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Sixth Form

Curriculum

AS Level: Lower Sixth

In the Lower Sixth you will study AS Level courses in 4 or 5 subjects, usually spending 3 double periods and a single period per week per subject. You will be advised to spend a similar amount of time studying each subject outside the classroom. You will also attend Sport, Philosophy, Ethics and Religion and Sixth Form Programme sessions to enhance your fitness, broaden your curriculum and prepare you for university.

Making your choice

The sixth form timetable is developed as soon as students have made their subject choices and combinations. This happens by around Easter–time each year. The following subjects are offered:

• Art & Design
• Biology
• Business Studies
• Chemistry
• Drama & Theatre Studies
• Economics
• English Literature
• French
• Geography
• German
• History
• Latin
• Mathematics
• Further Mathematics
• Music
• Physics
• Psychology
• Spanish
• Textiles
• Theology

For further information about each subject, see the 6th Form Handbook (text–only version .pdf 142 KB). [Download free Adobe Acrobat Reader.]

Art & Design

Course Specification: Edexcel AS(8030) & A2(9030)

The main purpose of any course in art, craft and design is to develop your ability to appreciate the visual world and to respond in a personal and creative way. The skills you will need to develop will be varied. Among them, you will develop a working knowledge of materials, practices and technology in one or more of the disciplines within art. You will develop the skills to interpret and convey your ideas and feelings using art, craft and design. You will develop your imaginative and creative powers and your experimental, analytical and documenting skills. You will also develop a specialist vocabulary and the knowledge and understanding of the place of art, craft and design in history and contemporary society. The specific skills you acquire will be determined to some extent by the area of study you choose — for example graphics, illustration, painting or 3D.

The course is not an easy option and you should be prepared to work hard at developing your abilities. You can take the AS on its own, or you can decide at the end of the AS course to continue and take the full Advanced GCE. You will be expected to do at least four hours of homework per week.

At the beginning of Lower Sixth the AS course is mainly teacher directed and aims to broaden your art historical and contextual knowledge. You will develop a personal response to a given starting point or theme, working through a series of ideas and outcomes towards one or more well considered conclusions.

In the Upper Sixth the course will require a combination of self–study and teacher directed study. There are also visits to local and national museums and galleries together with talks given by visiting artists and designers.

Biology

Course Specification: OCR 3881/7881

Biology is, by definition, the best introduction to the study of the Life Sciences. It encompasses an examination of biochemistry, genetics, the interdependence of living organisms, health and disease, as well as the moral, ethical, social and cultural implications of some of the applications of Biology and technology.

As a Biology student at St Mary’s you are encouraged to:

• Recognise the value and responsible use of Biology in society
• Sustain and develop your enjoyment of, and interest in Biology
• Develop essential knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Biology, and the skills needed for the use of these in new and changing situations
• Develop skills in the presentation and communication of information.
• Develop an understanding of scientific method

Business Studies

Course Specification: AQA 5131/6131

This course will appeal to you if you:

• Have an interest in how a business operates
• Enjoy studying a subject that is relevant to your own life and experiences
• Would like to do a subject that offers opportunities for a career in business
• Would like to learn how to make business decisions and solve business problems
• Want to keep your options open: Business Studies can be a useful choice for a wide range of careers and can be combined with a wide range of subjects

Chemistry

Course Specification: OCR 3882/7882

The Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Chemistry qualifications aim to provide, through theoretical study and practical experimental chemistry, a worthwhile educational experience. The course is designed for all students, whether or not they intend to continue their study of Chemistry beyond the Sixth Form. Practical work is an integral and enjoyable part of the course at both AS and A2 Level.

As a Chemistry student at St Mary’s you are encouraged to:

• become confident well informed citizens, able to take and develop an interest in scientific matters
• recognise the usefulness and limitations of scientific method
• encourage efficient and safe practice
• develop skills in the presentation and communication of information
• stimulate an interest and develop an awareness of the environment
• develop an awareness of the economic and social importance of Chemistry

Drama & Theatre Studies

Course Specification: Edexcel 8113/9113

Many of you have studied Drama at GCSE and may be wondering how A Level Theatre Studies differs from what you are used to. There will be much with which you are familiar: you will, for example, do a great deal of acting. However, you will also study plays in a broader way, both by looking at the ways plays have been written, directed and performed and also by performing them yourselves. You will examine plays from different cultures and periods of history and will be encouraged to try a variety of approaches yourselves in order to develop your own skills. A Level Theatre Studies is great fun but it is also a subject which will challenge and provoke you. We hope you will join us.

Economics

Course Specification: AQA 5141/6141

This course will appeal to you if you:

• Wish to pursue a career in an economics–related profession
• Enjoy studying a subject that affects your own everyday life
• Want to keep your options open: Economics can be combined with a wide range of social science and humanities subjects

English Literature

Course Specification: OCR 3828/7828

If you are interested in reading, in discussing ideas, in looking at how writers present their thoughts and imagination, then you will find English Literature rewarding and exciting. You will have the opportunity to study a range of authors, including Shakespeare and twentieth century, and to explore in detail how writers use language to convey ideas. The course develops your powers of analysis, your breadth of experience and your ability to write clearly–argued and fluent essays. Theatre productions of set texts help to bring them to life and this year we are planning a reading and walking weekend based in Haworth on the Yorkshire Moors, home of the Brontës.

French

Bienvenue à toutes!

About 200 million people in the world are French–speaking, so why not you?

The course provides a sound yet stimulating study of French language, culture and literature. You will be encouraged to read the leading French newspapers and magazines, and to discuss current events in France and other matters of topical interest. Strong emphasis is placed on language work and conversation, and time is also given to establishing a sound knowledge of grammar. You are encouraged to visit France during the holidays. You will also receive conversational lessons with the ‘Assistante’ once a week.

The importance of the active use of the language means that you will be expected to contribute in French to class discussions, which may take the form of general conversation or the discussion of specific topics currently being studied, such as education, the media, arts and literature.

In literature you will study a selection of literary genres. As you will be writing essays in the target language, you will need to have competent linguistic ability and a willingness to read widely.

You will cover a range of topics from food and drink, leisure, the world of work, the environment as well as the culture of France and other francophone countries. You will acquire this knowledge by studying articles, watching videos and films, listening to recordings and visiting the cinema or the theatre.

A study trip is organised for Sixth Form students for 7 days in Antibes during the Easter holidays. Students will be attending 16 lessons in the mornings and will be going on excursions during the afternoons.

Geography

Course Specification: Edexcel 8214/9214

Are you interested in the world around you? Would you like to know about the extreme forces acting on our planet such as hurricanes and tornadoes, tectonic, river and coastal processes. Would you like to know more about cold environments and how people survive in them? What do you know about urban decision–making in this country and abroad? Do you have views on the development issues which are so frequently reported in the media?

The AS course explores all these topics and more, building on your knowledge from GCSE and allowing you to extend your skills. You will learn to use a range of different resources such as CD ROMs, audio-visual, internet and library material; write logical and convincing answers, present and analyse numerical data; and improve your ability to communicate both as an individual and as a member of a team.

German

Why Choose German?

• You enjoy German. You like the variety of activities and the intellectual stimulation.
• You are successful in German.
• You want to travel/study/work abroad.
• You love the excitement of being part of another culture.
• You want a qualification which is valued by universities and employees.

Opportunities

• Trips and exchange visits
• Work experience in Germany
• Theatre and cinema visits
• Informal socials — the languages room in the SFC
• Independent learning in the virtual languages laboratory
• Use of a wide range of authentic materials found in German newspapers, magazines, plays, short stories as well as on television broadcasts
• Choice of topics to suit your interests
• Small group conversation sessions
• Varied activities including debate, role plays, group and individual presentations, text exploitation and translation
• Become a languages prefect

History

Course Specification: AQA AS GCE 5041, A2 GCE 6041

The department teaches both Medieval History or Modern History at A level but only one will be offered. The choice will depend on the overall view of girls opting to do History at St Mary’s in the Sixth Form.

Even if you only intend to study History for one year, we will welcome you as we feel that History can be of real benefit to those who plan ultimately to study science or languages, for example. Few people will argue with the suggestion that History equips those who study it with skills and insight that not many subjects can equal. It also has the potential to be one of the most satisfying subjects to study, and historical knowledge will prove useful in any field of endeavour. Small classes mean that your view can be heard and that your work will be appraised thoroughly.

Latin

Course Specification: OCR Latin 3818/7818

An AS or A level in Latin can take you far! Proof of your ability to reason and analyse, it is highly valued by universities, especially in oversubscribed courses such as Law and Medicine. Most importantly, it is extremely rewarding to study. Those with a Latin GCSE at grade B or above have nothing to fear from the AS course, which is not much harder than the GCSE.

Mathematics and Further Mathematics

Course Specification: Edexcel

What does it involve?

• a new way of thinking
• stimulating, interesting, challenging problems
• flexibility to progress to a variety of levels
• supports material used in many other A Level and degree level courses

What will I be expected to do?

• solve problems
• construct logical arguments and rigorous proofs
• use mathematical models to solve real–life problems
• select appropriate techniques for solving problems set in unfamiliar contexts
• use calculators and other technical aids efficiently and know their limitations
• meet deadlines regularly at short notice

What will I learn?

• Core Mathematics: the foundation of all other branches of Mathematics
• Mechanics: the use of mathematical models to solve physical problems
• Statistics: the analysis of data in order to make predictions about real–life events

Music

Course Specification: Edexcel 8501/9501

The Edexcel AS Music course seeks to build on the skills developed at GCSE Music, focusing on Performing, Composing, Listening and Historical Analysis.

Physics

Course Specification: Edexcel 8540/9540

Physics can give a deep insight into the working of our universe. It is a challenging subject but it never fails to impress those who have not studied it in any depth. The Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Physics courses build upon the knowledge, understanding and process skills that you will have developed in GCSE Physics. You will learn theory and develop practical skills throughout the course. The courses are designed for all students, whether or not you intend to study Physics beyond the Sixth Form.

As a Physics student at St Mary’s you are encouraged to:

• Develop your enjoyment of, and interest in, physics.
• Develop essential knowledge and understanding in physics.
• Understand the link between theory and experiment.
• Appreciate historical aspects and understand the use of physics in present day society.
• Understand how mathematical expressions relate to physics principles.
• Study how scientific models develop.

Psychology

Course Specification: AQA 5181/6181

Studying Psychology will appeal to you if you enjoy exploring issues dealing with how and why people behave in certain ways: psychology helps you to understand human behaviour. During your course you will explore different areas of psychology ranging from internal processes (cognitive psychology) to individual differences (typical and atypical behaviour). You will also design and carry out your own psychological investigations and be aware of the ethical issues in psychology, particularly in the field of research.

You will develop skills of interpretation and evaluation of material together with critical skills of analysis.

Spanish

Course Specification: Edexcel 6811/6814

The AS and A Level courses not only offer you the opportunity to study Spanish as a language, but to explore it in a cultural context as well. Spanish is the native language of around 350,000,000 people in over twenty countries, making it the second most spoken language in the world after English. It is therefore seen by students who choose it as a useful and relevant language, especially in the international business community. The cultural heritage that Spanish carries with it is rich and diverse, and during the A Level course students will be able to explore the Hispanic world’s literature, film, music and dance.

Because you will study literary texts, write discursive and creative essays, present your own arguments in oral presentations and study grammar to a high level, choosing Spanish at A Level enables you to develop a wide range of skills that would be relevant in the study of any subject at university level.

Textiles

Course Specification: AQA 5204D/6204D

Art & Design : Textiles is a course of a practical nature, which offers the opportunity to study many of its wide–ranging aspects. If you enjoy drawing, sketching, photography and making things, then you will find the course very enjoyable.

Topics covered include: colour, texture, pattern, hand and machine embroidery, printing, appliqué and quilting. There is no written paper, although you can opt to do a personal study at A2. The work is very individual so you are able to follow your own chosen theme in each unit of study.

Theology

Course Specification: OCR 3877/7877

“An Englishman thinks he is moral only when he is uncomfortable.” (George Bernard Shaw)

How can we know what is right? Why do people think what Jesus taught was important? Why do people have such different views about sex and love? Can it ever be right to clone human beings from embryos? Can whatever happens in war be justified by the cause?

If you enjoy talking about things like that, then Theology may be the subject for you. If you study Theology, you will be continuing discussions about the mysteries of life and ways of living, which have been going on in society since the dawn of mankind. Theology and Philosophy were the very first subjects to be studied at university.

One of our past students, who went on to read Theology at Birmingham, said to an enquirer about the subject, “Theology, surprisingly, is a broad subject. It teaches you to be very analytical and develops your evaluation skills which apply in ever so many areas, like other subjects, your Saturday job and conversations in the pub!”

If you choose to study Theology, you will be developing a broad range of skills, since the subject incorporates some Philosophy, literary study, History and study of sources as well as distinctive theological skills.