Paper 3: Practical skills and synoptic assessment 2 hours

Advanced Level Physics

Entry Requirements

Students will require Grade 7 or above in GCSE Physics, or two Grade 7 results in Combined Science. In addition, students will require Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics.

We are looking for students with enthusiasm to understand the physical world around them and with the determination to be successful. It is not a requirement that students studying Physics also study Mathematics. However, a good grasp of basic algebra is essential and combined study of A Level Mathematics would be beneficial. Please note that about 40% of the total marks in the A Level Physics examinations will require the use of Level 2 (Higher tier GCSE) mathematical skills. The AQA Physics specification is based around a common core of knowledge and skills and provides the skills and knowledge required to progress into Higher Education in a wide range of subjects such as Physics and Engineering, as well as Medicine, Oceanography, Meteorology and Veterinary Sciences.

Course Content

Unit 1: Particles, Quantum Phenomena and Electricity

Unit 2: Mechanics, Materials and Waves

Year 12 Practical Components include 6 standard investigations assessed in the final examination paper

Unit 3: Fields and Further Mechanics

Units 4 and 5: Nuclear Physics, Thermal Physics and an Optional Topic from a choice of Astrophysics, Medical Physics, Engineering Physics or Turning Points in Physics or Electronics

Year 13 Practical Components include 6 standard investigations assessed in the final examination paper

Examination Format

The A Level course is assessed by three 2 hour terminal examinations. Papers will cover the knowledge, content and application of Physics concepts in Units 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. They will include a mix of long and short answer questions, along with a number of multiple choice sections. The 12 standard practical tasks which are used to gather data and assess skills are also formally assessed in the terminal examinations.

Advanced Level Politics

Entry Requirements

You will need a Grade 6 or above in English Language. You will also need to have an interest in current events and political ideas, to follow political issues in the media and to be ready to read articles in journals and on the internet when preparing for writing essays. You should be willing to share ideas in discussion and to listen to other people’s views.

Course Content

There are three parts to the course. The first deals with Politics in the UK. It involves looking at the British constitution and system of government including the role and powers of Parliament, the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Supreme Court. The impact of devolution on the UK and the UK’s changing relationship with the EU are also considered. The nature of democracy in the UK, the role of political parties, elections and voting and the ways in which individuals and groups can participate in politics also form part of this unit.

The second part involves a comparative study in which the American constitution, system of government and political culture are compared with those of the UK. As well as identifying similarities and differences between the two countries, students will also consider a range of possible explanations for the differences. Finally, students will study the core ideas and principles of liberalism, conservatism, socialism and nationalism, particularly those relating to human nature, the state, society and the economy. This includes looking at some of the key thinkers whose ideas have helped shape the modern world.

Discussion and debate will play a very important part in the course and so you should develop the ability to understand different points of view, as well as consider alternatives objectively. You should also learn to argue your own case in a convincing manner, both orally and on paper, and to select relevant evidence to support your points.

Examination Format

There are three examinations, each of 2 hours in length and taken at the end of Year 13. Each paper consists of a mixture of short-answer and essay questions. There is one examination on UK Politics, one examination on US Politics and a final examination on political ideologies.

Advanced Level Psychology

Entry Requirements

Students will require Grade 5 or above in Mathematics and English Language, as well as Grade 6 in Biology. No prior knowledge of Psychology is necessary but you will need to be able to think critically and analyse statistical data. Course Content

Year 12:

Memory

Models of memory. Explanations for forgetting. Factors affecting the accuracy of eye witness testimony as used for sentencing in law courts.

Social Influence

Why we conform in society. Why we obey people in authority. How behaviour can bring about social change.

Psychopathology

Explaining and treating phobias. Explaining and treating depression. Explaining and treating OCD.

Attachment

Caregiver-infant interactions in humans. Deprivation and its effects, including the Romanian orphans. The influence of early attachment on childhood and adult relationships.

Biopsychology

Circadian Rhythms – sleep patterns, jet lag. How our brain can change and adapt to situations and events. The fight or flight response. Localisation of function in the brain – how the different areas of the brain are responsible for different behaviour.

Approaches in Psychology

Behaviourism – how we learn through reward and punishment. Freud - the unconscious mind. Humanism and how we seek to improve our lives.

Research Methods

The research methods that underlie most psychological research are taught in depth throughout the course.

Year 13:

Issues and Debates in Psychology

Gender and cultural issues in Psychology. Are we driven by Free will or are our lives determined by external factors? Are we a product of nature or nurture?

Romantic Relationships

Attraction, maintenance and breakdown of relationships. Virtual/online relationships and parasocial relationships, e.g. stalkers.

Schizophrenia

What is schizophrenia? What are the causes, therapies and treatment, for schizophrenia?

Forensic Psychology

Offender profiling. Explanations of why people commit crime. Treatment and the effectiveness of prison and non-prison sentences.

Examination Format

There are three written examinations of 2 hours each at the end of Year 13. There is a separate examination for each unit which is worth one third of the full A Level.

Advanced Level Religious Studies

This A Level covers Philosophy, Ethics and the impact of culture and modern society on the beliefs and practice of religion. The course takes an enquiry based approach. Entry Requirements

If you have taken GCSE Religious Studies, you need to have achieved Grade 6 or above and GCSE English Language at Grade 5 or above. Although building on the skills of GCSE, it is not a requirement to have studied it at GCSE. Therefore, if you have not taken GCSE RS, you need to have GCSE English Language at Grade 5 or above and Grade 6 or above in another text based humanities subject.

To succeed and enjoy this course, you should like questioning and challenging religious beliefs, academics and how people make ethical decisions, whilst being self-reflective. You will also need to read articles and research independently when necessary. Course Content

Paper 1: Philosophy and Ethics

Philosophy of Religion

• Does God exist?

• Can God exist alongside evil? • Do we have a soul?

• What happens to us after we die? • What makes religious language meaningful? • What defines a miracle?

Ethics

• What makes a good action? • How much free will do I have?

• Is conscience God-given or the product of society? • How do we define ‘good’ and ‘bad’? • Ethical theories applied to issues e.g. abortion, embryo research, euthanasia, capital punishment, lying, animal rights Paper 2: Christianity and Dialogues

Christianity

• How and why Christians differ when making ethical decisions

• Christian perspectives on ethical issues • Does religion have a place in a secular society? • Gender, feminism and sexuality • The challenge of science for religion • Religious pluralism

Dialogues

Open questions to explore the challenges and implications, good and bad, of ‘crunching’ Christianity with ethics and philosophy e.g. can you claim to be morally responsible if you have no free will? Can, and should, we prove the existence of God?

Examination Format

Two papers, each lasting 3 hours, examined at the end of Year 13.

Advanced Level Sociology

Sociologists use theories and research to explain the everyday social experiences that shape and influence our lives. Studying Sociology will give you an understanding of the societies in which we live, study and work. Entry Requirements

English Language Grade 5 or another humanities subject Grade 6, as Sociology is an essay based A Level. You should be prepared to read articles and textbooks to study this course. Course Content

Topic 1: Education and Sociological Methods

The study of our educational system; role and function; reasons for variation in outcome by class, gender, and ethnicity; relationships in schools; pupil identity and subcultures; the significance of educational policies.

Topic 2: Families and Households

Families and households; the relationship of the family to social structure and change; changing patterns of marriage, cohabitation, separation, divorce, child-bearing and the life-course; gender roles, domestic labour and power relationships in the family; the nature of childhood; demographic trends in the UK since 1900.

Topic 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

The study of the sociological perspectives; differences in crime and deviance owing to gender, age, class, ethnicity and location; global crime; human rights and state crimes, crime control, prevention and punishment and the role of the criminal justice system and the sociological explanations for suicide. Students also study key debates in Sociology such as: Are we living in a postmodern world? Is Sociology a science? Is Sociology value-free?

Topic 4: Beliefs in Society

The study of sociological perspectives and arguments around: ideology; science and religion; the relationship between social change and social stability; religious beliefs, practices and organisations (including sects and New Age movements); the relationship between different social groups and religious/spiritual organisations; and the significance of religion and religiosity in the contemporary world (including the nature and spread of secularisation).

Examination Format

Paper One: Education and Theory and Methods (written examination of 2 hours)

Paper Two: Topics in Sociology (written examination of 2 hours)

Paper Three: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods (written examination of 2 hours)