GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education, and they are part of the national curriculum. Typically, GCSEs are studied between the ages of 14-16 in years 10 and 11.

Waltham Forest College's GCSE courses are studied as a package for those who are new to the country or those who achieved a Grade 3 in their English and maths GCSEs in Year 11.

The entry requirements for this course are:

This GCSE course is open to those who are new to the country or those who achieved a Grade 3 in their English and maths GCSEs in Year 11.

No prior study of the subject is necessary.

For those new to the country, there will be an entrance assessment to complete. This is common to the GCSE programme and not for this subject individually.

This course consists of the following:

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship: Explore the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs and the process of starting and running a business. Topics may include business aims and objectives, market research and sources of finance.

Marketing: Investigate the role of marketing in identifying customer needs, promoting products and services and achieving business objectives. Topics may include market segmentation, branding and the marketing mix.

Finance: Develop an understanding of financial concepts such as revenue, costs, profit and cash flow. Analyse financial statements and use financial data to evaluate the performance and make informed decisions within a business.

Operations Management: Examine the processes involved in producing goods and delivering services efficiently and effectively. Topics may include supply chain management, quality control and lean production.

The assessment comprises two exam papers, each lasting 1 hour 30 minutes, and a controlled assessment task.

The exam papers assess students' knowledge and understanding of business concepts, theories and practices through a combination of multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions.

The controlled assessment task requires students to investigate a business issue or opportunity, apply business concepts and theories to analyse the situation, and present their findings and recommendations in a written report.

Our Student Common Room is a great place to unwind and relax during your breaks. It features pool tables, table tennis, a gaming corner and lots of comfy sofas so you can refresh before your next lesson. 

Themed events are held in the Common Room so you can get the best experience of being a Waltham Forest College student.

Work experience will be sourced for learners on this pathway at the end of their GCSE study. This is owing to the intense study and limited time ahead of externally assessed examinations.

Completion of GCSE Business provides students with a solid foundation for further study and career opportunities within the business and management sector.

Students may choose to continue their education with A Levels in Business Studies, Economics or related subjects, or pursue vocational qualifications such as BTEC Business or apprenticeships in areas such as accounting, marketing or human resources.

This qualification also prepares students for entry-level roles in a wide range of industries and sectors including retail, finance, hospitality and manufacturing.

hether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce directly, students emerge from this course with a range of transferable skills including analytical thinking, communication, teamwork and problem-solving, essential for success in the dynamic world of business.

Waltham Forest College is a vibrant and aspirational college and will support you to reach your career aspirations. Last year 96% of learners progressed onto a positive destination either to higher levels of study, employment, or an Apprenticeship.