Economics provides a fascinating insight into some of the most important forces that shape the modern world.  It is an intellectually demanding subject that requires, and develops a wide range of skills.

AS and A2 level economics will help pupils to learn

• How to develop an understanding of economic concepts and theories through a critical consideration of current economic issues, problems and institutions that affect everyday life
• How to apply economic concepts and theories in a range of contents and to appreciate their value and limitations in explaining real world phenomena
• How to analyse, explain and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the market economy and the role of government within it
• How to participate effectively in society as a citizen, producer and consumer
• To develop their skills in written communication and analysis using statistics and diagrams.

As a department we have entered the Bank of England’s Target 2.0 and we attend lectures by Dr. Tony Edwards from Kings College and Dr. Gerard Lyons from Standard Chartered Bank.

Lower Sixth

Unit 1 Competitive markets – How they work and why they fail

This provides an introduction into the nature of economics and examines the operation of markets for goods and services.  It will also explore why these markets sometimes fail and examines the nature of market failure, its causes and possible remedies.

Unit 2 Managing the Economy

This introduces the key measures of economic performance and the main objectives and instruments of government policy

Upper Sixth

Unit 3 Business Economics and Economic Efficiency

This examines how the pricing and nature of competition between firms is affected by the number and size of market participants

Unit 4 The Global Economy

This unit develops the knowledge and skills gained in unit 2 so they can be applied in a global context.  The application, analysis and evaluation of economic models is required as well as an ability to assess policies used to deal with economic problems.