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Economics Department

Economics Department

"This is a lively and dynamic department where the emphasis is placed on students achieving considerable academic success because they are stimulated to do so."

Head of Economics


The following subjects are all taught at A level; Economics, Business Studies and Politics. Results in recent years have been excellent, with more than 20 students taking up places at Oxbridge on courses directly related to our subjects since 1992. In Economics and Business Studies we follow the Edexcel syllabus, whilst in Politics we adhere to the AQA specifications. We expect a great deal from our students. We encourage them to read widely, to develop a range of academic skills and to take part in a wide range of activities. In recent years our students have set up Trade Fairs in France for local Worcester companies (having translated company material first and having mastered the art of setting up professional displays).

There have now been six years of Trade Fair exchanges between the RGS and the Lycee Haute Follis in Laval. We have taken students to Prague (1995) and Budapest (1997) to study command economies in transition, paying particular attention to the effect on local enterprise, e.g. Skoda. In 1999, we combined forces with Alice Ottley School and Malvern Girls College, for a visit to study the major economic institutions of New York. Apart from these major visits we arrange a whole series of conferences, industrial visits, debates and seminars. In July 2001, again combined with the Alice Ottley School, we completed a very exciting visit to China which included factory and farm visits together with a chance to visit the Great Wall. We also sampled a range of interesting culinary fare. In August 2002 students will be visiting china again as the return part of an exchange.

We have an active Oxbridge seminar group, combined with The Alice Ottley School, Cheltenham Ladies College and Malvern Girls College. Our Economics and Business Studies students have taken part in Understanding Industry courses. Many of our students get involved in Young Enterprise. Students and teachers from Shenyang were hosted by RGS during February 2002. Perhaps our most ambitious venture yet took place at Easter 2003 when a party of over 50 'A' level students including our first Sixth Form girls visited Cuba.

We have very close links with the Institute of Directors. Indeed, up to 40 students each year attend their Annual Schools' Debate whilst some are invited to attend the Annual Convention at The Albert Hall. At the 2002 Convention the Principal Speaker was Dr. Henry Kissinger and 11 RGS students were able to take part in the Convention.

Our students have also enjoyed success over the last two years in the Bank of England's Target 2.5 competition.

We would like to think that all of our students are happy and thoroughly enjoy their studies in our subjects. Hopefully they also feel that we offer a very supportive, friendly department that works with some excellent resources.

Peter Newton-Lewis