There has never been a more interesting or more pertinent time to study Business. Technology has blown open the way today’s student generation will work in the future, with start-ups and hot desking emerging as the norm in many graduate careers. Business degrees, in myriad forms, are the fastest growing of any subject in the UK and universities including Oxford and Cambridge now put great value on Business as an A Level subject.
Harrodian Business Department prides itself on the hands-on experience of its teachers, all of whom have worked in industry prior to teaching and bring a wealth of ‘real world’ information and knowledge into the classroom. We add a combination of thoroughly current resources drawn from news, business and economics to make lessons as dynamic and engaging as possible.
Business is taught from the 13s to the Upper Sixth and all students are taught how to harness entrepreneurial skills and set up their own business, as well as how to understand how any business they may join really works, whether that means in the film industry, an investment bank or a charity. Business is not an easy option. We do not ‘spoon feed’ answers. But for those who wish to harness their intelligence, to be challenged and to learn real life skills for the future, this is the perfect subject.
Taster year
Harrodian offers students the chance to undertake a preliminary taster year in Business in the 13s which allows pupils to sample the subject before they embark on the GCSE curriculum.
GCSE
Pupils study the Edexcel GCSE in Business. For full details, please visit the Edexcel site or see the Harrodian GCSE Prospectus.
Course Introduction
Business GCSE provides an excellent basic introduction and first qualification both to Business and to Economics. In the first year, students focus on entrepreneurs and how to set up a small busines and the different functional areas involved, examining businesses across the spectrum, from internet companies to high street retailers.
Course Requirements
Interest and enthusiasm for business and competence in mathematics.
A Level
Students study the Pearson Edexcel A Level in Business. For full details, please visit the Pearson Edexcel site or see the Harrodian Sixth Form Prospectus.
Course Introduction
A Level builds on the foundation created at GCSE Level, looking in real detail at the internal and external factors that are fundamental to the success of businesses in the modern world. The A Level course ranges across four themes: Marketing and People, Managing Business Activities, Business Decisions and Strategy and Global Business. All units focus on studying current businesses and as such, students are encouraged to study businesses that they are interested in – these tend to be: phones, clothing, food, cars, sports, travel and online media.
Course Requirements
Grade B in Mathematics and English at GCSE and at least five GCSEs at grade A. (GCSE in Business is not required).
For more specific year-by-year information, please refer to our Curriculum Handbooks/Information Booklets.
Extracurricular
We arrange a number of visits by external speakers designed to extend learning and challenge students.
Staff
Head of Business: Rhona Drummond-Chew
Other teachers of Business: please select the relevant department on the dropdown menu to view our full staff list by clicking here.