Work in the Subjects of the Curriculum (continued)

ECONOMICS (continued)

A very good economics section has been compiled in the school library, appropriate class books are in use, and some use is made of magazines and newspapers. Perhaps more use might be made through a filing system of these last sources of information.

The teaching is all in the hands of two masters who therefore find their work rather unfortunately concentrated in the top part of the school Both masters hold honours degrees in the subject. The head of the department has organised the work well and is a skilful and conscientious teacher. His oral treatment of concepts which are often difficult to pupils beginning the subject is lucid and interesting. His colleague who joined the staff in 1960 is settling down well in this his first post and has established a friendly relationship with the boys. His exposition is sound, and he gets a good response from the boys.

The subject is well organised and firmly established. The teaching is clear, and the class discussions show a satisfactory level of interest. The soundness of the class work is reflected in written answers, in general of good quality, at which the boys work with confidence and understanding. At times the style and lay-out of essays hardly matches the quality of the ideas they contain - this is perhaps an aspect of the work requiring more critical comment by the masters.

BRITISH CONSTITUTION

Most of the sixth-form pupils who take economics also take the London Examining Board's examination papers on the British Constitution, ordinary-level at the end of one year and advanced level at the end of two. A small upper-sixth group is studying both subjects for university scholarship purposes.

The course begins with the mechanism of government and the principles underlying its legislative, executive, and judicial aspects. Local government and Commonwealth relationships are also considered. In the second year the working of government is dealt with in greater detail and the contemporary political scene is kept under review. Visits are arranged to Parliament, law courts, and local government offices, and on occasion outside lecturers are invited to visit the school to speak on aspects of current affairs.

Good reading 11sts are given out to the pupils, and a good stock of books is provided for their use both in the department and in the school library. The two masters concerned with economics share additionally the teaching of this subject. In lessons seen during the inspection the oral work was well explained, and the boys were interested and made a satisfactory contribution in discussion. Their notes and answers were thoughtfully written and showed a good grasp of the work backed by a commendable amount of reading.

GEOGRAPHY

The subject is well established in the school, and almost all the boys would prefer to complete the main five-year course by taking the external examination at ordinary level. Indeed form IVA, in order to avoid dropping it, has voluntarily given part of a lunch period each week to make up the necessary lessons. In the fifth year two geography sets are available for the three forms, and this is as much as the present teaching strength can easily provide. 

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