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Environmental Science
Fine Art
Environmental Science is ideal for those with a strong interest in conservation and the impact of humans on the planet. It covers topics as diverse as the physical environment, research methods underpinning theories and data gathering. This includes changes to the atmosphere and weather patterns, the evolution of life on Earth and how data is used to model the processes studied.
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Students who enjoy a multi-disciplinary approach to learning and have a keen interest in the sustainability of our planet will find the course engaging and thoughtprovoking.
Key topics include the biophysical environment, energy resources, pollution, circular economy and sustainability. It will include real-life case studies to give realworld applications to their work. This work will be supported by lessons in research techniques and statistical analysis of data. Both skills will be ideal preparation for life in industry and university.
Assessment at the end of Year 13 takes the form of two 3-hour papers. (AQA)
A-Level Fine Art builds on the skills and knowledge that you learnt at GCSE.
Fine Art explores traditional, modern, materials, techniques and processes for the purpose of self expression. Fine Art can be used to explore personal and cultural identity, society and how we live, visual language and technology. Fine Art will allow you to reflect on our place in the world, both as individuals and collectively.
Studying Fine Art A-Level is rewarding, challenging and enjoyable. You will explore different art techniques and experiment with a range of processes. With teacher guidance you will grow to develop a deeper understanding of the history of art, modern contemporary art and art techniques.
To take Fine Art A-Level you will be required to work independently, demonstrate creativity and show commitment to the course both in school hours and at home.
If you choose to do A-Level French, you will continue to broaden and develop your language skills and your knowledge of Francophone life and culture. This is an exciting and diverse course to take if you have enjoyed French at GCSE.
French A-Level is an excellent subject to take if you consider any literary subject or humanity at university and subjects or a career path that may require you to travel or communicate with colleagues abroad.
Having a sound working knowledge of a foreign language is a highly desirable quality for many employers, and can also facilitate the study of new languages later in life, as well as generally broadening your outlook and developing your confidence, both academically and personally.
A-Level French is essential if you are considering a degree in Modern Languages.
Further Mathematics
Further Mathematics is a second full A-Level in Mathematics, useful for students considering Mathematics at university, but also for students going on to study subjects that have a very high mathematical content such as Physics, Engineering or Economics. In Further Maths students study additional pure mathematics topics such as complex numbers, matrices, and proof; there is a strong emphasis on problem solving.
The topics studied in Further Maths are at least as stretching as those in A-Level Maths; students are expected to build a deeper understanding so they can make links between all the content studied and apply their knowledge effectively when solving difficult problems.
Our Further Maths students study A-Level Further Maths as a timetabled subject alongside their other subjects. For students considering studying maths at Oxbridge we provide support to develop the deeper problem-solving skills required for the MAT and STEP entrance exams. (OCR A)
Geography
Geography bridges the gap between Humanities and Science. Geography A-Level is a facilitating subject, which means that it can be helpful for a whole range of university courses and will help you keep your options open.
A-Level Geography offers a selection of new, interesting topics not covered at GCSE level, and allows you to go into greater depth in some key elements previously studied. It covers both the physical and human environments and the complex interaction of processes that shape our world. It will also show the applied side of the subject - how human intervention affects the environment and how people adapt and mitigate the effects of processes on their environment.
There is plenty of room for discussion and extended research, which will help you become an independent thinker and learner. By the time you get to your exams, you will be able to show your understanding of a range of opinions and be able to illustrate your answers with case studies from local, national and international examples.
You will be encouraged to frame your own questions using higher level thinking skills and show your grasp of complex issues through report and essay writing. Fieldwork will be an essential part of your A-Level course.
Government and Politics
In Government and Politics the course focuses on how power is distributed through government and within society. Students have the opportunity to develop their own knowledge of the UK and US political systems, whilst thinking about the ideologies and actions of modern politicians and political parties.
We look in depth at the politics of the UK and US, as well as the core political ideas that have shaped the UK. The course revolves around the following; UK Politics and Political Ideas (33%), UK Government and Core Political Ideas (33%) and US Government and Politics (33%).
History
Everything happening around us today has been influenced by and results from what has happened in the past. History can help us predict what could happen in the future and understand what happened in the past.
History is one of the Russell Group universities’ ‘facilitating’ subjects — so called because choosing them at A-Level allows a wide range of options for degree study. One of the most flexible of qualifications, History provides an excellent pathway to degrees such as History, Law, English and Philosophy, and beyond that to a range of interesting careers.
This intellectually rigorous course is an excellent way for students to develop highly sought after and transferable skills. These include being able to communicate complex ideas effectively, research, analyse and evaluate information, both orally and in writing, and the capacity to make substantiated judgements, all whilst developing independent work skills.
Mathematics
Mathematics continues to be the most popular A-Level subject choice because it is accessible, enjoyable and challenging, with applications and use across many other subjects. The A-Level Maths curriculum has a strong emphasis on deeper understanding and problem solving, which prepares students well for work or study beyond A-Level.
As well as being essential for studying any mathematics-based subject at degree level, A-Level Mathematics is required by many universities for students studying subjects such as Chemistry, Biology, Economics or Geophysics. Our A-Level Maths students study a broad curriculum, including richer topics such as calculus from first principles, alongside the traditional ones such as quadratics, trigonometry and sequences.
Our Mathematics teachers are experts in teaching of Mathematics and between them have many years of experience. We work closely with the Advanced Maths Support Program as well as other mathematics organisations to challenge and enrich our students’ understanding of mathematics in every possible way.
Assessment at the end of Year 13 takes the form of three written papers covering content from both years. (OCR A)
Physical Education
A-Level PE provides the opportunity to build on knowledge gained at GCSE BTEC Level with a greater look into the psychology, biomechanics, anatomy and physiology of sport, skill acquisition and how these components affect the sports performance.
The society and sport module provides an insight into the development of sport and we learn about how technology will shape the future of sport. The Non-exam assessed element provides pupils with an opportunity to develop and display their prowess in their chosen sport and participation at club level or above will stand pupils in good stead for performing well in this element of the course.
Philosophy of Religion & Ethics
Philosophy of Religion and Ethics is a thought provoking and academically challenging subject that addresses life’s big questions: What is truth? How do we know what is real? Does God exist? Are we free?
What does it mean to be good?
The course has a multidisciplinary approach to learning that draws on evidence from theology, philosophy, science and the social sciences to explore issues ranging from miracles to human sexuality.
A-Level in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics will equip students with critical reasoning and evaluative skills prized by universities and employers – law, politics, media, education, and social work.
Physics
Practical skills are embedded through the content of the course ensuring that you develop a range of practical skills in preparation for the written examinations.
You will be introduced to the important conventions and ideas that permeate the fabric of physics. Understanding of physical quantities, S.I units, scalars and vectors help our physicists to effectively communicate their ideas and to model the motion of objects using mathematics. You will also learn about the important connection between force and energy, appreciate how forces cause deformation and understand the importance of Newton’s laws of motion. You will apply the important principle of conservation of energy to a range of situations.
Electrons, electric current, electrical circuits, wave properties, electromagnetic waves and, of course, quantum physics are studied together with the fields of astrophysics and cosmology.
Assessment at the end of Year 13 takes the form of three written papers, one of which is a synoptic paper covering content from both years. (OCR A)
Psychology
In this course you will develop a knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies and their ethical implications. You will evaluate therapies and treatments including in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness. Explanations for conformity and the impact of social influence are considered alongside the role of social influence processes in social change. You will consider the works and theories of psychologists such as Schaffer, Bowlby, Pavlov and Skinner.
Psychotherapy is explored including deviation from social norms. Failure to function adequately and the behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Psychology is placed in context through the evaluation of case studies and research methods; scientific processes and techniques of data handling and analysis are critiqued for their application, strengths and limitations.
Assessment at the end of Year 13 takes the form of three written papers which include shorter written answers, longer essay questions and data handling. (AQA)
Sociology
Sociology is relevant to the society you live in so you are bound to enjoy learning about topics that are relevant to the society you live in. Sociology opens the door to a range of career opportunities. This course will help you make sense of the society we live in and understand the cultural and identity issues which affect us all.
We study sociological approaches that help us understand the functions of education, families, and religion, as well as criminological approaches that help us understand that explain why some people commit crimes and others do not. ”
I moved to Sir Isaac Newton East Sixth Form because I wasn’t getting the grades I wanted, now I am on course to get 3As.
