Business Studies
About the Department
Business Studies is an increasingly important and popular subject. Recent OLs studying Accountancy, Marketing and Business Management have repeatedly confirmed that the courses offered by the Department contain material and approaches that are to be found in the first year of University.
Teaching and Learning
The AQA syllabus that we follow at AS and A2 is aimed at making informed decisions at boardroom level. The study topics are: Marketing, Accounting and Finance, People, Operations Management, External Influences and Objectives and Strategy.
Taken together they represent a comprehensive overview of the issues facing business in the 21st Century.
A significant section of the exam requires candidates to evaluate business situations. As a consequence the top grades go to those who are passionate about business and think deeply about the underlying issues. Factual recall, although important, is not the major determinant of ultimate success.
Pupils are required to read widely throughout the course and, in particular, to keep themselves up to date with business stories in the financial pages of the broadsheets. The comprehensive revision programs on the School’s computer network are important components of the course and is the downloadable material from the Internet links.
What pupils say
“This is a very demanding course that has encouraged me to explore and challenge new concepts”.“My confidence has grown as I have begun to understand the significance of business stories reported in the newspapers and on tv”.
Staff
Roger Whait
Roger studied at St Andrews and Durham Universities before joining Loretto in 1977. He has been a member of the Department since then and thus has extensive experience of preparing Sixth Form candidates. He holds a CDipAF from the ACCA and is particularly interested in corporate finance. Away from the Department he has been a Housemaster and in charge of the Loretto 1st XI Cricket Side. Currently he is both Contingent Commander and Duke of Edinburgh Award Coordinator. In 1990-1 he enjoyed an exchange at the Armidale School, NSW, Australia. During his time down under he gained his Private Pilot's Licence. Roger coaches the very successful Loretto Fives Team and, in his spare time tries to keep his ball within bounds on the golf course!
Roz Graham