Contents
Art and Design
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
Children’s play, Learning and Development
English Literature
GCSE English
GCSE Maths
Geography
Health and Social Care
History Studies
Hospitality
I.T.
Mathematics
Media Studies
Physics
Psychology
Sociology
Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness)
Travel and Tourism
Art and Design
Course Title - A-Level Art and Design
Level & Grading – A*- E at A-Level
Specific Course Requirements – C or above in Art at GCSE level. (Design courses, Media, photography and textiles GCSE’s at C and above considered by portfolio of evidence)
Course Overview – This course is designed to introduce the students to a large variety of practical approaches and experimentations in order for students to work independently on a guided project culminating in an area of personal interest. Students are required to produce a large portfolio of experiments, analysis and developments in a given theme in order to present a personalised conclusion executed with skill.
Core Units
Year 1
- Media Experimentation and exploration on a given theme.
- Analysis and artist research and response work
- Self directed development with facilitator support to achieve results with reference to project title and cultural understanding.
- Exam: Externally provided theme; teacher guided assistance for personal development to final resolution.
Year 2
- As in year 1, inclusive of 3,000 word personal study on selected them of study.
- Exam as in year 1 with greater developmental evidence.
Assessment Breakdown –
60% coursework consisting of a portfolio of evidence (practical and theoretical studies.)
40% Exam – Exam board provides a title and students have to create a portfolio and plan and execute a final piece.
Biology
Course Title - AQABiology A-Level
Level & Grading – A*- E at A-Level
Specific Course Requirements –
- A GCSE at grade A*-C in Biology or Science and Additional Science
- A GCSE at grade 5 or Higher in Mathematics
Course Overview –
Biology is the study of life including you and all other living organisms, from the molecular level right through to entire ecosystems.
Essential principles are taught in the context of today’s themes and issues, such as how our actions enhance the antibiotic resistance of bacteria and studying lifestyle factors that increase the risk of cancer and heart disease.
The Curriculum –
The main areas of study are:
- Biology and disease
- Variety of living organisms.
- Populations and environment
- Control in cells and organisms.
The course combines detailed theoretical knowledge with practical research including laboratory work, interpreting data to solve scientific problems and writing in a scientific way.
Assessment Breakdown –
Assessment is through a mixture of written exams (each main area of study has a written exam) and then there is a practical assessment in each year of study.
Career Paths -
An A Level in Biology can be the first step towards careers in fields such as; research science, marine biology, healthcare and forensic science, as well as medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. Biology is identified by selective universities as one of the subjects they prefer applicants to have studied at A Level.
Business Studies
Course Title - A Level Business Studies.
Level & Grading - A* - E at A Level
Course Overview –
A-level Business Studieshelps students:
- develop a critical understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value
- be aware that business behaviour can be studied from the perspectives of a range of stakeholders
- acquire a range of skills including decision-making and problem-solving
- be aware of the current structure of business and business practice.
This four-unit specification requires students to develop their ability to acquire a range of important and transferable skills including data skills, presenting arguments, making judgments and conducting research. This course hasno coursework orcontrolled assessment.
The Curriculum and Assessment Break Down -
Unit 1 – BUSS1
Planning and Financing a Business
25% of A Level
Unit 2 – BUSS2
Managing a Business
25% of A Level
Unit 3 – BUSS3
Strategies for Success
25% of A Level
Unit 4 – BUSS4
The Business Environment and Managing Change
25% of A Level
Career Paths - A-level Business Studies provides students with the opportunities to develop important skills and relevant tools that will be helpful in many courses and for employment.
Chemistry
Course Title - OCR Chemistry A-Level
Level & Grading – A*- E at A-Level
Specific Course Requirements –
Entry requirements: Students should have at least 1 C grade in GCSE Additional Science or GCSE Chemistry (from the GCSE Triple Science Course) and a grade 5 or higher in mathematics.
Course Overview –
A Level chemistry gives students an insight into the theory behind the practice. Students learn about atomic structure, chemical processes and organic chemistry using hands on experiments and theory.
The Curriculum –
Unit 1: Foundation Chemistry, Unit 2: Chemistry in Action, Unit 3: Investigative and Practical Skills - Internal Assessment.
Unit 4: Kinetics, Equilibria and Organic Chemistry ,Unit 5: Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry, Unit 6: Investigative and Practical Skills - Internal Assessment.
Assessment Breakdown –
There will be a mixture of written exams for this course and a practical skills assessment which will be examined by completing lab tasks throughout the year.
Career Paths -
Studying Chemistry is essential if you want to study Chemistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry and Pharmacy at university and it is extremely useful to anyone interested in the biological or material sciences. Chemistry A levels is also beneficial to students who want to go on to study law, accountancy or politics.
Children’s play, Learning and Development
Course Title - BTEC Level 3 Children’s play, Learning and Development National Award
Level & Grading – Distinction* - Pass (Equivalent to A* - E at A- Level)
Specific Course Requirements - None required
Course Overview – The course is designed to help you take a practical approach towards working with children in an Early Years setting. It covers everything from how a child develops, the importance of playing to Health and Safety and supporting literacy and numeracy development, all for children between birth and 8 years of age.
The Curriculum –
Year 1
Unit 1: Children’s Development
Unit 2: Play and Learning
Unit 4: Health and Safety
Year 2
Unit 8: Safeguarding in Early Years
Unit 9: Observation, Assessment and Planning
Last unit is optional and will be chosen based on the interests of the students.
As part of the course the student must undertake a minimum of 50 hours of work experience within an Early Years setting. It is strongly recommended that this takes place on a fortnightly basis over the 2 years.
Assessment Breakdown –
Unit 1 is an externally set exam.
All other units are internally assessed assignments.
Learning outside the curriculum opportunities –Students will attend an Early Years setting and gain first hand experience of working with children. Other opportunities such as attending a Forest School are offered.
Career Paths – Working in an Early Years setting, Child Psychologist, teacher and other such professions connected with working with teachers.
English Literature
Course Title - AQAEnglish Literature A Level
Level & Grading – A Level Grades A* - E
Specific Course Requirements – C or above in GCSE English, English Language or English Literature.
Course Overview – Arnold Wesker described words as 'a bridge to another land'. Literature is about using words in creative ways to communicate ideas and feelings. In literature classes you will be discussing these ideas and feelings in an open and mature manner, and in so doing you begin to understand not only the text, but yourself.
At A Level you have the time to really explore texts instead of racing through them as is necessary at GCSE. You are also with other like-minded students, people who have chosen to do the subject because they enjoy it, which makes the level of debate more intense.
The Curriculum –
Paper 1: Love through the Ages
Study of three texts: one poetry and one prose text, of which one must be written pre-1900, and one Shakespeare play.
Examination will include two unseen poems.
Written exam: 3 hours
40% of A-level
Paper 2: Texts in Shared Contexts
Option 2B: Modern Times: Literature from 1945 to the Present Day
Study of three texts: one prose, one poetry, and one drama, of which one must be written post-2000
Examination will include an unseen extract.
Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
40% of A-level
Non-exam assessment: Independent Critical Study: Texts across Time
Comparative critical study of two texts, at least one of which must have been written pre-1900.One extended essay (2500 words) and a bibliography
20% of A-level
Assessment Breakdown – 80% exam, 20% coursework
Career Paths - English Literature is a core subject that combines well with many other subjects. Literature is also a serious academic subject that appeals to universities since it is evidence of both a high level of communication, literacy and the ability to think analytically. Possible careers include: Teacher, Author, Publisher, Librarian, Lawyer, Journalist and Media related professions.
GCSE English
Course Title - GCSE English Edexcel
Level & Grading – Level 2 - GCSE Grades 9 - 1
Specific Course Requirements – None
Course Overview – This course is designed to develop students' literacy skills in Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening. This will benefit their other subjects and employment choices.
The Curriculum –
This is a linear course. Topics covered include Non-fiction and Media, Poetry, Creative Writing, Of Mice and Men and Macbeth.
Assessment Breakdown – 40% Controlled Assessment and 60% Exam.
GCSE Maths
Course Title - GCSE Maths - Edexcel
Level & Grading – Level 2 - GCSE Grades 9 - 1
Specific Course Requirements – None Course Overview – This course is designed to strengthen the mathematical understanding of all students so that they are numerate. This will benefit their other subjects and employment choices.
The Curriculum –
This is a linear course which covers algebra, number, shape and space and handling data topics.
Assessment Breakdown – One calculator paper and one non-calculator at either Foundation or Higher.
Geography
Course Title - AQA Geography A Level
Level & Grading – A Level grades from A* - E
Specific Course Requirements – Minimum of grade C (from a higher paper) at GCSE Geography, as well as a grade 5 or higher in English and Maths.
Course Overview –The course covers both physical and human geography looking at the traditional topics such as tectonic processes as well as more contemporary issues such as conflict.
The Curriculum –
GEOG1- Aspects of Human and Physical Geography. Students choose from units in population change; food supply issues; energy issues; health issues; cold environments; rivers, floods and management; hot environments and coastal environments.
GEOG2- Skills in Geography- the use of statistics in Geography and their application to fieldwork.
GEOG3- Contemporary issues in geography. Topics include development & globalisation; world cities; contemporary conflict and challenges; plate tectonics and associated hazards; weather & climate and associated hazards; and ecosystems- challenge and change.
GEO4A- Fieldwork and Investigation skills. This enables students to choose a piece of fieldwork which can then be carried out and analysed in class. The exam tests the students understanding of the processes involved and the results obtained.
Assessment Breakdown –
GEOG1: 2 hour written examination worth 35% of the A Level . Structured short answer and extended questions.
GEOG2: 1 hour written examination worth 15% of the A Level. Structured skills and generic fieldwork questions.
GEOG3: 2hour 30 minute written examination worth 30% of the A Level. Structured short and extended questions, plus an essay question worth 40 marks.
GEO4A: 1 hour 30 minute written examination worth 20%. Structured short and extended questions based on candidates own fieldwork investigation and fieldwork skills.
Learning outside the curriculum opportunities – Students are required to have an understanding of how to collect data and test hypotheses. This is done through supervised coursework days which have in the past been carried out in the local area studying rivers, coasts and settlement.
Career Paths - Geographers may choose- from teaching, hazard management, tourism, environmental monitoring, recycling, energy production, and more!
Health and Social Care
Course Title - BTEC 120 hoursHealth and Social Care Diploma (equivalent to 2 A levels)
Level & Grading – Distinction* - Pass (Equivalent to A* - E at A- Level)
Specific Course Requirements – You will need a DBS check
Course Overview – This course is designed to cover a wide range of Health and Social Care topics. It is entirely coursework based and consists of eight compulsory units and 4 optional units. There is compulsory work experience of 100 hours.
The Curriculum –
Core Units
Year 1
- Development Through the Life Stages
- Developing Effective Communication in Health and Social Care
- Personal and Professional Development in Health and Social Care (WE unit)
- Health, Safety and Security in Health and Social Care
Year 2
- Equality, Diversity and Rights in Health and Social Care
- Sociological Perspectives in Health and Social Care
- Psychological Perspectives in Health and Social Care
- Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Social Care
Assessment Breakdown –
This course is 100% coursework
Learning outside the curriculum opportunities –
Students have to complete 100 hours Work Experience in three different settings. Visiting speakers deliver supportive sessions for this course for many of the units. Students have also been given opportunities for voluntary work outside of this course.
Career Paths –
Successful completion of this course can lead to students attending university. This course is ideal for students who are considering careers in the following areas
-Midwifery
-Nursing
-Social Work
-Care work (Social Care)
-Nursery / playgroup worker
-Occupational Therapy
-Working with people with learning or physical disabilities
-Speech or hearing therapy
History Studies
Course Title - A Level History Studies
Level & Grading –
A*-E at A Level
Specific Course Requirements –
GCSE History studies
Course Overview
Unit 1: a) Russia from Lenin to Yeltsin (1917-85) Unit 2: b) The German Democratic Republic (1949-85)
The Curriculum
Unit 1 comprises a study in breadth, in which students will learn about the key political, social and economic features of communist rule in Russia during the twentieth century, an era that saw its authority and influence rise to the status of a superpower, only to diminish and decline later in the century. The focus of study is on developments and changes over a broad timescale, and so the content is presented as themes spanning a significant duration: 1917–85. This option also contains a study in depth of historical interpretations on a broad theme: reasons for the fall of the USSR, c1985–91.
Unit 2 comprises a study in depth of the creation, development, decline and collapse of the communist East German state, 1949–90. For the whole of its existence, East Germany was a key focus of world attention as it lay on the frontline of the Cold War, where contrasts between East and West could be seen at their starkest. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the political, economic and social policies of the East German government in this period, and their effects on the lives of its people.
Career Paths –
History is a great A-Level for progression into social science and humanities courses at university, such as History, English, Journalism, Law and Economics. However it is by no means restricted to being useful for these courses alone. Indeed many leading universities also respect science students taking History as the analytical and writing skills gained from it are invaluable in any field. History is therefore also great as a 4th A-Level for students thinking of studying medicine or single sciences at university. Its depth, variety and challenging nature means that the skills you learn from History A-Level will remain with you no matter what you choose to study at a higher level.
Hospitality
Course Title - Pearson BTEC Level 2 First Award in Hospitality (QCF)
Level & Grading –
Level 2 Pass, Level 2 Merit, Level 2 Distinction or Level 2 Distinction*
Specific Course Requirements –
You need to have a good basic education including literacy and numeracy.
The Curriculum –
In this qualification you will develop the underpinning skills, knowledge and understanding required to work in the hospitality industry including principles of effective teamwork, food safety, preparation and finishing of meat, fish, poultry and vegetable dishes . This BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering Principles (QCF) provide opportunities for learners to progress into employment in the Hospitality and Catering industry.
Assessment Breakdown –
Unit 1 is externally assessed a further 3 units are portfolio-based, with a wide variety of assessment methods including a large proportion of practical elements. Trips to industry aid learning.
Career Paths –
You will be prepared to progress to employment or an apprenticeship within the Hospitality and Catering industry.
I.T.
Course Title - BTEC National Extended Certificate in I.T.(Level 3)
Level & Grading – Distinction* - Pass (Equivalent to A* - E at A- Level)
Specific Course Requirements – A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Access) will be advantageous. Good grades in English and ICT/Computer Science will help when aiming for the Distinction*.
Course Overview –This qualification is designed for learners who are interested in anintroduction to the study ofcreating IT systems to manage and share information, alongside otherfields of study, with a view toprogressing to a wide range ofhigher education courses, notnecessarily in IT. Students will become highly proficient with the use of Access, Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, Word and other elements in the Office 365 suite.
The Curriculum –
Year 12
- Unit 2–Creating Systems to Manage Information (databases)
- Unit 3–Using Social Media in Business
Year 13
- Unit 1 – Information Technology Systems
- One additional unit from the two below:
- Unit 5 – Data Modelling
- Unit 6 – Website Development
Assessment Breakdown –
- Unit 1 is a two hour examination at the end of the course.
- Unit 2 is examined in the Summer of Year 12. It consists of a task taken over the course of a week, under supervision for 10 hours.
- Units 3,5 and 6 are task based, marked by the teachers and externally moderated.
Learning outside the curriculum opportunities – There will be opportunities to work within the community and to be able to demonstrate the skills learnt during VI Form work experience. There are visits to University of East Anglia and Norwich University of the Arts. We also have visitors from relevant organisations visiting too.