The main aims of the course are to widen students’ understanding of the world through considering the allocation of resources.  Students learn the context of the UK economy and the implications of the changes in trade and industry in the world economy.  Students also increase their ability to form and substantiate arguments using data.

A-Level Overview

Students are taught the following topics in Years 12 and 13:

The A Level comprises four themes as follows:

Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure

This theme focuses on microeconomic concepts. Students will develop an understanding of:

• the nature of economics
• how markets work
• market failure
• government intervention.

Theme 2: The UK economy – performance and policies

This theme focuses on macroeconomic concepts. Students will develop an understanding of:

• measures of economic performance
• aggregate demand
• aggregate supply
• national income
• economic growth
• macroeconomic objectives and policy.

Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market

This theme develops the microeconomic concepts introduced in Theme 1 and focuses on business economics. Students will develop an understanding of:

• business growth
• business objectives
• revenues, costs and profits
• market structures
• labour market
• government intervention.

Theme 4: A global perspective

This theme develops the macroeconomic concepts introduced in Theme 2 and applies these concepts in a global context. Students will develop an understanding of:

• international economics
• poverty and inequality
• emerging and developing economies
• the financial sector

role of the state in the macroeconomy.

Students have the opportunity to take part in a number of enterprise activities and competitions throughout the course, including the Student Investor Challenge involving teams of students investing in two portfolios of stocks.

Economics students also benefit from speakers visiting the school who in recent years have included entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and CEOs, as well as representatives of the Bank of England and large companies.

Students are encouraged to read a range of texts to further their own emerging areas of interest.

Details are published of summer school opportunities with leading universities and are regularly attended by Waddesdon students.

Students are able to take a free subscription to the Financial Times online.