Business Department
Introduction
The idea of business and how we do business in today’s world is ever-changing. Not only are financial aspects necessary to consider but also a broad range of topics necessary to the development of individuals and society as a whole. With the rapid expansion of technology, the world has become a smaller place. Environmental challenges make us question our actions and societal issues impact on our everyday perspectives. These are some of the things that not only adults have to face but young people too and by studying business it can help us to navigate the world around us, not to mention the opportunities and challenges we are faced with. Developing an understanding of business is our aim here at the St Mary’s Baldoyle Business department, to help students live and thrive in a dynamic business environment and, above all else, to help them achieve their potential now and into the future.
Junior Cycle Business Studies
Junior Cycle Business Studies is divided into three parts:
‘To stimulate students’ interest in the business environment and how they interact with it. It develops skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that allow them to make informed and responsible decisions with all of the resources available to them, ensuring their and society’s well-being, while becoming more self-aware as learners.’
With this in mind, the Business department at St. Mary’s Baldoyle aims to deliver an engaging Junior Cycle curriculum planned for the maximum benefit and development of our students.
Some of the topics explored in Junior Cycle Business are as follows:
Junior Cycle business studies has two Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs). These are undertaken during second and third year of junior cycle education. The CBA's provide students with the opportunity to use various methods of research, analyse data and evidence, organise information and plan logically, communicate clearly and effectively, collaborate with others and reflect on their contributions and learning. The first CBA in Business Studies focuses on developing students’ ability to work together while also ensuring an individual contribution from each individual student. The second Business Studies CBA is an individual project which aims to help students develop their ability to investigate and present on a business-related topic. Students complete a formal written Assessment Task to be submitted to the State Examinations Commission for marking along with the final examination for business studies.
Junior Cycle Business Studies is assessed at Common Level where there is only one paper as opposed to the traditional style of Higher and Ordinary papers. Descriptors for Junior Cycle Business Studies include a total of 6 grade descriptors: Distinction, Higher Merit, Merit, Achieved, Partially Achieved, and Not Graded.
These are broken down as follows:
While these are only applicable to the Junior Cycle state exams, Classroom-based assessments (CBAs) have a different grading system. These are Exceptional, Above Expectations, In Line with Expectations, Yet To Meet Expectations, and Not Reported.
- Personal finance
- Enterprise
- Our economy
‘To stimulate students’ interest in the business environment and how they interact with it. It develops skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that allow them to make informed and responsible decisions with all of the resources available to them, ensuring their and society’s well-being, while becoming more self-aware as learners.’
With this in mind, the Business department at St. Mary’s Baldoyle aims to deliver an engaging Junior Cycle curriculum planned for the maximum benefit and development of our students.
Some of the topics explored in Junior Cycle Business are as follows:
- Making the Most of Your Resources
- Recording Household Income and Expenditure
- Insurance
- Consumerism
- The Skills, Characteristics and Role of the Entrepreneur
- Work, Employment and Volunteerism
- Impact of Digital Technologies
- Writing a Business Plan
- Income Statements
- Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet)
- Scarcity and Choice
- Government Economic Policy
- The European Union
Junior Cycle business studies has two Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs). These are undertaken during second and third year of junior cycle education. The CBA's provide students with the opportunity to use various methods of research, analyse data and evidence, organise information and plan logically, communicate clearly and effectively, collaborate with others and reflect on their contributions and learning. The first CBA in Business Studies focuses on developing students’ ability to work together while also ensuring an individual contribution from each individual student. The second Business Studies CBA is an individual project which aims to help students develop their ability to investigate and present on a business-related topic. Students complete a formal written Assessment Task to be submitted to the State Examinations Commission for marking along with the final examination for business studies.
Junior Cycle Business Studies is assessed at Common Level where there is only one paper as opposed to the traditional style of Higher and Ordinary papers. Descriptors for Junior Cycle Business Studies include a total of 6 grade descriptors: Distinction, Higher Merit, Merit, Achieved, Partially Achieved, and Not Graded.
These are broken down as follows:
- 90 or over Distinction
- 75 to less than 90 Higher Merit
- 55 to less than 75 Merit
- 40 to less than 55 Achieved
- 20 to less than 40 Partially Achieved
- Less than 20 No Grade/ NG
While these are only applicable to the Junior Cycle state exams, Classroom-based assessments (CBAs) have a different grading system. These are Exceptional, Above Expectations, In Line with Expectations, Yet To Meet Expectations, and Not Reported.
Transition Year
Transition Year (TY) Business in St Mary’s Baldoyle has proved a popular success among students in previous years. The main component of TY Business for the first half of the academic year is preparation for the TY Mini Company Christmas fair but also the Student
Enterprise Programme competition, which is organised every year by a network of Local Enterprise Offices of Ireland. Previous TYs have gained success through winning awards, learning about how to become profitable entrepreneurs and running a business while still in school.
The main topics that students engage with through developing a mini company are as follows:
After Christmas, TYs are given the opportunity to engage in the ‘Choose Safety Programme,’ a programme designed by the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland which helps students to prepare for health and safety in the workplace. Upon successful completion, students receive digital badges and a certificate of completion which is beneficial for their CV and future employment prospects.
Enterprise Programme competition, which is organised every year by a network of Local Enterprise Offices of Ireland. Previous TYs have gained success through winning awards, learning about how to become profitable entrepreneurs and running a business while still in school.
The main topics that students engage with through developing a mini company are as follows:
- Enterprise
- Idea Generation
- Teamwork
- Market Research
- Intellectual Property
- Production
- Marketing Mix
- Costing, Pricing and Finance
- Social Media
After Christmas, TYs are given the opportunity to engage in the ‘Choose Safety Programme,’ a programme designed by the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland which helps students to prepare for health and safety in the workplace. Upon successful completion, students receive digital badges and a certificate of completion which is beneficial for their CV and future employment prospects.
Leaving Certificate Business
Business at senior cycle aims to develop students’ understanding of how businesses operate at both domestic and international levels. Understanding the impact that enterprise has on people’s lives helps students to appreciate the importance it plays within society. Approached in an exam focused manner, senior cycle business in St Mary’s Baldoyle is an optional subject but an important one as it aims to explore business in conjunction with useful and up-to-date examples in the world around us. Case studies provide interviews with Irish entrepreneurs and every effort is made to bring this subject to life through exploring everyday business scenarios.
Students are encouraged to view the subject of Business like a new language by understanding keywords and phrases, while also exploring famous concepts, legislation and theory that will help them develop deeper understanding of this engaging subject. Tips and techniques in how to achieve full marks in exam questions are shared with students to help them prepare for the Leaving Certificate exam. Taken at higher or ordinary level, the Business Leaving Certificate exam is divided into three sections; Short questions, a case study (Applied Business Question) and long questions.
Divided into seven units which are listed below, Leaving Certificate Business explores many topics:
Students are encouraged to view the subject of Business like a new language by understanding keywords and phrases, while also exploring famous concepts, legislation and theory that will help them develop deeper understanding of this engaging subject. Tips and techniques in how to achieve full marks in exam questions are shared with students to help them prepare for the Leaving Certificate exam. Taken at higher or ordinary level, the Business Leaving Certificate exam is divided into three sections; Short questions, a case study (Applied Business Question) and long questions.
Divided into seven units which are listed below, Leaving Certificate Business explores many topics:
- Introduction to People in Business
- Enterprise
- Managing 1
- Managing 2
- Business in Action
- Domestic Environment
- International Environment
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
In helping students to prepare for participation in a changing business environment for adult and further education, here at St Mary’s Baldoyle we also understand the significance of emphasis on vocational practices and working life. With this in mind, we incorporated the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) into our list of senior cycle subjects which benefits students who not only wish to gain better understanding of the working world and enterprise, but also to use it towards achieving points in the Leaving Certificate.
The LCVP is an action led programme, aiming to encourage students to take charge of the various activities they plan which goes towards their final assessment. Beginning in 5th year, students complete a portfolio worth 60% with the remaining 40% for a written exam held in March in the LCVP programme. The written exam is based on two link modules, namely, Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education, with the portfolio comprised of four core items and two optional items.
These are as follows:
The LCVP is an action led programme, aiming to encourage students to take charge of the various activities they plan which goes towards their final assessment. Beginning in 5th year, students complete a portfolio worth 60% with the remaining 40% for a written exam held in March in the LCVP programme. The written exam is based on two link modules, namely, Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education, with the portfolio comprised of four core items and two optional items.
These are as follows:
- Core items:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Enterprise/Action Plan
- Career Investigation
- Diary of Work Placement
- Enterprise Report
- My Own Place Report
- Summary Report
- Recorded Interview
Activities and Events held during the year by the Business Department
- Guest speakers – These can range from entrepreneurs to guest speakers from the Local Enterprise Office. The Business Department try to maximise on the opportunities of having guest speakers in the school by involving as many different year groups as possible to learn from the guest speakers’ experiences.
- Visits Out – It is essential that students partake in visits out, especially in Transition year and as part of the LCVP, so that students can get practical insight into the business world.
- School Bank – Bank of Ireland have been extremely supportive in helping educate students about their financial wellbeing, especially by supporting the development of a school bank.
- TY Christmas Fair – Each year the TY Christmas fair has been a success with students also achieving awards from the Local Enterprise Office as part of the Student Enterprise Progamme. This programme also offers competitions relating to Business for other year groups and the Business Department endeavours to encourage students to participate in as many competitions that help students to develop their understanding of the business world.
Links
- Some of the textbooks used in Business, Business Studies and LCVP are as follows: ‘Time for Business,’ ‘Down to Business’ and ‘Making it Happen.’ These are all available as an Ebook.
- The St Mary’s Business Department is active on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
- Junior Cycle Business Studies Curriculum Specification link: https://www.curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/a00357e9-fa82-4f60-99f7-adae882eeb67/FINAL-NCCA-Specification-for-Jr-Cycle-Business-Studies-v5.pdf · Senior Cycle syllabus link: https://www.curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/fb629c5b-f6e5-4193-ad4c-faf0e3c704c9/SCSEC08_Business_syllabus_Eng.pdf (Development of a new specification for Leaving Certificate Business has commenced and the progress of these developments can be viewed by following this link: https://ncca.ie/en/senior-cycle/curriculum-developments/business/)
- https://www.ccpc.ie/
- https://www.cso.ie/en/index.html
- https://www.studententerprise.ie/
- https://www.bstai.ie/
- https://www.revenue.ie/en/Home.aspx