Economics

Curriculum Organisation

Students have three lessons per week in Year 10 and are taught in mixed ability groups, which are allocated depending on which option block is chosen. Course books are AQA Economics (Horner) and Economics (Moynihan and Titley).

Independent Study

Students will be given a set of resources, notes and a reading schedule for each section they study. This will enable students to catch-up on missed work if absent or give them the chance to read ahead in preparation of future lessons. Each section will have a variety of tasks and extension work.
Students are expected to read outside of lessons. They will be given page numbers on each reading schedule they receive, which relates to the two course books. They should be making notes from the pages indicated, either on flash cards or by using PowerPoint. Students should also take an interest in ‘real’ economic issues, by reading the ‘business’ newspapers.

Each half-term there will be an assessment, as follows:

1st half-term Personal Finance Assignment
2nd half-term Demand & Supply Test
3rd half-term Labour Market Test
4th half-term International Trade Test
5th half-term  Globalization Assignment
6th half-term Unit 11 Personal Economics GCSE Exam

Assessment and Reporting

Students will be assessed against ‘real’ GCSE criteria throughout the year and these will be used to grade students accordingly for reporting. Student progress will be monitored using a departmental tracking sheet and targets will be set from this data, as appropriate. Students will also be expected to set their own targets at the end of each section. Extension tasks will also be set to further the knowledge of high achieving students.

Extra Curricular Opportunities

Students will get the chance to participate in an Enterprise project or join the student investor club. This will be run as a lunchtime club.

Autumn Term
Area of study:   Money (syllabus code 1.1 – 1.4)
Specific content:  Understanding the personal lifecycle, Making decisions, Choosing to Spend, Choosing to Save, Choosing to Borrow money, Managing your Money.
Learning objectives:  To understand how wants and needs change throughout your life, to understand how prices are determined, to understand how and why people save.
Extension opportunities:  Student Investor Club

Spring Term
Area of study:  Work (syllabus code 2.1 - 2.3); The National & Global Economy (syllabus    codes 3.1 to 3.3)
Specific content:  The Purpose and Nature of Work, The reward for Work, The Consequences of Unemployment.
Learning objectives:  To understand why people work, to understand how people are paid, To understand the consequences of unemployment.
Extension opportunities:  Will be outlined on frontsheets

Summer Term
Area of study:  The National & Global Economy (syllabus code 3.4); Exam Preparation.
Specific content:  International Trade, Exchange Rates, The Power of the Consumer,
Learning objectives:  Will be written on unit frontsheets
Extension opportunities:  Will be outlined on frontsheets

Useful Websites
AQA exam board course specification http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcse/pdf/AQA-4130-W-SP-10.PDF
AQA exam board past examination papers and mark schemes http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/eco_assess.php
Tutor2u revision materials http://www.tutor2u.net/
BBC Economics News search http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/default.stm
S-Cool revision site http://www.s-cool.co.uk/default.asp
Guardian Economics News search http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/economics
Biz-Ed revision materials http://www.bized.co.uk/