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Business Studies

Aims

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The Business Studies Department supports and contributes strongly to the overall aims of the school. In addition, the department would aim:

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  1. To promote knowledge and understanding of business.

  2. To stimulate interest and enthusiasm for the study of business.

  3. To give the individual a sense of identity through the knowledge of the business environment and the forces which change it.

  4. To promote an informed insight into the contemporary world.

  5. To promote enterprise and team-work among pupils in a business context.

  6. To deliver attitudes, values and processes of critical judgement and decision making which prepare pupils to participate effectively in both the world of work and as competent citizens.

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Staff

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Ms A Smith – B.Sc.(Hons.), P.G.C.E /Head of Department
Mrs S Gibson – M.Sc., B.Ed./Subject Teacher
Mrs H Irvine -  B.A.(Hons.), P.G.C.E/Subject Teacher

GCSE Business Studies

Please watch the video to find out what GCSE Business and Communication Systems entails.

Business and Communication Systems is an option subject and is offered to pupils at GCSE. GCSE pupils have 5 periods per week in Year 11 and 5 periods per week in Year 12.

Qualification

Subject Content

Assessment

GCSE Business and Communication Systems

Unit 1

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Use of ICT

External computer-based exam – worth 40%. This two hour exam tests students’ ICT skills in a business context.

Grades A* – G

Unit 2

 

The Business Environment

External written exam – worth 35%. This one hour exam contains structured questions for the students to complete.

Unit 3

 

E-Commerce

Controlled assessment – worth 25%. Students design a website and explain the business rationale for their design choices using PowerPoint.

Skills developed through Business Studies

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  • Literacy, Numeracy & ICT

  • Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of business concepts

  • Applying knowledge and understanding to address business problems and issues

  • Selecting, organising, interpreting and using information to analyse business problems and issues

  • Evaluating evidence, making reasoned judgements and presenting conclusions

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Possible future progression/Careers

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  • AS/A2 level Business Studies

  • AS/A2 Business (Applied) – Double & Single Award

  • NVQ Administrative, Financial, Secretarial and Business-related courses and careers

  • Business/Retail Management Degree

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A Level Professional Business Services

Please watch the video to find out what GCE Professional Business Services entails.

AS/A2 Professional Business Services

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This specification introduces students to a wide selection of topics relevant to prospective professional business service providers operating in Northern Ireland, the UK and beyond. The course is an industry-endorsed specification, appropriate for school leavers considering entry into bespoke business training programmes or apprenticeships as well as those seeking progression to relevant Higher and Further Education programmes.

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AS Course

Unit AS 1

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Introduction to Professional Business Services

  • The Business Environment

  • The Professional Business Services Sector

  • The Consultancy Process

  • Client Relationships

  • Business Ethics

  • Persuading and Influencing

  • Techniques for Business Planning

  • Risk Management

  • Government Regulation

  • External Assessment

  • Written Examination Paper

  • 1 hour 30 minutes

  • 30% of AS

  • 12% of A Level

Unit AS 2

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Human Resource Services

  • Human Resource Services

  • Organisational Structure and Culture

  • Recruitment Processes

  • Learning and Development

  • Employee Well Being Motivation

  • Managing Conflict

  • Research Processes

  • Report Writing

  • Internal Assessment

  • Portfolio based on a pre-released case study

  • 40% of AS

  • 16% of A Level

Unit AS 3

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Financial Decision Making

  • Financial Decision Making

  • Finance Management

  • Budgeting

  • Cash Flow

  • Financial Statements

  • Ratio Analysis for Decision Making

  • Investment Appraisal

  • Financial Decision Making Process

  • External Assessment

  • Written Examination Paper

  • 1 hour 30 minutes

  • 30% of AS

  • 12% of A Level

A2 Course

Unit A2 1

 

Technology in Business

  • The Business Environment

  • The Professional Business Services Sector

  • The Consultancy Process

  • Client Relationships

  • Business Ethics

  • Persuading and Influencing

  • Techniques for Business Planning

  • Risk Management

  • Government Regulation

  • External Assessment

  • Written Examination Paper

  • 2 hours

  • 18% of A Level

Unit A2 2

 

Leadership and Management

  • Human Resource Services

  • Organisational Structure and Culture

  • Recruitment Processes

  • Learning and Development

  • Employee Well Being Motivation

  • Managing Conflict

  • Research Processes

  • Report Writing

  • External Assessment

  • Written Examination Paper

  • 2 hours

  • 18% of A Level

Unit A2 3

 

Project Management Skills

  • Financial Decision Making

  • Finance Management

  • Budgeting

  • Cash Flow

  • Financial Statements

  • Ratio Analysis for Decision Making

  • Investment Appraisal

  • Financial Decision Making Process

  • Internal Assessment

  • Portfolio of Evidence for a Project Management Task

  • 24% of A Level

Skills developed through Business Studies

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  • Working independently to select and interpret appropriate information

  • Applying knowledge, understanding and skills in a range of contexts

  • Researching using primary and secondary sources and analysing and presenting findings from research undertaken

  • Analysing, evaluating and drawing conclusions making reasoned arguments

  • Writing succinctly, clearly and coherently using specialist terms with appropriate referencing

  • Communication – talking and listening, reading and writing

  • Using Mathematics

  • Using ICT

  • Problem Solving

  • Working with Others

  • Self-Management

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Careers Linked with Art & Design

Students who successfully complete this course may progress to Further and Higher education Foundation Degree/Bachelor Degree courses at colleges and universities or progress directly into employment.

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Throughout the course students acquire both in-depth subject knowledge and a wide variety of transferable skills which are considered as essential by employers, universities and colleges.

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  • Accountant

  • Finance Manager

  • Marketing Executive

  • Market Researcher

  • Human Resources Manager

  • Retail Manager

  • Sales Executive

  • Stockbroker

  • IT Consultant

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