INTRODUCTION

The Department offers courses from Year 9 upwards and has a strong record of examination success at both GCSE and “A” Level. In Year 9 all pupils study an Introduction to Business Studies which gives them a basic understanding of the fundamentals of the business world and helps them decide whether to select this subject as a GCSE options. After the successful completion of the GCSE Business Studies course, Sixth Formers are offered Economics as an “A” Level and this is both a popular subject and one which each year achieves a very high pass rate, normally 100%. Many students continue the subject at university following a degree course in Economics, Business Studies or a related combination.

STAFFING

The Department is run by Mr Horridge with the assistance of Mrs Varney and Mrs Stevens. Mr Horridge is an exceptionally experienced GCSE and “A” Level Examiner and is currently Senior Examiner for the OCR Economics Paper.

ACCOMMODATION

The main Economics Room is spacious and airy and well equipped with OHP, TV, video/DVD and networked computer. A second room has provision for additional Business Studies classes. Good stocks of appropriate text books are augmented by a well stocked departmental library and subject specific periodicals.

CURRICULUM

In Year 9 Business Studies is taught to all pupils for one 50 minute lesson each week. In Years 10 and 11 this increases to three lessons for the GCSE course and there are usually two sets. “A” Level Economics has five lessons each week in the Lower Sixth increasing to six in the final year.

EXAMINATIONS

At GCSE the Business Studies course is the OCR Paper 1951 which culminates in 3 papers, the first being worth 50% of the marks and one of the remaining 2 being a case study prepared for in class. Topics covered include the structure and organisation of business, the world in which business operates and the manner in which people can affect business organisations.

“ A” Level Economics is again an OCR Course with key components listed below:

AS Course Details:
Unit 1. The Market System 1 hr 30%
Unit 2. Market Failure and Govt Intervention 1 hr 30%
Unit 3. The National and International Economy 1 hr 40%

A2 Course Details:
Unit 1. Transport Economics 11⁄2 hrs 15%
Unit 2 UK Economy 11⁄2 hrs 15%
Unit 3. Economics in a European Context 13⁄4 hrs 20%

Method of Assessment:
Units 1 + 2 Data Response question plus one structured essay from choice of three.
Unit 3 Pre-issued Case Study.

Students are allowed to re-sit units, the best mark being the one credited. Such is the success of the Department that students often enter their final examinations knowing they have already amassed sufficient marks to guarantee a pass. In 2006 every single student knew by January of the Upper Sixth that they were guaranteed a pass grade and could then focus on bolstering their marks towards an “A”.