Economics

Staff

Head of Department

Mr E Conway

Subject Teachers

Mrs R Brown
Mr S McGonigle (Vice Principal)
Mrs R Millar
Miss C Bell

Why study Economics?

Anyone who is interested in knowing more about human behaviour will find economics fascinating.

Economists study how individuals and groups of people make choices about what to do with their limited resources. Economics is, therefore, not just about money, business and the stock market. Though these are important aspects of the subject, economics also deals with wider social and environmental issues including climate change, globalisation, sustainable development and the distribution of income and wealth.

Students of economics develop a host of practical and transferable skills that benefit them in education and in the world of work. These include critical investigation, analytical thinking, oral and written communication, numeracy, research, ICT and handling of data. What’s more, the potential earnings for students with a degree in Economics is among the highest for all graduates, and there are currently shortages of qualified economists.

Aims

  • To demonstrate knowledge and skills that will help pupils understand current events and provide a basis for their role as citizens

  • To develop the ability to use and apply appropriate skills to contemporary issues in a range of local, national and global contexts

  • To evaluate arguments and evidence, making informed judgements to help pupils develop as reflective thinkers with enquiring minds

  • To develop the skills of numeracy, literacy and self-expression and the facility to communicate knowledge and ideas in written, diagrammatical and graphical form

Key Stage 4

This GCSE Economics Specification addresses key areas including consumer issues, environmental concerns, personal finance and globalisation. It provides students with concepts and skills to make sense of the world around them. All pupils follow the CCEA GCSE Economics specification which covers:

  • Basic Economic Ideas

  • Producing and Consuming

  • Financial Capability

  • Managing the Economy

  • Trade, Aid and Development

Assessment

Paper 1: Students write a structured report based on pre-released case study - 1 hour 15 minutes - 40%

Paper 2: Short answer and data response questions and one essay from a choice of four - 1 hour 45 minutes - 60%

Both papers taken at the end of Year 12. There is no controlled assessment

Business Studies

Business Studies provides students with a unique insight into the world of work. Through its study, students discover how businesses operate and learn about their key elements and essential business functions.

This knowledge, and the holistic understanding that develops, offers an excellent foundation for those wishing to pursue careers in management, marketing, project management, business accounting, management consultancy, human resources, and business journalism as well as those interested in continuing on to further study.

All pupils follow the CCEA GCSE Business Studies specification.

Year 11 Content:

  • Business Ownership

  • Production

  • Marketing

Year 12 Content:

  • Finance

  • Managing People

  • Business Growth

  • Business Plan

Assessment

Paper 1: structured questions - 1 hour 20 minutes - 35%

Paper 2: Three structured questions - 1 hour 40 minutes - 40%

Both papers taken at the end of Year 12

Controlled Assessment

Candidates complete one task in class during Year 12 -25%.

A Level

Professional Business Services

This A level aims to encourage students to:

  • develop their interest in and enthusiasm for professional business services, including developing an interest in further study and careers in the subject;

  • develop and draw together different areas of knowledge, skills and understanding of different aspects of the subject;

  • develop competence and confidence in a number of skills, including independent learning, creative thinking, practical, mathematical and problem solving;

  • carry out practical tasks and present their findings in different formats;

  • appreciate the needs of business professionals operating in the marketplace of Northern Ireland and beyond; and

  • progress to relevant higher education programmes.

Economics

This A level aims to encourage students to:

  • develop an interest in and enthusiasm for economics;

  • appreciate how the subject contributes to the understanding of the wider economic and social environment;

  • develop an understanding of a range of economic concepts and an ability to use those concepts in a variety of different contexts;

  • adopt a critical approach to studying economics and develop an ability to think asan economist;

  • understand that economic behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives; and

  • develop analytical and quantitative skills, together with qualities and attitudes that will equip them for the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities of adult and working life.

What's the difference between Economics and Business Studies?

Economics helps learners appreciate that our natural resources are scarce and that we have to make choices about how we use them. These choices have implications for the way that we live now and the lives of future generations.

Economics helps students understand the costs and benefits of our choices and to appreciate the interdependence of individuals and communities in today’s global economy. It is particularly useful if you want to study Accountancy, Law or Finance.

Business Studies gives information on how to start up a business, provide skills needed to run a business and how to expand it. It provides knowledge about how a business works i.e. the main areas inside a business - production, advertising and marketing, managing people and finance. It is particularly useful if you want to be self-employed, or work in retail or marketing.