Teachers:

The Business Studies team is enthusiastic and knowledgeable. A number of our teachers have industrial experience which supports their teaching and is used to highlight, first-hand, the relevancy of the subject.

Mrs Teresa Fullan (Head of Department)

Miss Siobhan Donaghy

Mrs Roisin White

Mr Shane Hughes

Key Stage 4:

We follow the CCEA GCSE Business Studies specification which covers the main topic areas and activities of business:

Unit 1 Business Start Up :             Business Start Up, Production and

Marketing.

Unit 2 Business Development :   Finance, Managing People, Business

Growth and Business Plan.

The course is examined through two external written papers consisting of structured questions. There is also a controlled assessment component which involves report writing in response to a task set by CCEA.

Post 16:

We follow the CCEA specification which covers the main topic areas and activities of business in depth:

AS Level Examination:

Module 1:     The Competitive Business

Module 2:      Managing Business Resources

A2 Level Examination:

Module 3:     Making Business Decisions

Module 4:     The Changing Business Environment

The course is examined though structured questions in response to case studies and through report writing.

Career Implications:

Business is a word that covers a tremendous range of commercial and management careers.

Within business, employees can move into areas such as personnel work, production, research, sales, marketing, purchasing, public relations, advertising, banking, finance, insurance, accountancy and so on.

A qualification in Business Studies gives pupils the opportunity to explore and develop their understanding of the business world. It seeks to equip pupils with a sound vocational knowledge base and to encourage the development of critical judgement, sound reasoning and an analytical approach to problems. These skills are central to a multitude of career areas which are becoming increasingly attractive to today’s school leavers and university graduates.

Business Links and Extra Curricular Activities:

The Business Studies Department has excellent working relationships with Young Enterprise and Invest NI. Students have the opportunity annually to participate in a number of external courses organised by Young Enterprise, including an Enterprise Master Class and ‘Go For It’ events. Alongside developing their skills, these events illustrate the real world of business and the usefulness of the subject. They also enable students to meet both local entrepreneurs and their peers from across the community.  

Within school we have worked in partnership with Young Enterprise to successfully deliver ‘Project Business’ – a course designed to explore product development with the younger school community.  

The Department has also benefited from the expertise of guest visitors from organisations such as the Equality Commission.

Each year an industrial visit to a local business allows students to see the theory they have been in learning in action and adds depth to their work.

Resources:

The Business Studies Department draws on a range of textbooks and dedicated business magazines, including the Business Review. Students have access to daily newspapers in the school library and are encouraged to develop an awareness of the NI economy and business world. The Internet also provides a wealth of materials to support teaching and enhance students’ learning.

Can You Help?

We are always keen to develop links with the local business community. If you feel you could help us achieve this objective please contact any member of the Department.

Further Information:

If you have any further questions regarding any aspect of Business Studies please contact any member of the Department or talk to us at the College’s Annual Open Day.