Business Studies and Economics

Business Studies is both teacher and student-led, giving each pupil the chance to expand their knowledge on a variety of relevant, interesting and challenging topics. The main aims of Business Studies are to develop:

• a knowledge and understanding of the environment within which business activity takes place
• a knowledge and understanding of business objectives, decisions, activities and the influences on them
• a knowledge and understanding of the roles and behaviour of people within and outside business
• the student’s ability to make effective use of relevant terminology, concepts and methods

Class and homework activities involve reading and note taking, answering questions, researching business topics, watching videos, analysing case studies, class room simulations, coursework, class discussions and the use of ICT.  Access to computers has recently increased due to the installation of five new computers; the interactive SMART board literally allows the students to interact with the subject - as they 'touch' the board, their fingers act just as a mouse on a computer screen plus the board allows them to write with their fingers instead of using a pen.

Business Studies course content involves a number of topics and issues:

• the business and the external environment
• ownership and control of business
• aims and objectives of business
• management of people
• finance
• production
• marketing

Business learning is not confined to lessons in the classroom. At various intervals guest speakers are invited to talk to the students. We believe that the students will benefit from those in specific specialist areas. Recent visitors include: Barclays Bank, HSBC Bank, a local firm of solicitors and a representative from an engineering company.

Year 12 (lower sixth form) students are encouraged to participate in an Enterprise initiative. This is where students from around the area have the benefit of interacting with local businesses that facilitate meetings and encourage the students' creative skills. During the year they have the opportunity to show off their talents as they demonstrate those skills at local trade fairs. At the end of the year they can sit an external and verified exam in enterprise and skills.

Economics
This 'A' level course will equip students to have an understanding of the inter-relation of economic issues, problems and institutions. During the course, students will be encouraged to analyse and evaluate economic issues through an understanding of economic concepts, theories and techniques.

The aims of the economics course are to:

• develop the student’s understanding of economics and theories through a critical consideration of current economic issues, problems and institutions that affect everyday life
• apply economic concepts and theories in a range of contexts and to appreciate their value and limitations in explaining real-world phenomena
• analyse, explain and evaluate the strength and weaknesses of the market economy and the role of government within it

The economics syllabus will develop the student's appreciation and understanding of the economic factors in:

• the market and market failures (by looking at the economic problem, allocation of resources, monopoly, production and efficiency, market failure and government intervention)
• the national economy (performance of the UK economy and government policy objectives, how the macro-economy works and the main instruments of government macroeconomic policy)
• markets at work (the housing market, environment, the economics of sport and leisure)
• working as an economist (through either a case study on the European Union or a choice of coursework subjects)
• business economics and the distribution of income (theory of the firm, competitive and concentrated markets, the labour market and government intervention in the market place)
• government policy and the national and international economy (growth of the economy and cyclical instability, inflation and unemployment, managing the national economy and the international economy)

By the conclusion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of economics by applying knowledge and critical understanding to economic problems and issues arising from both familiar and unfamiliar situations. Furthermore, they should be able to analyse economic problems, issues and evaluate economic arguments and evidence.