School Subject News Business Studies | Business Studies |
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BUSINESS STUDIES
Head of Department : Miss K Reid
Why Study 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. Business Studies 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 on to further study. What do we offer? Business Studies is a relatively new subject to RBAI which is offered at both GCSE and A-Level (CCEA courses are followed). A taster course is also an option for boys in Year 10. Year 10 Business Studies
At RBAI some Year 10 boys get the opportunity to have a taster course in Business Studies. The course is designed to give boys an insight into the world of business and it is flexible in adapting the business news of the day. In 2009/10, Year 10 boys have studied entrepreneurship (brought to life by the Dragons in the Den!), the changing look of our high streets & the impact on online shopping, the credit crunch and how it affects children, sources of finance for new businesses and the world of marketing.
Boys also participated in the Young Enterprise Quickstart programme. This 12 week programme enabled the boys to set up their own mini-companies which the ran with guidance and advice from 2 volunteers from the local business community. At the end of the project the boys gave a Dragon’s Den style business presentation to the Principal and judges from local business and through their presentations they highlighted their strengths and weaknesses and what they had learnt about how to organise a business! It is pleasing to report that all businesses were profit-making!
GCSE Business Studies At RBAI students have the opportunity to study CCEA GCSE Business Studies (Revised). This qualification is split into 2 units -
The subject is assessed through both written examinations and a controlled assessment.
A-Level Business Studies The A-Level Business Studies course contributes to an understanding of business and enterprise and helps students develop many of the skills and attitudes required for employment. This course can give valuable preparation for any career, not just in business and finance. Students develop skills such as research, decision-making, problem-solving and evaluation of information. These skills will assist students in any career path that they choose to follow The revised GCE course which is being taught from September 2008 contains 4 units of study. In Year 13, pupils study - AS 1 - The Competitive Business AS 2 - Managing Business Resources In both of these units students must answer two compulsory, structured questions based on stimulus material. Each examination lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. In Year 14, pupils study - A2 1 - Making Business Decisions : Students must answer one compulsory, structured question based on stimulus material. The exam last for 2 hours. A2 2 - The Changing Business Environment : Students are presented with an unseen case study and must produce a business report in response to it. Through their business report, students must: analyse problems, evaluate evidence, make proposals for solutions and justify reasons for their proposal. EXTRA-CURRICULAR The Business Studies Department at RBAI not only has something to offer those who study Business Studies for GCSE or A Level, but has something to offer boys throughout the school as there are various competitions and initiatives that are open to all boys.Year 13 Business Insight – this one day conference, organised in conjunction with Sentinus, gives all of Year 13 an opportunity to consider all the functions of business as well as develop practical skills of team-working, leadership and communication. Pupils also work with 14 local volunteer business advisors so they get to hear from people involved in business on a day to day basis.
Click here to see more photos and a report from this year’s conference. Year 10 Project Business – all Year 10 pupils get the chance to experience business for themselves with this one day conference that introduces them to the various roles available within a business. Boys also get the chance to hear about the reality of business from local entrepreneurs.
Click here to see more photos & read a report from this year’s event. Year 11 Entrepreneurship Masterclass – all Year 11 pupils participate in an Entrepreneurship Masterclass each June. This event is organised with Victoria College and is facilitated by Young Enterprise. It is a fun-filled day with lots of group challenges, the opportunity to learn about business and a chance to hear from local entrepreneurs as well as motivational speaker Billy Dixon.
Click here to see photos from last year's event.
Young Enterprise Company Programme – any boy in Year 13 can apply to be a director in RBAI’s Young Enterprise company. Letters of application & CVs are submitted in early September with interviews held from position of Managing Director, Deputy MD, Finance Director etc. The company then runs from October until April. In recent years all shareholders have received a dividend and all companies have made donations to charity from their profits!
Useful Resources for Business Studies www.tutor2u.net www.ccea.org.uk www.businessstudiesonline.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/business Dragon’s Den The Apprentice |
