Business & Economics
In the Business and Economics Department, we want our students to develop an enthusiasm and understanding of the economy and its impact. We foster a spirit of enquiry and a critical approach to thinking about current issues. We encourage enterprise and risk taking.
We have a wide range of resources available to achieve this aim. Students are able to enter essay writing contests and participate in extended projects. These include an analysis of the stock market, investigations into businesses and economies and a marketing project. We also have an extensive extension library and lectures delivered by visiting specialists to broaden student engagement and challenge.
Staff
Head of Department: Mr Fletcher
Dr Berges
Mr Hann
Mrs Ironside
Miss James
Mr Lawton
Mr Vazquez (2 i/c)
Key Stage 4 (Years 9-11) Examination Board
OCR
Years 9-11: Outline Programme of Study
The GCSE in Business (OCR) is an exciting option that uses real life case studies and activities in conjunction with business theories to solve problems. The subject involves looking at a range of problems a business has to solve and the decisions it has to make. These decisions relate to a number of key topics:
1. Business activity
Studied in Year 9 this topic includes:
The role of business enterprise and entrepreneurship
Business planning
Business ownership
Business aims and objectives
Stakeholders in business
Business growth
2. Marketing
Studied in Year 9 this topic includes:
The role of marketing
Market segmentation
Market research
The marketing mix
3. People
Studied in Year 10 this topic includes:
The role of human resources
Organisational structures and different ways of working
Communication in business
Recruitment and selection
Motivation and retention
Training and development
Employment law
4. Operations
Studied in Year 10 this topic includes:
Business location
Working with suppliers
Production processes
Quality of goods and services
The sales process and customer service
Consumer law
5. Finance
Studied in Year 11 this topic includes:
The role of the finance function
Sources of finance
Revenue, costs, profit and loss
Break-even
Cash and cash flow
6. Influences on business
Studied in Year 11 this topic includes:
Ethical and environmental considerations
The economic climate
Globalisation
7. The interdependent nature of business
This topic is studied in Year 11 and involves the ability to bring together the synoptic link with all the topics covered.
Sixth Form Examination Board
Pearson EdExcel (Economics)
A level: Outline Programme of Study
Year 12 develops a greater understanding of issues such as why the price of goods change, what impact does economic activity have on the environment and how can the government manage the economy to achieve key economic objectives such as reducing unemployment.
During the year the following is covered:
Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure
This theme focuses on microeconomic concepts. It will develop an understanding of:
nature of economics
how markets work
market failure
government intervention
Theme 2: The UK economy – performance and policies
This theme focuses on macroeconomic concepts. It will develop an understanding of:
aggregate demand
aggregate supply
measures of economic performance
government policy
macroeconomic objectives
One teacher is responsible for teaching Theme 1 (microeconomics) and another Theme 2 (macroeconomics).
Year 13 develops a wider understanding of economics in a global context addressing issues such as world poverty and the role of trade. Additionally, the impact of monopolies and different market structures on businesses and consumers will be assessed as well as considering the role of the government in managing the modern economy.
During the year the following is covered:
Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market
This theme develops the microeconomic concepts introduced in Theme 1 and focuses on business economics. It will develop an understanding of:
revenues, costs and profits
market structures
business objectives
business growth
government intervention
labour market
Theme 4: A global perspective
This theme develops the macroeconomic concepts introduced in Theme 2 and applies these concepts in a global context. It will develop an understanding of:
international economics
economic development
the financial sector
One teacher is responsible for teaching Theme 3 (microeconomics) and another Theme 4 (macroeconomics).
Departmental Co-Curricular, Trips and Enrichment Opportunities
The subject currently offers a number of exciting enrichment activities, which run alongside other work related learning competitions offered by the school. In Year 9 and the beginning of Year 10, pupils are involved in a mini share project. We also enrich the GCSE course during the end of Year 10 and beginning of Year 11 with an understanding of some GCSE Level Economics. At A Level, enrichment opportunities include lectures and participating in national competitions. Students often take the opportunity to form their own Economics societies and contribute to our internal economics publication, Wilsonomics.
