Economics is taught in Years 12 and 13. We follow the AQA specification for AS and A2. Lively discussion and newspaper reading are essential, as are class exercises. Every effort is made to ensure students have the sound theoretical background to enable them to analyse current economic issues now and throughout their lives.

Economists study the way in which human effort and material resources are allocated between many possible uses. In our course we take a critical look at how this is achieved in the free market system. Economics requires both numeracy and literacy and develops rigorous analytical skills.

When possible we go to conferences, make trips at home and abroad to look at economic principles in action and welcome visiting speakers to JAGS. In 2009 we visited Belgium to see the European Union institutions and Belgian businesses.

Each year we enter a team for the Times/Bank of England Target 2.0 Competition. The team of four Year 13 girls have to simulate the analysis and discussions of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee and arrive at an interest rate decision. In addition, in November 2009 each team had to make a recommendation about "Quantitative Easing" – the creation of new money to encourage the banks to lend. Pictured are the JAGS team of Shivaangee Agrawal, Kaushiki Singh, Ejiro Akpobome and Katie Barrie. The Times newspaper reported what Katie Barrie had to say about Quantitative Easing.