Business Studies and Economics

At Claremont Fan Court School we believe that all young people are entitled to opportunities for developing an awareness of the business, economic and social environment in which they live.

Students are encouraged to develop a capability to use their knowledge, understanding and skills in order to be prepared to participate fully in business, economic and political roles within society. They should fully understand their role as a consumer, employee and citizen.

A balanced curriculum is on offer for economics and business, which gives progression through years 10 to 13. All courses offer opportunities for exploration of some cross curricular themes particularly within the humanities faculty.

GCSE Business Studies and Economics

At Key Stage 4, students are offered a combined business studies and economics course. In year 10 students study enterprise and the role of an entrepreneur as well as analysis of how to set up and run a small business by carrying out market research and completing cash flows forecasts.

In year 11 students complete the economics section of the course. This includes basic economic theories about scarcity, inflation, unemployment, commodity prices, interest rates and exchange rates.

A Level Economics

At AS level students learn about the basic economic problem of scarcity of resources and their allocation as well as topics such as pollution, labour shortages and monopoly power and government intervention in the first unit. The second unit explores the structure and management of the national economy including the economic cycle and economic indicators such as inflation, interest rates, unemployment and government approaches to economic policy.

The A2 course covers the structure of firms, decision making by different organisations and the nature of competition. The course also explores the nature of globalisation and the impact of living in a global economy.

From September 2011, A Level Business Studies will also be offered to sixth form students.

The business and economics department offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. Students take part in the Enterprise UK £10 challenge and the Surrey University junior apprentice competition. Year 10 students undertake a annual trip to Canary Wharf and the City of London to learn about the history and development of London as a global financial centre. Sixth form students welcome a number of high profile business speakers as part of their critical thinking programme and often visit manufacturing plants during their overseas enrichment trip.