WELCOME TO THE ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT

Economics is about how we share out scarce resources. This is a fundamental problem for every individual, every business and every country in the world To understand the choices facing people, businesses and countries as they struggle to decide how to prioritise their consumption and investment, and how they ultimately make their decisions is an understanding that gives students the ability to make decisions to improve their own lives, those of their friends and family and even those of countries. 

In Economics, we aim to provide students with the critical thinking skills required for making decisions.  Whether they are working for the Bank of England deciding on whether to increase interest rates; a commercial bank deciding whether they should loan more money; or simply deciding whether to spend their savings on a car; economics equips students in knowing the consequences of their decision on their future and that of others.  

Economics is one of the most popular courses here at St.Bonaventure’s and we are very proud of our results on this challenging course.

In GCE Economics you’ll look at the fundamental forces which affect our lives, such as employment, prices, international trade and poverty. Economists are often in healthy debate with each other over these issues. It is this controversy which makes Economics lively and interesting and which allows you the opportunity to make your own judgements and form your own opinions.

There are several definitions of economics, with each trying to encapsulate the essence of the subject. However, most textbooks seem to agree that economics concerns the allocation of society’s scarce resources amongst the many alternative uses that they can be put.

We ensure our course is challenging and engaging by providing you with “real world” case studies and issues.  You will see over the duration of the course how the news headlines will come to inform our classroom debate.

The course will focus on both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Microeconomics addresses issues such as: “Why are house prices so high?”, “Can pollution effectively be controlled?”.  The macroeconomic issues covered include: “Why does the Government have an inflation rate target and how does it affect us?”, “What happens to the economy if people decide to spend more?” and “How are we affected by the Chinese and Indian economies?”

We follow the new linear style A Level from Edexcel –  Economics ”A”.  This is the leading course in the country.  Assessment is via three external examinations which are sat at the end of your studies in year 13.  

Edexcel Economics A’Level Specification

Curriculum Map for Economics:

Autumn Term Spring Term Summer Term
1:1 1:2 2:1 2:2 3:1 3:2
Year 12 – Micro 1.1 Nature of economics, 1.2 How markets work 1.2 How markets work 1.3 Market failure 1.4 Government intervention 3.1 Business growth 3.2 Business objectives 3.3 Revenues, costs and profits
Assessment Knowledge tests 1,2,3 Tutor2u topic test Knowledge test 4 Tutor2u topic test Tutor2u topic test AS past paper Tutor2u topic test Tutor2u topic test AS Paper
Year 13 – Micro 3.4 Market structures 3.6 Government intervention , Year 12 Theme 1 Recap 3.7 Labour Market 4.4 The financial sector Paper 3 micro macro and theme 3 recap Public Exam Period
Assessment Tutor2u topic test Tutor2u topic test A level paper 1 Past papers
Year 12 – Macro Economic Indicators How the Economy works Economic Performance Macroeconomic policy Deeper learning and introduction to Unit 4
Assessment Knowledge recall Economic Indicator test Redacted 2016 AS Exam Tutor 2 U QP P2 No2 Full practise AS past exam paper
Year 13 – Macro Globalsiation and Trading Blocs & Protectionism Exchange rates and competitiveness Poverty & inequality Development Economics & fiscal policy Public Exam Period
Assessment Data response unit 65 – Q’s 1-3 PPE (Specimen Paper) Data response unit 72 – Q’s 1-3 Tutor 2 U Practise Paper 3

For further information please feel free to contact the department directly.

 

Useful LInks

Tutor2U Economics

BBC Economics

Economics Help