Economics

Overall Economics Intent

· HGS Economics students will be interested in current macroeconomic policy being implemented in the UK, and they will be keen to think about the implications this will cause for society. Students will have the confidence to criticise current and past economic policy and suggest their own subjective solutions.

· HGS Economics students will have an awareness of how international trade is determined and how it affects various economies. Students will also be mindful of how trade is adjusting and trading partners are changing in the UK.

· HGS Economics students will use their analytical and evaluative minds and explain the reasoning behind certain microeconomic interventionist strategies, and they will be able to reach a judgement on how certain economic problems can be resolved to a better extent in the future.

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Key strengths of the curriculum

Economics at HGS follows the national curriculum produced by Edexcel.

· The curriculum is mapped so as to follow the order of the completion of the exams and is chunked according to specification points, providing students with a logical progression through the A-level programme.

· Students are provided with independent learning resources that can be accessed through showbie. They also have current books available in the library and a subscription to Economics literature through the EPQ programme.

· The course is split into two parts. One part focuses on the microeconomy, thinking about how certain industries prices and output levels are determined, and how the UK government might intervene to correct market failures. The second part focuses on the macroeconomy and compares how the government in the UK and other countries, can intervene to improve the current economic situation and reach their key objectives.

Golden thread themes include – the impact on demand, supply, market equilibrium, the extent of market failure in certain markets, the need for government intervention, the key macroeconomic objectives, the methods that can be used by the government to achieve objectives

Key strengths within Economics

· An experienced staff team that share resources and knowledge to ensure students have access to materials that help them to succeed

· Independent resources are available for key stage 5 students to work through to develop their understanding beyond the classroom

· Questioning is targeted for access and so students can be challenged

· Model answers are provided so students can see what an examiner is and is not looking for

· Recall activities are regularly used in lessons to allow students to retain information covered at the start of the year

· Pre-learning booklets are available to help students chunk their learning so that it is more manageable – this is particularly important for a topic that is new to all students.

· Teachers use updated online CPD resources published by Tutor2U.

· Current news articles and exam resources are regularly emailed and shared with students. Additional Economics literature is available in the library.

· Teachers are part of the EBEA (Economics, Business and Enterprise Association) which provides updated help and guidance in the delivery of Economics related qualifications.

· Experiential opportunities are provided to students throughout the year – including trips, conferences and guest speakers

Curriculum overviews