A-levels
From the Headmaster
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Welcome to the Sixth Form
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A-level subjects
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A great way of life
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From the Headmaster The Sixth Form experience at King Edward’s is built around the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Our track record with the IB is hugely successful and we like it because it suits the collaborative approach and broad educational opportunities on offer here perfectly.
John Attwater
Headmaste r
From September 2015, given the exams have been re-structured signifying a welcome return to rigour and depth of study, we will also be offering A-level courses, thereby providing two alternate exam routes for our pupils. A Sixth Form education at King Edward’s is fun, challenging and fulfilling: you will learn how to think independently, live together and get where you want to go. Come and join our success. 1
Welcome to the Sixth Form Young people should be equipped with the skills to prepare them for modern life, both at university and in the workplace. These skills will enable them to compete in a global marketplace, think for themselves, work in a team or independently, not be afraid to take risks, be good communicators and be interested and interesting citizens. The Sixth Form at King Edward’s achieves this, whether through the IB Diploma or A-level route. It provides much more than just a set of examination results, with opportunities to think critically, study broadly and in depth, pursue interests in the creative and active sides of life and devote attention to the wider community.
Freedom to succeed Opportunities at King Edward’s are substantial. Greater freedom of choice is important, allowing you to develop the decision-making skills of adulthood. With increased opportunity comes increased responsibility to yourself and your peers - the Sixth Form team is there to help you all the way. This team includes the Head of Sixth Form, Head of Careers, house staff and your tutor, all there to support and guide when necessary.
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A culture of responsibility Sixth Form pupils are expected to be role models. Whether a boarder or a day pupil, opportunities abound for you to take a leading role in House activities and to support younger members of the House where necessary. The influence of Sixth Form pupils extends beyond the House, as you become involved in the School and wider community. Opportunities include mentoring fellow pupils, supporting staff at Open Days and Parents’ Conferences, organising charity activities for younger pupils, representing the School in sporting events, manning the Sixth Form Common Room, being part of the Sixth Form Committee, becoming a School Prefect or Specialist Manager and more. Moreover, involvement in the extensive Creativity, Activity and Service programmes, both as participants and organisers,
will help to expand your horizons, increase your talents and give you the chance to inspire and be inspired.
...and privileges It is acknowledged that as a Sixth Form pupil you want the opportunity to be treated a little differently. As a result, the Sixth Form at King Edward’s has a dedicated Sixth Form Centre to support both your academic and social needs. The Centre includes an area for private study with access to PCs and WiFi, a well-resourced Careers Library and a Sixth Form Common Room where you can go to relax at break and lunchtimes and enjoy informal evenings, musical events and guest speakers. You can choose to join the Sixth Form Committee which is responsible for organising events exclusively for the Sixth Form. These may include formal dinners, an international food evening and Valentine’s Ball, as some examples. King Edward’s offers many opportunities for Sixth Form pupils and the expectation is that when you join the School, you will make the most of what is on offer to you both academically and socially. It is hoped that when you leave, you will have learnt something new, done something different and will leave with happy memories of your time here.
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A-level subjects
A-level subjects We offer A-levels in: Art & Design Biology Business Studies Chemistry Computer Science Economics English Literature History Mathematics Further Mathematics Physics
Alongside their A-level choices, pupils will also be expected to complete an Extended Essay and a course in the Theory of Knowledge. They may also choose to take a 4th subject at IB Standard Level to increase breadth. Art & Design
Biology
This two year course provides pupils with opportunities to develop personal responses to ideas, experiences, environments and cultures in practical, critical and contextual forms. Offering a combination of coursework, two externally set assignments and personal investigation, this course covers aspects of design, from graphic communication, textile and three dimensional design to photography, fine art, and art, craft and design. Pupils develop skills and techniques, and knowledge and understanding in their chosen areas, working with a broad array of different media, as well as building intellectual and creative skills and independence of mind.
Split into six modules, this new and exciting course enables pupils to study Biology using a context-based approach, with embedded practical skills. Planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation underpin the subjects studied which include the foundations of Biology: cell structure, division, diversity and organisation; molecules, nucleotides and nucleic acids, enzymes and biological membranes.
This course is particularly suitable for pupils who wish to study Art & Design or related subjects at a higher level or who wish to pursue a career in the Arts.
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Specific modules focus upon exchange and transport, biodiversity, evolution and disease, communications, homeostatis and energy, and finally genetics, evolution and ecosystems.
A-level subjects
Business Studies Studying the internal functions of contemporary business organisations, this course looks at the dynamic external operating environment faced by businesses, and reviews some of the major topical issues that can generate change. Different stakeholder perspectives are studied as pupils learn how businesses respond to change. The skills acquired include the manipulation and interpretation of data, presenting arguments with substantiated evidence, problem solving using appropriate business methods and tools, and applied research skills, including an ability to challenge assumptions using up-to-date evidence. For pupils seeking to start their own business or generate business ideas, this is an essential course.
Chemistry Pupils study Chemistry in a range of different contexts, conveying the excitement of contemporary chemistry. Ideas are introduced in a spiral way with topics introduced in an early part of the course being reinforced later. With a focus on developing practical skills, this sixmodule course covers the breadth and depth of
Chemistry grouped under three papers: the periodic table, elements and physical chemistry; synthesis and analytical techniques, and unified chemistry. Modules 1-2 focus on planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation, and the foundations in Chemistry such as atoms, compounds, molecules and equations; amount of substance; acid-base and redox reactions and electrons, bonding and structures. Modules 3-6 look at the periodic table and energy, core organic chemistry, physical chemistry and transition elements and finally organic chemistry and analysis.
Computer Science The emphasis of this course is computational thinking (a type of reasoning used by humans and machines) using abstraction and decomposition. The study of computation is about what can be computed and how to compute it. Computer Science involves questions that have the potential to change how we view the world. This course, with its emphasis on abstract thinking, problem solving, algorithmic and mathematical reasoning and scientific and engineeringbased thinking, is a good foundation for understanding future challenges. Unit 1 focuses on programming through a problem solving scenario. Unit 2 focuses on hardware and software aspects and the social and
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A-level subjects
economic consequences of computing. Unit 3 develops computational thinking, looking at what can be computed and programmed, including communications and networking, while the final unit requires a report on a computer-based programmed solution to a problemsolving exercise.
English Literature
Economics
Prescribed texts enable the study of drama, prose and poetry. Drama incorporates one Shakespearean play and a second chosen from a range of writers including Williams, Marlowe or Ibsen. Prose texts require the study of two writers including at least one from pre 1900, options include Henry James, Charles Dickens and HG Wells. Poetry offers a chance to study the Medieval period, metaphysical poetry and the Romantic and Victorian periods as well as anthologies post 1900. Candidates are also required to produce a piece of writing up to 3,000 words which compares at least two complete texts.
An exciting course which looks at both macro and micro economics. Year one reviews how individuals, organisations and societies have to make choices, how competition in the marketplace operates, how markets can fail and what happens when governments intervene. The national and international economies are reviewed, including assessing aggregate supply and demand, economic performance indicators and the application of macroeconomic policy instruments. In year two, the economics of work and leisure are covered - labour demand, supply and wages, the role of government and unions, transport economics and trends. Finally the global economy, including trade and integration, development and sustainability and the economics of globalisation concludes this fascinating two year introduction to the world of economics.
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Pupils are encouraged to read widely and engage critically and creatively with a substantial body of literary texts. They develop and apply their knowledge of literary analysis and evaluation and explore the contexts of the texts they are studying, as well as understand the changing traditions of English literature.
History This course comprises both a ‘depth’ and ‘breadth’ study component as well as a personal investigation. Pupils study the history of more than one country - at least 20% of the A-level is based on British history. Pupils
A-level subects
also study topics from a chronological range of at least 200 years. Given these criteria we offer the following options: Breadth Study. The Tudors: England, 1485-1603. This includes investigations that focus on how effectively the Tudors developed the powers of the monarchy; how serious a threat was posed by rebellion and the roles of key individuals (such as the monarchs themselves). Depth Study. Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917-1953. This unit extends work studied at IGCSE by examining not only the Russian Revolution of 1917 but the rule of Stalin and the involvement of the Soviet Union in WWII.
Maths To develop pupils’ understanding of mathematical processes, ability to reason logically and use mathematics as an effective means of communication, the four core modules of the course cover algebra, geometry, differentiation, integration, trigonometry, exponentials and logarithms, numerical methods, sequences and series and vectors. Pupils are encouraged to build an awareness of the relevance of mathematics in other fields of study, in the world of work and in society.
Further Maths The Further Maths A-level builds on the core Maths curriculum with units including series, complex numbers, matrix algebra, proof, inequalities, first and second order differential equations, Maclaurin and Taylor series, hyperbolic functions and further coordinate systems.
Physics This six unit course develops an appreciation of the link between theory and experiment, including: • Understanding of how physics is used in society today, acknowledging the importance of physics as a human endeavour which has historical, social, philosophical, economic and technological connections;
• Recognition of the quantitative nature of physics and how mathematical expressions relate to physical principles. Modules covered include physics in communication and designer materials; processes, experimentation and data handling (waves and quantum behaviour, space, time and motion); physics in practice (quality of measurement); the rise and fall of the clockwork universe (models, rules and matter in extremes); field and particle pictures and practical investigation/research.
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Beyond lessons
A great way of life All Sixth Form pupils do some physical exercise as part of the CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) programme, and you’ll find there is plenty more on offer. Music, Dance and Drama Everyone has the chance to participate in our choir, orchestra, informal jazz ensembles, use our music technology suite and purpose-designed dance studio, and take part in our drama and stage productions.
Charity work Pupils support charity work across several continents and the UK, both in raising money and actually visiting countries such as Nepal and Namibia to give aid directly. Thousands of pounds are raised each year by pupil action.
Duke of Edinburgh Scheme The School administers the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at all levels, having been licensed as an Independent Operating Authority. Bronze and Silver Awards are offered, while many Sixth Form pupils participate in the Gold Award.
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The only requirement for prospective candidates to enter the Scheme at Gold level is to be at least sixteen years of age. The Gold Award is highly valued by universities and employers. Previous experience, although welcomed, is not necessary. The Gold Award contains five sections to be completed - most pupils are already involved in activities that enable them to qualify, so it takes little extra time beyond their standard commitments. Most people tend to recognise the expedition element of the Duke of Edinburgh Award as the main thrust of activities, when in fact it is a superbly rounded and limitlessly interesting activity involving service in the community, skills development, physical recreation and a residential project. Pupils gain a great deal of personal development, insight into other sections of the community, sharpened skills and increased self-reliance from the Award and, most importantly, find that it is enormous fun and extremely fulfilling. The School provides support for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Gold candidates are expected to add to this by assisting with some of the operations at Bronze level. Further details at www.dofe.org
Beyond lessons
Great outdoors
Sport
Royal Yachting Association (RYA) courses are run in dinghy sailing and yachts and pupils can gain relevant qualifications if they wish. The School’s outdoor climbing wall enables climbs that are suitable for both complete novices and athletic types.
Excellent facilities include an astro turf pitch, four badminton courts, two cricket nets, indoor netball, tennis, hockey and a basketball court. The Sports Centre has a fully fitted cardiovascular suite and weights room, swimming pool and there are also three squash courts, five netball courts and a dance studio. Pupils develop their interests in the major and minor sports within and outside the curriculum.
In recent years we have organised walking and camping trips and events to Scotland, North Wales and the Lake District - including the Three Peaks Race, as well as pool and open water canoeing (participating in the Devizes to Westminster race), orienteering and rock climbing. Dive and ski trips, canoeing, camping and trips include overseas expeditions to the mountains of the Himalayas and the rainforests and coral reefs of Indonesia, offering plenty of scope for broadening horizons.
Cultural inspiration Regular visits to theatres, art galleries, places of interest, concerts and sporting events are offered throughout term.
Talking shops From the Debating Society to the Comedians’ Night, Model United Nations and School Council, there are opportunities for all to make their voice heard.
Regular fixtures with other schools operate for boys in football, hockey and cricket and for girls in hockey, netball, rounders and tennis. Boys also compete in athletics, badminton, cross country, basketball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, water polo, golf, and rowing. Girls compete in badminton, swimming, football, athletics, basketball and rowing. Inter-House competition is extensive in both major and minor games - pupils can be involved either as players or organisers. In the Sports Centre there is the opportunity to develop skills away from major team games. In addition, a diverse programme of recreational activities including aerobics, aquarobics, trampolining, dance and gymnastics is offered.
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For further information contact Admissions, King Edward’s Witley, Godalming, Surrey GU8 5SG tel +44 (0)1428 686735 email admissions@kesw.org
web www.kesw.org