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CURRICULUM INTENT & VISION STATEMENT
Our goal is to transform the vision of our students towards Economics and the Economist's way of thinking. We want to give them the skills to understand the personal, such as managing their own finances, and the global, such as why America is currently immersed in long-running disputes with China over trade.
We want our students to be prepared to follow Economics and business either through their career or as an intellectual pursuit. We aim to integrate more complex mathematics than is required by the syllabus, to better prepare students for the material they may encounter at university or when encountering real-world economic research. We aim to improve students crucial language and communication skills through Economic essays, skills again highly transferable to further education and a future career.
Economics is a subject that opens doors, not only externally in terms of real-world job opportunities, but internally - the way a student can learn to perceive their own decisions and those of others as a constant weighing of cost and benefit, of potential gain versus potential loss. We want students above all to acquire a passion for, as well as a proficiency in, the subject, by illustrating the uniqueness, practicality and elegance of Economic thought and assist them not only in their future careers, but in their future lives.
THE AVANTI WAY
The Avanti Way statements for Educational Excellence, Character Formation and Spiritual Insight (how we develop these within each subject).
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Studying economics fosters critical thinking and analytical skills, enhancing academic performance across disciplines. It encourages students to engage with complex concepts, develop quantitative reasoning, and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, laying a strong foundation for higher education.
CHARACTER FORMATION
Economics cultivates qualities like resilience and ethical reasoning. Students learn to analySe societal issues, encouraging empathy and a sense of
responsibility toward community welfare, which helps shape their character and decision-making.
SPIRITUAL INSIGHT
Economics encourages reflection on values such as justice and equity, prompting students to consider the moral implications of economic systems. This
exploration can deepen their understanding of societal roles and the pursuit of a meaningful life.
COURSE CONTENT
Order and timing of topics throughout KS5 for Biology:
Weeks 1 - 15
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1.1 Nature of Economics
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1.2 How markets work – rational and irrational behaviour
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1.2 How markets work – essentials of the market model
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1.2 How markets work- elasticity
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1.2 How markets work- welfare and surplus
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1.3 Market failure
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1.4 Government intervention
Weeks 16 - 30
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2.1 Measures of economic performance
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2.4 National income
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2.2 Aggregate demand (AD)
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2.3 Aggregate supply (AS)
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2.5 Economic growth
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2.1 Measures of economic performance
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2.6 Macroeconomic objectives and policies
Weeks 31 - 45
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3.3 Revenues, costs and profits
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3.1 Business growth
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3.2 Business Objectives
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3.4 Market structures
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3.6 Government intervention
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3.5 Labour market
Weeks 46 - 60
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4.1 International economics
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4.5 Role of the state in the macroeconomy (Introduction) 4.2 Poverty and inequality
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4.5 Role of the state in the macroeconomy
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4.3 Emerging and developing economies
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4.4 The financial sector
ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK
We provide 4 mock exams over the A-level course, which provide assessment of student progress and are crucial to forming accurate and purposeful predicted grades for university applications. In addition to this students have a topic-based assessment approximately every 3 weeks to provide more frequent checks of understanding and revision.
The structure of both assessment types is designed to reflect the final exam as closely as possible. Feedback is provided on an individual basis for mock exams, and on the basis of the cohort for topic tests.
HOW PARENETS CAN HELP
Simple assistance can be provided through encouraging your child to read the
business news or global economic affairs e.g. through the BBC business webpage,
financial times etc. On a more comprehensive level parents can assist students with preparation by helping them test themselves on key definitions, examples etc.
HOME LEARNING & ONLINE RESOURCE
Students are provided with a revision schedule at the start of year 12, which specifies what topics they need to revise at home each week of the school year, and gives specific revision tasks that must be completed each week. We implement targeted folder checks to ensure students who need to are sticking to the home learning program, as a consistent and systematic revision and practice plan of course improves the chances of success. We also provide students with a database of past paper questions so that they can routinely practice past paper questions on each topic (as per the instructions of the revision schedule). We have several online resources, the most relevant of which is UpLearn, which allows students to complement the revision program we provide with an online equivalent that tracks their progress through the syllabus and allows for quick knowledge and understanding checks on all the necessary topics.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
We provide opportunities for students to learn about saving, investing and trading,
whilst not part of the A-level economics syllabus, these areas are greatly
complementary to the syllabus and usually of interest to students as a valuable
financial skill for later life. In addition, as well as the occasional economics speaker
we also try to invite speakers from diverse but tangential academic areas, such as
business, philosophy and politics, so that students can interact with experts and
broaden their knowledge of economics and its fundamental interrelationship with other disciplines.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Studying A-level economics opens the door to a diverse range of career paths, as it equips students with critical analytical and problem-solving skills applicable across various sectors. Graduates often find opportunities in finance, where they can work as financial analysts, investment bankers, or portfolio managers, leveraging their understanding of market dynamics and economic trends.
In the public sector, A-level economics can lead to roles in government agencies, such as policy advisors or economic analysts. These positions involve assessing economic policies, conducting research, and providing recommendations to improve public welfare. Similarly, non-profit organisations often seek individuals with an economic background to help analyse social programs and evaluate their effectiveness.
Business is another popular avenue for economics graduates. Roles in management consulting allow individuals to work with businesses to enhance their efficiency and profitability through data analysis and strategic recommendations. Marketing and sales positions also benefit from economic insights, as understanding consumer behaviour and market conditions is crucial for developing effective strategies.
Moreover, a background in economics is advantageous for those pursuing careers in education, where one can teach the subject at various levels, inspiring the next generation of economists. International organizations, such as the United Nations or World Bank, also value economics expertise for roles in development and international trade.
