK and US systems.See all courses taught by Helen