Business

Why study A Level Business?

Explore how real businesses thrive in a changing world. With a refreshed AQA specification for 2026, you’ll study cutting-edge topics like AI, sustainability, and employee wellbeing, alongside essential business functions. New, clearer assessments offer accessible entry points for all learners—supporting your confidence and success. Whether you see yourself in management, marketing, or running your own business, this course gets you ready.

What will i study?

Students will: 

• Explore how businesses are set up, managed and financed. 
• Learn how organisations market products, manage people and operate efficiently. 
• Develop financial and analytical skills to evaluate business performance. 
• Investigate entrepreneurship, business growth and strategic decision-making. 
• Examine the impact of technology, globalisation and external influences on businesses. 
• Consider ethical, environmental and social responsibilities in business. 
• Build critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills through real business scenarios. 

This course provides an excellent foundation for university, apprenticeships and careers in business, marketing, finance and management.

How will I be assessed?

1. Clearer structure & focus

• Each paper will target specific content, rather than full overlap across all assessment papers.
• The structure of each exam will remain consistent—students learn the layout and question flow, which builds confidence.

2. Simpler, clearer command words

• AQA is refining the language of questions so the demand of each command word (e.g. “analyse”, “evaluate”) is clearer and more consistent.
• There will be fewer, more predictable command words, reducing ambiguity about what the examiner expects.
• The highest-mark question in each paper is being capped (so students are not overwhelmed by extremely long essay demands).
• Quantitative skills will be assessed in realistic business contexts, not just abstract calculations.

3. Familiarity lowers stress, supports success

• Because all papers share a consistent format, students know what to expect and can prepare more confidently.
• The alignment between what is taught and what is assessed is more precise, reducing surprises.

entry requirements

In addition to the entry requirements to attend KES Sixth Form, a minimum of a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics at GCSE is required. Business at GCSE isn’t a requirement to study Business at A Level, however if you have studied Business at GCSE, a minimum of a Grade 5 must have been achieved.

What skills will I gain from studying Business?

Students will develop a broad understanding of the range of activities businesses undertake to compete and be successful in a wide range of business organisations. In addition, students will learn to analyse a multitude of business scenarios, identify the key issues facing each and making recommendations as to what approach the business should take to achieve its objectives

Where can Business lead?

Students completing A Level Business go on to study a range of subjects at university (currently over 80% of students that study Business, Economics or Accounting at King Edward VI go on to follow a business related course at university) or go directly into employment. Business A Level can lead directly on to a Business degree course and in addition it is common for entry onto university subjects such as Accountancy, Law, Management, Economics and International Finance. Alternatively, A Level Business will give students a good grounding and the relevant skills essential for the successful transition into the world of work.

Curriculum Intent

At King Edward VI School in Lichfield, the intent of our A Level Business curriculum is to develop students into analytical, commercially aware and strategically minded individuals who understand how businesses operate and make decisions in an increasingly complex and global economy. By following the A Level Business specification, students deepen their understanding of business activity while developing the higher-level analytical and evaluative skills required for academic success and future employment. 

The curriculum builds upon students’ prior learning by exploring the core functional areas of business—including marketing, finance, operations and human resources—before progressing to strategic decision-making and the external environment in which organisations operate. Students examine how businesses grow, manage resources, respond to competition and adapt to changing economic conditions. Through the study of real-world case studies and contemporary business issues, students develop the ability to apply theory to practical situations and evaluate the consequences of business decisions. 

A central aim of the course is to develop critical thinking, quantitative reasoning and structured evaluation. Students learn to interpret financial data, analyse business performance and construct well-reasoned arguments supported by evidence. These skills are fundamental not only for success in the OCR examinations but also for wider academic study, enabling students to engage confidently with complex information and competing viewpoints. 

Beyond the classroom, A Level Business equips students with a strong understanding of enterprise, leadership and responsible decision-making. Students gain insight into how businesses contribute to economic growth, employment and innovation, while also considering the ethical and social responsibilities of organisations. This understanding helps students appreciate the role that businesses play within local, national and global economies and supports them in becoming informed participants in economic life. 
The qualification provides a strong foundation for a wide range of future destinations. Many students progress to university courses in areas such as business management, economics, finance, marketing and entrepreneurship. The analytical, numerical and evaluative skills developed throughout the course are also highly valued in apprenticeships and careers across sectors including finance, consulting, management and the public sector. 

Ultimately, the intent of our A Level Business curriculum is to ensure that students leave King Edward VI School as confident, reflective and commercially literate young people, capable of analysing complex business problems, evaluating strategic decisions and applying their knowledge to future study, employment and leadership opportunities. 

Staff

The following members of staff form the Business, Economics and Accounting department at King Edwards: