Control of gene expression

Advanced Level Business

Entry Requirements

If you have not taken GCSE Business Studies, you need to have GCSE English Language at Grade 5 or above and GCSE Mathematics at Grade 5 or above. If you have taken GCSE Business Studies, you need to have achieved Grade 6 or above.

You will need to keep up with current events by watching news programmes and business documentaries on television, as well as reading the business sections in the newspapers.

You will need to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely in a logical way and show some creativity in answering discussion type questions. An enquiring mind and a good memory for facts and figures are a great advantage.

Course Content

There are three components which are assessed in final examinations. Students will study: business opportunities and functions; business analysis and strategy; and business in a changing world. Work from each component underpins the work that follows to allow students to tackle longer synoptic essays and case studies at the end of the course.

The topics are designed to equip students with an understanding of how to launch and manage the day to day running of a variety of different business structures. There is a strong focus on decision making within the business environment, with an emphasis on the practical implications of running a successful business.

Examination Format

Component 1: Business Opportunities and Functions

2 hours 15 minutes, 80 marks, 33.3% of qualification

Section A: compulsory short-answer questions

Section B: compulsory data response questions

Component 2: Business Analysis and Strategy 2 hours 15 minutes, 80 marks, 33.3% of qualification

Compulsory data response and structured questions

Component 3: Business in a Changing World

2 hours 15 minutes, 80 marks, 33.3% of qualification

Section A: compulsory questions based on a case study

Section B: one synoptic essay from a choice of three

Advanced Level Chemistry

Entry Requirements

A Level Chemistry is highly regarded by universities and many subjects, such as Medicine, make it an entry requirement to their courses. A Level Chemistry is a rigorous, challenging and ultimately rewarding course that develops scientific skills and knowledge.

Success at A Level means building on strong results at GCSE and so we require a Grade 7 or above in GCSE Chemistry, or two Grade 7 results in Combined Science. Chemistry A Level requires a lot of mathematical manipulation; consequently, Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics is also required.

To attain good grades in Chemistry you should:

• have a curiosity about the subject • be able to work independently as well as part of a team • communicate ideas effectively in your written work • research and think critically about chemical problems

Course Content

The course is arranged into the traditional three branches of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry.

First year:

Physical: Atomic structure, mole calculations, bonding, energetics, qualitative kinetics and equilibria.

Inorganic: Periodicity, the chemistry of the Alkaline earth metals (group 2) and the Halogens (group 7).

Organic: The reactions of alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alcohols and organic analysis. Second year:

Physical: Thermodynamics, quantitative kinetics and equilibria, electrode potentials and electrochemical cells.

Inorganic: Period 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals, the reactions of aqueous ions.

Organic: Optical isomerism, the reactions of carbonyls and their derivatives, aromatic chemistry, amines, amino acids and polymers, including proteins as well as DNA, NMR spectroscopy and chromatography.

Examination Format

Paper 1: Inorganic and physical chemistry with relevant practical skills (2 hours) 35%.

Paper 2: Organic, with relevant physical chemistry and practical skills (2 hours) 35%.

Paper 3: Practical skills and synoptic assessment (2 hours) 30%.

There is no separate practical examination as the practical skills will be examined within these papers. However, if 12 practical investigations are completed during the course to a satisfactory level, this will be acknowledged by an A Level Practical Endorsement on the certificate.

Advanced Level Computer Science

Entry Requirements

The A Level Computer Science course will help you to develop the capacity to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically. You will need to gain an understanding of the organisation of computer systems, including software, hardware, data, communications and people. You will also develop skills in individual investigation, project management, time management and practical programming. Success at A Level means building on strong results at GCSE and so we require candidates to have attained at least Grade 6 in GCSE Computing/ICT or Mathematics.

Course Content

Paper 1: Computer Systems

Students will study the concepts and practices that underpin the discipline of Computer Science. They will examine, in much greater depth, many of the elements introduced at GCSE, as well as exploring new areas including: compression techniques; the use of hashing algorithms for searching data and storing passwords; and different techniques for developing software solutions to real world problems. There will be an opportunity to examine the practical and conceptual challenges associated with creating networks, as well as the topical debates surrounding technology in today’s society, especially Artificial Intelligence.

Paper 2: Algorithms and Programming

Paper 2 topics are firmly rooted in the practical application of the discipline as students explore in-depth computational thinking and programming techniques fundamental to Computer Science. They will revisit searching and sorting algorithms but this time, investigating their efficiency from the perspectives of time and space and the importance of creating efficient code when writing solutions to problems. Students will also examine the structures that are used to store, search and represent data in computer systems and how these can be applied in practical situations. Paper 2 concerns itself with the practical application of its theoretical components and students will be required to create, amend and analyse computer code and algorithms to demonstrate their understanding.

Unit 3: Programming Project

In this project, students have the opportunity to create a programmed solution to a problem that they have defined. They will: investigate and analyse the problem; design and build a software solution to it; and document, test and evaluate its implementation. This project allows students to show their programming skills and creative flair, which has resulted in some releasing their work publicly.

Examination Format

Unit Length of Examination % of Total A Level Mark

01 2 hours 30 minutes 40%

02 2 hours 30 minutes

03 Project 40%

20%

Advanced Level Dance

Entry Requirements

A Level Dance encourages students to develop their creativity and intellectual curiosity, alongside transferable skills such as team working, communication and problem solving. All of these are sought after skills by higher education and employers and will help them stand out in the workplace, whatever their choice of career. This course is particularly suitable for students who have studied GCSE Dance and wish to study Dance at a higher level. If a student has completed GCSE Dance, Grade 6 or above is required. Prior experience of performing, membership of dance companies and dance clubs is essential. The course aims to develop the skills students have acquired at GCSE level and foster an analytical appreciation of professional dance works. Throughout this course, students will have to demonstrate the ability to work both individually and in a team.

Course Content

A Level Dance allows students to embody knowledge and understanding through the exploration of areas of study, practitioners and set works. The course provides students with the opportunity to gain experience of performance and choreography and to develop critical thinking about Dance. This course is a dynamic qualification which encourages students to develop their creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacity. It is assessed through both practical performances and written examinations.

A Level Dance provides a firm foundation for further study and links with the professional dance world.

Examination Format

Component 1: Performance and Choreography (50%)

Practical Examination (80 marks)

• Solo performance linked to a specified practitioner within an area of study • Performance in a quartet • Group choreography

Component 2: Critical Engagement (50%)

Written Examination (100 marks) 2 hours 30 minutes

Knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of two set works:

• One compulsory set work within the compulsory area of study (Rambert Dance Company 1966–2002) • One optional set work within the corresponding area of study (the independent contemporary dance scene in

Britain 2000–current)