Business Studies | CarrickfergusAcademy

Business Studies

Key Stage 3

At the Academy we are very fortunate to offer Business & Enterprise in all year groups in Key Stage 3. It is a dynamic subject which prepares students for the challenges of the 21st Century by introducing them to the world of business. Lessons are associated with what is happening in the economy/country/world today. Business & Enterprise is practical, applied and exciting.

Year 8

Year 8 students are introduced to the business world. They look at entrepreneurship in details, looking at famous and local entrepreneurs, who in turn visit the classroom, bringing the world of work to life. Year 8 study social enterprise and the impact this has on our society. They move onto business ownership and look all the different types of ownership available to them. They finish the year studying types and methods of production.

Year 9

In Year 9 the students are introduced into the world of branding and get to grips with the power of branding in our world. They complete an apprentice style task based on the TV show. Next they study financial awareness a necessary lifelong skill. They finish with Health and Safety in the work place and importance of communication.

Year 10

Year 10 is an introductory course to GCSE Business Studies to enable students to make a more informed decision when choosing their GCSE options. They will study Marketing, E-commerce and Recruitment & Selection etc. Students will also complete the Young Enterprise QuickStart Programme which challenges students to work together, setting up and running their own real business.

Key Stage 4

At the Academy we offer two pathways for GCSE:-

GCSE Business Studies

GCSE Business Studies is a dynamic, interesting and challenging course. It is completely relevant to the world in which we live today, providing students with realistic learning experiences which they will carry on into life.

GCSE Business Studies makes a positive contribution to developing young people as individuals and participants in society, the economy and the environment. The course will help learners develop:

A lifelong interest in and enjoyment of business subjects, being inspired, moved and changed by a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study
An enquiring, critical approach to distinguish facts and opinions, to build arguments and make informed judgements
An understanding of the changing use of ICT in business and economic activities
An understanding of the use of relevant terms, concepts and methods to describe business and economic behaviour effectively
Their abilities as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds
Knowledge, understanding and skills to help them understand current events and provide a basis for their future role as active citizens and for possible further study of business

Students will have the opportunity to develop their business knowledge and topics include:

Business Ownership
Social Enterprise
Business Location
Aims & Objectives
Stakeholders
Marketing
International Business
E-commerce
Production
Recruitment & Selection
Training
Business Growth
Finance

GCSE Business Communication Systems

GCSE Business Communication Systems allows students to develop valuable ICT skills and at the same time gain a practical introduction to the business world, exploring the changing role of digital technology in business today.

The course will help learners develop:

Engage actively in the study of business and digital technology in order to develop as effective and independent learners and critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds;
Recognise that their knowledge of business and the use of software applications will provide a sound basis for a future role as employee or employer;
Understand the changing role of digital technologies in business and economic activities;
Develop skills and understanding in the use of software applications;
Use software applications to develop digital solutions to enhance business activities; and
Be inspired by following a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course that could lead to further study.

Students will have the opportunity to develop their ICT skills in a business context. They will learn how to use different types of software applications. These include:

Word-processing
Spreadsheets
Databases
Presentations
Email
Web authorising software
Types of business
Stakeholders
Communication
Digital Trading
E-commerce
Recruitment & Selection
Training
Marketing

Progression

Both courses provide a sound basis of business knowledge for further study at:

GCE Professional Business Services
Applied Business
Employment

Post 16

At the Academy we offer two pathways for Post 16.

CCEA GCE Professional Business Services – Academic
AQA Applied Business - Vocational

GCE Professional Business Services

This is an academic course which is a lively and enquiring. It will appeal to students with an interest in Business, a willingness to explore new ideas and an ability to communicate ideas effectively.

It is not a requirement that you should have studied GCSE Business Studies or Business Communication Systems to study this course. The course covers:

Introduction to Business Services
Human Resource Services
Financial Decision Making
Technology in Business
Leadership and Management
Project Management Skills and Processes

The AQA Applied Business

This is a vocational courses which will give learners the opportunity to learn and understand the fundamental business and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills associated with working within a business enterprise. The learner will understand the way in which any venture in business (big or small) is a function of the relationship between its people, its marketing, its finance and its ability to deliver operationally upon its commitments.

It is not a requirement that you should have studied GCSE Business Studies or Business Communication Systems to study these courses. The course covers:

Financial planning and analysis
Business dynamics
Entrepreneurial opportunities
Managing and leading people
Developing a business proposal
Marketing

In Business we prepare students for university life, promoting independent learning through research and encouraging presentations where possible to develop skills with confidence. Past students have progressed to a wide range of degree courses including Human Resources, Accounting, Teaching, Marketing and Law.

Extra-Curricular

Young Enterprise Company Programme

In the Business Studies Department, we offer the Young Enterprise Company Programme. The Company Programme empowers young people to set up and run a student company under the guidance of a business volunteer. The Company Programme provides a real-life learning opportunity that introduces young people to the realities of the world of work. Students make all the decisions about their business, from deciding on the company name, managing the company finances and selling to the public. Participants gain practical business experience and key skills.

Students sell to the public with pop up shops at YE Trade Fairs and on YE Market Place, the dedicated online sales platform. Participants gain the practical business experience, adaptability, entrepreneurial mindset and employability skills needed to secure successful futures.

Company Programme encourages students to develop their confidence, to develop an enterprising mindset and helps with their employability skills for successful transitions to the next stage of life.

Year 11 and 12 Business Support

After school support is provided for Business students, individual teachers run their own after school classes and from Feb – Apr. HOD offers revision classes every Monday.