Biology (Edexcel)
On the Biology course you will develop an analytical approach to studying the natural world and will understand the importance of context in applying biological ideas. An enquiring mind is essential for success in this subject and the course will enhance your ability to analyse and evaluate scientific methodology. Well-developed English skills are desirable. You should also have good mathematical skills and must realise the importance of self-study to succeed.
Business (AQA)
Business Studies shows you how companies compete with their rivals, and how they develop strategies to stay commercially successful.
A strong focus on ethical and social responsibilities gives the student the opportunity to view qualitative issues as part of the study of the business environment. Students are encouraged to adopt a critical attitude to business behaviour and will be required to evaluate company performance and suggest strategies for improvement.
Chemistry (Edexcel)
Studying Chemistry helps you to develop a wide range of transferable
skills. Chemistry helps us to understand ourselves, as well as the substances and living things in the universe.
Students will study topics in the three main branches of chemistry: physical,
organic and inorganic. Modern techniques are also covered at A Level. Chemistry involves doing things as well as learning about them, so students will complete at least one practical session a week.
Economics (Edexcel)
Economics will enable you to develop an understanding of the economic concepts and theories that guide business, government and individual decisions. Economic issues are analysed and investigated both nationally and internationally.
Further Mathematics (Edexcel)
The course enables students to develop sophisticated mathematical skills and increase knowledge. For someone who enjoys mathematics, it provides a challenge and a chance to explore new and more complex concepts. The higher level of confidence and enjoyment of the subject leads to better attainment across all mathematics modules and maths related subjects.
Choosing Further Maths makes the transition to a mathematics-rich university course easier. Importantly, it enables students to distinguish themselves as able mathematicians in their applications for university and future employment.
English Language and Literature (AQA)
This interesting and lively course encourages students to investigate the way the two disciplines of language and literature work together. You will read a wide range of contemporary literary and non-literary works of both poetry and prose. Through exploring literary and linguistic approaches you will have the opportunity to craft your own text. You will be asked to engage creatively and independently with texts and undertake a coursework project of your choice exploring how language works. Past topics have included fear and anxiety in Stephen King’s ‘It’, rejection in ‘Girl on a Train’ and the voice of the detective in Agatha Christie novels. We encourage individual selections.
English Literature (AQA)
English Literature is a dynamic and exciting course which encourages you to develop your enjoyment of texts through reading widely across classic and contemporary poetry and prose.
Students learn how to talk and write about literature analytically and structure their ideas critically. In the second year this leads to students choosing two texts to compare in a long essay. In the past topic choices have included the supernatural, love and science. We encourage individual selections.
Government and Politics (Edexcel)
Government and Politics is a popular, modern, vibrant subject where students develop an understanding of the British political system. They develop their conceptual understanding of political issues and ideas. Students also develop important study, research and essay writing skills.
History (Edexcel)
History is the study of change over time. Historians explore how and why societies develop in terms of their political, social and economic systems. However, explaining change is not simple, and historians frequently disagree.
The study of history therefore demands reasoned debate over different interpretations of the past. Is change the result of the efforts of leading individuals, or are larger social forces more important? You will study themes such as social change through events (illustrated by the abolition of the slave trade in 1807), and also political change (shown by the unification of the many German states in 1871).
Law (OCR)
This is a subject for students interested in developing an understanding of the main principles of English Law. The first year focuses on analysing the Legal System and Law Making. It will provide knowledge on the criminal trial process, sentencing practice and appeals. It will explore the civil process from bringing a claim in the courts and tribunals to the work of the legal personnel involved such as solicitors and barristers. In addition, it will involve analysing the theory of law making by Judges and Parliament. In the second year students will develop their knowledge of the legal rules dealing with Contract and Tort Law through a practical application of the law. It will also focus on Criminal Law and students will study the most serious criminal offences such as murder and advising a defendant on possible defences. Students will be able to observe the law in practice with visits to Parliament, the Supreme Court and the Cabinet Office.
Students enjoy A Level Law as it develops their ability to debate legal arguments, focus on current legal issues and develop their analytical and problem-solving skills.
Mathematics (Edexcel)
Mathematics is the most popular A Level in the UK. Problem-solving helps you to think creatively and strategically. The writing of structured solutions, proof and justification of results help you to formulate reasoned arguments. Mathematics is used in real life and you will be exploring the journey of applying pure maths in the modelling of real life situations including motions and forces as well as exploring meteorological data in statistics.
Media Studies(AQA)
Media Studies is a contemporary dynamic academic subject that explores the use and role of the media in modern society. Students explore the growth and significance of media forms and critically evaluate media content. The main themes are: media language, media representation, and media industries and media audiences. 30% of the course is a non-examined assessment. This will provide students with the opportunity to creatively apply their theoretical knowledge in a range of practical lessons.
Music (Edexcel)
If you want to learn more about musical performance, historical works, composition and theory then this is the course for you. If you are planning a vocational career in music – be that in teaching, performance or composition, the course will give you the grounding you need to move on to a specialist degree. However, it’s also suited to those that simply love the subject, enjoy performance and want to develop their skills in this area.
Although there is a practical element to this course you’ll learn a lot about the theories and historical examples that have shaped Western classical music. There is a large amount of coursework, enabling you to explore different ways of working. You will mix classroom time with listening to professional works and trips to live music venues, workshops and performances. You’ll learn through listening to professional practitioners, before having a chance to interpret and experiment for yourself.
Photography (AQA)
On the Photography A Level you will develop location and studio flash photography skills, as well as work in a well-equipped darkroom. With a background in the contextual study of past and current photography practices you will be supported in developing a personal and experimental visual style in your own photography during extended assignments.
Evidence for assessment will include a display of your concluding unit work and
accompanying sketchbooks into which you record your weekly progress through written critical evaluation and research. Assessment is through 100% coursework, where students should be prepared for one day per week of homework. This subject includes opportunities for trips to art galleries and to
locations for photography workshops.
Physics (Edexcel)
Physics is a dynamic subject that is central to our society and can open up a huge area of employment opportunities. If you are passionate and inquisitive about how things work and are good at practical and systematic investigation using mathematics, logic and clear scientific language you will find this subject very rewarding.
If you are prepared to put in the effort required to research new topics and develop your skills of thinking deeply and methodically about what you discover, working with great organisation and sustaining a coherent line of reasoning then you will attain great success at A Level Physics.
Taking this subject will enable you to describe the underlying principles and concepts that predict the physical world. In addition, you will develop skills of evaluation, insight and analysis, which will allow you to link theory to practice. These skills are highly sought after by employers.
Please note: students must choose A Level Physics alongside A Level Mathematics; Physics cannot be studied without Mathematics.
Physical Education (AQA)
The PE course focuses on new and contemporary topics that are relevant to today’s sporting world. It is a subject for students of all abilities and enables the development of a well-rounded skill set. You will have the opportunity to focus on the impact of psychological factors on performance and will learn about the evolution of sport in society. Importantly you will explore interesting technological developments in relation to sport and society. In terms of practical skills, you will be given the opportunity to build on your experience and improve techniques in a sport of your choice. You will be assessed in one activity in the role of either a player or coach.
PE students’ coursework is examined in each of the two years of the course. All students are expected to be actively involved in either sporting or coaching sport in a competitive environment.
A Level Physical Education covers a wide range of topics including applied anatomy and physiology, skill acquisition, sport and society, exercise physiology, biomechanical movement, the role of technology and sport psychology.
Psychology (AQA)
Psychology explores various explanations of human behaviour. You will explore the role of genetics and the role of the environment and culture in shaping behaviour. In the first year of Psychology you will study topics such as ‘What is abnormal?’, ‘How important are children’s early relationships?’, ‘Why do we change our beliefs or behaviours in response to real or imagined social pressure?’, ‘How does the memory work and how can we improve it?’
In the second year you will explore theories of relationships and why they break up, theories of perception and how we perceive the world and how and why people develop mental illness. Psychology is not about your personal opinions but rather about evaluating theories using a body of scientific evidence.
Sociology (AQA)
Sociology is an exciting subject that challenges your everyday experiences and expectations. Essentially, it studies the relationship between the individual and society, and critically examines the role of nature and nurture in explaining human behaviour and social interaction. It seeks to explain why different people in society have different life chances. For example, why do some people live longer than others? Why do girls do better in the education system than boys? Why do some engage in criminal activity?
Sociology seeks to propose explanations for such changes and thus attempts to offer explanations for social behaviour. Classes are lively with much focus on debate, analysis and contemporary examples.
Extended Project (AQA)
The Extended Project lasts for a year and is considered as half an A Level. It will sit alongside your normal A Level choices and offers an extra dimension to your programme of study. It is possible to get an A* grade for this option.
The Extended Project can be in the form of either a dissertation, an investigation/field study with statistical analysis, a performance or an artefact. You will have to track your progress with an activity log and also give an oral presentation at the end about your Extended Project discussing the research process and your experiences.
The Extended Project has been devised to develop a range of skills such as independent learning skills, investigation/research skills, how to be a critical thinker, oral and written communication skills. It has also been developed as a response to universities’ and employers’ concerns that young people do not have these skills. Students tend to gain most marks on the processes involved in the Extended Project rather than the outcome (the completed project itself). The topic/research question that you select can either complement current studies or be based on future interests, perhaps career aspirations such as medicine.
