Business and Economics

At Notre Dame High School the Business and Economics department offers three separate courses: GCSE Business Studies and Economics, GCE Business and GCE Economics

GCSE Business Studies and Economics (1 year)

The course starts with an Introduction to Business followed by a Controlled Assessment which is based on an investigation into a small business. The final unit of study is an Introduction to Economics.

How can you help your child in GCSE Business and Economics?

Encourage your child to watch and listen to business news. Encourage your child to review his/her notes regularly and complete/submit homework on time.


GCE Business (AS level – one year; A level – two years)

In year one of this course, students are introduced to enterprise, setting up a business and the risk involved. Accounting and finance are also covered, as well as factors that can influence business and its ability to make profit. The focus of the second unit is on functions of business and the wider business environment.

In year two, students look at management, as well as financial management and accounting and factors influencing business. The focus in the second unit is on functions of business and a range of tools/techniques to help analyse the business environment and aid the decision-making process. The third unit is on the global business environment – looking at objectives and business strategy as well as external influences that will impact on business and how they might respond to manage change.

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How can you help your child in GCE Business?

Encourage your child to watch and listen to business news, as well as carrying out wider reading of articles that are relevant to the area of study. Encourage your child to review his/ her notes regularly. Encourage completion and timely submission of homework.

Head of Business and Economics: Mr D Horner – dhorner@notredame-high.co.uk


GCE Economics (AS level – one year; A level – two years)

The feeling you get when you listen to the news and you understand what they’re talking about makes all the hard work worth it. No other subject is as relevant to how the world works today.” – Margaret Y13

Have you ever wondered why footballers are paid more than doctors or why prices vary in different parts of the country?, Have you ever wondered what exactly the “City” is and why we’ve given billions to banks whilst cutting the amount we spend on health care? The answer to these questions and many others is Economics. No other subject is as relevant and fast-moving to the dynamic world we live in today. Whether you are hoping to pursue a career in financial services, management or you just want to be challenged and stimulated Economics is the ideal choice to take.

The study of Economics at GCE is divided up into micro and macroeconomics. In Year 12 students are given an introductory foundation in these two areas before a more in-depth analysis is taken in Year 13. In Year 12 students start with microeconomics and an introduction to how various different markets operate, how markets may fail and possible government intervention to address this. In Year 13 microeconomics goes on to cover different market structures, the distribution of income and wealth and lastly labour markets. Macroeconomics at Year 12 concentrates on the UK economy, how an economy works, how it can be measured and available macroeconomic policy options. In Year 13 a greater emphasis is placed on the global economy with particular attention given to financial markets.

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How can you help your child in GCE Economics?

Encourage your child to read around the subject. In addition to keeping up-to-date with economic stories on the news students need to be carrying out wider reading of articles that are relevant to their area of study.

Students should be encouraged to review their notes regularly and to supplement these with extra detail from the textbook. They will be set homework tasks on a regular basis and these will need to be completed to the best of their ability and submitted on time.

Downloads:

A Level Business

GCSE Business and Economics

A Level Economics


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