Welcome to the Economics and Business Studies Department.

There are three teachers within the department - Mr John Slingo, the Head of Department, Mr Gareth Evans, who is also the Deputy Head, and Amanda Duggan, who joined the staff at the start of the Easter Term 2012. Note that we only offer these subjects at AS and A2 level.

The department is located in the newly refurbished Wyndham building. Within this building are two classrooms and a dedicated resources area, with a suite of computers.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via 01749 814257, or alternatively look at the "Frequently asked questions" section below.

Link to the AQA website for the Economics specification and past papers:

http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/business/economics_materials.php?id=05&pr...

Link to the OCR website for the Business Studies specification and past papers:

http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/gce/blt/business_studies/documents/

The staff:

John Slingo 

Head of Department Business Studies/Economics at Kings since 2002

Head of Department Business Studies/Economics at Ladies' College/Elizabeth College, Guernsey, Channel Islands

Teacher Business Studies/Economics at Bedford Modern school

Before Teaching

Chartered Accountant for KPMG
Investment Banking for Lloyds Banking Group

Academic Passions

Globalisation
Trading Blocs and Economic Integration
Taxation
Finance
Multinational Companies

Gareth Evans

Studied Economics and Politics at the University College of Wales and on graduation was recruited by British Steel to work at Cargo Fleet in Middlesbrough. Unfortunately, Gareth’s appointment coincided with that of Sir Ian MacGregor, whose aim was to cut capacity in the steel industry. As an expediency Gareth studied for a PGCE, found he enjoyed teaching and in September 1981 took up his first teaching post as an assistant teacher of Economics and Politics at Denstone College in Staffordshire. He was appointed as Head of Economics and Politics to King’s Bruton in 1988, before being appointed Second Master and then Deputy Head. He is fascinated with setting current economic problems into their historical context.

Exam highlights

Mean Grade more than doubled since 2002!
Value added more than doubled since 2006!

Consistently high number of A* candidates who go on the study Business Management/Economics at the very top Universities.

Amanda Duggan

Amanda has a background in both Business and Education. Having started her career as a Personal Assistant to the Operations Director of Woolworths, she went on to work in a school as a Learning Resources Manager whilst her six children were young.

Once her children had reached a more independent age, she decided to continue her education by studying for a BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies at Manchester Metropolitan Business School.  At the same time she also qualified to become a member of the Institute of Marketing. From this, she went on to combine her passion for education and business and became an Educational Consultant for the leading Educational IT company, Research Machines.

After a spell in France where she established and ran her own business, Amanda returned to the UK to follow her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. She studied for her PGCE at The University of Manchester, achieving a Withins prize for exceptional achievement.

She has taught Business Studies, Economics, Accountancy and ICT in many different types of schools. Including a Northern Academy, a Manchester Roman Catholic Business and Enterprise College, Gillingham School in Dorset and is now delighted to be working at King’s, where she hopes to pass on her passion for business to the students whom she teaches.

Her main areas of expertise are Marketing and Sales and Small Business Development. However, she is also very interested in the pastoral side of King’s school life, as her six children have all now flown the nest and she is suffering from empty nest syndrome.

Frequently Asked Questions

AS Level Business Studies & Economics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will I need to have studied the subject at GCSE? If so, what is the minimum grade?

We don't study Business Studies or Economics at GCSE level at Kings so we all start from the same position in the L6th.We are ideally looking for at least a Grade B in Maths and English at GCSE but what is really important is that you are committed to the subjects.

2. What are the qualities and attributes needed for a student in your subject?

You need to be enthusiastic about your studies and be prepared to read outside the confines of the syllabus.  You must have an interest in current affairs and be able to develop your own opinions on the issues of the day. Hard work and a sense of humour will also see you thrive in the department.

3. Will I need to do AS Mathematics?

No, but you must be comfortable with manipulating numbers so that you can use them as a tool in helping you find solutions.

4. How are you assessed at AS level?

For Business Studies there are two exams in the summer term of the L6th;

Unit 1- An Introduction to Business (short answer and data response questions) and Unit 2 Business Functions (Section A One six part question and Section B Four questions based on a pre issued case study)

For Economics there are two exams in the summer term of the L6th;

Unit 1- Markets and Market Failure (Multiple Choice and data response questions) and Unit 2 The National Economy (Multiple Choice and data response questions)

5. What is the balance between essay work/coursework/practicals?

There is no coursework in either option.

6. Are there any trips (that are compulsory)?

We go on two trips every term (eg Cadbury, Bank Of England, Gaymers Cider, Ford Motor Company, Wyke Cheese factory, London Stock Exchange, Torr Quarry, Airbus, Corus Steel factory and have international visits eg Barcelona and also have visiting speakers ie Helen Wooldridge of 'Cuddledry' a Dragons Den company.

7. Who are the teachers teaching the subject?

Mr Slingo (Head of Economics and Business Studies) and Mr Evans (Deputy Head) teach both Business Studies and Economics

8. When do students sit the AS level examinations?

All exams are taken at the end of the L6th year in the summer term

9. What are the possible avenues of courses at universities if you study this subject area?

There are literally no limits here - we have had students take up a wide range of courses from:

Law, Land Economy, Finance and Accountancy, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Engineering, Agriculture, Politics, Automotive Design, Banking, International Relations, Broadcasting, Stock Broking, Diplomatic Service, Management, Journalism, Public Relations,

Estate/Property Management and of course numerous Business and Economic related courses.

Plus if you are thinking of owning your own business then look no further!