Curriculum

A-Levels

A-level courses all run over two years. The first year of the course is also a valid qualification in its own right (an AS level). Students can then either cash-in the AS-level qualification or complete the second year of the course (A2) and upgrade the qualification to a full A-level.

Students generally take four AS-level courses in year 12 and take three A2-level courses in Year 13, leading to three A-levels and one AS-level.

A-levels consist of four or six units (AS-levels consist of two or three units); some subjects are assessed entirely by examination, and others by a combination of examination and internal assessment.

To follow an AS level course you will need four A*-C grades at GCSE. You will also usually need B grades in subjects specifically required for the course.

The A-level courses available to students in the sixth form are:

1. Arabic
2. Art
3. Biology
4. Business Studies
5. Chemistry
6. Drama and Theatre Studies
7. Dance
8. Economics
9. English Literature
10. Film Studies
11. French
12. Further Mathematics
13. Geography
14. History
15. Information and Communication Technology
16. Law
17. Mathematics
18. Music Technology
19. Philosophy & Ethics
20. Photography
21. Physics
22. Portuguese
23. Product Design
24. Psychology
25. Sociology
26. Spanish

BTEC Level 3 Diplomas and Extended Diplomas are two-year courses equivalent to two A-levels and three A-levels respectively. They are assessed by coursework only and students complete a variety of different units of work, worth a total of 120 credits (for the Diploma) and 120 credits (for the Extended Diploma). Students must complete 60 credits (for the Diploma) or 90 credits (for the Extended Diploma) successfully before the end of their first year in order to be allowed onto the second year of the course.

Students taking an Extended Diploma over two years are expected to take one A-level course at the same time. Students taking a Diploma are expected to take two A-level courses at the same time.

Students who successfully complete 180 credits are awarded an Extended Diploma with grades ranging from PPP to D*D*D*. Students who successfully complete 120 credits are awarded a Diploma with grades ranging from PP to D*D*.

To follow a BTEC Level 3 diploma or extended diploma course you will need four A*-C grades at GCSE, or two A*-C grades at GCSE and at least two Merit grades in a BTEC Level 2 Certificate.

The BTEC Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma courses available to students in the sixth form are:

1. Applied Science (Medical Science)
2. Business
3. Creative Media Production
4. Health and Social Care

The BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Hospitality is one-year course equivalent to four GCSEs. It is assessed by coursework only and students complete a variety of different units of work, worth a total of 60 credits. Students who successfully complete the course are awarded a starred distinction, distinction, merit or pass grade.

Students taking Level 2 Diploma are also expected to complete a L2 Certificate in Work Skills, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English if not already passed, and one other course (usually a Certificate in Sports Leadership, an Award in Digital Applications (ICT) or a suitable AS level).

This course is designed for students who have not yet met the academic requirements for an AS-level or a BTEC Level 3 programme of study. Students who complete this package of courses successfully (including at least a Merit in Hospitality) can apply for a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma the following year.

 The timetable

•  Students need to choose subjects from four different blocks. 

• Students may only choose one subject in each block, but can choose either or both subjects within the same cell. 

• AS Mathematics (Statistics), AS Chemistry, AS Biology and AS History are available in two blocks; students wishing to take these subjects should select them in one of the blocks only.

• Students choosing a BTEC Level 2 or 3 Diploma  must select the course in both of the core blocks (Business students can select either both group 1 core blocks or both group 2 core blocks); students taking a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma must select the course in both of the core blocks and the option block.