Economics

Bolton School Boys' Division was one of the first schools in the country to establish A Level Economics on a significant scale. Since 1958, the subject has been successfully taught to large groups of boys, most of whom achieve good results in their examinations, with many going on to read economics or related subjects at university. The department is currently one of the largest in the Sixth Form by student numbers.

The department is well resourced, with two specialised teaching rooms (shared with business studies), and an adjoining office. There is ample supply of modern textbooks, reference books, economic journals and publications, as well as access to relevant web sites. Staff have regular contact with examination boards and teacher training institutions, and are members of the Economics and Business Education Association. The department also hosted the Liverpool Group in the summer of 2004, a forum for discussing salient issues and sharing best practice among fellow Heads of Department from LIDS.

The department currently offers both the full A2 and AS courses to groups in each year, with Oxbridge preparation arranged as necessary, alongside a developing programme for the "gifted and talented". Additionally, our most able economists have entered the Target 2.0 national competition organised by the Bank of England, which involves presenting an argument for the next move in interest rates. Our team has won the Regional final in three of the last four years. The department also has a responsibility to develop a general awareness and understanding of business and the economy. One element of this is a significant input into the BEAT three-day residential course for all Year 12 boys, based at the school's Outdoor Pursuits Centre at Patterdale Hall.

Head of Department
A J Raitt, BA (Econ)

Members of the Department
Mrs C Edge, BSc (Bus Ed)
D W Kettle, BA Dual Hons (Econ/Germ)

The Target 2.0 2009 team in the foyer of the Midland Hotel in Manchester

The Target 2.0 2009 team in the foyer of the Midland Hotel in Manchester

Boys Division Economics class