Economics and Business studies

Head of Department: Paul Gillespie. Email: PJG@epsomcollege.org.uk

The Economics and Business Department is the largest 6th Form Department. Housed in the purpose-built Mackinder Building with eight members of teaching staff, all classrooms are fully equipped with the latest electronic whiteboards and audio-visual equipment. The Economics and Business ICT laboratory is a new facility for September 2011.

The OCR Economics specification is offered. With over 90 students currently studying AS Level and a further 90 at A2, this subject is thriving. Exam results are outstanding with over 90% of students leaving the subject with either A or B grades in 2011. Many students go on to read Economics at university and the department has excellent results with Oxbridge applications. Additional lessons are given to Advanced Economics students.

The AQA Business specification is offered and around 35 students study this subject at AS and a similar number at A2. Value-added and exam results are second to none, with just under 85% A/B at AS and a similar trend at A2. The majority of students studying AS Business go on to read a Business-related degree.

Beyond the specification, the Department offers a huge amount. The Epsom College Economics and Enterprise Society, organised by the students with support from a member of the department, arranges talks either at Epsom or Eton College. We have hosted speakers such as Tony Fernandes, Jeff Randall, Rob Shaw (Jack Wills) and Jon Moulton. We also regularly attend Eton's Keynes Society talks with further high profile speakers.

Young Enterprise (YE) is offered to L6th students. They are invited to apply for a position on one of two YE companies. Candidates submit an application form and are then interviewed and a selection made from there. Students set up a company, with each taking an important part from managing director to marketing director. This is a very popular activity and student projects have ranged from M4/U4 discos to personalised house pyjamas.  2010-2011 saw the YE companies selling products externally for the first time.

Those with an appetite for Finance are able to study further as the SII's Introduction to Investment award is now offered to students in their U6th year. Epsom is one of the first schools to offer this award that is normally targeted towards professionals within the financial services sector. This challenging and innovative course investigates equities, bonds, derivatives and other financial assets. It is taught during one timetabled lesson per week and 10 workshop sessions, which are delivered by an outside specialist.

New to 2011, we have started the Investment Club which is open to L6th students. The club will be investing real money in the stock market. With an investment pot of £1,500, the club will enter a national competition against other schools and over the period of October to June look to maximise the value of the portfolio. In addition, all L6 students enter the national IFS Student Investor challenge.