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Secondary education

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My daughter wants to do business studies as an extra GCSE. Anyone recommend an online study option?

12 replies

bellinisurge · 13/09/2021 12:27

I'm not keen because of the extra work in addition to GCSE work from school but she wants to do an extra GCSE - business studies- remotely. Any recommendations for courses?

OP posts:
bellinisurge · 14/09/2021 18:02

Bump just in case anyone has any info and didn't see this.

OP posts:
clary · 14/09/2021 18:31

I would think your best option might be to find a tutor to support her, either remotely or in person. I tutor (not business before anyone thinks I am advertising :) ) and have supported students through extra GCSEs.

Why does she want to do it tho? You don't need to have done GCSE Business (no studies now) to take the A level AFAIK. I might betempted to focus on what she is doing at school, especially after the disruption to her KS3.

bellinisurge · 15/09/2021 14:50

Thank you. Apologies for not replying before. That's very interesting that you aren't required to have it at GCSE to do Alevel.
She has mainly chosen more traditionally academic subjects like Triple Science but has included Fashion/Textiles and Photography - this is already an extra but the school offered it out of school hours. The fashion industry is a field she tentatively wants to get into but a) isn't ready to fully commit although b) feels that a Business Studies qualification would be useful if she pursued a job in it.
I got roundly criticised on here for talking about the mandatory Citizenship GCSE that she has to do as a waste of time. So basically, she didn't really have the option space to do it in school. Because citizenship gcse took up a space.
I'll look at the 6th form colleges around here and see what is required if you want to do. Business Studies alevel. She might be more certain of the direction she wants to go in at that stage and, if she has her heart set on it, Business Studies might still be an option she can pursue.

OP posts:
clary · 15/09/2021 15:56

I can't speak for specific schools of course; but not every school offers Business GCSE so a lot of post 16 providers don't expect it. My dcs' school did offer it, but didn't offer GCSE in sociology or psychology, for example.

Same goes for history tbh, tho most keen historians would probably take the GCSE and it is offered in most schools.

It's only linear subjects like maths, MFL and science, where the A level perforce builds on previous knowledge, that there's an issue.

DoctorDonna20 · 15/09/2021 17:16

Would she consider setting up her own little on line business as an alternative? Could be something fashion related eg customising clothes, bespoke dressmaking etc depending on her skills. Could also tie in well with Textiles and photography.

It would teach her business skills but at her own pace without the pressure of an additional GCSE and would probably be viewed as or even more favourably by employers. Could even get a little extra money!

If she wanted to do something a bit more formal I think there are free/cheap business MOOCs and online courses on how to start a "side hustle" eg Simple Startup Academy, (but not sure how USA-centric that one is).

trumpisagit · 15/09/2021 17:19

DS is doing a GCSE computer science course and is hoping to sit it in Y10. I think he will do very well.
He is doing it because they don't offer computer science at his school, and it was something to keep him busy in lockdown.
He uses an online academy but they only do coding/computer science type courses.

ittakes2 · 15/09/2021 17:58

Its standard you don't need a business GCSE to do business at A level. Sometimes though you need a certain grade in maths and/or english as a prerequiste.

bellinisurge · 15/09/2021 18:45

Thanks very much everyone. Food for thought.

OP posts:
Rosa747 · 01/02/2022 13:16

I was wondering if you decided to go with the additional GCSE in business studies as we were thinking of this option and not sure what the study options are outside of school aside from a tutor and wondered if there was a course suitable for year 10 student?

Gazelda · 01/02/2022 13:27

My DD is considering doing Business outside of school, but I'm trying to discourage her.

I think she's got plenty of work with her current core subjects and options. She also plays an instrument outside of school and is working her way through grades, currently at 5. Plus DofE.

I'd rather she concentrated on them and did well, and then took Business at A level if she wishes.

Rosa747 · 02/02/2022 07:21

My DS has only been given a pathway to choose 2 GCSEs as he needs to get grades up in Englush and Science so will have more if those lessons but he still wanted to take another GCSE out if school and was thinking business studies. He is good with maths. I just don't know where to start with study options for a business studies GCSE.

Xoxoxoxoxoxox · 02/02/2022 12:56

My son did a business studies GCSE and 9 others. It was definately one of the easier ones and was not required to pursue business studies at A level.
I don't think she should bother, doing textiles or other art courses take up endless time and she could do a Foundation course after sixth form if she wanted to specialise in arts, then a three year degree.
I did a 3D Design degree, I ended up self employed and didn't 'use' my degree, 80% of my collegues went on to do a years PGSE and became art teachers, so I would get her to consider where she would like to end up.... (very difficult I know).

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