Business Education

Staff

Mrs E. Bissett (Curricular Leader)

Mrs L. Edwards

Mrs L. Murray

Revision Resources for Administration and Business Management:
Business Education for Learners

S1 Business Enterprise


S1 pupils visit the Business Education Department one period per week. S1 Business Enterprise incorporates both ICT and business theory. Topics covered in S1 Business Enterprise include; Word Processing, Needs & Wants, Goods & Services, Entrepreneurs, Spreadsheets, Fairtrade and Database. Pupils will develop crucial ICT skills for learning, life and work, while building a solid foundation of business knowledge which will be developed in the S2 course.

S2 Business Enterprise


S2 pupils visit the Business Education Department one period per week. S2 Business Enterprise further develops the ICT skills and business knowledge introduced in S1. Topics covered in S2 Business Enterprise include the Dragon’s Den interdisciplinary learning project, which sees pupils create a brand new product from a science element. The Dragon’s Den Final is held in the Assembly Hall with all S2 pupils and Dragon’s in the form of teachers and senior pupils attending. Pupils will then study the Sectors of Industry and Sectors if the Economy which will be developed further should pupils continue Business Management in the Senior Phase. Pupils will complete the ICT project “Managing the Band” which integrates the ICT skills developed in S1 and sees pupils plan a tour of Europe for a rock band. Finally S2 pupils will study Business Ethics, a development of Fairtrade.

S3 Finance Administration and IT


The Administration and IT element of the course focuses on the development and application of IT skills.Information technology and computers play an increasing role in both the workplace and our everyday lives.  This course involves pupils using a variety of software packages to develop skills for learning, life and work.Pupils will develop their IT skills using a variety of software packages including:
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Powerpoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
Finance
The Finance element of the course aims to develop financial capability among pupils to ensure they leave school with confidence to manage their money effectively. The course will also allow pupils to build knowledge of our economy and how it operates. Pupils also get the opportunity to achieve the SQA Personal Finance Award. Areas covered inlcude:
  • Comparing the features, facilities and costs associated with debit cards
  • Identify and calculate different forms of borrowing
  • Identify features and calculate costs of insurance
  • The importance of budgeting and managing savings
  • Using software to budget
  • Deciding which financial services offer best value for money
  • Understanding pay slips and utility bills
  • Working with currency and understanding exchange rates

S3 Business Enterprise


The aims of the S3 Business Enterprise course are:
  • To develop an understanding of the concepts that encourage enterprise and influence business by engaging in activities which encourage enterprising attitudes
  • To develop IT skills for learning, life and work
  • To develop financial capability, creative thinking, problem solving and decision making skills
Theory lessons focus on the role of business in society and how businesses are affected by the environment in which they operate. Pupils will develop knowledge of the ethical issues affecting businesses, an understanding of the concepts that encourage enterprise and influence business, the different sectors of industry and the different methods by which businesses obtain finance. Pupils will also develop their IT skills by working on a series of integrated tasks throughout the year.

Planning a Trip
As part of the Curriculum for S3 Business Enterprise pupils plan and organise their own trip.

National 3/4/5

The key purpose of this Course is to develop learners’ administrative and IT skills and, ultimately, to enable them to contribute to the effective functioning of organisations in administrative positions. The Course aims to enable learners to:
  • develop an understanding of administration in the workplace and key legislation affecting both organisations and employees
  • develop an understanding of good customer care and its benefits to organisations
  • develop IT skills and use them to perform administrative tasks
  • acquire organisational skills in the context of organising and supporting events
Students learning experiences will focus on developing:
  • skills in the use of IT applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations and desktop publishing and use them to complete administrative tasks
  • skills to use technology including the internet for communication purposes and investigations in largely familiar administrative contexts
  • problem-solving skills in largely familiar administrative contexts
  • organisational and planning skills through organising events /meetings
  • organising, managing and communicating information in a variety of formats

Higher

This is a one year course for students who wish to extend and develop previous study at National 5 or for those who wish to pursue a career in administrative services or a related field.
The course:-
  • Develops a greater awareness and understanding of the role information technology in an administrative and business context
  • Provides the opportunity to develop decision making and problem solving skills in relation to the modern business environment
  • Extends skills and expertise in the use of business standard software packages

National 3/4/5 Business and Business Management

The purpose of the Course is to highlight ways in which organisations operate and the steps they take to achieve their goals. This purpose will be achieved through combining practical and theoretical aspects of business learning through the use of real-life business contexts. The skills, knowledge and understanding gained are embedded in current business practice and theory, and reflect the integrated nature of organisations, their functions, and their decision-making processes. A main feature of this Course is the development of enterprising skills and employability skills. Learners will be able to understand and make use of business information to interpret and report on overall business performance in a range of contexts. The Course therefore includes the study of organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors. The Course explores the important impact businesses have on everyday life, and therefore gives learners experiences which are topical. It develops skills for learning, life and work that will be of instant use in the workplace. It supports personal financial awareness through improving learners’ knowledge of financial management in a business context. Learners will be given the opportunity to be involved in activities which are challenging, motivating and inspiring.
The Course aims to enable learners to develop:

  • knowledge and understanding of the ways in which society relies on business to satisfy our needs
  • an insight into the systems organisations use to ensure customers’ needs are met
  • enterprising skills and attributes by providing them with opportunities to explore realistic business situations
  • financial awareness through a business context
  • an insight into how organisations organise their resources for maximum efficiency and improve their overall performance
  • an awareness of how external influences impact on organisations

Higher Business Management

This is a one year course for students who wish to extend and develop previous study or for those who wish to pursue a business related career.  The Higher Business Management course:-

  • The purpose of the Course is to highlight the ways in which large organisations operate and the steps they take to achieve their strategic goals.
  • Learners will explore the important impact businesses have on everyday life, thereby giving them experiences which are topical.
  • The course develops skills for learning, life and work that will be of instant use in the workplace. It supports personal financial awareness through developing learners’ knowledge of financial management in a business context.


The National 5 Retailing Course has been designed to provide an introductory qualification in retail that reflects employability skills identified as being important by many employers, including those within the retail sector. The Course provides opportunities for candidates to develop general and practical skills as well as knowledge and understanding of the key aspects of retailing. This is a one year course for students who  wish to extend and develop previous study in the department or for those who wish to pursue a career in retail and gain valuable skills and work experience. Specific aims of the course are to:
  • help candidates to develop a good work ethic through developing a positive and responsible attitude to work
  • develop team working and problem solving skills
  • develop communication skills
  • develop customer care skills
  • prepare candidates for further learning, study and training opportunities within the retail industry or other areas of employment
As retailing is a Skills for Work course, there is great emphasis placed on learning through practical experience. Throughout the course pupils will experience learning in the classroom and in the workplace. These experiences will include visits, visiting speakers, role-play and other practical activities. Skills for Work courses are also designed to provide candidates with opportunities for developing core skills and enhancing skills and attitudes for employability. Learning experiences pupils will be involved in include:
  • learning in real or simulated workplace
  • learning through role play activities in vocational contexts
  • carrying out case study work
  • planning and carrying out practical tasks and assignments
The five core skills developed are:
  • Communication
  • Numeracy
  • IT skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Team work