Economics and Business
In Economics and Business, students explore both the broader workings of the economy and the more focused dynamics of individual markets and businesses. Both A Levels are introduced as new subjects in the Sixth Form and have quickly become popular, with around a third of the cohort choosing to study one of them.
Economics A Level is a social science that examines how societies determine what goods and services to produce, how much to produce, the methods of production, and ultimately, how resources are distributed — in other words, who gets what. Students explore topics such as the impact of taxation and government spending, the effects of regulation and subsidies, and strategies for promoting economic development. We follow the Edexcel specification.
Business A Level, also following the Edexcel specification, begins by exploring what motivates entrepreneurs to start businesses and the skills required to turn ideas into profitable ventures. As the course progresses, students examine the growth and structure of larger organisations, with detailed study of key business functions: Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Human Resources.
Studying Economics and Business helps students develop a deeper understanding of the modern world while building key employability skills, including:
- Creative problem-solving
- Mathematical and numerical competency
- Logical analysis
- Strong communication
- Balanced decision-making
The Economics and Business Department also offers a variety of extracurricular opportunities. One highlight is the GDST LEAD Programme, which encourages entrepreneurial thinking among Sixth Form students. Participants work in teams to develop their own social enterprises and compete against students from other GDST schools, showcasing their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and presentation skills.
Many of our students go on to study Economics or Business-related courses at top universities, including Warwick, LSE, and Nottingham.
We are very happy with our daughter’s progress. She is very happy in class and it shows in her work.
— Current Parent