Welcome to our Business/Economics/Politics Department

Political Business | Dilettante

Department Staff

Miss M Metcalf Subject Leader: Business, Economics & Politics
Mr D Baker Teacher of Business & Economics
Mr R Chokshi Teacher of Economics
Mrs L Law Teacher of Business & Economics
Mr P McGrory Teacher of Business, Politics & Economics
Miss J Odewole Teacher of Business

Business is a broad subject in the social sciences, allowing the in-depth study of a range of specialties such as management/leadership, finance, operations management, human resources management, marketing and strategic decision making.

Economics is a social science concerned with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Economics can generally be broken down into macroeconomics, which concentrates on the behaviour of the economy as a whole, and microeconomics, which focuses on individual people and businesses.

Politics is a social science concerned with developing understanding of contemporary political structures and issues in their historical context,  within the UK and globally. We want students to understand the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes.

Business and Economics are subject options at GCSE.

Business, Economics and Politics are subject options at A Level.

All three subjects can lead students into a variety of professions or careers. Many of our students go on to study business, economics, politics and related subjects at university.

Key Stage 4 & 5 – GCSE / A Level Business 

Examination Board: AQA

Aims of studying Business

Students apply their knowledge and understanding to different business contexts ranging from small enterprises to large multinationals and businesses operating in local, national and global contexts. Students develop an understanding of how these contexts impact on business behaviour. Students will apply their knowledge and understanding to business decision making including:

  • the interdependent nature of business activity, influences on business, business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, and how these interdependencies underpin business decision making
  • how different business contexts affect business decisions
  • the use and limitation of quantitative and qualitative data in making business decisions.

By studying Business, students will develop the knowledge and understanding to:

  • use business terminology to identify and explain business activity
  • apply business concepts to familiar and unfamiliar contexts
  • develop problem solving and decision making skills relevant to business
  • investigate, analyse and evaluate business opportunities and issues
  • make justified decisions using both qualitative and quantitative data including its selection, interpretation, analysis and evaluation, and the application of appropriate quantitative skills.

Assessment

Business GCSE (AQA) Full course

 Students complete 2 written Exams in May/June

  • Paper 1 Influences of operations and HRM on business activity 1hour 45minutes
  • 90 marks in Total 50% of GCSE Grade
  • Paper2 Influences of marketing and finance on business activity 1 hour 45minutes

90 marks in Total 50% of GCSE Grade

A Level Business (AQA) New Spec

Students complete 3 written Exams in May/June

Paper 1: Business 1                                                    2 Hours   100 Marks   33.3% of A LEVEL Grade

Paper 2: Business 2                                                    2 Hours   100 Marks   33.3% of A LEVEL Grade

Paper 3: Business 3                                                    2 Hours   100 Marks    33.3% of A LEVEL Grade

 

Key Stage 4 & 5 – GCSE / A Level Economics 

Examination Board: OCR / AQA

Aims of studying Economics

The subject content looks at economic activity through the lens of consumers, producers, government and the workings of the global economy. As students go through the course they’re presented with opportunities to focus on real-world issues. Students should consider and reflect upon moral, ethical and sustainable issues that arise as a result of the impact of economic activity. Students should use their economic knowledge and skills to investigate national and global economic situations and issues from the last 15 years. Students should also be aware of the policies that governments have used to attempt to manage these situations and issues. Students will develop quantitative skills relevant to the subject content. They should be able to make relevant calculations from economic data and be able to interpret data presented in the form of graphs and charts. Students should be able to recognise the possible limitations of both quantitative and qualitative data.

Economics GCSE (OCR)

Content

Introduction to Economics:

  • Introduction to Economics
  • The role of market and money

National and International Economics:

  •  Economic objectives and the role of government
  • International trade and the global economy.

Assessment

Students complete 2 written Exams in May/June

Paper 1 How markets work                             1 Hour 45Mins 80 Marks in Total 50% of GCSE Grade

Paper 2 How the economy works                1 Hour 45Mins 80 Marks in Total 50% of GCSE Grade

 

Economics A Level (AQA) New Spec

Content

Year 1

  • The operation of markets and market failure
  • The national economy in a global context

Year 2

  • Individuals, firms, markets and market failure
  • The national and international economy

 

Assessment

Paper 1: Markets and Market Failure                                               2 Hours 80 Marks    33.3% of A LEVEL Grade

Paper 2: The National and International Economy                   2 Hours 80 Marks  33.3% of A LEVEL Grade

Paper 3: Economic Principles and issues                                        2 Hours 80 Marks   33.3% of A LEVEL Grade

 

Key Stage 5 – A Level Politics 

Examination Board: Edexcel 

Aims of studying Politics

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:

  • develop knowledge and an informed understanding of contemporary political structures and issues in their historical context, both within the United Kingdom (UK) and globally
  • develop a critical awareness of the changing nature of politics and the relationships between political ideas, institutions and processes
  • develop knowledge and an informed understanding of the influences and interests which have an impact on decisions in government and politics
  • develop knowledge and an informed understanding of the rights and responsibilities of individuals and groups
  • develop the ability to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate political information to form arguments and make judgements
  • develop an interest in, and engagement with, contemporary politics

Content

Component 1

  • Political Participation, students will study: • democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media
  • Core Political Ideas, students will study: • conservatism, liberalism, socialism.

Component 2

  • UK Government, students will study: • the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches.
  • Non-core political ideas, students will study one idea from the following: anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism, nationalism.

Component 3

  • Sovereignty and globalisation,
  • Global governance: political and economic,
  • Global governance: human rights and environmental,
  • Power and developments,
  • Regionalism and the European Union,
  • Comparative theories. 

Assessment

Component 1: UK Politics

Written examination:                                     2 hours 33.3% % of the qualification 84 marks

Component 2: UK Government

Written examination:                                     2 hours 33.3% of the qualification 84 marks

Component 3: Comparative Politics

Written examination:                                     2 hours 33.3% of the qualification 84 marks