MODERN LANGUAGES: SPANISH

WHY STUDY THIS SUBJECT?

• Confidence and enjoyment in mastering another language.

• Awareness of Spanish-speaking societies and cultures.

• Study skills including listening skills and essay writing, research, planning and analysis.

• Problem-solving and thinking skills.

• Communication skills including debating.

• Understanding of cross-curricular topics including Geography, Economics, Literature and Politics.

• Employability as many employers see a language as a plus.

TOPICS OF STUDY AT A-LEVEL

Film, literature, politics, artistic culture and multiculturalism in Spain and the Hispanic world.

Opportunities Beyond The Classroom

You will have weekly individual lessons with our Spanish assistant and the opportunity to participate in a Spanish trip. We also organise cinema visits.

For our keen linguists, we also offer the opportunity to learn Russian from scratch with our 2-year fast-track Russian GCSE course. An additional fee is payable.

Suggested Entrance Requirement

GCSE grade 7

WHAT THIS SUBJECT MIGHT LEAD TO:

You can combine languages with any other A-Level or degree subject. Employers look for the key skills that language students have, so studying a language increases your options. You can also work abroad or specialise in language specific jobs such as interpreting, translation or the Foreign Office.

LOOKING INTO LORCA’S LIFE AS

PART OF THE SPANISH A-LEVEL COURSE HAS ALLOWED ME TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE REPRESSION FACED BY SPAIN IN THE 1930s. THIS HAS HELPED ME TO SEE THE LINKS BETWEEN THE ARTS, SOCIETY AND POLITICS OF EVERY COUNTRY AT ANY POINT IN TIME.

Bo M Sixth Form Spanish Student

Music

WHY STUDY THIS SUBJECT?

If you enjoy performing, composing and want to improve your understanding of the music you enjoy, then this is the course for you.

TOPICS OF STUDY AT A-LEVEL

Performance, Composition and Musical Understanding

(listening, analysis and harmony).

Opportunities Beyond The Classroom

We expect our A-Level Musicians to take a leading role within our broad range of music ensembles. You are actively encouraged to participate in chamber music and perform solos within our busy concert schedule. A-Level Musicians have previously been offered the opportunity to perform a concerto with the Symphony Orchestra in the Cathedral.

WHAT THIS SUBJECT MIGHT LEAD TO:

You may wish to continue your studies in Music by taking a degree course at university or Music college. But many students also go on to read other subjects at university. Studying Music shows diversity in your subject choices, as well as cultural involvement at a high level and is accepted for most degree courses. Most former A-Level musicians continue playing their instruments/singing at university for enjoyment. Each year we have a small number of students that go on to become choral scholars at Oxbridge.

Suggested Entrance Requirement

To be able to perform to at least grade 6 standard on your main instrument/voice is essential. Ideally you will also have done GCSE music and grade 5 theory.

Physics

WHY STUDY THIS SUBJECT?

Physics has never been in such an exciting state as it is today. The challenges of discovering the ultimate structure of matter and the universe and solving the world’s energy crisis lie with physicists. The future of mankind will be directed by people who know about Physics. It improves our daily lives and the world we live in through the development of new technologies. Physicists are widely sought after.

TOPICS OF STUDY AT A-LEVEL

Properties of materials, waves, digital imaging and signalling, particle physics, relativity, quantum behaviour, radioactivity, cosmology, electromagnetic machines, gravitational and electric fields, kinematics and mechanics, and electronics.

Opportunities Beyond The Classroom

The Physics Department runs a biennial trip to the CERN laboratories in Geneva, Switzerland. We also enter the Physics Olympiad and run a STEM club.

Suggested Entrance Requirement

At least a 6 at GCSE Physics or Combined Science (7-9 recommended for the latter); and at least a 6 in GCSE Mathematics (7-9 recommended). It is also helpful to be studying AS Maths alongside Physics.

WHAT THIS SUBJECT MIGHT LEAD TO: Environmental science, space, energy, medicine, architecture, law, finance, education, research, communication, television, transport or engineering. The list is almost endless.

STUDYING PHYSICS HELPS ME TO UNDERSTAND PHENOMENA IN LIFE. IT EVEN HELPS ME SCORE A BASKETBALL OR PLAY

BADMINTON WELL. THE WIDE RANGE OF PHYSICS TOPICS

STUDIED ALLOWS ME TO FIX MY GAMES CONTROLLER AND

CONSIDER HOW THE UNIVERSE MAY HAVE FIRST BEGUN.

Ivan F Sixth Form Physics Student