Exam Results 2012

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Business Studies

Business Studies is a thriving Department that attempts to balance the twin objectives of introducing pupils to the world of Business and Entrepreneurship with the requirements of the exam specification. In recent years the department has been very successful in attaining the best results from each pupil.

Business Studies is taught as a full A Level subject with the responsibilities of each group being split between two teachers. In both subjects pupils have eight taught periods per week in the Lower 6th and Upper 6th. Business related Degree courses are the most popular in the country and this is no different at Canford. The Department aims to advise and inform pupils about the plethora of course and help to tailor them to then individuals needs.

The Business Studies A level requires students to use theory to explain the success or failure of a wide range of businesses.  It examines how firms attempt to manage those elements of the business that are within their control (marketing, money, employees, factory organisation) and how they react when factors outside of their control impact on the business.  At the subjects core is the process of decision-making and how firms arrive at solutions. Pupils are expected to examine firms and present possible strategies to solve their own specific problems. 

  • Claire Kilpatrick
    Claire Kilpatrick, Head of Department
    BSc (Southampton), PGDip

    Claire read Economics and Politics at Southampton University and began her teaching career in Redland High School in Bristol, before joining King Edward VI School in Southampton. She teaches Business Studies and Economics mainly to Sixth form students but also at GCSE level. She has been at Canford since 1999, is Assistant Housemistress in Wimborne House. She is also involved in music and coaches U15 netball.

  • Nick Jones
    Nick Jones
    BA (Nottingham), PGCE (Nottingham Trent)

    Having attended a state school near Bath, Nick studied Economics and Agricultural Economics at Nottingham before completing a PGCE in Business Studies with IT at Nottingham Trent. Nick joined the department in 2001 from St Paul's Girls' School and also has experience of working in a number of co-educational boarding schools having started teaching at St Peter's York before moving to Cheltenham College. In addition to his academic work, Nick is a tutor in Salisbury House and a girls rowing coach.

  • Stephen Grant
    Stephen Grant
    MA (Oxon)

    Stephen studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Magdalen College, Oxford. He then traded Convertible Bonds and warrants for several years with Goldman Sachs. Subsequently he set up and ran a small Internet Consultancy. He joined Canford in 2009 after teaching indigenous Indian children on the Caribbean coast of Panama where he had set up an organic chocolate farm. His travels have given him a special interest in developmental economics, international trade and diverse macro economic policies. Outside the classroom he has a passion for boats and water, has sailed the Atlantic a couple of times. A former GB junior rowing international he has coached Canford J15, J16 and 1st VIIIs. He also teaches Business Studies and Politics and is attached as a tutor to School House.

  • Russell Woolwright
    Russell Woolwright
    BEng, MSc(Bath), PGCE (Worcester)

    Russell attended Colston’s Collegiate School in Bristol and then Bath University where, having completed an engineering degree, he continued his studies to earn an MSc in Management with Marketing. A talented tennis player, with experience competing on both the British and International tennis circuit, Russell then spent two years coaching at Millfield’s very successful tennis academy before gaining his PGCE in Business and Economics at the University of Worcester.  Russell is assigned to Court House and is a Fourth Form tutor.   He also coaches the girls U15B hockey team and assists with Duke of Edinburgh.  

  • Andrew Kerr
    Andrew Kerr
    BA (Stirling), PGCE (University of Greenwich)

    Andrew joined Canford in September 2012 and teaches Economics and Business Studies. Andrew studied Business and Economics at Stirling University and the University of California before completing a PGCE at the University of Greenwich in London. After five years of teaching at the Judd Grammar and Felsted Schools he left the teaching profession to embark upon a business career in the United States, working for online business-to-business media companies and more recently as a marketing consultant for a Google partner.

The course is studies over the first year of the Sixth Form and examined in January and June. The Examinations board is AQA (Associated Examining Board). The exam takes the following format:

Module 1 - Marketing and Accounting and Finance (1st Examined January)

Two Compulsory stimulus questions

Module 2 - People and Operations Management (1st Examined June)

Based on Pre-Seen Case Study

Paper comprises of 5 compulsory questions

Module 3 - External Influences and Objectives and Strategy (1st Examined June)

Based on Pre-Seen Case Study

Paper comprises of 5 compulsory questions

A2 Modules to be taken in the Upper 6th

Module 4 - Marketing, Accounting & Finance, Operations Management & People & Organisations

One case study, which consists of a number of compulsory questions that the candidates must answer (1st Examined June/Jan).

Module 5 - The Synoptic module (1st Examined June)This unit contains two sections:

Section A contains data organised into a number of appendices and candidates are required to write a report, making and justifying a business decision.

Section B contains four essay questions, of which the candidates must answer one.

Module 6 - External Influences and Objectives and Strategy (1st Examined June)

This unit requires candidates to answer a number of compulsory questions based on a case study contained within the paper.

For further information click here to take you to the AQA Website