Welcome

This booklet has been produced to provide you with information about the next two years of your education. This is a very important stage in your school life as you are now choosing the subjects which will enable you to follow the career of your choice. Since this is such a big decision you should ensure that you have all the information you need to make wise, informed choices. Study the information carefully and match it up with YOUR strengths, what YOU enjoy and what is required for a particular career area which you may be keen to pursue. Most subjects at A Level require prior study at GCSE level with the exception of Business Studies, Computer Science, Sociology, Media Studies, Performing Arts, Politics and Psychology.

This booklet contains details of the knowledge and skills which are taught in each subject area. It also provides you with details about assessment and the nature of the study required in each subject. You will also study some non-examination subjects such as PSHE and Careers Education.

Achieving GCSEs at Grades A*- C or 5+ is an important target and will give you a very good foundation to go forward in almost any direction. GCSE English and Mathematics are essential to almost all employers and are a must for most Further Education and Higher Education Courses. Gaining a good set of GCSEs in a broad, balanced range of subjects will provide you with more choice in the way your career and life can proceed in the years ahead. Since there is no longer such a thing as a job for life, it is now even more important to be developing

a range of transferable skills and knowledge to enable you to keep learning, be flexible and to change job area with ease.

Some GCSE subjects use the A* - G grading and others use the 9 – 1 grading system. Each numerical grade has a direct equivalent in the A* - G grading.

Miss Nikki Kerlin Head of Secondary School