Economics
Head of Department: Mr M. Tanweer
Economics is available as a Sixth Form option. The Department seeks to stimulate an enthusiasm for, and knowledge of current affairs that will ensure that our students are informed and interested citizens. Our aim is to foster and develop the students’ powers of analysis, evaluation and critical thinking that will complement their studies in whichever fields they choose to follow.
Economics enables students to gain a thorough and rigorous understanding of the theory that underpins the workings of a modern economy; to develop quantitative skills through the use of various statistical methods; to understand the concepts of causality and interdependence, both on a micro and a macro scale; to have a sound understanding of events that have influenced the UK economy over the past 20 years.
The subject currently attracts approximately 55 pupils in each of the two Sixth Form year groups.
The Economics Department is housed in recently refurbished rooms in The Cloisters. The three classrooms are all equipped with fully interactive whiteboards. There is also a reading area where the pupils can catch up on daily newspapers and periodicals. We organise a wide range of activities to develop a broader understanding of the subject, such as trips to Frankfurt, Brussels and Antwerp, and Economics Society events, with lectures from invited speakers. Previous contributors have included invited guests such as Paul Ormerod, as well as our own pupils and teachers. The Department's Economics Magazine is written and edited by pupils.
The Department is staffed by:
Mr A.P. Ireson MA DipFM
Mrs F.L. Quiddington BEc, MTeach
Mr J. Rohrborn MA
Mr M.Tanweer BA
Course content
AS and A2
Pupils study two modules from the AQA specification, covering both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Due to the holistic nature of the subject, many of the topics, especially the macro ones, are taught through to A2 level in the Lower Sixth, and consequently no exams are taken until January of the Upper Sixth year. A further three modules are studied to complete the A Level course.
Pre-U
The Pre-U course is taught as a linear course with three exams at the end of the Upper Sixth. These exams cover both macroeconomics, and microeconomics in the form of extended essays and shorter questions; they also involve a case study paper that ranges from topics such as China to Pensions.