A new partnership, launched at The University of Manchester on 30 April, will see existing teachers offered training to deliver A Level economics alongside their core subject.
The three-year programme, which will be piloted in the North West before eventually being rolled out across the UK, aims to make the subject more accessible to students from a wider range of backgrounds. The training will be made available at no cost to the teachers or schools.
Economics is currently offered as an A Level subject at just over half of non-selective state schools in England, compared with 90% of selective schools and 82% of independent schools. This partly reflects a shortage of qualified economics teachers - made worse by very low levels of new teachers choosing to specialise in the subject.
Professor Fiona Devine, Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at The University of Manchester, said: "The teaching, research and development of economics has a long history at The University of Manchester. Our commitment to equity and diversity across our work is paramount, and this initiative, building on the research from FFT Education Datalab, highlights that we still have much to do. We're extremely proud to work alongside the Bank of England in producing more teachers of economics."
Professor Angela Davies, University Academic Lead for Lifelong Learning, Flexible Learning Programme at The University of Manchester, said: "At The University of Manchester, we are passionate about creating flexible, lifelong learning opportunities to help individuals, organisations and sectors adapt to an ever-changing world. This collaboration with the Bank of England offers flexible professional learning to bridge the gap in teaching economics. Our first cohort of teachers starts in September with plans to roll the programme out across the UK in the coming years."
The launch comes as new research commissioned by the Bank of England and carried out by FFT Education Datalab revealed that:
- Economics has become increasingly popular at A Level and undergraduate level over the last decade.
- There are stark regional differences in participation with students in London more than twice as likely to study economics than those in North-West England.
- Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are far less likely to take economics at school or university than their peers.
- Around 70% of those studying economics at school and undergraduate level are male.
Clare Lombardelli, Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy at the Bank of England, spoke at the launch of the research at The University of Manchester. She talked about her own experience growing up in nearby Stockport where she studied economics A Level at a local sixth form college.
She said: "Economics is an increasingly popular subject. But it is not available to enough young people across a range of backgrounds.
"An economics qualification can be a gateway for young people to a highly rewarding career - both intellectually and professionally. It also gives people a better understanding of how money works - which is a vital life skill that can benefit all of us.
"We are delighted to be working with The University of Manchester on this teacher training programme so economics can tap into a broader range of talent and more people can benefit from the opportunities that come from studying economics."
Gareth Taylor, Head of Professional Development at the Economics, Business and Enterprise Association, which represents economics teachers, said: "There is clear evidence that a shortage and unequal spread of teachers with the knowledge and skills to teach economics is impacting the life chances of young people. This much-needed new programme will enable more schools and colleges to offer economics and is an exciting and very welcome development."
The full report is available to download at https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/education/education-resources/understanding-trends-in-the-take-up-of-economics
Teachers interested in signing up to the programme are asked to complete an Expression of Interest Form.
