For almost all students economics is a totally new subject. This offers you a fantastic opportunity to start with a blank canvas, on a level playing field with your peers. Irrespective of what subjects you have studied at GCSE, with a little hard work and dedication there is nothing to stop anyone becoming a competent business student.

Throughout your studies you will have access to a lunchtime drop-in surgery once a week, but our teachers have an open door policy – so support is on-hand whenever you have a question!

You will have a one-on-one meeting with our Head of Department three times a year, providing an opportunity to discuss your progress in a more formal setting and to agree targets for the next term.  If you would like more structured, regular one-on-one support, we are more than happy to support this.

All members of the department have previously marked A Levels for exam boards, and you will benefit from their insight through specific sessions that look at exam technique and practice – equipping you with the skills you need to succeed. 

Content of A Level

• What is business?
• Managers, leadership and decision making
• Decision making to improve marketing performance
• Decision making to improve operational performance
• Decision making to improve financial performance
• Decision making to improve human resource performance
• Analysing the strategic position of business
• Choosing strategic direction
• Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies
• Managing strategic change

A Level assessment

• Paper 1 – marketing, people and global business. Assessment includes data response questions broken down into smaller questions and an extended open response question. (35% of total qualification)
• Paper 2 – business activities, decisions and strategy. Assessment includes data response questions broken down into smaller questions and an extended open response question. (35% of total qualification)
• Paper 3 – investigating business in a competitive environment. For Paper 3, there will be a pre-released context document. The context focuses on a broad context, such as an industry or market in which businesses operate. Each section will contain unseen stimulus materials comprising quantitative and qualitative evidence. Students are required to apply their knowledge and understanding from Themes 1, 2, 3 and 4 and their understanding of the broad context to this evidence (30% of total qualification)