Business & Economics
Head of Department: Mr T Michaelides
If you are interested in current affairs, politics, history, business or finance, you will be advised to study business and economics. The subjects are fascinating to learn because it is so applicable to everyday life.
Students are provided with the opportunity to develop their theoretical and practical knowledge of Business and Economics within the classroom, as well as a plethora of trips throughout the academic year.
Courses Available:
Key Stage 3 (Year 9)
- Financial Literacy and Employability Skills
Key Stage 4 (Year 10 and 11)
- Edexcel GCSE Business
- OCR GCSE Economics
Key Stage 5 (Year 12 and 13)
- Edexcel A-Level Economics A
- Edexcel A-Level Business
- Edexcel BTEC Extended Certificate in Business
curriculum intent
The study of Economics and Business will provide essential transferrable skills which equip the students in the world business, banking and finance. They will learn the fundamentals of being entrepreneurs to start a successful company and to be able to maximise economic wellbeing. Our aim is to provide engaging and challenging lessons that inspire students of all academic abilities.
In today’s economic environment it is imperative that students are aware of the current issues and are in a position in which they are able to make important well-informed choices.
Key Stage 3
Financial Literacy and Employability Skills
SoWThe purpose of the programme is to introduce students to think about the responsibility of being able to manage their personal finance. The course initially teaches the students how to make an income and then progresses on what they can do with this money.
This includes saving and the different types of financial products. Students then look at how they can acquire assets like houses when they are unable to pay the full amount upfront and the need to borrow. Students then progress to understand how the economy works and how they are able to gain employment skills.
Content
Topic 1: Income and Budgeting
- 1.1 Income
- 1.2 Payslips and bank Statements
- 1.3 Saving
- 1.4 Budgeting
- 1.5 Borrowing
- 1.6 Methods of Payment
- 1.7 Keeping Your Money Safe
Topic 2: Tax and Personal Finance
- 2.1 Taxation
- 2.2 Investing
- 2.3 Insurance
- 2.4 UK Economy
- 2.5 Inflation
- 2.6 Exchange Rates
Topic 3: Employability
- 3.1 Job Applications
- 3.2 CV Building
- 3.3 Interview Skills
- 3.4 Employment Rights
key stage 4
Edexcel GCSE Business
The paper will consist of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions. Questions in Sections B and C will be based on business contexts given in the paper.
Assessment:
Theme 1: Investigating Small Business- Written examination: 105 minutes
- 50% of the qualification
- 90 marks
Theme 2: Building a Business
- Written examination: 105 minutes
- 50% of the qualification
- 90 marks
Content:
Theme 1:- 1.1 Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
- 1.2 Spotting a Business Opportunity
- 1.3 Putting a Business Idea into Practice
- 1.4 Making the Business Effective
- 1.5 Understanding External Influences on Business
Theme 2:
- 2.1 Growing the Business
- 2.2 Making Marketing Decisions
- 2.3 Making Operational Decisions
- 2.4 Making Financial Decisions
- 2.5 Making Human Resource Decisions
OCR GCSE Economics (Year 11)
The papers will consist of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions. Questions in Sections B will be based on contexts given in the paper.
ocr gcse economics specification.pdf
Assessment:
Paper 1: Introduction to Economics
- Written examination: 90 minutes
- 50% of the qualification
- 80 marks
Paper 2: National and International Economics
- Written examination: 90 minutes
- 50% of the qualification
- 80 marks
Content:
Paper 1 Topics:
- Introduction to Economics
- Financial Markets
- Labour Markets
- Demand and Supply
- Market Structures
Paper 2 Topics:
- Economic growth
- Tackling Unemployment
- Inequality and Poverty
- Government Policy
- Exchange Rates
AQA GCSE Economics (Year 10)
The papers will consist of calculations, multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-writing questions. Questions in Sections B will be based on contexts given in the paper.
Assessment
Paper 1: How Markets Work
- Written examination: 105 minutes
- 50% of the qualification
- 80 marks
Paper 2: How the Economy Works
- Written examination: 105 minutes
- 50% of the qualification
- 80 marks
Content
Paper 1 Topics:
- Introduction to Economics
- Financial Markets
- Labour Markets
- Demand and Supply
- Market Structures
Paper 2 Topics:
- Economic growth
- Tackling Unemployment
- Inequality and Poverty
- Government Policy
- Exchange Rates
Key Stage 5
A Level Economics
The Pearson Edexcel A Level in Economics A consists of three externally-examined papers all are to be sat at the end of year 13. Each of these papers are 2 hours in length and are 100 marks each.
A Level Business
The Pearson Edexcel A-Level in Business consists of three externally-examined papers all are to be sat at the end of year 13. Each of these papers are 2 hours in length and are 100 marks each.
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business
The Pearson BTEC courses in Business are an Applied General qualification. It is for post-16 learners who want to continue their education through applied learning and who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment in the business sector. The National Diploma qualification is equivalent in size to two A Levels, whereas the Extended Certificate is worth one A Level.
Units Covered:
Unit 1: Exploring Business (Internal)
Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign (External)
Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance (External)
Unit 8: Recruitment and Selection Process (Internal)
Enrichment
Business and Economics students at Claremont High School Academy are given the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities. These include:
- Student Investor Competition
- Royal Economics Society annual Essay competition
- Economics World Cup
- Middlesex University Economics Workshop
- Attending local and national conferences
- Tutor2u Revision Conferences
- Educational trips
- Work experience
- Access to The Economist, The Economic Review and The Business Review subscriptions
- Visit to the Bank of England
- London Business School Competition
Next steps
Further Education: A Level Business, A Level Economics , University, Apprenticeships
University: Universities offer a large choice of Business and Economics related degrees. It also can lead to Business Management, Marketing, HR, Accountancy and Finance.
Careers: Accountancy, finance, management, investment banking, marketing director, and management consultancy - amongst many others.