Economics

 

 

Curriculum Overview

 

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
Y12   Micro	Introduction to Economics Supply and Demand	Elasticities	Externalities.	Government intervention in markets	Revision & EXAMS	Introduction to Theory of the Firm
Y12   Macro	Macro-economic objectives	Circular Flow AD/ AS analysis	Economic Growth	Economic Growth		Financial Markets and the Role of Central Banks
Y12 Skills	Skills – Analysing data	Skills – Writing analytical chains	Skills – Evaluation and essay writing	Skills – Improving application skills
Y13 Micro	Theory of the Firm - Types of firms/market structures	Competitive and imperfect markets	Industrial policy & Labour markets	Government Economic Policy in a global context	Revision and EXAMS
Y13 Macro	Globalisation and Trade	Trading Blocs, Balance of Payments and Exchange rates	Distribution of wealth and income & Development Economics	Synoptic Economic Work
Y13 Skills	Skills – Analysing Complex Data	Skills – Developing extended writing skills & PPE preparation	Skills – Developing Essay skills	Skills – Synoptic Writing	Skills – Exam technique

A level exam board & specification: Edexcel Economics A (2015)

 

Textbook:

A textbook is not compulsory.  However should you wish to purchase a textbook we recommend the following:

Pearson Edexcel A Level Economics A, Peter Smith, Peter Davis, Marwan Mikdadi, Fifth edition, Paperback (14 Apr 2023)

Additional Reading (Available in the School Library) Anderton, Alain (2015) Edexcel AS/A Level Economics, 6th edn., London: Pearson

 

Online Resources: 

Pearson / Edexcel is the first port of call for the specification and exam past papers.

EconplusDal is an Economics teacher who creates lots of resources, chiefly YouTube videos on all elements of the course and exam technique.  He will be your son or daughter’s ‘other’ Economics teacher.

Tutor2U started with a focus on Business and Economics but have an ever expanding empire.  A great resource for teachers and students alike.

Physics & Maths Tutor despite the name have a wealth of Economics resources.  Students especially like their exam style questions.

There are a host of other online resources that will be shared via Google Classroom throughout the course.

 

How to help your child:

1. Encourage them to take an active interest in the news; regularly reading and analysing stories about the UK & World Economy will help them to develop their academic literacy and contextual understanding.  We strongly recommend the Financial Times, Economist and other reputable news organisations.

2. Encourage them to be organised from the start – this means having well organised folders and work.

3. Remember – for every one hour of study in class, students should be undertaking at least one hour of study at home – this could be preparing for lessons using google classroom, reading and making notes or revising past content.

 

Extracurricular Reading

All students will be encouraged to read as much as possible.  During the summer between Year 12 and Year 13 all students will choose a book related to the course and present to their peers in the Autumn of Year 13.  Examples include Doughnut Economics, Factfullness,  and The Spirit Level to name three.

 

What opportunities for enrichment are there in Economics? 

All students are required to attend a trip to the Bank of England and City of London to support their study of the Financial Sector in Year 13.  The inaugural trip took place in January 2025 and we plan to make this an annual event.  Similarly a group of Y12 students recently attended a Business and Economics trip to Prague in the Summer term 2025.  This allowed students to explore a capital city in a post-communist country now thriving within the European Union.  A factory visit and football stadium tour allowed students to experience first hand many of the concepts we discuss in the classroom.  We also intend to make this an annual event.

 

What careers can success in Economics lead to?

Economics is prized by employers and universities alike, as a subject that provides students with strong analytical and communication skills as well as an understanding of how the world works.  Whilst Economics rewards logical and methodical thinking, it is not overly numerical at A-Level.  However it should be noted that students who wish to study the subject at University are strongly advised to also take A-Level Mathematics.  The ability to simplify and communicate complex concepts is a chief skill developed by A-Level Economics, and students should have strong English language skills prior to beginning the course.

Law is one field that Economics students often pursue, with A-Level Economics being seen as a closely related substitute for the much rarer A-Level Law.  Management and Administrative careers whether in the Private Sector or the Civil Service are common careers that Economics students gravitate towards.  International Development & the Charity Sector are two other careers.  Lastly and most obviously being based in one of the world’s financial capitals, a career in Finance often begins with A-Level Economics.

Should you have any questions or wish to discuss further please contact me on my email below:

 

Mr M Barrett - mbarrett@lampton.org.uk 

Subject Lead Economics