Business Studies

Members of Staff:

Business Studies is taught by two specialist teachers:

• Mrs K. McMullan (Curriculum leader) B.A., Dip.Ind., P.G.C.E.
• Mrs L. McClure BS.Sc., P.G.C.E.

In addition to achieving academic excellence and examination success in Business Studies we want our pupils to receive a unique insight into the world of work. Through their study our pupils discover how businesses in Northern Ireland and further afield operate and the essential functions of a successful business enterprise.

Business Studies courses are interesting and dynamic. If you watch the news, read newspapers, have an interest in the world around you then you have a good start in understanding how businesses operate. Students learn a range of skills in Human Resource Management, Finance, Marketing and the organisation of the production of goods and services. Business Studies is a popular option for GCSE and/or A Level study. We aim to prepare students for life-long learning by implementing classroom strategies such as setting open ended challenges and promoting independent learning. The subject has a strong emphasis on the practical application of theory through the use of case studies and students are given opportunities to develop life skills such as managing information, communication, problem solving, decision making and working with others, to name a few. It is a valuable subject for the following careers: Accountancy, Banking, Marketing, Law, Public Relations, Teaching, Personnel, Business Management and Administration.

Department Facilities:

We have two well equipped, spacious teaching rooms equipped with interactive whiteboards and an Ipad. We have access to computer suites. We also have a wide range of DVD’s covering many business topics. Students are encouraged to make use of the Times 100 Case Studies, the Business Review Magazine which is available in the school library and various revision websites.

Is Business Studies suitable for me?

Business Studies is suitable for students who can write well, have an interest in the world of business and entrepreneurship and possess reasonable numerical skills. The courses also combine well with English, Mathematics, Geography, Psychology, ICT, Technology and Design as well as Modern Languages.

Trips, Visits and Extra-curricular activities

The Business Studies Department is committed to enabling pupils to experience firsthand the world of business.

Year 12 Business Studies Visit to Kerry, Coleraine

On Thursday 28^th January, Year 12 Business Studies classes took an industrial visit to Kerr, Coleraine to conduct research for their controlled assessment task and to receive information about Career opportunities within the Kerry Group.

We gained a fantastic insight into the business thanks to the Alison, Continuous Improvement Manager, Victor, Production Manager, Laura, Research and Development Graduate and Kathryn, Placement Student.Amongst other information we learned about production, technology and training at the plant and how Kerry operate on a glob al scale and stay ahead of the competition.We also had an excellent opportunity to observe the factory floor to see how cheese is produced.This was followed by a special treat to taste some of the Kerry products.

It was an extremely useful visit, giving the students a great insight into the work at Kerry.

Thank you very much to the staff involved for assisting the pupils so well in the completion of their GCSE controlled assessment task.

To support the specifications and enhance pupil learning we aim to organise visiting speakers from local businesses as well as industrial visits and we also take part in the following activities:

Stock Market Challenge Inter-schools Event – Year 11

Two teams of 5 Year 11 students compete against other schools during a session of simulated trading on the financial markets, making decisions under pressure, taking calculated risks and experiencing the excitement of the trading floor.

This enjoyable and rewarding challenge gives students an insight into career opportunities within the financial services sector and helps them develop important skills such as communication, problem-solving and working with others.
Last year one of our teams came 3rd place out of 29 schools participating.

Young Enterprise Company Programme – Year 13

We are a registered Centre of Excellence. The Department runs the Young Enterprise Company Programme for Year 13 Business Studies students.
Students set up and run a real firm for a year under the guidance of a business volunteer for 6 months. They get practical experience of the joys and pitfalls of creating a truly functioning enterprise.
Students do everything from raising the initial share capital through to designing and making their product or service to selling directly to customers at specially organised trade fairs and ultimately winding up the firm and paying their taxes.

Departmental Successes

Year 14 Charlotte Campbell represented Northern Ireland at a global young leader’s conference in Canada on August 10th 2015.

Charlotte was selected by entrepreneurship charity Young Enterprise to attend the Next Generation Leaders Forum (NGL). She was selected from a pool of over 1,400 young people who took part this year in the Young Enterprise Company Programme in Northern Ireland following an interview process with some of Northern Ireland’s industry leaders.

The annual event, held at Trent University in Ontario, connects top young leaders from around the world with established business leaders to tackle real business challenges faced by global organisations. Charlotte absolutely loved experience and it has inspired her to pursue a career in Business.