AS/A Level
A Level courses offer students aged 16-19 the opportunity to specialise in the subjects they enjoy and in which they have done well at GCSE level or equivalent. All A-levels now allow for modular assessment and all include synoptic elements, designed to test a candidate's ability to make connections between different parts of the subject. Both AS and A-levels are graded A to E for pass grades, with U (unclassified) for fail.
A Levels remain the most popular route into UK Universities and our University Counsellor works closely with all A Level students to make sure they are making the right choices of course and university and to support and encourage them in making their UCAS applications.
A Levels are based on six units of approximately equal size - three of the units make up the AS Level (Advanced Subsidiary) which represents the first year of the course and which represents a qualification in its own right and is worth half an A Level in terms of UCAS points. In the second year, students continue with a further three units, known as A2, at the end of which successful candidates will receive the full A Level.
At Padworth, students normally study up to 4 AS Levels during the first year with supporting courses. It is possible to study fewer subjects or in exceptional cases to study 5 AS subjects. At the end of the first year, students may choose to stop one of their AS level subjects and carry the remainder through to A Level.
Padworth offers a wide range of subjects including Accounting, Art and Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Photography, Textiles Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, English Language and Literature, English Literature, French, Geography, History, Latin, Law, Mathematics (Pure Maths, Mechanics and Statistics), Further Mathematics, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Government and Politics and Sociology.
The range of courses is constantly under review and new subjects are offered from time to time. Equally it cannot be guaranteed that all subjects listed will run in any particular year as this depends upon the number of students who wish to take them.
Under certain circumstances, it is possible to undertake an A Level course in five terms starting in January. Please contact us to discuss this option with the Director of Studies.
Exam Board: OCR specification H001/401
Accounting is a subject that will appeal to students who enjoy working with numbers, analysing data and problem solving. It is not necessary to have studied Accounting before starting the course, as no prior knowledge is assumed. In the first year, various accounting concepts and principles are introduced and applied to a range of accounting situations. The second year builds on the first year and covers aspects of management accounting and company accounts.
The A level consists of four Units. In the first year, students take examinations in Unit 1 in January and Unit 2 in June. Students who continue the subject in the second year take examinations in Unit 4 in January and Unit 3 in June.
Visiting speakers are invited to talk to students and trips are organised to visit a variety of accounting firms. Recently, we have spent a day at the Head Offices of a large accounting firm in London, visited the Bank of England Museum, toured the regional offices of a medium-sized accounting firm in Reading and welcomed a Careers Adviser from the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
The course provides an excellent foundation for further study of accountancy at university or later. Students wishing to follow a wide range of careers in business or industry will find the decision-making and interpretation skills in particular to be very useful.
AS Units
Unit 1: Accounting Principles
Introduction to Accounting Principles, The Trial Balance, Accounting Concepts, Classification of Expenditure, Changing Asset Values, Ledger Entries and Adjustments, Final Accounts.
Unit 2: Financial Accounting
The Journal, Correction of Errors, Control Accounts, Accounting Adjustments and Statements, Organisations, Sole Trader, Partnerships, Clubs and Societies, Analysis and Evaluation of Accounting Statements, ICT in Accounting.
A2 Units
Unit 3: Management Accounting
Budgeting and Budgetary Control, Standard Costing and Variance Analysis, Capital Expenditure Appraisal, Stock, Costing and Decision Making, Costing Applications, Social Responsibility.
Unit 4: Company Accounts and Interpretation
The Preparation of Final Accounts for Limited Companies, Financing, The Role of Accounting Standards, Analysis and Interpretation of Accounts.
AS/A LEVEL ART AND DESIGN COURSES
A range of AS/A Level art and design courses is offered with different specialisms.
AS/A LEVEL ART AND DESIGN (FINE ART)
Students are introduced to a variety of experiences whilst exploring a range of media, processes and techniques. Areas of study may be selected from the following:
- Painting, drawing and mixed media
- Sculpture
- Land art, installation and construction
- Printmaking
- Photography
Assessment includes:
- Practical coursework unit based around chosen theme
- Exam unit and preparation. Practical project work with final piece created in 15 hour exam
- Written personal study (3000 words) or illustrated written study (1000 words) – A Level only
This course is particularly suitable for those wishing to study fine art, architecture or interior design at university
AS/A LEVEL ART AND DESIGN (TEXTILES)
Students are introduced to a variety of experiences whilst exploring a range of textiles media and techniques. Areas of study may be selected from the following:
- Constructed textiles e.g. hat making using handmade felt
- Printed and/or dyed fabric and materials e.g. batik
- Domestic textiles, wallpaper and interior design
Assessment includes:
- Practical coursework unit based around chosen theme
- Exam unit and preparation. Practical project work with final piece created in 15 hour exam
- Written personal study (3000 words) or illustrated written study (1000 words) – A Level only
Suitable for those wishing to study textiles or fashion at university
AS/A LEVEL ART AND DESIGN (GRAPHIC DESIGN)
Students are introduced to a variety of experiences whilst exploring a range of graphic media and techniques. Areas of study may be selected from the following:
- Advertising and computer graphics (Photoshop)
- Illustration
- Packaging
- Editorial work
Assessment includes:
- Practical coursework unit based around chosen theme
- Exam unit and preparation. Practical project work with final piece created in 15 hour exam
- Written personal study (3000 words) or illustrated written study (1000 words) – A Level only
Suitable for those wishing to study graphics, animation, marketing, media or web design at university
AS/A LEVEL ART AND DESIGN (PHOTOGRAPHY)
Students will be introduced to a variety of experiences exploring a range of photographic techniques including images created by chemical and digital means. Areas of study may be selected from the following:
- Portraiture, documentary and/or photo-journalism
- Landscape photography
- Working from objects, still life or natural world
- Experimental imagery
Assessment includes:
- Practical coursework unit based around chosen theme
- Exam unit and preparation. Practical project work with final piece created in 15 hour exam
Suitable for those wishing to study photography, graphics, animation, web design, marketing or media studies at university
Exam board: Edexcel specification 9040
Pre-requisites: Students should have GCSE grade C or better in Biology, Maths, English, and preferably Chemistry. Students without these, or comparable qualifications, may find it difficult to gain good A-level grades, though able and highly motivated students may be able to catch up.
Textbooks: Nelson Advanced Science series, by Adds, Larkcom & Miller:
Unit 1: "Molecules and Cells 2000"
Unit 2 & 3: "Exchange and Transport, Energy and Ecosystems 2000"
Unit 4: "Respiration and Co-ordination, 2001" + option
Unit 5: "Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity, 2001"
Unit 6: All the above for coursework and the synoptic paper!
These books, written especially for the EDEXCEL syllabus, cost approx £13 each, and are available from the college.
The Course: Life is amazing! We explore ways in which living organisms survive, find food, use energy, regulate their bodies, get rid of wastes, exploit their environment and produce offspring. The course focuses mostly on humans and flowering plants. The impact of biotechnological advances is considered. Students are encouraged to think for themselves (preparation for university) and to take responsibility for their studies, but the course is clearly structured with a variety of regular assignments and plenty of practical work and practice on past papers. Skills and qualities that are developed include experimental design, observation, safe use of scientific apparatus, data analysis and statistics, essay writing, exam technique, awareness of human effects on our planet, and respect for all life. Visits may be arranged to life science exhibitions, museums, and conferences on topical issues.
Assessment: AS grades are based on Units 1, 2 and 3, and are determined at the end of year one by three examinations on the units (33%, 33%, 18%) and a practical coursework assignment (15%). Most students will go on to year two and take the A2 Units 4, 5 and 6. These are assessed by two unit examinations (33% each), a synoptic paper (18%) and a practical coursework project (15%). If it is necessary to improve grades, the AS examinations can be retaken in January or June of the second year. All coursework must be completed by the end of the spring term in each year.
Field Course: This is usually a one-week marine ecology course at Dale Fort field centre in South Wales, arranged for the first week of the summer term for all first year AS Biology students. It is a valuable experience in many ways, and enhances student grades. The cost is approximately £300, and includes tuition, food, accommodation and transport. Most students agree that it is hard work, fun and extremely worthwhile.
Exam board: AQA
No prior business studies knowledge is required to undertake this two-year course of study.
The course provides a good foundation for further study of Business in higher education as well as providing a good general education. It also would be useful for students intending to pursue careers in any area of business. Students will develop an understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value. They will also study business behaviour and be made aware of the economic, environmental, ethical, governmental, legal, social and technological issues associated with business activity.
AS LEVEL 5131
Three units which are examined:-
Marketing, Accounting and Finance
People and Operations Management
External Influences, Objectives and Strategy
A2 LEVEL 6131
Three units which are examined:-
Marketing, Accounting, Finance, People and Operations Management
Business Report and Essay
External Influences, Objectives and Strategy
Exam board: Edexcel specification 9080
Chemistry is the study of the substances that nowadays help to make our life more comfortable. Materials developed by chemists can be seen in the clothes we wear, the fuels that we burn in our homes and cars, fertilisers used in the production of our food and in the medicines we take if we are ill. Chemists need also to study how and why substances react together and how they can change the properties of compounds so as to produce those characteristics that will be beneficial to humans.
The course develops those skills learnt at GCSE or its equivalent and is designed to develop the students' interest and enjoyment of chemistry. It aims to produce an appreciation of the interlinking patterns that exist amongst the chemical elements so that predictions can be made about the likely structure and reactions of elements not previously studied. In Physical Chemistry topics like Atomic Structure and Bonding, Rates of Reaction and Energy are studied. The course in Organic Chemistry is much broader so that patterns of behaviour can be predicted from the various groups present in the molecule.
There is a strong emphasis on practical work and linking the observations made in experiments to theoretical studies. At both AS and A-level, the final examination requires the submission of a set number of practical assessments, which are internally moderated.
Units
AS Course
Time - 1 Year
The topics covered are:
- Unit 1 - Atomic Structure, Formulae and Moles, Bonding, Redox Reactions, Groups 1 and 7.
- Unit 2 - Energetics, Kinetics, Equilibria, Organic Chemistry and Industrial Inorganic Chemistry
- Unit 3A - Laboratory Chemistry: Internal Assessment of Laboratory Skills
- Unit 3B - Written examination of Laboratory Tests and Techniques
A2 Course Time - 1 Year
The topics studied are:
- Unit 4 - Periodicity, Quantitative Equilibria and Functional Group Organic Chemistry
- Unit 5 - Transition Metal Chemistry, Quantitative Kinetics, Reaction Mechanisms and Synthesis in Organic Chemistry
- Unit 6A - Internal Assessment of Experimental Skills
- Unit 6B - Synoptic Paper covering all units
Pre-requisites for taking the course are GCSEs at Grade C or better in Chemistry, Mathematics and English. Alternatives need to be discussed with teaching staff prior to commencing the course
Exam board: AQA specification 6140
Economics is about the choices we must make every day because, while we have an infinite number of things we need or want, the earth only has finite resources. It is a subject which is relevant to everyone. Once you have studied economics, you will be better able to understand not only the decisions that you make, but those made by others in society, locally, nationally, and internationally.
The subject is rooted in current affairs, and can help answer questions such as
- What should we do to limit pollution?
- Why do international footballers earn millions of pounds annually, when a nurse, who perhaps helps to save your life, earns only a few thousand?
- Why are people still dying of starvation in the 21st century?
You can study economics if you have an enquiring mind, and if you like discussion and debate. There is no need to have studied the subject before; many people begin their studies at A level. It is useful if you are comfortable with numbers, but you do not need to be a mathematician. You must also have, or develop, the ability to write fluently.
Economics is a subject highly regarded by both universities and employers. It demonstrates an ability to think logically, to analyse and to express yourself. It is an academically rigorous subject. It is also a well rewarded area of study: economics graduates have very high levels of employment and remuneration.
We study the AQA specification, which at both AS and A2 has 3 modules;
- One on microeconomics (concerned with decisions made by individuals and firms);
- One on macroeconomics (concerned with decisions made at a national or international level);
- One where your economic knowledge and expertise can be applied to a particular context. At AS level this could be the housing market, the environment or the sports and leisure market. At A2 the European Union is the context chosen; this is a fascinating topic. For the past 3 years we have attended a conference on the subject in Paris. In addition, a weekend in Paris allows you to experience another EU country at first hand, and gives an opportunity to use the single currency.
A wide variety of teaching methods are used: traditional, "experinomics", internet resources, newspapers, TV programmes and newspapers. The programme of visits has included recently trips to sixth form conferences in London, to a chocolate factory and the Bank of England, in addition to the Paris trip mentioned above. There may also be the opportunity to complete a "Business Dynamics" course.
Economics is a lively and ever relevant subject. You can use the skills you acquire for the rest of your life, even if you do not take your study of the subject beyond A level.
AS/A LEVEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
Exam board: AQA B 5726/6726
This AS/A level course is intended to provide students with a progression from the knowledge, understanding and skills established at GCSE. It caters for those who wish to develop their study of English to AS or A Level, providing a foundation for those who wish to study either Language or Literature or related subjects in Higher Education.
The study of English Language and Literature encourages students to develop their interest in both language and literature as interconnecting and mutually supportive disciplines. This course allows students to develop as independent, confident and reflective readers and writers. It offers a variety of opportunities to explore the relationship of language and literature as well as writing for a variety of audiences and purposes. The course is based on the following six modules. Coursework is required at both AS and A2 levels.
Module 1 Introduction to Language and Literature Study
This module is intended as an introduction to a range of literary and non-literary texts in a small anthology. It also meets one of the literary genre requirements of the Subject Criteria (poetry)
Module 2 The Changing Language of Literature
This module meets the genre requirements of pre-twentieth century prose and requires candidates to look at the way language has changed through the study of a pair of texts
Module 3 Production of Texts
A coursework module which requires candidates to engage in the production of their own texts for particular purposes and audiences.
Module 4 Text Transformation
A further coursework module which requires candidates to choose a literary work of any genre and transform it into a different genre or for a different purpose. This enables candidates to meet one of the A Level genre requirements.
Module 5 Talk in Life and Literature
The study of a Shakespeare play here allows candidates to meet the A Level literary genre requirements (pre-1770 text). Emphasis is on spoken language in the Shakespeare play and in a range of unseen texts.
Module 6 Critical Approaches
The final module is synoptic and tests candidates’ perception of the connection between texts and the validity of various approaches, both literary and linguistic. The assessment unit uses pre-release material.
Assessment is by a combination of coursework and written examinations.
Students must have previously studied English Language and Literature GCSE or equivalent in order to be accepted for this course.
If you would like to read a full specification of this qualification, click here
http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/pdf/AQA-5726-6726-W-SP-07.PDF
Exam board: Edexcel specification 8180/9180
This AS/A Level course encourages students to develop their interest in and enjoyment of literary studies, through reading widely, critically and independently. The course involves an introduction to the traditions of English Literature. The course also enables students to read widely literature in English from outside the UK
Students will be given opportunities to develop as confident, independent and reflective readers of a range of texts and learn to express their responses effectively through speech and writing as well as considering other reader's interpretations of texts and the contexts in which they were written. In the second year, the course will widen the scope of literary study and broaden and deepen the knowledge, skills and understanding developed in the first year.
For AS Level, students are required to show knowledge and understanding of the following:
A minimum of four texts covering prose, drama and poetry including a Shakespeare play and at least one other text published before 1900.
How texts relate to the contexts in which tehy were written
Different ways in which texts are interpreted by different readers
For A Level, students will study:
A minimum of four further texts covering prose, poetry and drama, one of which will have been published before 1770 and one other before 1900.
How texts relate to the context in which they were written including the importance of cultural, historical influences as well as events in the author's life.
Ways in which texts have been interepreted and valued by different readers at different times.
Connections and comparisons between texts and how they relate to one another.
Assessment is by a combination of coursework and written examinations.
Students must have previously studied English Literature GCSE or equivalent in order to be accepted for this course.
If you would like to read a full specification of this qualification, click here
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/VirtualContent/48364/English_Lit_Iss5.pdf
Exam board: Edexcel specification 9190
Students will be prepared for the Edexcel Advanced Subsidiary GCE and Advanced GCE examination. This syllabus is available as a unit examination.
The assessment scheme is based on six units: listening and writing, reading and writing, oral, interpreting, topics, listening, reading, translation and writing in registers. The nature of the units will be explained to you by the teacher.
The prescribed topics to be studied are:
La France sous l'occupation 1940-1944
L'education en France
The language is normally approached via a series of themes which may vary according to current events but which will include:
Self and Family
School and education
Holidays and Travel
Crime and Punishment
Terrorism
The environment
Leisure activities
Radio and Television
Newspapers and Magazines
Advertising
Food and Health
The role of Women
Careers and Employment
Politics and the EU
The various skills - listening, reading, speaking and writing are developed within the context of the themes mentioned. A variety of books, tapes, and films will be used.
Exam board - AQA Specification A 6030
The A level Geography course on offer at Padworth is the AQA "A" syllabus. This course represents a good progression from IGCSE or GCSE Geography, although the posession of these qualifications is NOT a course requirement. A good understanding of the English language is required, especially at A2 level. Students may study AS Geography as a foundation for further study at A2 level, or may study AS Geography as a "stand-alone" qualification.
A level Geography is a highly regarded qualification by universities and employers, as it tests understanding and knowledge in many different ways and has applicability in many related fields such as Economics, History, Geology and Earth Science, Biology and Physics. To quote a major employer:
"The Geographers are stars in many respects, as they have a unique insight into the relationships between human and physical phenomena". Study of Geography is also proven to improve literacy, numeracy and communication skills.
AS Geography
This includes a total of SIX modules, drawn from Human and Physical topics. In all areas, ideas are illustrated through the use of relevant case studies. Students are advised to keep themselves informed, via newspapers and the internet, about current developments as they relate to geographical themes and issues.
1) Population
- Factors relating to the distribution and spread of the world's population
- Changes through time resulting from economic development (including education and healthcare), conflict and migration.
- Population structure in developed and developing countries.
- Types of migration, including the issues surrounding refugees (asylum-seekers).
2) Settlement patterns and processes
- Types of settlements, their sites and situation, and development through time.
- Development of urban areas through time, structural contrasts, and more recent changes in urban development in developed and developing countries.
- Problems associated with increased urbanisation.
3) Economic activity
- Classifications of economic activity, including agriculture, manufacturing industry and services.
- Location and characteristics of economic activity in both the developed and developing world.
- Changes in economic activity, considered via economic development models.
4) Water on the land
- The hydrological cycle, river systems and regimes, flood hydrographs.
- River channel processes and landforms.
- Physical and human causes of flooding, and river basin management strategies.
5) Climatic hazards and change
- Global distribution of climates, relating to physical variations on and above the Earth's surface.
- The characteristics of Tropical Monsoon and Cool Temperate Western Maritime climates.
- Climatic hazards, including severe gales, tropical revolving storms and tornadoes.
- Climatic change at the micro scale, and larger scale variations such as El Niño events, global warming and longer term climate change.
6) Energy and Life
- Distinction between ecosystems and biomes, including energy flows, trophic levels and food chains.
- Nutrient cycling, productivity variations through study of one biome (eg tropical rainforests).
- The time factor- ecological succession, climatic climax and effects of human intervention.
- Soils and the impact of human activity, including soil characteristics and variations.
Fieldwork
A week's residential fieldwork at a national park field studies centre (currently Dale Fort, West Wales) is undertaken at the beginning of the summer term. This enables students to observe at first hand phenomena studied in the classroom, as well as introducing them to data collection and analytical techniques relevant to A level coursework. Some of the data collected may be used as part of the A level coursework component. For most students, this is the most rewarding part of A level Geography.
A2 Geography
This includes a total of FOUR modules chosen from SIX, drawn from Human and Physical topics. Each module is covered at greater depth than at AS level, and links with AS studies are explored via the use of synoptic essays. In all areas, ideas are illustrated through the use of relevant case studies. At A2 level, students are expected to supplement material covered in class with further information gleaned from a variety of sources.
1) Coastal problems and processes
- The importance of coastal studies in relation to increasing coastal populations and climate change.
- The coast as a system, with definitions of zones, and studies of "cells" as they relate to energy inputs, outputs and how these relate to coastal management.
- Marine erosional and depositional processes and landforms.
- Coastal problems, including the impacts of erosion, flooding and management strategies.
2) Geomorphological processes and hazards
- Plate tectonics theory, including types of plate margins and associated landforms.
- Volcanic activity, including different types of eruptions, and intrusive/extrusive activity.
- Earthquakes, including characteristics, and links with types of plate margin.
- Weathering and mass movement. The impact of geomorphological hazards on human activity.
3) Population pressure and resource management
- The growth of world population, including future trends, and contrasts in different regions.
- Theories and models of growth including Malthus, Boserup, neo-Malthusians and others.
- Resource exploitation and management, including the study of one non-renewable resource (oil) and one renewable resource (water).
- The demographic response: development contrasts and population policies.
- The resource response: food surpluses in the developed world, food shortages in the developing world.
4) Recreation and tourism
- The resource base: primary resources (scenic, climatic, historical & heritage). Secondary resources (facilities provided- including accommodation, infrastructure).
- Boom in the developed world- Butler's model of tourism growth and case studies.
- Expansion in the developing world- planned resorts (eg "Sandals" in Antigua and elsewhere), the role of multinationals.
- Tourism and the environment: management strategies, eco-tourism.
- Tourism and development: benefits and costs, linkage to Rostow's model of development.
Coursework
Coursework is undertaken in year two, the A2 year, though the data collected may be derived from the residential field visit during the AS year. In addition to mapwork skills covered through case studies, students are introduced to techniques of data collection and analysis during the main course of study so that they are prepared for coursework in the A2 year. As with IGCSE Geography a variety of teaching resources, including IT investigations, photographs and videos, are used to illustrate and reinforce class work.
Exam board: Edexcel specification 9264
A level History offers an invaluable opportunity to develop understanding of the contemporary world and its origins. It also develops analytical skills and the ability to evaluate evidence and arguments. It is highly regarded by university admissions tutors, especially for Law. The College offers a carefully-constructed course in Twentieth Century World History which complements and builds upon the GCSE course.
Programme of Study: AS level
Unit 1: The Rise of National Socialism in Germany
Unit 2: Civil Rights in the USA
Unit 3: Life in Hitler's Germany
Programme of Study: A2 level
Unit 4: Europe at War 1939-1945
Unit 5: Britain and Decolonisation
Unit 6: The Cold War 1945-1990
Exam board: OCR specification 7818
Latin A level can be offered by special arrangement if any student is keen to take it.
The AS/A Level Latin syllabus builds on the GCSE syllabus to strengthen linguistic and grammatical skills. The course enables students to acquire an understanding of classical civilisation, its literature, language and its influence on today's ethical, moral and social questions.
There are two main reasons for studying Latin. It is a discipline requiring the use of learning, logic and the ability to apply rules to a problem. The second reason is to learn of the history, literature and customs of the Greeks and Romans, which are the foundation of much of our culture. It is also enjoyable.
Exam board: OCR specification 7839
"Why should I study A Level Law?"
- Because it is something new!
- You don't need any previous knowledge of Law
- A level Law gives you a useful background into the understanding of the legal system and how it works
"What is involved?"
- A two year course of 5-6 lessons a week
- Lectures, discussion, exercises, essays
- No coursework assessment
Year 1 - English Legal System
- Machinery of Justice
- Personnel in the Law
- Sources of Law
Year 2 - Contract Law
- Formation of a contract
- Contents of a contract
- Problems with a contract
- Discharge of a contract
- Remedies
AS and A LEVEL MATHEMATICS AND FURTHER MATHEMATICS
Exam board: Edexcel
"Like the crest of a peacock, so is Mathematics at the head of all knowledge." an old Indian saying
Mathematics has applications in many fields: e.g. Physics, Accounting, Geography, Biology, Computing and Medicine. It has been described as "The Queen and Servant of Science". It has often provided a good training in how to reason and solve problems which employers in many careers readily recognise. And it can be fun!
The Mathematics Department offers the following three choices:
- A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics (Double Subject)
- A Level Mathematics (Single Subject)
- AS Level Mathematics
A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics (Double Subject)
This consists of 12 units (or "modules") taken over two years.
Seven of these are Pure Maths and five are Applied Maths
Year 1: C1, C2, C3, C4 (Pure)
M1, M2 and the beginning of M3 (Mechanics)
Year 2: FP1, FP2, FP3 (Further Pure) and a choice of either M3 completed, M4, M5 (Mechanics) or M3 completed (Mechanics), S1 and S2 (Statistics)
This option is for those who are keen on Maths and who are likely to consider studying Maths, or a closely related subject at university.
A Level Mathematics (Single Subject)
This consists of 6 units spread over 2 years. At the start, you choose between studying Pure Maths with Mechanics or Pure Maths with Statistics.
Pure with Mechanics:
Year 1: C1, C2 (Pure) M1 (Mechanics)
Year 2: C3, C4 (Pure) M2 (Mechanics)
Pure with Statistics:
Year 1: C1, C2 (Pure); S1 (Statistics)
Year 2: C3, C4 (Pure); S2 (Statistics)
Are you unsure whether to choose Double Subject or Single Subject? If so, then it would be sensible to choose the Double Subject option at the start, with the possibility of changing later. It will not be easy to change from Single Subject to Double Subject.
AS Level Mathematics
This consists of 3 units taken in the first year. The choice is the same as for the single subject A Level Year 1 (see above)
Exam board: Edexcel specification 9540
Physics is a subject of enormous breadth. It examines the workings of the Universe with its billions of stars and ranges down to the behaviour of tiny particles inside atoms from which we and everything around us are made. Areas of study include natural philosophy and raise many questions that current research seeks to answer. There has never been a more exciting time as regards the development of new ideas in Physics.
The knowledge and methods of working gained through the study of Physics find applications in many varied fields such as:
| Scientific research | - what is the nature of reality |
| Engineering | - appliance of science to change our surroundings |
| Computing and Electronics | - producing every increasing complexity |
| Medicine | - scanners, nuclear medicine, and micro-instruments |
| Financial World | - modelling financial systems |
| Management | - developing problem-solving skills |
| Media | - storage and communication technology |
Physics is increasingly extending into every area of our lives - it has given us computers, the Internet, mass media and modern transportation systems.
The AS and A level course gives an excellent introduction into all aspects of Physics. We follow the Edexcel Syllabus which consists of the following units:
AS - First Year
- Mechanics and Radioactivity
- Electricity and Thermal Physics
- An Advanced Topic is chosen by the group from the following: Astrophysics, Materials, Nuclear & Particle Physics, Medical Physics
A2 - Second Year
- Waves and the Universe
- Fields and Forces
- Synthesis - a unit where all the ideas are brought together to solve problems
The classes are best described as informal with discussion actively encouraged. Experimental skills are considered very important in Physics and these are developed in a dedicated Physics Laboratory with computer links. Emphasis is given to progress in current research and we use scientific literature, videos, etc to keep up to date and to promote discussion.
Exam board: AQA Specification 6180 (Specification A)
Psychology A level is one of the fastest-growing subjects in Britain. It is of interest to students both of the sciences and the humanities.
The A level course consists of six units. The three units which are taken as AS levels at the end of the first year are:
| Unit 1 | Cognitive and Developmental Psychology |
| Unit 2 | Physiological Psychology and Individual Differences |
| Unit 3 | Social Psychology and Research Methods |
The three units which are taken at A2 levels at the end of the second year are:
| Unit 4 | Social, Physiological, Cognitive, Developmental and Comparative Psychology |
| Unit 5 | Individual Differences and Perspectives |
| Unit 6 | Coursework Project |
Exam board: Edexcel specification 9068
No previous knowledge of Politics is required. Students should be prepared to read newspapers and follow current events. Conferences will include some leading British politicians.
Year 1 (AS - the Political System)
In the first year students study the British political system and some general political ideas. How much power does the Prime Minister have? What is the role of Parliament? How democratic is the British system?
| Unit 1 | - People and Politics Introduction to government, democracy, elections, parties and pressure groups. |
| Unit 2 | - Governing the UK The British constitution, legislature, executive and judiciary. |
| Unit 3 | - The changing UK system Changing the electoral system, devolution and the EU. |
Year 2 (A2 - Political Ideologies)
In the second year students study a wide range of political ideas. How should society be organised? How important are freedom and equality? How should power be distributed?
| Unit 4B | - Introducing political ideologies Conservatism, Liberalism, Socialism and Communism. |
| Unit 5B | - Other ideological traditions Fascism, Nationalism, Anarchism and Feminism. |
| Unit 6B | - Ideological development in the UK The ideas of modern British politics, including the Labour Party, the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats. |
Exam board: AQA Specification 6190
Sociology A level can be offered by special arrangement if any student is keen to take it.
The A level course consists of six units. The three units which are taken as AS levels at the end of the first year are:
| Unit 1 | Mass Media |
| Unit 2 | Work and Leisure |
| Unit 3 | Sociological Methods |
The three units which are taken at A2 levels at the end of the second year are:
| Unit 4 | Power and Politics |
| Unit 5 | Sociological Theory and Methods |
| Unit 6 | Crime and Deviance |