The place of Business Studies in the curriculum

Business education, as a social science, is essentially concerned with : •  Knowledge and understanding of the working world and business environment •  Specific analytical and investigative skills •  Values and attitudes appropriate for the responsible consumer, citizen and employee •  Preparation for adult working life •  Real world perspectives that shed light on a whole range of current issues and problems facing the world today

Aims of the course The specific aims of the course are as follows : •  To develop a critical understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value. Included here would be the internal workings and management of organisations and the process of decision making in a complex and dynamic external environment. •  To encourage an awareness of business from a variety of perspectives and stakeholders, including employees, managers, shareholders / owners. Reference would be made here to the economic, legal, environmental, ethical, social and technological context in which business is carried out. •  To acquire a range of skills, including decision making and problem solving, the interpretation of data and making informed evaluative judgments. •  To be aware of the structure of modern business including large and small, manufacturing and service, local, regional national and multi national, profit seeking and non profit making organisations.

What is Business Studies

Business Studies is a lively and topical subject. It focuses on a wide range of issues, ideas and concepts which are characteristic of a complex environment affecting all our lives in many ways. Business organisations provide employment, generate wealth and income, provide goods and services and aid the development of a growing standard of living for much of the world. However, these benefits are not without their drawbacks and some of the current problems faced by business are of great significance to the continued development of people within this system. The ethical and environmental impacts of business are of growing concern to many people.

A typical business organisation comprises a number of key areas of activity e.g. marketing, finance, operations and the course analyses and explains the activities in some detail. How they are integrated and affect each other is another key focus.

Why choose Business Studies

It is real and relevant

Issues such as …..

• How products are bought and sold
• How firms recruit their workforce
• How firms are affected by Government legislation
• How are businesses first established
• How do firms make decisions affecting their long term futures……………… are all studied along with many more

Study involves discussion, presentations, research, note taking

Students are encouraged to argue effectively, make judgments based on evidence, propose solutions to business problems

Study involves regular reference to Case Studies of real world businesses Key skills are developed e.g. information technology, numeracy, communication, problem solving, working with others for example.

It provides a valid route to and preparation for employment and continuing education. There are many excellent post 16 opportunities where a qualification in business is viewed very positively.

The Business Studies teachers at Tapton:-

Chris Broadhurst	Chris Spick	Kevin Bradley

Useful websites

What's the difference between Economics and Business
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