Economics

EconomicsBusiness and Economics are living subjects and we don't teach theory from the book, we teach it from real life. Teaching filled with up to date business knowledge and weekly article lessons where pupils are encouraged to bring in news events that link to areas they are studying all help pupils see how to relate the world around them to their topics.

Pupils (and staff) from across the school are competing in our virtual investor challenge, trying to build the most valuable financial portfolio and in the process are learning about balance sheets, financial accounts, economic influences and the volatility of markets. Later in the year groups will be involved in real-life investment appraisal and behavioural economics experiments, all to foster an understanding of how their lives and the lives of those around them are influenced by the work of the scholars they are studying.

Economics is a social science, bridging the gap between arts and sciences by seeking to apply scientific tools and analysis to people and real-world events.

From the starting point of the fundamental problem of limited resources and infinite wants, you will study theoretical frameworks to help you analyse real-world problems.

Microeconomics considers issues of individual decision making, allocation of resources and the behaviour of individuals, firms and markets, as well as how a government may intervene to solve the problems they create. Macroeconomics will consider the wider picture of growth, inflation, unemployment, trade and development.


A Level Years 12 and 13

What do I need before starting this course? 

No prior knowledge is required but you will need a minimum of Level 5 in GCSE maths as well the ability to perform well in essay-based subjects. If you are considering taking the subject beyond A-Level, you will almost certainly require A-Level maths. You do not need to have taken GCSE economics or business but will be expected to have an interest in current affairs and the world around you.

What will I learn? 

You gain a theoretical tool kit that allows you to analyse many of the problems in the world around you, from the clearly economic to the political and social. Brexit, the NHS, resource allocation and equality, crime and punishment are all within the purview of the economist. Key skills that you will develop are the ability to both think and write in an analytical and evidenced-based way, basic statistical and numerical tools and questioning outlook on life.

How is the course assessed? 

You will sit three, two hour written exams at the end of the course. These will include numerical as well as shorter and extended essays.

  • Paper 1 is a microeconomic paper with a combination of numerical and extended analytical and evaluative essay questions.
  • Paper 2 takes the same format as paper 1 but considers macroeconomic issues.
  • Paper 3 contains multiple-choice questions as well as extended essays and reports based on an unseen case study.

Where next?