Academic Life

Our pupils follow the Art and Design: Fine Art A-level, which encourages imagination, observation and analysis of the visual world. There is an opportunity to learn practical skills including oil painting, mixed media, photography (both digital and darkroom based) and printmaking as well as drawing from life. Drawing is a fundamental element of the course and pupils learn to use this as a basic tool for research and experimentation, before following and developing their own creative interests.

A-level Biology is concerned with all aspects of life, from the interaction of organelles that drive cellular processes to the pivotal influence of plants and animals on the global carbon and nitrogen cycles; from understanding the complexities of human health and physiology to why conservation of biodiversity is vital to both the survival of humanity and the planet. We endeavour to instil an appreciation of the diversity and complexity of biology that will inspire our pupils to reach beyond the syllabus and encourage them to be independent and curious biologists with an awareness of the challenges and innovations in the subject in the 21st century.

Business Studies can either be taken as a traditional A-level, or as a BTEC Diploma which is equivalent to two A-levels for university entry. Both specifications encourage a holistic approach to business, covering aspects of theory, business models and current issues in the subject, with globalisation a key theme running through all modules. The A-level is assessed solely by exams, while the BTEC is assessed through both exams and coursework, proving an alternative qualification model for those who wish to engage in practical business tasks.

Simply from knowing the atomic structure of the 92 elements, chemists can describe how they react and predict the structure and properties of the molecules and compounds they form. The chemistry department is committed to a teaching approach that combines a significant emphasis on problem solving and practical work, utilising our world-class science laboratories. The A-level demands a thorough development of the underlying conceptual basis of chemical ideas, encouraging pupils to use experimental observations to inform scientific thinking, and enabling them to gain a mastery of a wide range of areas of both organic and inorganic chemistry.

Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world and as such is an exciting part of our Sixth Form language offering. The subject is ideal for any pupil who has an appreciation of the language, literature, film, culture, current events and social issues of the Chinese-speaking world. The A-level draws on four themes: changes in contemporary Chinese society, Chinese culture, the evolving Chinese society, and the impact of reform in 1978. Pupils engage with these themes through the study of works of Chinese literature and films, as well as in their language practice, with lessons taught by native-speaking teachers.

Computer Science A-level aims to encourage learners to develop an understanding of the principles of problem-solving using computational methods. Our course offers a theoretical grounding in computing – including an understanding of computer architecture, network technologies, databases, and digital ethics – along with a significant practical element, drawing on local industry connections to develop pupil's understanding of software development principles, and key techniques and algorithms for developing functional and useful computer programmes.

A-level Design and Technology provides a dynamic learning experience based on academic and practical training. The course encourages pupils to develop and sustain their creativity, working on building innovative practice while recognising and overcoming challenges and constraints when producing high-quality products. A mixture of practical, workshop-based work and theoretical learning, the A-level allows pupils to develop an understanding of contemporary design and technology practices, using digital technologies and information handling skills to enhance their design capabilities.

A-level Drama and Theatre offers the opportunity to take a course of study that develops imagination, fosters creativity and promotes a complete understanding of theatre and performance. The course is comprised of three parts: text in performance (a written component, where pupils study three texts from the perspective of a director, designer and actor); text in action, where pupils perform, direct or design a scripted play; and theatre workshop, where pupils produce their own reinterpretations based on an extract from a published work. Pupils spend much of their class time on their feet, discovering new ways of engaging with a live audience and bringing a script or idea to life with originality and precision.

Economics at A-level has a lot more to it than just ‘money’! At the heart of economics is the concept of scarcity. Societies have to decide how to distribute resources, given that there is not enough for everyone to have everything they want. Should resources be allocated by the market (the infamous ‘law of supply and demand’) or should the state take charge in the name of ‘distributive justice’? Most economies are based on a mix of these two methods, and the A-level in economics allows pupils to explore varied economics theories and their practical implications, with thought-provoking and current discussions a mainstay of the classroom.

A-level English Literature develops pupils’ knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of literature across a range of literary periods and contexts. Up to eight texts are studied, spanning poetry, prose and plays, with key areas of focus being American literature, a Shakespeare play, and a comparison of pre-1900 poetry and drama. Discussions in lessons centre around close textual analysis, with the evaluation of alternative interpretations and the contextualisation of literary texts within their cultural and socio-historical frameworks being vital areas of study.

A-level French enables pupil to contribute to discussions on the literature, film, art and history of France and participate in debates, give presentations and read French articles from authentic sources. Studying highlights of French-speaking artistic culture, heritage and cinema, pupils learn about political engagement and who wields political power in the French-speaking world. The course also explores the influence of the past on present-day French-speaking communities, allowing pupils to learn the language in the context of these countries and the issues and influences which have shaped them.

Geography as a discipline draws on the political, economic and scientific to understand space and place in modern times. The A-level course ensures that pupils emerge as a well-informed and skilled geographer, tackling big questions such as why we are struggling to mitigate climate change, whether there is such a thing as an optimal global population and how we manage global commons such as the oceans in a sustainable way. The course incorporates both human and physical disciplines with studies at local, regional, national and global scales, asking pupils to apply theoretical models to the real world and undertake their own practical fieldwork.

A-level German enables pupils to develop their knowledge of the German language in the context of German-speaking countries in all their diversity, and the social, political, historical and artistic issues and influences that have shaped them, including an exploration of the influence of the past on present-day German-speaking communities. Over the length of the course, there are plenty of opportunities to listen to and read authentic German articles, as well as to engage in the study in works of German literature and film.

Studying Classical Greek promotes intellectual rigour and cultural sensitivity towards our social, literary and historical beginnings. The A-level course focuses on the development of linguistic skills, enabling pupils to use these to read some of the foundational texts of the Western World in the original Greek. Pupils will study both prose and verse texts, spanning authors as varied as Herodotus, Euripides, Homer and Thucydides, each giving their own unique perspective on ancient and modern thought and society.

Historians should possess the facility both to imagine the world of the past and to explain why it developed as it did, and the A-level in History teaches pupils just this. Key themes covered include dictatorship and democracy, where pupils study Germany 1918-1989 and the rise and fall of fascism in Italy 1911-1946, as well as one of the Lancastrians, Yorkists and Tudors 1399-1509, or the development of modern Britain from 1780 to 1928. An in-depth piece of coursework allows pupils to select a question from their Germany module that they would like to explore in more depth, using the interpretations of modern historians to develop their own critical line of reasoning and interpretation.

Latin A-level is a linguistically rigorous choice which opens up a world of enthralling history, compelling literature and subversive philosophical and political views. The course focuses on both linguistic development, with the rigour and regularity of Latin making this a stimulating endeavour, and the reading and interpreting of texts in the original Latin. Over two years, pupils will read extracts of some of the most famous works of ancient literature, from Virgil’s Aeneid to Cicero’s speeches to Ovid’s love poetry.

Both Maths and Further Maths are available as A-levels, with the former being required in order to take the latter. While both mathematics courses focus mostly on the core elements (algebra, trigonometry, calculus and series) which underpin the subject, pupils also study applied modules in statistics and mechanics. While many mathematicians solve mathematical puzzles for the sheer sense of satisfaction when the challenge is overcome, our department also enables pupils to see the applications of mathematics which surround us in our everyday lives, and develop the skills to play their part in these in the future.

Music is both a creative and an academic subject that requires active participation in performing, composing (both free and in the style of other composers) and listening, as well as historical and analytical study of composers and their work. The course comprises of three modules, with pupils developing their skills as performers in their own instruments, completing a technical study and work of composition in response to a chosen brief or style, and studying a huge variety of musical styles including vocal music, instrumental music, music for film, popular music, jazz and fusions.

Photography plays a crucial role in contemporary art practice. The aim of our A-level course is to develop a strong sense of critical inquiry within pupils who are committed to being artists with photography as the core of their practice. The course develops and explores the process of creating work through a practical, thematic and historical approach, with pupils undertaking group critiques and individual tutorials to embed tacit notions of visual understanding. Pupils have to both undertake their own exploration of a theme and examine this in its academic context, studying in-depth examples of artists or approaches to inform their own practice.

Physics at A-level allows pupils to begin to comprehend the complexities of nature and its awe-inspiring beauty. Lower Sixth pupils study traditional topics such as current electricity, waves, mechanics and materials, as well as underlying principles behind modern physics such as quantum phenomena and particle physics. More abstract topics of classical physics are studied in the Upper Sixth, including gravitational, electric and magnetic fields, more advanced principles of mechanics and electrical circuits, and the laws of thermodynamics. A strong emphasis is placed on experimental work in our university-standard laboratories, where pupils are introduced to new techniques to help analyse more mathematically demanding physical relationships.

With UK and global politics undergoing rapid and perhaps long-lasting change, there has never been a more exciting or necessary time to study politics. From the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade to the UK government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, pupils are able to understand, analyse and evaluate events, considering why they happen and the impact they have. The A-level course spans democracy and participation in the UK, and enables pupils to investigate core ideas that underpin the UK political system. This leads to a second paper on UK government and in-depth study of a strand of political ideology, and a third paper looks to the USA. Throughout, pupils develop the skills to place current developments in a wider political and ideological context, to think about where politics will go next and to identify possible solutions.

Psychology covers a vast expanse of knowledge and a wide range of phenomena ranging from the activity of a single nerve cell to our social interactions in a complex sociocultural environment. Psychology A-level is invigorating both academically and personally, involving an individual journey which asks pupils to broaden their outlook, challenge assumptions, and think deeply about contemporary topics and issues. Amongst the topics covered by the course are social influence, memory and psychopathology, with pupils required to examine the five main approaches within psychology and develop their understanding of research methods.

A-level Religious Studies explores philosophical and theological approaches to life’s big questions. It rewards logical thinking and argumentative rigour, and provides an excellent preparation for essay-writing subjects at undergraduate level. Our approach stems from the philosophical, with three papers covering the philosophy of religion, moral philosophy and a study of Islamic beliefs and practices. Pupils consider questions such as what makes actions right or wrong, whether we find rational principle on which to base morality, and look to answer these questions from the history of philosophy, before asking how we can best apply them to the modern world, whether business ethics, medical ethics, or other fields of daily life.

A-level Russian is designed to provide learners with advanced language skills, an understanding of Russian current affairs and deep cultural awareness, ever more important in the modern world. The A-level course covers four main themes that address a wide range of social issues, including Russian society, political and artistic culture, urban and suburban life, and the final years of the Soviet Union from 1985-1991. Pupils also study a literary text and a film, which enable them to develop their skills of critical analysis alongside their linguistic competence in both spoken and written Russian.

A-level Spanish allows pupils to contribute to discussions on the literature, film, art and history of the Hispanic world and participate in debates, give presentations and read Spanish articles from authentic sources. Studying highlights of Spanish-speaking artistic culture, heritage and cinema and learning about who wields political power in the Spanish-speaking world, pupils also explore the influence of the past on present-day Spanish-speaking communities. Our pupils learn the language in the context of these communities, with many opportunities for trips to Spain to enhance their linguistic competency.

Sport and Exercise Science is offered as a BTEC qualification, as the practical nature of the subject lends itself well to the balance of exam-based and coursework assessment, and pupils can apply newly acquired theoretical knowledge both to themselves and their teammates. Pupils can take either the Extended Certificate (equivalent to an A-level), Diploma (equivalent to two A-levels), or Extended Diploma (equivalent to three A-levels), depending on whether they wish to take a more specialist or generalist approach to their Sixth Form studies. Units studied across all courses include coaching for performance and fitness, functional anatomy, and sport and exercise psychology, with additional units including fitness training, sports massage, and nutrition for sport and exercise.