.png)
ST CECILIA'S
COLLEGE
Aspire - Endeavour - Achieve
Business
Welcome to the Business Department
Department Members
Lisa McIntyre - Head of Department
Stacey Beatty
GCSE
Students who study GCSE Business and Communication Systems will follow the CCEA Specification. Business and Communication Systems is an exciting and practical subject that recognises how ICT is in the foreground of all business activities.
What is Business Studies?
Business Studies is a dynamic, versatile and real-life subject and it provides students with a insight into the world of work. The department offers both GCSE Business and Communication Systems and GCE Professional Business Services. These two courses help students to engage actively in the study of business to develop as effective and independent learners and critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.
What Will I Study at GCSE?
Unit 1 – Software Applications for Business
This unit includes File management, Common software application tasks, Word processing software, Spreadsheet software, Database software, Presentation software, Web authoring software, Internet searching and Email software.
Unit 1 – is a computer-based examination of 2 hour’s duration and will test your ICT skills in a business context. This examination is worth 40% of the overall GCSE qualification.
Unit 2 – The Business Environment
Students will gain a broad introduction to the business world. This unit includes Types of business ownership, Stakeholders, Communication, Digital trading, Recruitment, Selection, Training, Implications of digital technology for business and customers, Marketing, Market Research and the Marketing mix.
The written examination for Unit 2 is 1 hour. This examination paper is worth 35% of the overall GCSE qualification.
Unit 3 – Developing Digital Solutions
Students use the skills they have developed in Units 1 and 2 to plan and develop a digital solution for a business. This unit is synoptic; it tests students’ understanding of the connections between the different elements of the subject.
This unit is assessed through controlled assessment and is worth 25% of the overall GCSE qualification.
A Level
Students who study GCE Professional Business Services will follow the CCEA Specification. This specification introduces students to a wide selection of topics relevant to prospective professional business service providers operating in Northern Ireland, the UK and beyond. The course is an industry-endorsed specification, appropriate for school leavers considering entry into bespoke business training programmes or apprenticeships as well as those seeking progression to relevant higher and further education programmes.
What Will I Study at A Level?
Unit AS1 – Introduction to Professional Business Services
This unit introduces students to the environment that professional business services firms operate in. It establishes the nature of the service they provide for clients. Students also investigate the consultancy process professional business services firms use. They explore the range of techniques they adopt to inform and formulate the advice they provide to their clients. They also explore the broader context of the professional services market to enhance their understanding.
Assessment for this unit is a 1 hour 30-minute written examination. It is worth 12% of the GCE qualification.
Unit AS2 – Human Resource Services
In this unit, students focus on the services provided by professional business services firms to support human resources in a client business. Students explore the need for effective human resources management in a business. They also investigate how professional business services firms can advise clients on improvements to their human resources processes in: organisational structure and culture, recruitment, learning and development, employee well-being, employee motivation and managing conflict.
This is an internally assessed unit and CCEA moderate it. It is worth 16% of the GCE qualification.
Unit AS3 – Financial Decision Making
This unit focuses on the services provided by professional business services firms to support financial decision making within a client business. Students explore the sources of finance available to a business and key areas of good financial management.
Assessment for this unit is a 1 hour 30-minute written examination. It is worth 12% of the GCE qualification.
Unit A21 – Technology in Business
This unit, students focus on the technology services that professional business services firms provide to support business operations in a client business. Students explore the range of technology and Information Technology (IT) systems available for communications, managing people, financial management and business operations. They also examine the issues professional business services firms must consider when advising a client on business technology, including security, data storage, and social, moral and ethical issues.
Assessment for this unit is a 2 hour written examination. It is worth 18% of the GCE qualification.
Unit A22 – Leadership and Management
In this unit, students examine the key concepts of leadership and management and a range of leadership styles and theories. They investigate how professional business services firms can advise client businesses to meet some of the challenges of management, including performance management, managing teams and managing change.
Assessment for this unit is a 2 hour written examination. It is worth 18% of the GCE qualification.
Unit A23 – Project Management Skills and Processes
In this unit, students explore the stages and processes involved in successful project management. They examine the components of project management methodology and apply this methodology to a specific project. Students take on the role of the project manager and provide individual evidence to meet the assessment criteria.
This is an internally assessed unit and CCEA moderate it. It is worth 24% of the GCE qualification.
Extra-Curricular
The Business Studies Department takes part in various Young Enterprise activities. Young Enterprise is a national charity who specialise in enterprise education. Young Enterprise works directly with young people, teachers, volunteers to build a successful and sustainable future for all young people.
The Business Studies Department is actively involved in The University of Ulster’s Outreach Academy. Encouraging girls at Key Stage 4 and 5, to complete the different units to widen their knowledge and understanding of the Business Environment.