Members of the Department
Miss N Murray (HOD)

Mrs T Murney

Aims

The Business Studies Department aims to;
1. To provide a Christian environment, based on Catholic values, in which the students will be able to maximise their academic and creative potential.
2. To employ stimulating learning and teaching methods to allow students to develop high levels of understanding and success in Business Studies.
3. To encourage each student to accept responsibility for her own learning and to adopt a mature attitude to her studies.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

In Our Lady s, girls have the opportunity to study GCSE Business Studies as one of their optional subjects at GCSE. The course offered is CCEA GCSE Business Studies, which consists of three units.

Unit 1: Starting a Business - This unit is externally examined and is worth 40% of the overall GCSE - it is usually taken at the end of Year 11. This unit introduces students to the subject and looks at the aspects of forming a business, marketing within a business and how businesses operate.

Unit 2: Developing a Business - This unit is studied in Year 12 and is externally examined, it is worth 40% of the overall GCSE. This unit looks at the growing business, including aspects of Human Resources, Finance and Business Growth.

Unit 3: Planning a Business- This is a Controlled Assessment Task, worth 20% of the GCSE taken in Year 12 - it is a synoptic unit.

Key Stage 5 (GCE)

Students have the option to study A-Level Business Studies and by choosing this engaging course, students will gain a broader overview of a business, its functions, behaviour and problems and issues that a business may face. Through studying A-Level Business Studies students will acquire a range of skills such as; decision-making, problem solving, analytical skills and the ability to evaluate information. Such skills are highly sought after and allow students to be prepared for future employment.

The course studied is CCEA GCE Business Studies, which consists of the following modules;

AS1: Introduction to Business - 50% of AS (20% of A2)

AS2: Growing the Business - 50% of AS (20% of A2)

A21: Strategic Decision Making - 30% of A Level

A22: The Competitive Business Environment - 30% of A Level

Extra-curricular

The Business Studies Department aim to allow students to have the opportunity for Industrial Visits and Guest Speakers. There are also a range of extra-curricular activities and competitions for students to participate in including; NI Business Challenge and The Stock Market Challenge.

Career Opportunities

This subject can open up career choices in a wide range of jobs, including; Marketing, Human Resources Management, Accountancy, Law, Insurance, Banking, Media, Retailing, Teaching, Economics, International Business, Production Management, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Data Analyst, Budget Adviser, Digital marketing, Logistics Management and many more.