Economics & Business Studies

Studying Economics & Business Studies allows you to better understand the world around you. The department is one of the largest in the Sixth Form and studying these subjects prepares you for life beyond school, no matter your path! Click the box above to play our video. 

The AQA A-Level Economics syllabus leads to the investigation of Economics on all levels from the individual consumer to the actions of national governments, international trade and development of global regions. Successful students will gain an understanding of current issues. They will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to enable them to evaluate the decisions of governments and businesses, the words of the press and politicians, and comment on any aspect of human behaviour that affects the allocation of resources and the welfare society.

Business Studies offers the opportunity to observe and evaluate business practice in all its different contexts and applications; from Multinational to Sole Trader and from Public Service to Financial Institution. The Department follows the AQA A-level Business course and also offers iGCSE Business Studies for fourth and fifth years. This draws on skills from a variety of disciplines and encompasses the four main functional areas of business: Finance, Production, Human Resources and Marketing.

Pupils must read newspapers and relevant journals. Time will be spent developing an interest in current issues, improving the pupils’ skills as economists and business students, as well as their understanding of the world in which they live. Tuition takes a variety of forms including lectures, discussions, group projects and individual research. We attend conferences every year to hear distinguished speakers from public life and invite outside speakers into the classroom here as well.

BIOGRAPHIES

Jaysal Bhardwa, BA – Head of Economics & Business Studies

Jaysal graduated from the University of Manchester with a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, later completing his PGCE at the same university. His teaching career has taken him to a variety of schools across Manchester and London, where he has taught across the entire spectrum of qualifications in the Business/Economics umbrella. He has led the Young Enterprise Programme helping multiple school teams win awards, as well as running a successful Business Department and being a Head of Sixth Form. Jaysal is a keen trader of Forex and more recently cryptocurrencies, which has helped shape his coaching skills for the IFS student investor challenge. He has worked as a consultant for the hotels division for a large commercial property company, at Hargreaves Lansdown, being on the team that launched the company’s Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) product, as well working in the events and conferencing industry in industry sectors such as Oil and Gas, Defence and Supply Chain Management.

Alex Moore BSc (Hons) – Assistant Head (Co-Curricular), Economics & Business Studies

Alex left Caterham in 2008 to continue a passion in Economics at the University of York graduating in 2011. He gained business experience through working in an estate agency for a number of years. Returning to Caterham he has worked in many different areas of the school as a Boarding Tutor, Head of Year, Head of Department and now is Assistant Head (Co-Curricular). He has taught both Economics & Business at every level and leads on the department’s Oxbridge Preparation.

Anthony Fahey, BA (Hons) – Assistant Head (Partnerships), Economics & Business Studies

Anthony, having graduated from the University of London with a BA degree in Development Economics, has been at Caterham School since 2001. He has had many successes in leading the School’s Outreach program. He has taught across all the age ranges in the department in both subjects and particular expertise lies in Development Economics. His experience is invaluable in Economics and the department’s Oxbridge preparations. Before becoming a teacher in 1996 Anthony worked in a variety of businesses, including a spell at LIFFE. 

Colin James, BSc (Hons) MBA – Economics & Business Studies

Colin graduated from Loughborough University with a BSc (Hons) in Economic and Social History with Politics. He also holds a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Cranfield School of Management. After acquiring extensive management experience as both UK and International Operations Director for a global image licensing business Colin joined the teaching profession. For three years he was the Business Studies Course Director at one of the largest colleges in the country before joining Caterham in September 2005. He specialises in Marketing and Strategic planning, knowledge gained from both commercial experience and also teaching marketing to marketing professionals. An avid sports fan, and having represented England at rugby whilst at university, he enjoys contributing to the sporting side of Caterham life.

Cathriona Wallace, BSc – Engagement Manager, Economics & Business Studies

Cathriona is a graduate of UMIST with a BSc (Hons) in Financial Services and has a postgraduate qualification in Education from Brighton University. Cathriona has also been awarded ‘the Associateship’ of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. Cathriona joined us in September 2005 with a wealth of industry experience, which includes several years of both mainland and offshore banking. For the six years prior to joining Caterham School, Cathriona gained further experience and knowledge pursuing a career in London as an Investment Portfolio Analyst. Cathriona’s experience from both careers enables her to specialise in the teaching of Accounting and Finance and External Influences on Business to our AS Level Business students.

Victoria de Silva, BA (Hons) – Head of Sixth Form Pathways, Economics & Business Studies

Victoria graduated from Exeter University in 2001 with a degree in Business Economics with Spanish. Following this, she pursued an extensive career in Financial Services starting as a graduate at management consulting firm Accenture. Victoria then spent ten years with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group in positions that spanned marketing, strategic planning and project management. These roles enabled her to spend a number of years outside the UK including in UAE (Dubai), South Africa and Mexico. Victoria then decided she wanted to put her experience to good use and moved into the teaching profession. She joined Caterham in 2016 and teaches both Economics and Business Studies.

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