Business Studies

Mrs D Vallely – Head of Department

Mr M Vallely

Mrs J Slane

Aims of Department & Vision

Business Studies is a contemporary, dynamic and exciting subject, which allows our students who study it to gain an insight into the business world. This insight is invaluable to those students who wish to pursue a career in a number of different pathways, including Business Management, Finance, Human Resources, Business Administration, Marketing, Retail Management and Accountancy.

At All Saints College, we offer a variety of qualifications at both Key Stage 4 and 5.

Business Department Vision

Outline of Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5

Key Stage 4

GCSE Business Studies

The GCSE Business Studies course allows students to explore many topics including marketing, finance, human resources as well as the contemporary topics such as social enterprise, e-business and m-business.

The course is split into three units, two exams worth 40% each and a controlled assessment task worth 20%.

Unit 1: Starting a Business – exam at the end of Year 11

Unit 2: Developing a Business – exam at the end of Year 12

Unit 3: Planning a Business – Controlled assessment in Year 12

BTEC Level 2 Business Studies

The BTEC level 2 Business course is designed to allow students to think creatively, research and investigate real life businesses. Students have to prepare work independently and present findings in a range of ways which meet the requirements of the qualification.

The course is split into 4 units, each is assessed individually and are worth 25% each.

Unit 1: Introduction to Business – Coursework

Unit 2: Finance for Business - Exam

Unit 3: Enterprise in the Business World – Coursework

Unit 6: Recruitment, Selection and Employment – Coursework

OCN Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Business

This qualification is targeted at students who wish to develop their understanding of the skills within the world of Business. It is designed to allow students to develop their research and creativity skills. It is a new and exciting course and students will learn about new elements of Business, including Social Media for Business. It is 100% portfolio based and there are a total of five units to complete, including:

Business Aims and Objectives
Social Media for Business
Customer Service for Business
Mental Health, Wellbeing and Building Resilience
Effective Communication skills in the Workplace

Key Stage 5

OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in Business Studies

This Level 3 qualification will help students achieve their potential. It will give them an insight into the ever-changing world of Business! The course is portfolio based and requires students to meet strict deadlines. There are six units in total, to complete – three in Year 13 and three in Year 14.

Unit 1: The Business Environment

Unit 6: Business Communication

Unit 2: Business Resources

Unit 3: Introduction to Marketing

Unit 5: Human Resource Management

Unit 11: Internet Marketing

The Business Department offers a wide range of opportunities, to our Key Stage 4 and 5 students, to sample a range of different career opportunities particularly through our links with Businesses in the local community. We work closely with the Credit Union, who have sponsored the Business Studies Student of the Year Award. We also have links with Concentrix, The Innovation Factory. There are exciting career opportunities for Business students with a variety of employers, we have been privileged to have PWC, Andor and Deloitte into the school to give students the opportunity to explore apprenticeships.

All Saints College Christmas Market organised by the Business Department:

For the last three years, the Business department have organised the school’s Christmas market, to raise much need funds. The money raised goes back into the school to help support our most vulnerable students at Christmas.

Enterprise Challenge 2025:

Year 11 Business Students took part in the King’s Trust Enterprise Challenge. They competed against many schools across the North of Ireland. Their Business idea, personalised water bottles and the installation of a water fountain into the school. They presented their idea to a panel of judges and were questioned on how their idea would become a reality. The idea was loved by the judges and they came Runners up.

Business Trips:

Every year the Business department go on a school trip. This year we visited ASOS in Belfast. This is their Tech Hub and allowed students to gain an insight into the business and explore the IT career paths.