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Business Studies

Teaching Staff
The Head of Department is:

  • Mrs N Herron BEd (Hons)

The other teachers in the department are:

  • Mrs R Cooper BSc (Hons) MSc PGCE
     


Since the department’s inception in 1997 the number of students choosing to study Business Studies has grown to the extent that it has become one of the most popular choices at both GCSE and A level.  The teaching team prides itself in the results their pupils achieve, some of which have been outstanding.  For example, a number of GCSE pupils have achieved results in the top three places in Northern Ireland, in addition to an A Level student achieving a place among the top five students in the United Kingdom.  The staff are committed to providing a diverse range of teaching and learning experiences which are enhanced by their experience as examiners of both GCSE and A level specifications.

No matter how young or old everyone is affected by the activities of business and government.  Business Studies helps students understand more about how and why businesses operate in the way that they do.  Students are able to relate what they study to everyday activities, such as purchasing goods, and the news reported in the media.  It is offered as a GCSE and an Advanced Level qualification. 

KEY STAGE 3
Although Business Studies is not offered as a subject at Key Stage 3 it has strong links with many subjects such as the Employability element of the subject Learning for Life and Work. 

To provide a flavour of the subject for Year 10 pupils, they are given the opportunity to participate in the Young Enterprise Project Business programme.  This affords pupils the opportunity to gain a practical, activity-based insight into the world of business through sharing the real life experiences of a local business adviser. 

You can find more information on this programme on: www.yeni.co.uk
 

GCSE (CCEA SPECIFICATION)
This course helps students develop a range of skills such as: decision making; interpreting and managing information; and devising solutions to problems and issues.  Such skills do not only contribute to academic success but are essential life and career skills.

COURSE CONTENT

  • Unit 1: Business Start Up includes three sections, Business Start Up (which contains ownership, sources of finance, business aims, stakeholders, customers, resources and entrepreneurs), Production (which contains types and methods of production, quality and Health and Safety) and Marketing (which contains market research and the marketing mix). 

  • Unit 2: Business Development includes four sections, Finance (which contains cash flow, ratios and break-even), Managing People (which contains recruitment, selection and developing people), Business Growth (which contains business success and failure, growth, international business and e-commerce), and Business Plan.

For more information visit: www.ccea.org.uk
 

ASSESSMENT

  • Unit 1 is a written examination lasting 1 hour 20 minutes and represents 35% of the total course weighting. 

  • Unit 2 is a written examination lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes and represents 40% of the total course weighting.  This unit will be taken by students at the end of year 12.

Controlled Assessment – students will complete one task from a range of tasks released in September of year 12.  This represents 25% of the course.

 

A LEVEL (AQA SPECIFICATION)

The specification has been designed to provide candidates with a critical understanding of:

  • the internal functions of business organisations;

  • the dynamic external environment within which businesses operate;

  • the major topical issues that can generate change for business organisations and methods of response;

  • and a range of stakeholder perspectives.

The study of this course will allow for the acquisition of important and transferable skills such as;-

  • data skills;

  • presenting arguments, making judgements and providing recommendations;

  • recognising the nature of problems, solving problems and making decisions using appropriate business tools and methods;

  • planning work and time management;

  • conducting research;

  • and challenging assumptions.

This specification provides a smooth transition from GCSE, although this is not a pre-requisite for studying this subject to AS/A level. However, a grade B or above at GCSE would show a good aptitude for the subject.  It lays an appropriate foundation for further study of the subject or indeed many related subjects in higher education. In addition, it provides a worthwhile course for every candidate in terms of general education and lifelong learning.

 

COURSE CONTENT

AQA AS Modules and weighting:-

  • Planning and Financing a Business (Unit 1, 40% of AS marks/20% of A Level marks)

  • Managing a Business (Unit 2,60% of AS marks/30% of A Level marks)

AQA A Level and weighting;

  • Strategies for Success (Unit 3, 25% of A Level marks)

  • The Business Environment and Managing Change (Unit 4, 25% of A Level marks)

For more information visit: www.aqa.org.uk

 

ASSESSMENT

AS Level

Unit 1 is assessed through an examination lasting one hour and fifteen minutes comprising short answer questions and extended responses based on a mini case study.
Unit 2 is assessed through a one hour and thirty minute examination paper consisting of compulsory, multi-part data response questions.

A Level

Assessment for Unit 3 is through a business decision making case study lasting one hour and forty five minutes which requires candidates to answer a number of compulsory questions.
The final paper, Unit 4, has the same duration as Unit 3 and includes a pre-release research task leading to the first section of a two section examination.  The second section consists of a choice of essays.  All questions will be essay style and will draw upon knowledge from all four units.

TEACHING METHODS

Much learning is based on discussion and debates on recent topical business and Government events and actions.  A variety of teaching methods are used to deliver each course, for example, case studies, DVDs and industrial visits.  In addition, extensive use is made of ICT.

A major focus when preparing candidates for Business Studies examinations is on the key assessment objectives. As such, ample training is provided to build knowledge and understanding as well as the skills of application, analysis and evaluation.

OPPORTUNITIES

And finally, the members of the Business Studies department feel privileged to play a part in educating the entrepreneurs of the future!

  

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