Our Vision
At Strangford Integrated College, our Business Department offers students a dynamic insight into the world of business. Through real-life case studies and practical scenarios, students explore key business concepts in depth. We set high standards and encourage every student to aim high, fostering a culture of ambition and personal growth.
Staff:
Mr A Coffey (Head of Department)
Mr C Jennings
Mr Young
Key Stage 4
At GCSE there are two options students can pick to study the world of business; BTEC Level 2 Business and GCSE Business Studies.
BTEC Level 2 Business – This course introduces students to the world of business. a vocational qualification that provides a practical introduction to business principles, teaching essential skills like communication, marketing, and financial planning through real-world case studies and assignments. Designed to give a solid foundation and will provide a pathway to our Level 3 Business Studies courses at Sixth Form.
Unit 1: Introduction to Business - This coursework unit introduces you to the language and terminology used in business. You will explore different types of business ownership and how they relate to the size and scale of a business. You will also explore how the type of ownership impacts on the responsibilities of the owners of a business. By combining all this with looking at different types of business model, you will begin to understand how diverse the world of business is
Unit 2: Business Finance - . In this externally examined unit, you will explore the types of costs that businesses incur, from the initial start-up costs involved in setting up a business to the ongoing daily costs of running the business. You will then explore the ways in which the sale of products and services generates revenue, so that you can develop your understanding of profit
Unit 3: Enterprise in the Business World - This unit has synoptic assessment which will enable you to select and integrate knowledge, understanding and skills from across the qualification when planning an idea and presenting a business model for a new business.
Unit 4: Recruitment, Selection and Employment - In this unit you will be introduced to the variety of job roles that exist within businesses and the various functions that are performed by individual roles, as well as the types of organisational structures used in businesses.
Business Studies
The Eduqas GCSE Business qualification introduces students to the dynamic world of business. It covers key concepts and practical applications across six core areas:
- Business Activity – Understanding the purpose and nature of business.
- Influences on Business – Exploring external factors like economic, legal, and technological influences.
- Business Operations – Examining production methods, quality assurance, and customer service.
- Finance – Learning about sources of finance, revenue, costs, profit, and break-even analysis.
- Marketing – Investigating market research, the marketing mix, and promotional strategies.
- Human Resources – Studying recruitment, training, motivation, and organisational structures.
This course equips students with analytical, evaluative, and decision-making skills, preparing them for further study or careers in business, finance, and entrepreneurship.
Assessment Structure
- Component 1: Business Dynamics (62.5%) – 2-hour written exam with structured questions.
- Component 2: Business Considerations (37.5%) – 1.5-hour exam with data response questions
A qualification in Business Studies not only sets students up for taking A-Level Business Studies, it can also provide pathways into many careers such as accounting, marketing, banking, human resources and even becoming an entrepreneur. The course provides students with a solid knowledge and understanding of the way in which businesses start up and operate.
Students who undertake this course should be interested in the current business world, as they are encouraged to carry out research, and watch the news to ensure they are up to date with current affairs.
Key Stage 5
BTEC Business Level 3 is a vocational course that currently is a mix of external and external assessment. The course is graded Distinction* (grade A*), Distinction (grade A), Merit (grade C) or pass (grade E). UCAS points are the same as traditional A-levels, however, some universities will only accept one vocational A-level along with two traditional A-levels as their entry requirements. Students complete 4 units over the two-year course.
In Year 13 students undertake 2 units:
Unit 1 — Exploring Business
Students have the opportunity to explore many businesses in detail as they look at their purpose, structure and the effect of the external environment, they also study up-to-date businesses as they look at the importance of innovation. This unit will be assessed internally as students are set tasks to complete.
Unit 3 — Personal and Business Finance
This unit is an external assessment which is split into two parts; personal finance and business finance. Personal finance prepares students as they progress into adulthood as savings, investments and money management are studied. The second part, business finance allows students to explore how a business manages money as they prepare and analyse business accounts. This unit is assessed by a written examination.
In Year 14 students take 2 units:
Unit 2 — Developing a Marketing Campaign
This topic looks at the dynamic topic of marketing which is vital for a businesses survival and growth. This unit is assessed externally, the students receive preliminary information two weeks prior to the assessment, during this time they will carry out research.
Unit 8 - Recruitment and Selection Process
This short unit is assessed internally. The unit prepares students for the world of work as it looks at a business’s most vital resource; employees Students study the importance of employees, this also includes a more practical element as students get the opportunity to prepare, undertake and review recruitment and selection interviews.
During Year 13 and 14 you will develop a range of skills such as problem solving as we develop ideas for businesses to improve and continue to grow. Students will develop independent learning as they pick their own businesses to research as well as improving oral and written communication through completing assessments. Unit 3 also gives students a solid understanding of the importance of managing finances not only for a business but also for them as an individual.
What can I do after I have completed the course?
This qualification in Business Studies can open many opportunities for students, such as higher and further education opportunities in areas such as accountancy, marketing and enterprise. As the course focuses on up-to-date businesses students develop a good understanding of current business affairs happening in the world around them.
UPS
Our Vision
In the Public Services Department of Strangford Integrated College, we embody a fundamentally student-centred approach, with a unit-based structure and knowledge applied in project-based assessments. In Public Services we focus on the holistic development of the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills required to be able to succeed in employment and higher education, we have high expectations of our students, therefore, we expect students to have high expectations for their own achievement and strive to push each one to reach their potential.
Staff:
Mr Coffey (Head of Department)
Mr Jennings
Mr Young
Mrs Diaz-Morris.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 students have the option of completing a Level 2 BTEC First qualification, equivalent to a GCSE. In this Level 2 qualification grades range from Level 2 P, equivalent to a C at GCSE, to Level 2 D*, equivalent to an A* at GCSE. students who do not achieve at Level 2 may be graded at Level 1. Learners whose level of achievement is below a Level 1 will receive an unclassified (U) result
In Year 11 students complete 2 units, followed by a further 2 in Year 12, all with equal weighting. 3 units are internally assessed with one unit externally
Year 11 includes; Unit 3: Employment in the Public Services, students look at a range of different public services, their role and purpose, the various job opportunities available, conditions of the service, and the application and selection processes for various public services.
Unit 1: The Role and Work of the Public Services, students explore how the public services are grouped and their roles, work and how the public services are funded. This Unit is externally assessed.
Year 12 includes;
Unit 2: Working Skills in the Public Service Sector. This specialist units gives students the opportunity to pursue more specialist interests and allows an understanding of public service customers and the working skills public service personnel use to meet the needs of their customers.
Unit 5: Health, Fitness and Lifestyle for the Public Services, students gain an understanding of the basic nutrition and lifestyle choices needed to ensure their own personal fitness, and how this could be used to meet the various health and fitness requirements in the public services. Students will be able to take part in different public services-related fitness tests.
Students who undertake this course should be interested in the role of Public Services, be independent learners who can carry out research and writing up individual reports.
Key Stage 5
BTEC Uniform Protective Services Level 3 extended certificate is a vocational course that currently is a mix of external and Internal assessment. The course is graded Distinction* (grade A*), Distinction (grade A), Merit (grade C) or pass (grade E). UCAS points are the same as traditional A-levels, however, some universities will only accept one vocational A-level along with two traditional A-levels as their entry requirements. Students complete 4 units over the two-year course. The qualification is equivalent in size to one A Level and provides a coherent introduction to the uniformed protective services sector. It is designed to be taken alongside other Level 3 qualifications as one-third of a typical two-year, full-time study programme. No prior study of the sector is needed, but learners should normally have a range of achievement at Level 2, in GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.
In Year 13 students undertake 2 units:
Unit 19: Students will research the different possible careers and the associated job roles in the protective services. Students will have the opportunity to analyse their own skills and identify how to develop them into a career using a career plan, researching their chosen career to understand how to access and progress within it.
Unit 2: Students will examine a range of theories that underpin behaviour and how they are applied in the uniformed protective services. Students will explore how authority is used to benefit both the individual and society, based on key types of authority in the public sector, making connections between theory and practice. This unit is externally assessed
In Year 14 students take 2 units:
Unit 15: In this unit, students will develop an understanding of the criminal justice system. They will look at the criminal trial process and examine the procedures that must be followed before the trial and during the trial itself. Students will understand why certain offenders receive specific sentences, the diverse types of sentencing and what the aims of sentencing are
Unit 5: Students will learn about leadership, investigating the assorted styles of leadership and how they are best used in the uniformed protective services. They will learn how to be an effective team member while developing leadership skills and will have the opportunity to apply these skills in different situations.
What can I do after I have completed the course?
This qualification in Uniformed Protective Services primary purpose is to support post-16 learners in accessing higher education, and ultimately for learners to progress to employment in the uniformed protective services or related areas. It is ideal for learners who want to learn about the uniformed protective services sector alongside other fields of study with a view to progressing to higher education, either to a course related to uniformed protective services or to a course related to one of the other chosen fields of study. The purpose reflects the shift towards increased graduate employment in the sector, for example within the police service.
