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History
History Head of Department: Dr Quinton, quintone@ashfordschoo l.co.uk
Why Study History?
History is as much about the present as the past. What makes us the way we are? Where do our beliefs, prejudices, political systems come from? A good historian, therefore, needs a healthy interest in and awareness of current a ffairs and classes will often involve drawing parallels with contemporary situations. Studying History in the Sixth Form will allow you, and expect you, to explore your own ideas and reach your own conclusions. We will teach you how to think, rather than tell you what to think and, wh ere possible, classes will take the form of seminar style discussions in which you will be expected to participate. To do this effectively, you will need to learn how to analyse and evaluate, and how to construct clear and rational arguments to defend you r point of view. Successful students will be those who can read critically and write convincingly.
Course Outline
The A level course spans Medieval, Early Modern and Modern History. The aim of the units is to develop specif ic history -related skills suchas source analysis and interpretation, critical thinking, targeted reading, research and extended writing, whilst allowing parallels and patterns to emerge by studying human social, economic and political behaviour in a varie ty of contexts. The course has been designed to balance political, social, modern and earlier History: • Unit 1: British period study and enquiry - Britain 1930 -1997 (Year 12) • Unit 2: non -British period study – the Crusades, 1095 -1192 (Year 12) • Unit 3: Thema tic study and historical inter pretations – Popular Culture and the Witchcraze of the 16 thand 17 thcenturies (Year 13) • Unit 4: Coursework: the Cold War (Year 13)
Beyond A level
History quite rightly retains its high status among universities and employer s as a rigorous intellectual discipline that trains the mind. Well educated historians can think clearly, can prioritise, and can argue concisely and convincingly about complex pr oblems - sought after qualities in most fields. A good grade in History will be taken as a mark of an applicant's general intellectual ability, and a capacity for hard work. In the wider world lawyers, journalists, writers, management consultants, politic ians - indeed anyone who needs to be able to present a point of view - will benefit from the skills learnt through studying History.
Preferred Entry Requirements
It is not a requirement to have taken history at GCSE especially if you enjoyed the subjec t at KS3 level. Speak to a history teacher if you are considering it without GCSE. If you studied History a t GCSE you should have a Grade 7 or above.
Technical Details
Exam Board OCR
Qualification Type A level
Course Title History
Specification Code H505
NumberDurationWeighting (% of total A level) External Exa ms 3 Unit 1: 1h ou r 30minutes 25% (end of Year 13) Unit 2: 1h our 15% Unit 3: 2 hour 30minutes 40% Coursework 1 Unit 420%
Why Study Core Mathematics?
Core Mathematics is a level 3 qualification that is designed to be taken alongside yo ur A level subjects. It is ideal for pupils who intend to take a numerate subject at university, but do not want or n eed to take a full A level in the subject. It complements many other A level subjects, including Business, Science, Psychology and Geograph y. In addition, it is the equivalent of an AS qualification, offering up to 20 UCAS points.
Course Description
Core Maths focuses on applying mathematical skills to the real world, using a problem solving approach. As a result, the traditional mathematical work such as calculating and analysing is complemented by discussion and interpretation in a practical context. There is compulsory content covering analysis of data, maths for personal finance, estimation and critical analysis of given data and models (including spreadsheets and tabular). In addition, one the following options is chosen:
A Statistics: the normal d istribution, probabilities and estimation, correlation and regression B: Risk and critical paths: critical path and ri sk analysis, expectation, cost benefit analysis C: Graphical problem solving: graphical methods, rates of change, exponential functions
Beyond A level
Core Mathematics is increasingly recognised by universities as a valuable qualification to supplement many A level subjects. It will help prepare you for many courses, including Business, Psychology, Social Sciences, Politics and Law. It will be helpful for any subject that does not require Maths A level, but nonetheless has some mathematical content. Some universities in other countries require pupils to take Maths throughout their time in school for certain courses, which Core Maths w ould satisfy, while allowing you to take the A level subjects you need.
Preferred Entry Requirements
Core Maths is designed to be accessible to most pupils, however an iGCSE or GCSE Mathematics Grade 5 is recommended to start the course. In particular , you should be familiar with and enjoy number work and data .
Technical Details
Exam Board AQA Qualification TypeLevel 3 Certificate Course TitleCertificate Level 3 Mathematical Studies Specification Code 1350
Core Mathematics
NumberDurationWeighting (% of total) External Exams 1 1 hour 30 minutes 50% each (end of Year 13) each Coursework - - -
Mathematics and Further Mathematics Head of Department: Dr Britton, brittons@ashfordschool.co.uk
Why Study Mathematics and Further Mathematics?
Mathematics is one of the oldest subjects studied by mankind, yet there are more mathematicians alive today than in the rest of history put together. It is a challenging, beautiful and practical subject, which plays an essential part in our s ociety. You may be considering a career for which Mathematics is needed or for which it may be useful. The good news is that even if you do no t know what you wish to do at the moment, mathematics fits well with both arts and science subjects and is very hi ghly regarded by higher education institutions and employers.
Course Description
At A level, you have the opportunity to explore much m ore of Mathematics, both in its pure form and as a subject with a wide range of practical applications. We hope th at you will come to love mathematics as a creative discipline full of wonder and excitement, an activity that is intrinsically rewarding. 1
Those studying Mathematics will study pure mathematics and applied mathematics including statistics and mechanic s. The new A level in mathematics is a linear course with no optional modules.
Those studying Further Mathematics will complete two A levels over the course of the Sixth Form: Mathematics and Further Mathematics. In Year 12, you will complete the linearMathematics course and then inYear 13, you will complete compulsory topics in furtherpure mathematics and optional topics which may include Further Statistics, Further Mechanics, Decision Mathematics and Additional Further Pure Mathematics. All examinat ions for both Mathematics and Further Mathematics are at the end of Year 13.
Beyond A level
Whatever you want to do after school, Mathem atics A level is very highly regarded. Those who have studied mathematics are able to solve problems creatively, think logically and abstractly, are rigorous, and (of course) have facility with numbers.
At university you could study Mathematics alone, beginning with a broad range of mathematical areas and specialising later on, or you can combine Mathematics with a remarkable diversity of other subjects, for example Physics, a Modern Language, Classical Civilisation, Economics, English and Psychology. A lternatively, you may wish to study a mathematics -related subject such as Physics, Astronomy, Computing, Engineer ing, or Operational Research.
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Preferred Entry Requirements
The step up from GCSE to A level Mathematics can be daunting. In order to access the A level material, it is important to work to a minimum IGCSE/GCSE Grade 7 for Mathematics, and 8/9 for Further Mathematics. In particular, fluency with (and enjoyment of) the harder GCSE level Algebra is important.
Technical Details
Exam Board Edexcel
Qualification Type A level
Course Title Mathematics / Further Mathematics
Specification Code 9MA0/9FM0
Mathematics
Number Duration Weighting (% of total A level) External Exams 3 2 hours each 33.3% each (end of Year 13) Coursework - - -
Further Mathematics
Number Duration Weighting (% of total A level) External Exams – Mathematics 3 2 hours each 33.3% each (end of Year 12) External Exams – Further Maths 4 1hr 30 mins each 25% each (end of Year 13) Coursework - - -
Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, Spanish) Head of Faculty: Mrs Sagastuy, sagastuyp@ashfordschool.co.uk
Why Study Modern Foreign Langu ages (MFL)?
Globalisation makes communication across national and cultural borders more important than ever. While many foreigners speak English, it is also true that in the UK, business can be lost due to a lack of language skills and cultural understand ing. It has been suggested that our European counterparts are happy to sell in our language, but they are more likely to buy in their own.
Just think: how exciting would it be to speak a language without having to think about every single word? This is o ur goal! If y ou are prepared to work steadily throughout the course,you will be surprised and delighted by what you can achieve: a practical and life -long skill.
Course Outline
The Modern Languages Department is lively and exciting, running A level courses in Fre nch, German and Spanish. Working with native speakers as assistants, the MFL teachers are passionate about their subject and committed to transferring this enthusiasm to their pupils.
Head of Spanish : Mrs Calver, calverc@ashfordschool.co.uk The 4 main topics for Spanish are: 1.Evolution of Spanish society 2.Political and artistic culture in the Spanish speaking world 3.Immigration and the multicultural society 4.Franco’s dictatorship and the tr ansition to d emocracy
Head of French: Miss Aribi, aribis@ashfordschool.co.uk The 4 main topics for French are: 1.The changing nature of family 2.The cyber -society 3.Artistic culture in the French -speaking w orld 4.Aspects of political life in the French -speaking world
Head of German: Miss Loughlin, loughling@ashfordschool.co.uk The 4 main topics for German are: 1.Social issues and trends in the German -speaking society 2.Multiculturalism in the German -speaking society 3.Artistic culture in the German -speaking society 4.Aspects of political life in the German -speaking society
There will also be cultural topics in the form of books, plays or movies selected by your teachers and sometimes yourself.
Beyond A level
Some students go on to do degree courses in languages, often using the skills they have learnt at school to take up a new language like Arabic, Russian or Mandarin. Others pursue Higher Education coursesin a vast range of subjects with a language option a longside their main specialism. Even if you choose not to continue with your language after school, with the increasing possibilities of global job mobility, an advanced knowledge of French, German or Sp anish could be an asset to students of all subjects. If your future plans might involve living, working or travelling abroad, a language course in the Sixth Form is an excellent step to achieving your future goals.
Preferred Entry Requirements
A minimum of Grade 7 at GCSE in the language you wish to study , in order to be able to express your opinions freely on paper or verbally on the variety of topics studied.
Technical Details
Spanish
Exam Board Edexcel
Qualification Type A level
Course Title Spanish
Specification Code Spanish – 9SPO 01, 9SP02 and 9SP03
NumberDurationWeighting (% of total A level) External Exams 3 Paper 1: 2 hours 40% (end of Year 13) Paper 2: 2 h rs 40 mins 30% Paper 3: 21 -23 minutes 30% Coursework - - -
French
Exam Board AQA
Qualification Type A level
Course Title French
Specification Code French 7652
NumberDurationWeighting (% of total A level) External Exams 3 Paper 1: 2 h rs 30 mins 50% (end of Year 13) Paper 2: 2 hour s 20% Paper 3: 21 -23 min utes30% Coursework - - -
German
Exam Board AQA
Qualification Type A level
Course Title German
Specification Code 7662
NumberDurationWeighting (% of total A level) External Exams 3 Paper 1: 2 hrs 30 mins 50% (end of Year 13) Pape r 2: 2 hours 20% Paper 3: 21 -23 minutes 30% Coursework - - -
