Business Studies

Meet the team
Head of Department: Mr R. Breen				Teaching Staff: Mr G. Hetherington		Teaching Staff: Miss K. Magee
Aim of department:	In Business Studies we aim to enable every pupil to leave school with an accredited qualification. We strive to reduce the attainment gap between groups of students by making effective use of data to inform teaching and learning any by constantly developing our skills as a teaching team. All staff have up-to-date knowledge and understanding of our subject and working as a team helps us to help our students to reach their full potential. We play a key part in developing skills that will prepare students’ workplace skills which in turn will contribute to their economic wellbeing. Our curriculum contextualises learning through the use of real life situations and problem solving scenarios. Our students develop personal qualities such as the ability to work effectively in teams. Aims: We aim to achieve the highest student achievement which is our central purpose of teaching and assessment We provide opportunities and feedback for students to improve work. We aim to help the students to develop a range of skills including personal learning and thinking skills to provide the best opportunities for students to develop. Students will be provided with the use of technology and resources Students are supported through their studies, use of extra-curricular support and drop in sessions after school. Ensure that students are challenged and stretched within the lessons Give our students the opportunity to develop their skills and explore a wider learning context. Students can go out into the world of work with the attributes necessary to be successful Our students will be entrepreneurial, independent learners, confident presenters and strong team players. We aim that our students will meet the aspects of Social, Moral Spiritual and Cultural through their learning
Timetable allocation:	Key Stage 3				Key Stage 4		Key Stage 5
	1 period per week Year 10				5 periods per week		8 periods per week
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Key Themes
Year 10	Term 1	Pupils study ICT
	Term 2	Entrepreneurs and what is a business
	Term 3	Business Ownership
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
Year 11 Business Studies	Exam Board		CCEA
	Overview		This qualification engages students in the study of a range of business topics impacting on today’s society. Students will take a holistic approach to studying the diverse nature of business organisations. The qualification is underpinned by 3 core business issues: globalisation, digital technology and stakeholder influence. The qualification will require students to develop decision marking skills and engage in critical thinking and analysis of core business functions, which will equip them for further study and employment in business-related areas. Through our GCSE Business Studies specification students learn about how businesses start up, resources they need, marketing, finance, challenges they face and how they grow. Students also explore the role of stakeholders – groups that have an interest in a business – as well as human resources, the recruitment and selection process, and the value of training and motivation for employees. Important new topics include the role of social enterprise, e-business and m-business, discovering how businesses can use electronic and mobile technology in different ways. Students also learn to apply useful skills such as proposing business strategies or solutions, understanding other viewpoints and justifying decisions. A qualification in Business Studies can lead to a career in accounting, advertising, banking, retail, management consulting, marketing, research, human resources, a small business, or self-employment as an entrepreneur. Assessment is through two written exams, each worth 40% of the final mark, and a controlled assessment unit worth 20%.
	Unit Title		Assessment				Weighting	Availability
	Unit 1 Starting a Business		Examination				40%	June
Year 12 Business Studies	Exam Board		CCEA
	Overview		Through our GCSE Business Studies specification students learn about how businesses start up, resources they need, marketing, finance, challenges they face and how they grow. Students also explore the role of stakeholders – groups that have an interest in a business – as well as human resources, the recruitment and selection process, and the value of training and motivation for employees. Important new topics include the role of social enterprise, e-business and m-business, discovering how businesses can use electronic and mobile technology in different ways. Students also learn to apply useful skills such as proposing business strategies or solutions, understanding other viewpoints and justifying decisions. A qualification in Business Studies can lead to a career in accounting, advertising, banking, retail, management consulting, marketing, research, human resources, a small business, or self-employment as an entrepreneur. Assessment is through two written exams, each worth 40% of the final mark, and a controlled assessment unit worth 20%.
	Unit Title		Assessment				Weighting	Availability
	Unit 2 Developing a Business		Examination				40%	June
	Unit 3 Planning a Business		Controlled Assessment				20%	June
Year 11 & Year 12 Business & Services	Occupational Studies		The world of work is constantly changing. Today it is uncommon for a person to have only one occupation throughout their working life, so it’s vital that we are able to transfer and adapt our knowledge and skills throughout our careers. To foster these abilities, Occupational Studies allows learners to learn for work, through work and about work, and it provides the potential for this learning to take place in out-of-school contexts. This hands-on approach is ideal for those who prefer to develop their skills in a more practical, occupational environment. Occupational Studies is both coherent and flexible and provides a good foundation from which to advance to competence-based post-16 courses.				100 % coursework	June
Key Stage 5 Curriculum
Year 13	Exam Board		WJEC
	Overview		This specification introduces learners to the dynamic business environment and the importance of entrepreneurial activity in creating business opportunities and sustaining business growth. Learners will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of essential skills required for higher education and employment. The focus of the specification is to nurture an enthusiasm for studying business using contemporary contexts, allowing learners to develop an appreciation of the strategic, complex and inter-related nature of business issues from a local to global perspective.
	Unit Title		Assessment				Weighting	Availability
	Unit 1 Business Opportunities		Examination				50% of AS	May/June
	Unit 2 Business Functions		Examination				50% of AS	May/June
Year 14	Exam Board		WJEC
	Overview		This specification introduces learners to the dynamic business environment and the importance of entrepreneurial activity in creating business opportunities and sustaining business growth. Learners will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of essential skills required for higher education and employment. The focus of the specification is to nurture an enthusiasm for studying business using contemporary contexts, allowing learners to develop an appreciation of the strategic, complex and inter-related nature of business issues from a local to global perspective.
	Unit Title		Assessment				Weighting	Availability
	Unit 3 Business Strategy		Examination				50%	May/ June
	Unit 4 Business in a changing world		Examination				50%	May/June
Extra-Curricular:
We as a school work very closely with Young Enterprise Northern Ireland. We actively take part in a number of programs including the Company Programme for our Key Stage 5 pupils where they set up and run a real company. this gives them a valuable insight into the real world or business. Our programs: Help students and teachers track progress and embed learning through our Learner Development Journey. Provide students with the opportunities to populate their Progress File. Support schools to deliver of the skills development requirements of the Curriculum Recommended by teachers – 95% would recommend a Young Enterprise programme. Recommended by students – 90% would recommend a Young Enterprise programme to their friends and family.
Department Successes:
We have been very successful in winning a number of YENI company awards these include: – 2015 Marketing Award 2016 Marketing Award 2017 Social Media Award 2018 Runner-up Best Company at NW Trade Fair 2018 Business Organisation Award
Careers Links:
Business Studies can open up a wide range of opportunities for further and higher education or on to a rewarding career such as Accountancy, Law, Banking, Systems/Business Analysis, Management, Insurance, Media, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Investment, Teaching, ICT and Economics and/or self-employment in one’s own business enterprise. Many degree courses also contain a Business Module as a core element.

Strabane Academy

Business & Management Department

View Our Prospectus