At Co-op Academy Bebington the Business curriculum is designed to inspire students and enable them to understand the importance of enterprise and the nature of the business world.  Students will understand and become familiar with the processes and requirements of commercial business organisations and improve their preparedness either for work in the business sector or to continue their studies and further enhance their knowledge. We investigate the importance of commercial organisations both in today’s society and in the future and evaluate the effectiveness and aims of different types of businesses.  Students will become aware of the impact of business in the real world by exploring a range of diverse case studies based upon local and global businesses. Students will leave the classroom enriched with a broad and balanced perspective of business, as well as an inspiration for success and a passion to work hard in the community. Throughout the Business curriculum, students will develop their knowledge and skills to evaluate the dynamics of a business.  Students will be guided to assess the effects of the ever-changing influence of commerce, the ethical issues arising and the importance of the sector.

Students will have the ability to think commercially and creatively to demonstrate business acumen in class activities, presentations and enrichment projects, in addition to external enrichment.  Teaching will provide opportunities to develop confident students with high expectations who can be creative, resilient and skilled for the global workplace. Business studies allows for the development of an excellent variety of transferable skills, allowing students to smoothly transition from an educational environment to a work environment by providing an insight into a multitude of business sectors and departments.  These include enhancing team working, problem solving, independent learning and communication skills whilst instilling confidence to make themselves stand out in a competitive working environment. Students can proactively take part in their learning by maintaining a good understanding of the impact of current affairs on business and applying this to their studies.  Business Studies will also nurture students’ creative side in developing marketing and promotional campaigns, planning and pitching a business idea whilst also developing their financial acumen when it comes to understanding personal finance in the form of mortgages, lending, savings and investments. The curriculum design ensures learners have the experience and awareness to stay safe online and use computers safely both during their education and in their future working life. 

There is a clear focus on the development of resilient learners, able to analyse and repair mistakes and effectively solve problems.  The curriculum provides for students to follow a pathway best suited to their individual aspirations and talents.  Students will develop skills in time management, project planning and assessing a target audience, to better prepare them for a career in an increasingly interconnected world using an ever-widening range of Interconnected organisations.

Staff members

Mr P McLaughlin – Curriculum Coordinator

Mr J Toner

At KS4 students have the option to study Enterprise and Marketing in order to support their interests, aptitude and career aspirations.  

OCR Cambridge National – Enterprise & Marketing

The Enterprise and Marketing qualification is for learners who wish to develop knowledge and practice in the valuable Business skills of enterprise and marketing. It is designed with both practical coursework and theory units, which will prepare students  for either the world of work or further study of qualifications in the Business world. 

Topics Taught 

• Year 10

• What is an entrepreneur  and what motivates people to become business people
• What are the financial aims and objectives of businesses
• Legal and organisational structures required to set up a business
• Different types of products and services 
• How to research different products and different types of customers
• Customer services and why they are important
• How to finance and grow a business
• Human resources and recruitment
• Year 11

• Business finances and how to measure success
• Financial and business documents
• Reasons for business planning
• How to prepare a business plan
• Development of a business proposal for an new business
• Pitch the proposal and evaluate it’s success  

OCR Cambridge Technical in Business – Extended Certificate

The qualification consists of a range of centre-assessed units with a practical and commercial  basis and examined units on The Business Environment  and Working in Business.  Human Resources, the relationships between customers and business and the ability to manage finances in Business are all investigated.  The qualification is highly focussed on the needs of  Business communities and the commercial world.

• Year 12

The Business Environment  

• Understand different types of businesses and their objectives
• Understand how the different areas of businesses work together
• Different organisational structures in businesses 
• Use financial information to check the health of businesses
• Understand external factors and how businesses can deal with them
• Understand how and why businesses plan

Customers and Communication

• Understand who customers are and their importance to businesses 
• Understand how to communicate with customers
• Be able to have a rapport with customers using non-verbal and verbal skills
• Be able to use business communication methods

Introduction to Human Resources

• Know what  is  involved in human resources planning
• Be able to measure how effective training and development is
• Understand how and why businesses motivate employees
• Understand how to monitor and manage employee performance 
• Understand the importance of confidentiality within human resources 

• Year 13

Working in Business

• Understand procedures to follow when working in business 
• Be able to arrange business meetings 
• Be able to use business documents
• Be able to prioritise business tasks 
• Understand how to communicate effectively with different stakeholders

Accounting Concepts

• Understand why businesses keep accurate accounts
• Be able to use the accounting equation
• Be able to prepare financial documents in business 
• Be able to use double entry bookkeeping 

Qualifications in Business Studies can provide a pathway to a multitude of careers including the following.  The constantly changing nature of the Business world means that new career opportunities are emerging all the time.  

• Sports Agent
• Entrepreneur
• Digital Marketing
• Financial Advisor
• Human Resources specialist
• Accountant
• Production Manager
• Market Researcher
• Retail Buyer
• Fund Raising
• Business Analyst
• Marketing and Sales 
• Business Consultant