Catholic Social Teaching

How we address values and virtues through the Business and Economics  Curriculum (To Follow)

1.Dignity of the Human Person: In Years 9-13, Business and Economics students are taught that the objective of business should not be purely one of maximising profits.  We ensure that the curriculum emphasises that business has an overriding responsibility to add value to society and serve the common good.  Maintaining good relationships with all of the stakeholders (employees, customers, the community etc) affected by business decisions are at the heart of good business practice. Ethics is both explicitly taught (it is part of the specification in both Edexcel GCSE Business and AQA ‘A’ Level Business and implicitly in lessons.  Consequently, businesses are not regarded as profit mongers, but instead as organizations who further develop society for the better. As stakeholders in business activity both students and teachers have a responsibility to hold companies accountable for their decisions and demand that they uphold ethical standards.  Applying the principles of Catholic Social Teaching in Oaklands curriculum is compatible with the notion of long-term sustainable profit maximisation.
2.Peace: The Business and Economics curriculum offering at both Key Stage 4 and 5 highlights the importance of ‘peace in the context of industrial relations and the trading relations between countries.  It is explicit in our delivery that harmony and conflict avoidance leads to positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
3.The common Good : The Business and Economics curriculum at Oaklands endeavours to address Catholic Social Teaching as reflected in the sentiments expressed in Evangelli Gaudium (2013) where the definition of  Business is one that provides an anchor for the concept of the common good:  “Business is a vocation, and a noble vocation, provided that those engaged in it see themselves challenged by greater meaning in life; this will enable them truly to serve the common good by striving to increase the goods of this world and to make them more accessible to all” (Evangelii Gaudium ).
4. The Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: ‘Equity’ (Fairness) in terms of access to the outputs of business plays an important part of our delivery of the ‘Distribution of Income’ (wages, rent and profits) and ‘Wealth’ which is explicitly and implicitly taught in the delivery of A level Economics and Business.  The social and personal challenges facing those in poverty whether it be absolute or relative terms are given at least equal weighting to the economic theory surrounding this topic.
5.Solidarity: The curriculum in both Economics and Business place emphasis on the externalities of economic activity. It highlights that the market leads to both positive and negative third-party effects on those not involved in the transaction. In this context students learn that individual behaviour impacts on others and consequently ‘no man is an island’.  This is reflected when discussing economic growth and the impact it has on the environment and also touches on themes of sustainability and environmental degradation. An appreciation of the responsibility that individuals have to others when making economic decisions is inherent way in the way the curriculum is delivered.
6.The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers: Work and employment are key aspects of the curriculum in both Business and Economics.  Work in all its facets is portrayed as not only a way to earn money but is also an essential aspect of human life.  Producing goods and services whether it be for pay or not adds to the value of society.  Dignity in employment is discussed in terms of Trade Unions and the right to respectful working conditions.
7.Care for God’s Creation: The Environment has a prominent place in the Economics and Business curriculum and students gain an appreciation of the potential impact commercial activity has on societal long-term well-being.   Environmental degradation, depletion and the global warming resulting from economic behaviour is discussed alongside potential solutions.