Economics

Departmental Aims

• To inspire students to study Economics as both an A Level choice and as part of their future higher education and career
• To allow all students to meet their full potential in their A Level examinations through excellent teaching, resources and support throughout the course
• To provide students with in-depth economic knowledge and theories to help them understand and develop their own views on current economic issues
• To provide a range of opportunities for students to stretch their knowledge beyond the A Level specification.

Facilities

• Lessons will be taught by four full-time teachers who are all subject specialists, with a variety of real world experience to draw from
• The Head of Subject is an experienced external examiner for Edexcel and has written a range of published resources for Hodder Education. This allows all students to benefit from the most up-to-date and comprehensive set of resources and assessment materials, as well as focused examination advice
• All rooms are equipped with ICT, including digital visualisers to enhance teaching and learning of all classes.

A Level Curriculum

We are a Sixth Form only subject and study the Edexcel Economics (A) course in Year 12 and 13. This covers the following areas as part of the linear course:

• Theme 1: Introduction to Markets and Market Failure
• Theme 2: The UK Economy – Performance and Policies
• Theme 3: Business Behaviour and the Labour Market
• Theme 4: A Global Perspective

Students will take two internal examinations at the end of Year 12 covering Theme 1 and Theme 2. As the course is linear, the students’ final A Level grade will be based on the following three external examinations in Year 13:

• Paper 1 (35%): Markets and Business Behaviour (Themes 1 and 3)
• Paper 2 (35%): The National and Global Economy (Themes 2 and 4)
• Paper 3 (30%): Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (All Themes)

External examinations will be assessed using a variety question styles including: multiple choice, short answer questions, calculations, data response questions and essays.

Co-curricular, Enrichment, Extension and Support

• Economics Society: These are run at lunchtimes for Years 11-13 to look at current issues and theories beyond the scope of the A Level Economics course
• Economics Competitions: Students enter the IEA Budget Challenge each year. In 2022 the school finished joint second in the National Finals. Students also have the opportunity to enter a range of essay competitions, and have made UK finals in the last two years. Students also have the opportunity to enter a range of essay competitions, such as the RES Young Economist of the Year, for which a BMS student was a national runner up in 2016
• Twilight Support: This runs every Tuesday between 4pm and 5:30pm in the Wilden Room to help support students with Economics. This complements the support students receive from their teachers on a day-to-day basis.