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| Business Studies and Economics Department The decadent international but individualistic capitalism in the hands of which we found ourselves after the war is not a success. It is not intelligent. It is not beautiful. It is not just. It is not virtuous. And it doesn't deliver the goods.
John Maynard Keynes The Business Studies and Economics department continues to follow the national trend whereby an ever increasing number of subjects are opting to study one of the disciplines. The tumultuous financial and economic events of the last few years and corresponding media coverage has only served to strengthen this trend. The department prides itself on basing lessons around current economic and business stories but at the same time providing students with the necessary skills to tackle the rigors of public examinations. The following subjects are offered by the department: AS/A Level Business Studies (AQA Exam Board) IB Economics- Higher and Standard (IBO) GCSE in Business Studies and Economics (Edexcel) Any further questions relating to the content found in this section of the website can be directed to Mr J.R. Mace (Head of Economics and Business Studies) jmace@warminsterschool.org.uk Courses | A-Level Business Studies
The A-Level course offers an exciting opportunity for students to really engage with the dynamic world of business. The AS Level involves a detailed study of small and medium sized businesses, initially focusing on start up businesses. In the Upper Sixth year students look at the world of big business focusing on firms such as Apple, BP, Tesco etc. The completion of an AQA in A-Level Business Studies requires the study of the following four compulsory units: AS Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business Unit 2: Managing a Business AS Textbook http://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/Title/9780340959350/AQA_AS_Business_Studies_Second_Edition.htm A2 Unit 3: Strategies for Success Unit 4: The Business Environment and Change A2 Textbook
A-Level Business Studies
The A-Level course offers an exciting opportunity for students to really engage with the dynamic world of business. The AS Level involves a detailed study of small and medium sized businesses, initially focusing on start up businesses. In the Upper Sixth year students look at the world of big business focusing on firms such as Apple, BP, Tesco etc. The completion of an AQA in A-Level Business Studies requires the study of the following four compulsory units: AS Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business Unit 2: Managing a Business AS Textbook http://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/Title/9780340959350/AQA_AS_Business_Studies_Second_Edition.htm A2 Unit 3: Strategies for Success Unit 4: The Business Environment and Change A2 Textbook
IB Economics (Higher and Standard)
The IB in Economics provides a fantastic grounding in the discipline and plenty of opportunity for analysis of real world events.
For both Higher and Standard economics the course is divided, broadly, into four main areas: 1. Microeconomics 2. Macroeconomics 3. International Economics 4. Development Economics Higher Level candidates undertake more in-depth study of the sections, and hence a greater range of economic theory, compared to Standard Level candidates. Both Higher and Standard courses require candidates to complete an Internal Assessment Portfolio (in short analysing four economic articles). The two core texts are as follows, the later in fact written by Mr Mace:
GCSE in Business Studies and Economics Students follow the Edexcel syllabus and obtain a GCSE in Business Studies and Economics. The three compulsory units that they study are: 1. Introduction to Small Business 2. Investigating a Business (controlled assessment element) 3. Introduction to Economic Understanding The combined Business Studies and Economics qualification provides excellent grounding to study either discipline in the sixth form. The two main texts:
Beyond the Syllabus
The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts. C.S.Lewis
Wherever possible the department looks to offer opportunities beyond the confines of the syllabus. Politics Club
Politics club is open to any students from Y11-Y13 and runs on a Monday afternoon during activities time. The main politic, economic and social events from the past week’s news are discussed and analysed. Pupils choose the topics of discussion from a range of newspapers. Looking ahead it is hoped that over the course of the following academic year (2010-11) some of these discussions will be formalised through the publication of a twice monthly department bulletin. These activity runs 4pm- 5pm on Monday in SF1 with Mr Mace.
Model United Nations (MUN)
MUN is a internationally run program that gives students the opportunity to “research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems”. This is an annual event and each year the department sends a team of four pupils to represent the school and their allocated country (last academic year the team represented Kuwait at Kingswood School, Bath). Much of the groundwork is done before the event with the chosen pupils becoming specialists in policy areas relating to the country e.g. Middle Eastern politics, the oil industry of Kuwait. The selection process of pupils for the team and subsequent research begins in early January, the competition taking place in early March.
Young Economist of the Year
The Young Economist of the Year competition is run by the Royal Economic Society (RES) in conjunction with Tutor2u ( http://www.tutor2u.net/ ). Students have to submit an essay of no more than 2000 words in response to one of the titles given by the RES each year. To get a flavour of the competition here are last year’s essay titles:
1. What are the best economic policies to curb alcohol consumption? All L6th IB Economics students submit an essay into the competition. They find this is a thoroughly rewarding process as it allows them to research a topic away from the confines of the syllabus. Students applying to read Economics at university find this essay can have a more than constructive role in their application.
As well as the opportunities listed above students wherever possible should seek to undertaken independent learning, a good starting is often found by playing close attention to current affairs. A list of possible but by no means exhaustive extension material can be found below:
Web Based Resources
· Websites
Tutor2u BBC Business http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/ Sky Business http://news.sky.com/skynews/Business Robert Peston’s Business Blog http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/ Stephanomics http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/stephanieflanders/
· Podcasts
Peter Day’s World of Business http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/worldbiz Best of Today http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/today World Business News http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/wbnews The Bottom Line http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/bottomline
· TED talks
Paradox of Choice . http://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html Solving Social Problems with a Nudge http://www.ted.com/talks/sendhil_mullainathan.html Levitt on Crack Economics http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_levitt_analyzes_crack_economics.html Economics of Terrorism http://www.ted.com/talks/loretta_napoleoni_the_intricate_economics_of_terrorism.html Aid vs Trade http://www.ted.com/talks/ngozi_okonjo_iweala_on_aid_versus_trade.html
Economics Extension and Enrichment Reading List (Books)
1. Animal Spirits (Akerlof and Shiller) ISBN: 978-0-691-14233-3 Economics Extension and Enrichment Reading List (Articles)
How bad biology killed economy The Great British Economy Disaster http://www.lrb.co.uk/v32/n05/john-lanchester/the-great-british-economy-disaster Keynes Recovered http://bostonreview.net/BR35.3/kirshner.php Bossonomics IB Economics (Higher and Standard)
The IB in Economics provides a fantastic grounding in the discipline and plenty of opportunity for analysis of real world events.
For both Higher and Standard economics the course is divided, broadly, into four main areas: 1. Microeconomics 2. Macroeconomics 3. International Economics 4. Development Economics Higher Level candidates undertake more in-depth study of the sections, and hence a greater range of economic theory, compared to Standard Level candidates. Both Higher and Standard courses require candidates to complete an Internal Assessment Portfolio (in short analysing four economic articles). The two core texts are as follows, the later in fact written by Mr Mace:
GCSE in Business Studies and Economics Students follow the Edexcel syllabus and obtain a GCSE in Business Studies and Economics. The three compulsory units that they study are: 1. Introduction to Small Business 2. Investigating a Business (controlled assessment element) 3. Introduction to Economic Understanding The combined Business Studies and Economics qualification provides excellent grounding to study either discipline in the sixth form. The two main texts:
Beyond the Syllabus
The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts. C.S.Lewis
Wherever possible the department looks to offer opportunities beyond the confines of the syllabus. Politics Club
Politics club is open to any students from Y11-Y13 and runs on a Monday afternoon during activities time. The main politic, economic and social events from the past week’s news are discussed and analysed. Pupils choose the topics of discussion from a range of newspapers. Looking ahead it is hoped that over the course of the following academic year (2010-11) some of these discussions will be formalised through the publication of a twice monthly department bulletin. These activity runs 4pm- 5pm on Monday in SF1 with Mr Mace.
Model United Nations (MUN)
MUN is a internationally run program that gives students the opportunity to “research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems”. This is an annual event and each year the department sends a team of four pupils to represent the school and their allocated country (last academic year the team represented Kuwait at Kingswood School, Bath). Much of the groundwork is done before the event with the chosen pupils becoming specialists in policy areas relating to the country e.g. Middle Eastern politics, the oil industry of Kuwait. The selection process of pupils for the team and subsequent research begins in early January, the competition taking place in early March.
Young Economist of the Year
The Young Economist of the Year competition is run by the Royal Economic Society (RES) in conjunction with Tutor2u ( http://www.tutor2u.net/ ). Students have to submit an essay of no more than 2000 words in response to one of the titles given by the RES each year. To get a flavour of the competition here are last year’s essay titles:
1. What are the best economic policies to curb alcohol consumption? All L6th IB Economics students submit an essay into the competition. They find this is a thoroughly rewarding process as it allows them to research a topic away from the confines of the syllabus. Students applying to read Economics at university find this essay can have a more than constructive role in their application.
As well as the opportunities listed above students wherever possible should seek to undertaken independent learning, a good starting is often found by playing close attention to current affairs. A list of possible but by no means exhaustive extension material can be found below:
Web Based Resources
· Websites
Tutor2u BBC Business http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/ Sky Business http://news.sky.com/skynews/Business Robert Peston’s Business Blog http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/ Stephanomics http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/stephanieflanders/
· Podcasts
Peter Day’s World of Business http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/worldbiz Best of Today http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/today World Business News http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/wbnews The Bottom Line http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/bottomline
· TED talks
Paradox of Choice . http://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html Solving Social Problems with a Nudge http://www.ted.com/talks/sendhil_mullainathan.html Levitt on Crack Economics http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_levitt_analyzes_crack_economics.html Economics of Terrorism http://www.ted.com/talks/loretta_napoleoni_the_intricate_economics_of_terrorism.html Aid vs Trade http://www.ted.com/talks/ngozi_okonjo_iweala_on_aid_versus_trade.html
Economics Extension and Enrichment Reading List (Books)
1. Animal Spirits (Akerlof and Shiller) ISBN: 978-0-691-14233-3 Economics Extension and Enrichment Reading List (Articles)
How bad biology killed economy The Great British Economy Disaster http://www.lrb.co.uk/v32/n05/john-lanchester/the-great-british-economy-disaster Keynes Recovered http://bostonreview.net/BR35.3/kirshner.php Bossonomics  Aims | These goals are not necessarily listed in priority order, and in any case it is clear that they are to a large extent interdependent.
Department Staff | Jonathan Mace B.A. (Hons) joined the school as Head of Department in April 2009 having spent the previous 3 years teaching at Malvern College in Worcestershire. After graduating from Durham University he began his teaching career as a resident tutor and Economics teacher at St Edwards School, Oxford, before moving on to the Business and Economics department at Warwick Boys School. He is an author of Economics and Business studies material, producing regular material for the Tutor2u website including an IB blog. He has had two economics revision guides published by the Anforme group, the latest one, IB Economics, published in September 2009. In his spare time he is a keen sportsman particularly rugby and golf. Jonathan is also Housemaster of a senior boys boarding house, St Denys. Nicholas Andrew B.A. (Hons) PGCE joined the department in September 2010 having spent eight years at Ripon Grammar School in North Yorkshire as head of department and deputy head of sixth form. Nick graduated from Leeds Polytechnic and competed his PGCE at Hull University. His teaching career began in a large comprehensive school in Nottinghamshire where he worked for nine years becoming head of economics and business studies for the last two and a half years. After leaving school Nick initially went to UMIST for a year and then worked in banking for six years where he gained valuable applied business experience. At previous schools Nick made a strong contribution towards school drama productions where he developed his skills as a choreographer and assistant director. Nick's interests include walking, tai chi, growing fruit and vegetables and reading. Before joiningWarminsterSchool, Samantha Vogwell BSc (Hons) spent five years teaching Accounting & Economics at a High School inWellington,New Zealand. She began her teaching career after graduating from Loughborough andWarwickUniversitieswith a Business Studies post on theIsle of Wight. A move back home to Bradford-on-Avon and St. Laurence School followed two years later. In her spare time Samantha enjoys running and cycling. She is also completing a Psychology Degree.
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