AS and A2 Courses
Advanced Level
An overview September 2000 saw the introduction of a substantially revised post-16 curriculum, often known as ‘Curriculum 2000’. This constituted the most radical development in the post-16 curriculum since the introduction of GCE A levels in 1951. In 2008, the A levels underwent a further revision, with a reduced number of units in many subjects and changes to the coursework requirements. The new A levels awarded the A* grade for the first time in summer 2010. 8.1% of A level results nationally were A*, 17.9% within the independent sector and 23.1% at Godolphin and Latymer. One advantage of the current A level system is that it allows for a degree of specialisation through the Sixth Form, giving the experience of Sixth Form study in four or five subjects from the LVI before making your final decision as to which three or four you wish to continue to full Advanced Level. Universities have indicated that they expect the vast majority of candidates to have sat four AS levels and three A levels. Most universities did not use the A* as part of their conditional offers for undergraduate study in 2010; however, more are likely to make use of this grade for admissions in the future. Please check with the Careers Department for details of these. The school offers a range of subjects at AS and A2 level including Ancient History, Art, Biology, Classical Civilisation, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Language, English Literature, French, Geography, German, Government and Politics, Greek, History (Modern and Early Modern), History of Art, Italian, Latin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, Music Technology, Philosophy, Physical Education, Physics, Russian and Spanish. The Structure of AS and A2 The new A level consists of two parts; the AS (Advanced Subsidiary) which is normally taken in the Lower Sixth year and the A2 which is taken in the Upper Sixth year. Every subject is modular; most* with 2 units making up the AS and a further 2 units making up A2. The Lower Sixth The Upper Sixth
Unit 1
Unit 3
Unit 2
Unit 4
AS A2 = A level
* Note that a few subjects have retained a six unit structure, split as three units for AS and three units for A2.
2