Sixth Form Options Guide, 2020-2021

Physical Education Page 53

A Level AS Level ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
It is desirable but not essential for students to have
Exam Board: AQA studied GCSE Physical Education and to have achieved
Code: AS Level A651QS 7581; A Level 7582 a grade 7. The equivalent grades in Science are also
very useful.
AIMS
This course covers a diverse range of topics, drawing ASSESSMENT FORMAT
on the disciplines of anatomy and physiology/exercise Paper 1: ‘Factors affecting participation in physical
physiology; acquisition of skill/psychology of sport and activity and sport’. This will include applied anatomy
sport in society. These are fascinating topics and to and physiology, skill acquisition and sport in society.
answer examination questions you will be required to (2 hours, 35% of A Level)
have a good knowledge base, then apply it to sporting Paper 2: ‘Factors affecting optimal performances
situations and then be able to discuss the impact of the in sport’. This will include exercise physiology, sport
issues addressed. psychology, and sport and society.
(2 hours, 35% of A Level).
INTERESTING FEATURES Non-Exam Assessment: Students are assessed in
The department prides itself on a multi-dimensional one practical activity, including a written analysis and
approach where kinaesthetic and flipped learning are evaluation. (30% of A Level)
often utilised to bring the subject to life.
Lots of the topic areas have really
TRIPS helped me improve my training and
Educational visits are a huge component of the the way I prepare for my own games.
course as they allow for excellent application of the Top course!
theoretical concepts covered. Recent trips have been
to Loughborough University, Bath University, Surrey Ben, Year 13, 2018
Human Performance Institute and Wimbledon.

WHERE IT LEADS
The subject lends itself to those wanting to study
Sports Science courses, but many students use the
qualification to meet the requirements for entry into
some of the UK’s best universities. Students have also
taken up sport scholarship places at US establishments.

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Graduates from UK Sports Science
university courses are at the forefront

of the development of health and
activity programmes around the globe.

Page 54 ASSESSMENT FORMAT
Three two-hour exams of questions comprising
Physics multiple choice, short- and long-answer questions on
course content, experiments and data analysis.
A Level AS Level
Physics A Level builds on ideas from
Exam Board: AQA Code: 7408 GCSE with a wide range of interesting
topics. It is full of thought-provoking
AIMS and challenging problems.
Studying Physics is about exploring the world around
us and using that knowledge to solve problems. Joshua Coles, Year 12, 2018
From everyday phenomena like rainbows and why
sunsets are red, to the more revolutionary concepts of
quantum theory, sub-atomic particles and cosmology.
The fact that Physics requires a great deal of effort to
master is what makes it a qualification which is highly
regarded by universities and employers.

TRIPS
• Year 12 students visit the Centre for Fusion

Energy in Culham or the Particle Physics masterclass
at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
• The Physics of rollercoasters is studied
at Thorpe Park in Year 13

WHERE IT LEADS
Studying Physics develops problem-solving and critical
thinking skills which are useful in many fields including
engineering, IT, medicine, finance and research.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
This is a challenging course which requires a solid
grounding (minimum A/grade 7) in both Mathematics
and Physics (or the Physics section of the Science
Dual Award). Although the course is essentially
mathematical, A Level Mathematics is not a
requirement, as extra support is available for
physicists not also studying Mathematics.

QUICK FACTS Did you know

The Confederation of British Industry recently
stated that 45% of employers are finding
it difficult to recruit workers with skills in

Science, engineering, Maths and technology
100% Exam Trips and are therefore paying a premium for them.

Politics ASSESSMENT FORMAT
There are three two-hour exams, which contain a
A Level AS Level mixture of medium length ‘explain’ and essay-style
questions. The three papers cover:
Exam Board: AQA • Government and Politics of the UK
Code: AS Level 7151; A Level 7152 • Government and Politics of the USA and

AIMS comparative US/UK politics
• Political ideas
The course is designed to provide a comprehensive There is no coursework element to the course.
introduction to UK and US politics – how political
processes operate on both side of the Atlantic, Studying Politics was the best decision
how voters can influence politics and how these I ever made. I cannot imagine not
two countries are governed today. The course also knowing the things that this course has
includes a paper on four core political ideologies, allowed me to explore and I certainly
including conservatism, liberalism and socialism. feel my understanding of the world
has been greatly enriched.
You do not need to know all about contemporary
politics before starting the course, but it is essential Tom, Year 13, 2019
that you have both a desire to learn more, and a
keen and enquiring mind.

The Politics course will make use of a wide range of
teaching methods, including seminars and case studies,
as well as students’ presentations, research, debates,
and group and class discussion. The course will aim to
make full use of ICT, video clips and news reports.

TRIPS

Trips offered by the department include our annual
trip to the Westminster Student Conference to hear
from leading UK politicians on the important political
developments. We also run a trip in Year 13 to an
American politics revision conference. In the past,
we have hosted local MPs and in 2019, we visited
the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Due to the nature of this course, a 6 in GCSE English
Language is strongly recommended.

QUICK FACTS Did you know

“Just because you do not take an interest in

politics, doesn’t mean politics won’t take an

interest in you.” – Pericles, 5th century BC.

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Page 56 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The minimum entry requirement for studying
Psychology Psychology is a B/grade 6 in both English and Maths.
Being able to write in a clear, concise manner, plus
A Level AS Level understanding statistical and numerical data, is essential
for studying Psychology. A B/grade 6 in GCSE Biology
Exam Board: AQA is also key for success in the course.
Code: AS Level 7181; A Level 7182
ASSESSMENT FORMAT
AIMS There is no coursework component. Assessment in
There is a variety of skills students will learn by taking a AS Enrichment is two 90-minute exams at the end
Psychology course. Psychology is a science, so students of Year 12. Assessment for A Level is three two-hour
will be taught scientific methodology and how to be exams at the end of Year 13.
an ethical researcher. The course investigates socio-
cultural issues that may influence behaviour, along with I have enjoyed Psychology this
biological and cognitive links. Psychology is a mixture year at Blue Coat. The subject is
of both the human and natural sciences; it looks at very interesting and the teachers
behaviour and experience. The main aim of the course are engaging and enthusiastic. It is
is to find out what makes us tick, using the brain and definitely my favourite subject and I
mind connection. am excited to continue studying it at
university.
TRIPS
The Psychology department take Year 12 students Jasmine Dhanjal, Year 13, 2019
to Marwell Zoo for an animal behaviour workshop,
learning how to conduct research; a biannual trip for
both Year 12 and 13 students to Krakow, Poland, to
explore the Psychology behind the Holocaust; and
Year 13s attend a conference in London where past
guest-speaking psychologists have included Professor
Phillip Zimbardo, discussing his famous Stanford
Prison Experiment.

WHERE IT LEADS
There is a variety of careers in Psychology, including
medicine and psychiatry, counselling and social
work, forensics and criminology, business and
marketing, sport and educational psychology,
teaching, neuroscience and clinical psychology.

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“Psychologists contribute in almost every
profession, from healthcare and law

enforcement to sport performance and
education. Understanding Psychology and
how to apply it is an asset in any career.” –

American Psychological Association

Spanish Page 57

A Level AS Level ASSESSMENT FORMAT
Written exam: Reading and listening: responding to a
Exam Board: AQA Code: 7692 variety of texts from a range of contexts and sources –
worth 50% of the A Level.
AIMS Essays: Two questions in Spanish; one on a set text and
The A Level course is designed to enable students one on a set film, both from a choice of two questions
to develop the ability to communicate confidently – worth 20% of the A Level.
in Spanish, both orally and in written form, within a Speaking: Discussion of a theme from a stimulus
variety of registers and situations. Students develop the card, and a presentation and discussion of an individual
skills and abilities required for further study, work and research project – worth 30% of the A Level.
leisure. They will also gain an appreciation of different
contemporary societies and cultures where Spanish is I have been amazed by the level of
spoken, including South America, as well as developing fluency and comprehension I have
an informed and positive attitude towards them. achieved at A Level, in comparison
to what I learnt at GCSE.
TRIPS
Students have the opportunity for either a residential Sixth Form student, 2018
study trip or a work experience placement, for a week
in Spain.

WHERE IT LEADS
Past students have gone on to read Spanish at
university, often with another language or another
subject such as economics. Students achieve careers
in any number of fields and in a variety of countries
for many prestigious companies, such as Telefonica.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students should display a passion for learning Spanish
as well as studying the culture of the Spanish-speaking
world. Ideally they will have achieved at least a grade 7
at IGCSE.

QUICK FACTS Did you know

More than 400 million people
speak Spanish as a native

or second language, making
it the second most widely
100% Exam Trips spoken language in the world.

Holme Park, Sonning Lane, Sonning-on-Thames, Berkshire, RG4 6SU
Tel: 0118 944 1005 rbcs.org.uk