Business and Economics
Staff
Head of Department
Mrs R Millar
Subject Teachers
Mr S McGonigle (Vice Principal)
Mr E Conway (Senior Teacher) Mrs R Brown (Part Time)
Mrs Bates
Why study Business Studies or Economics?
Business Studies:
Studying Business Studies at GCSE and A Level offers students a valuable foundation for understanding the world of work, entrepreneurship, and the economy. It equips learners with practical knowledge about how businesses operate, make decisions, and respond to changes in the market. This subject encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills - essential for success in both higher education and future careers.
Business Studies also helps students develop financial literacy, understand marketing strategies, and explore ethical and environmental issues in business. These insights are increasingly relevant in today’s globalised and digital economy. Whether students aspire to start their own business, work in management, or pursue careers in finance, law or marketing, Business Studies provides a strong stepping stone.
Moreover, the subject foster transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. Through case studies and real-work examples, students learn to apply theory to practice, preparing them for the challenges of the workplace. With its blend of academic and practical content, Business Studies is an engaging and empowering choice that opens doors to a wide range of opportunities.
Economics:
Studying Economics at GCSE and A Level offers pupils a powerful lens through which to understand how the world works. it explores how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions about allocating resources, and how these choices affect society. In an increasingly complex and interconnected global economy, Economics helps students make sense of issues like inflation, unemployment, inequality, and climate change.
Economics develops critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving skills. Pupils learn to interpret graphs, evaluate arguments, and apply economic theories to real-world scenarios. These skills are highly valued by universities and employers alike, making Economics an excellent founation for careers in finance, law, politics, international relations, and business.
Beyond academic and career benefits, Economics encourages informed citizenship. Pupils gain insight into how government policies impact everyday life - from taxes and public spending to interest rates and trade. This empowers them to engage thoughtfully with current affairs and make informed decisions as future voters, consumers, and professional.
Whether students are curious about global issues or interested in practical applications of maths and logic, Economics offers a rich and relevant subject that combines theory with real-life impact.
Aims
To demonstrate knowledge and skills that will help pupils understand current events and provide a basis for their role as citizens
To develop the ability to use and apply appropriate skills to contemporary issues in a range of local, national and global contexts
To evaluate arguments and evidence, making informed judgements to help pupils develop as reflective thinkers with enquiring minds
To develop the skills of numeracy, literacy and self-expression and the facility to communicate knowledge and ideas in written, diagrammatical and graphical form
Key Stage 4
Business Studies:
Business Studies provides students with a unique insight into the world of work. Through its study, students discover how businesses operate and learn about their key elements and essential business functions.
This knowledge, and the holistic understanding that develops, offers an excellent foundation for those wishing to pursue careers in management, marketing, project management, business accounting, management consultancy, human resources, and business journalism as well as those interested in continuing to further study.
All pupils follow the CCEA GCSE Business Studies specification.
Year 11 Content:
Business Ownership
Production
Marketing
Year 12 Content:
Finance
Managing People
Business Growth
Business Plan
Assessment
Year 11
Unit 1: Paper 1 is sat in Year 11. A 1 hour 30 minute paper worth 40% of the overall GCSE Grade.
Year 12
Unit 2: Paper 2 is sat in Year 12. A 1 hour 30 minute paper worth 40% of the overall GCSE Grade.
Unit 3: Controlled Assessment - 20% of the overall grade completed in Year 12.
Economics:
This GCSE Economics Specification addresses key areas including consumer issues, environmental concerns, personal finance and globalisation. It provides students with concepts and skills to make sense of the world around them. All pupils follow the CCEA GCSE Economics specification which covers:
Basic Economic Ideas
Producing and Consuming
Financial Capability
Managing the Economy
Trade, Aide and Development
Assessment:
Paper 1: Students write a structured report based on pre-released case study - 1 hour 15 minutes - 40%
Paper 2: Short answer and data response questions and one essay from a choice of four - 1 hour 45 minutes - 60%
Both papers taken at the end of Year 12. There is no controlled assessment.
A Level
Business Studies
develop a lifelong interest in business.
gain a holistic understanding of business and the international marketplace.
develop a critical understanding of organisations and their relationship with key stakeholders.
evaluate the role of technology in business communication, business operation and decision making.
generate enterprising and creative solutions to business problems and issues.
understand the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by organisations and business decision makers.
develop advanced study skills that help them prepare for third level education.
acquire a range of relevant business and generic skills including decision making, problem solving and interpretation of management and information.
All pupils follow the CCEA GCE Business Studies Specification.
Economics
This A level aims to encourage students to:
develop an interest in and enthusiasm for economics;
appreciate how the subject contributes to the understanding of the wider economic and social environment;
develop an understanding of a range of economic concepts and an ability to use those concepts in a variety of different contexts.
adopt a critical approach to studying economics and develop an ability to think as an economist;
understand that economic behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives.
develop analytical and quantitative skills, together with qualities and attitudes that will equip them for the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities of adult and working life.
All pupils follow the CCEA GCE Economics Specification
What's the difference between Economics and Business Studies?
Business Studies gives information on how to start up a business, provide skills needed to run a business and how to expand it. it provides knowledge about how a business works i.e. the main areas inside a business - production, advertising and marketing, managing people and finance. it is particularly useful if you want to be self-employed, or work in retail or marketing.
Economics helps learners appreciate that our natural resources are scarce and that we have to make choices about how we use them. These choices have implications for the way that we live now and the lives of future generations.
Economics helps students understand the costs and benefits of our choices and to appreciate the interdependence of individuals and communities in today’s global economy. it is particularly useful if you want to study Accountancy, Law or Finance.
Professional Business has been designed in conjunction with Deloitte. The aim of the course is to give students an all-round insight into the professional world of work and the areas which you can specialise in. The coursework element allows students to gain experience in writing a professional business report and events management.
Pupils can study Business Studies and Economics or Economics and Professional Business Services. They are not permitted to study Business Studies and Professional Business Services.