Economics and Business Studies

"Real Issues in a Dynamic World"

Our Aim: The department aims to provide all students with the opportunity to analyse economic and business issues in the context of a variety of real world examples and case studies, drawing, wherever possible, on current unfolding events. The current global crisis renders both Economics and Business Studies of particular relevance at this time.

The department is well resourced with a wide range of material, much of which is produced internally and geared to the specific needs of our students. Subscriptions to the Business Café and Economax, interactive websites, have proven to be very popular and challenging. Increased use of laptops in Sixth Form lessons has further broadened the range of resources to which our students have access.

Key Stage 4

In Year 10 and 11, students currently follow the curriculum that prepares them for IGCSE level Business Studies. All students follow the same extended curriculum. Business Studies is an optional subject at KS4, but has proved highly popular. The curriculum provides a broad-based approach to the various aspects of business behaviour including Marketing, Operations Management, Business Organisation, Management, Motivation and Communication, and Finance and Accounting. It also considers the role of business in the wider national and international community.

The department is currently planning to introduce IGCSE Economics in the 2009 – 2010 academic year. This will also be an optional subject and students will follow the extended curriculum for external examination in Year 11. The curriculum involves a study of how decisions are made concerning the use of scarce resources. Topics include the Operation of Markets and why they fail, International Economics, Wage Determination, Government Economic Policy in such spheres as Inflation and Unemployment, and Economic Development and Growth.

Sixth Form

In the Sixth Form, students have the option to study Economics and/or Business Studies at A/S level (Year 12) and at full A level (Year 13). To undertake these courses it is not necessary to have studied the subjects at IGCSE level, but the underlying knowledge so gained is certainly an advantage. To be successful, students should be mathematically confident, have good written skills in the English language and be willing to read widely around the subject and demonstrate an interest in current world events and issues.

In both subjects, the topics covered are broadly similar to those considered at IGCSE level although the material is, of course, dealt with at considerably greater depth and with additional emphasis on the application, analysis and evaluation of economic and business concepts.  

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