This guide explains the exciting opportunities for academic progression into the Sixth Form at Haileybury. It includes outlines of all of the courses available to pupils choosing to study both A level and IBDP subjects.
Central to this programme is the idea of personalised education, where you choose the courses you study, and you have control over the direction of your pathway.
You’ll see that the range of courses on offer is hugely exciting; there really is something for everyone!
Where do I want to be in five years?
What is the best pathway for me?
Process summary
*If you are interested in studying medicine, dentistry or veterinary science please speak to Mr Lewis before finalising your options as there are specific requirements for these courses.
A level
Am I a subject specialist or an interdisciplinary learner?
IBDP
What should my main courses be?
Three
Higher Level subjects
Three or four A levels
What should my other courses be?
Three Standard Level subjects
Elective
How is my learning connected?
Degree apprenticeship
Core
University
Employment
A level composition
INTERNAT
The A level curriculum provides a focused, investigative learning opportunity. By choosing three or four subjects, pupils identify as subject specialists and explore subject areas in detail. By complementing each hour of study in the classroom with an hour of independent study, pupils develop valuable skills and take greater control of their own learning. Their pathways are complemented with appropriate electives.
To try to ensure that as many different A level subject combinations as possible are available to our pupils, we don’t put subjects into option blocks until pupils have already started the process of selecting their subjects. Please note that once the blocks have been formed, taking these choices into account, there may be some combinations that aren’t possible.
HAILEYBURY
DIPLOMA
A level subjects
Choose three or four
Category Subject
Literature English literature
Languages French German Classical Greek Latin Spanish
Individuals & Societies Classical civilisation
Economics
Geography
History: early modern (c.16–17th), modern (c.19–20th)
Choose one (full academic year) or three (term-long) courses:
INTERNAT
DEDNESS HAILEYBURY
DIPLOMA
Subject Duration
Core mathematics
DELF French
Performance music
Sports leaders
Stan-X
Art
Art history
Contemporary issues in sport
Creative writing
Criminology
Design and manufacturing for the 21st century
IELTS preparation
Introduction to coding
Music technology
Personal finance
Plato’s Republic
Red, white and blue: politics of the USA
Sports injuries and the psychology of sporting performance
Sustainability and environmental management
The teenage brain and its consequences
These electives are indicative and the offer changes slightly each year.
IBDP composition
The IBDP curriculum provides an holistic, connected learning opportunity. By balancing subject choices across different disciplines, pupils explore the interdisciplinary aspects of learning and understanding. Their pathways are complemented by the core of Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity and Service.
Please note that the IBDP involves more taught hours than the A level curriculum and IBDP pupils are therefore not expected to complete as many hours of independent study as a result.
IBDP core outline
Extended essay
The Extended Essay provides the opportunity for you to produce a university-style dissertation on a subject of your choice. Highly valued by both universities and employers, the Extended Essay allows you the chance to experience true independent learning by exploring a topic that interests you, without the limitations of exams or syllabus content.
Theory of knowledge
Theory of Knowledge is a fundamental part of what holds the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme together. Its goal is to develop you as a more effective and critical learner but also as a more interrogative thinker. The course helps you learn how to evaluate what we know, or think we know, and how we know it. It is an integral part of all of your subject areas and you will achieve a greater understanding of all areas of your academic programme because of it.
Creativity, activity, service
CAS requires you to take part in a range of experiences and at least one project. These should involve purposeful activities with specific outcomes that are significant to you. CAS activities represent an opportunity for experiential learning, and you are expected to
reflect upon the activities you have carried out by completing a CAS journal.
There aren’t prescribed projects or activities that you have to get involved with; instead you are encouraged to be involved with activities you initiate yourself. Some example activities include: Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, running a society or club, raising money for a school charity, performing with the orchestra or choir, learning a new language, helping at a local primary school and playing in a sports team.
IBDP subjects
Pupils choose one subject from each Haileybury column (A-F), thus ensuring that they have a valid IBDP combination of subjects. Pupils choose three subjects at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. Please note that if you are selecting either of the mathematics options at Higher Level, we will ask you to initially select four Higher Level and two Standard Level subjects.
English literature
English language and literature
English literature and performance
1. Literature
1. Literature
1. Literature B
French B
German literature
German B
Italian literature
Italian ab initio
Latin
Spanish B
Spanish ab initio
Economics
Geography
History
Philosophy
Psychology
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental systems and societies
Physics
Sport science
2. Language acquisition
1. Literature
2. Language acquisition
1. Literature
2. Language acquisition
2. Language acquisition
2. Language acquisition
2. Language acquisition
3. Individuals and societies
3. Individuals and societies
3. Individuals and societies
3. Individuals and societies
3. Individuals and societies
4. Sciences
4. Sciences
4. Sciences*
4. Sciences
4. Sciences E
Mathematics analysis and approaches
Mathematics applications and interpretation
5. Mathematics
5. Mathematics F Biology
Chemistry
Classical Greek
Computer science
Design technology
Economics
French B
Global politics
History
Music
Visual arts
4. Sciences
4. Sciences
2. Language acquisition
4. Sciences
4. Sciences
3. Individuals and societies
2. Language acquisition
3. Individuals and societies
3. Individuals and societies
6 . The arts
6 . The arts
These options were correct at the time of printing but we reserve the right to amend. Please check with the Admissions Department for up to date information. All classes depend on sufficient interest in order for them to run.
