Business Studies

Business Studies Department

HoD: Mrs A Straghan

Subjects Offered

Business Studies GCSE
Business Studies A Level (CCEA Modular)

Studying Business Studies will help students gain knowledge and understanding of businesses, how they operate and the roles of various stakeholders.

Students will learn how businesses start up, what is required to keep them going and prosper along the many challenges they face.

Curriculum

In Year 11 students will cover Unit 1 from the CCEA specification which introduces students to the fundamentals of starting a business, resources needed, stakeholders, marketing, e-business, m-business and business operations.

In Year 12 Unit 2 topics include human resources, including recruitment and selection, appraisal, training, motivation, business growth and finance.

Both Unit 1 & 2 are assessed in an external written examination each worth 40% of the GCSE

Unit 3 is assessed in a controlled assessment task contributing the remaining 20% of marks.   Students carry out a research task and examine and evaluate a business plan, communicating their findings in a structured report writing task completed in Year 12.

Pupils will learn to apply skills that will benefit them in everyday life and in any career path they follow, for example carrying out research, working with others, proposing a business strategy or solution, understanding the role and viewpoints of a range of stakeholders in a business decision, and using financial information to make and justify a decision.

Year 11 students take part in the Stock Market Challenge, an on-line trading competition and often teams are entered in local enterprise challenges such as those organised by South West College.

Trips for those studying GCSE Business Studies have included a visit to Dungannon Enterprise Centre to learn about the support offered to local entrepreneurs and a tour of the Retailing Packing factory at Dunbia.

At AS students are introduced to the business world. They will develop an understanding of the importance of quality, gain an appreciation of growing a business through marketing activities and E-Business, and the importance of financial information and its use in decision-making.

At A2 students will explore business planning and risk management, develop an appreciation of accounting and financial information in strategic planning, gain an understanding of the macroeconomic and global framework and develop understanding of the impact of ethics and sustainability on decision-making and organisational culture.

Assessment is through two written examinations at AS (40% of A level) and a further two written examinations at A2 (60% of A level).

Year 13 pupils are encouraged to develop their own entrepreneurial skills through participation in the Young Enterprise Company Programme which is offered as an extra-curricular activity or the Student Investment Challenge which is a team based online investment competition.

Business Studies News Articles

A message from Madlug

Y11 & Y12 Business Studies pupils had the opportunity to hear all about a very successful local social enterprise from its founder, Dave Linton. Inspired by the story of a child in care who was using a bin bag...

Young Enterprise Quick Start Programme

Pupils in 10R who participated in the Young Enterprise Quick Start Programme had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to Sam Walker from Young Enterprise

A Special Guest in A Level Economics

It's great to have past pupils back in RSD to share their experiences either at university or in the workplace. Recently, A level Economics pupils welcomed back Aaron Graham, who came in to share his experience of studying Economics & Finance at QUB. Our current...

Northern Ireland School Business Challenge

Yesterday two teams of Year 13 Business Studies pupils travelled to Belfast to compete in the Northern Ireland School Business Challenge. The pupils had to deliver a...

Business Ethics Workshop

Year 14 Business Studies and Economics pupils were invited to St. Patrick's Academy on Thursday for a very informative workshop on Business Ethics, delivered by RSD past pupil Dr Shirley Ann Haslett from Queens Management School. The workshop was part of the ESRC...

Year 11 Young Enterprise Challenge

Two teams of four Year 11 pupils represented RSD at the Young Enterprise Challenge event held at South West College on Tuesday 14th November.

Stock Market Investment Challenge Yr11

On Wednesday 15th March, four Year 11 pupils set off for Riddel Hall at Queen’s University Management School in Belfast.

Stock Market Challenge Yr 11

On Monday 6th February, students studying Business Studies in Year 11 took part in the ‘Stock Market Challenge’.

Fair Trade

Next week will be Fair Trade week in RSD.  There will be Fair Trade produce for sale from Tuesday 31st January to Friday 3rd February at break and lunch in the Foyer.  Please remember to bring some change for this worthy cause.

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