ECONOMICS

Teacher in Charge:  Mr M A Jarrett

A-level Economics (Edexcel Examinations Board)

Economics is a modern, dynamic and relevant subject, which focuses on the events of the last decade.  It is an interesting mixture of current affairs and Economic Theory.

What causes unemployment?  How can inflation be cured?  What does the UK gain from membership of the EU?  Why do nurses earn 2% of Michael Owen’s wage?  Are the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer?  Does it matter?  Is traffic congestion a problem? What are the relative merits of the political solutions?  Does Third World debt matter? These are just a few typical questions which an A-Level student would be expected to debate.

COURSE CONTENT

The course is approached in a well organised but flexible way.  There is flexibility to respond to significant economic developments as they occur.  For example, the Budget and interest rate changes, covered in every news programme and daily newspaper provide a typical subject to be discussed, debated, analysed and evaluated by every A-Level Economics student as it happens.  A decent daily newspaper is one of our most important textbooks.  No textbook can hope to cope with the demands of such an alive and dynamic subject.  Students therefore learn to develop critical reading and listening skills that will be important to them for the rest of their lives.

The Lower Sixth covers the basics of Economics.  From here any student could go on to the Upper Sixth or simply settle for having completed a foundation course, which would provide a basis for university entrance.  The Upper Sixth works towards the A2 qualification and is tested through 2 examination papers, covering 2 modules.  These modules involve students applying the theoretical base gained in the first year to real world economic problems and issues.

REQUIREMENTS

 We are looking for committed, keen and interested students who want to know what happens, why and to whom.  It is not necessary to have great ability in Mathematics.  Our over-riding requirement is that our A-Level economists are prepared to involve themselves in the work and debate that is Economics.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

An A-Level in Economics is a very useful and relevant qualification for many degree courses in Economics and related areas such as Business Studies and Politics.  It also opens doors to a wide range of careers.  The course is highly regarded by universities not only because of its value as a social science but also because those who have taken it are better equipped to live in the adult world.