sweep of three A*/A grades at A level in 2022, and

a-level

Subject intent:

Accounting offers the opportunity for students to be able to apply their analytical and problem solving skills to quantitative and qualitative data. Students are able to develop their numeracy skills in great detail and the course enables students to apply formula and functions to real world business performance. Whilst studying Accounting, students also have the opportunity to partake in numerous extra-curricular activities including the ICAEW Base Accounting competition and student investor. Accounting overall helps students to be critical thinkers, often questioning and interpreting data from multiple angles whilst also developing strong communication skills to help others make informed decisions. The skills acquired throughout the course are transferable and prepare students for Higher Education or employment in a wide range of industries.

“Accounting is a subject I thoroughly enjoy. It has allowed me to see what I potentially would like to do as a future career path and allowed me to have a deeper understanding of the financial aspect of a business.”

ENTRY

Grade 4 English Language and a Grade 6 Maths with a GCSE minimum point score of 4.5.

Charlie Fullerton

Hungerhill School

Accounting

What are lessons like in this subject?

Studying Accounting will allow you to develop a range of numerical skills that you are able to apply to real world situations, proving a vital skill for businesses when making decisions. You will cover a range of accounting techniques that can be applied to small businesses such as sole traders, all the way up to large conglomerates. You will also be given further opportunities to apply accounting to the real world with enrichment activities that will enable you to apply the skills covered in lessons to the wider world.

What will I study?

The course covers the basic principles of accounting right through to advanced considerations such as ethics in accounting. Topics include:

• The role of the accountant. • The key elements of the foundation of accounting and double entry book-keeping. • The preparation, analysis and evaluation of financial statements, including how to use ratio analysis to compare the performance of businesses and wider considerations. • Accounting for sole traders and partnerships.

a-level

Subject intent:

Fine Art is offered as a truly creative opportunity for self-expression and growth of confidence. The curriculum provides independence, learning and thinking skills as well as practical elements and professional attitudes. The creative industries are currently one of the fasted growing in the UK and students can expect to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to continue into professions such as illustration, architecture, advertising, set design and fashion.

ENTRY

Grade 6 Creative Subject and Grade 4 in English Language. If a creative subject has not been studied, a portfolio will be required.

“This course provides a limitless scope for the imagination and how you can personally express yourself. Every project is different, allowing you to discover or build on your personal style.”

Phoebe Craighill

South Axholme Academy

Fine Art

What are lessons like in this subject?

You should study this subject if you are creative, curious and brave. The Fine Art A-Level allows you the opportunity to explore a wide range of skills and techniques, to break out of your comfort zone and explore new boundaries. From large scale drawing, mixed media and installation to printmaking, digital image making and photography, you will be encouraged to take risks in your artistic journey. The Fine Art A-Level aims to help you discover your voice as an artist and ask the question: what is art?

What will I study?

• A wide range of practical and research skills. • How to develop genuine and original ideas. • A wide range of creative practitioners. • How to analyse art through research and gallery visits to places such as London & Manchester. • How to present creative and personal sketchbook, portfolio and exhibition work. • How to prepare yourself for onward study at

Foundation and Degree level and the world of work in the creative field.

a-level

Subject intent:

Biology develops key transferrable skills through the study of living organisms and their interactions with each other and their environment. Some of the highest skills shortages in Yorkshire are in STEM and our curriculum is designed to develop scientific methodology, awareness of the advances of technology, and recognition of the value of biology in society so that students can go on to enjoy careers in fields such as health and medicine, engineering and research.

“Not only does A-level Biology build on our understanding of life and how we survive in our environment, it also develops key transferrable skills which could apply to any career you choose to follow in the future.”

ENTRY

Grade 5 English Language and Grade 6 Maths with a GCSE minimum point score of 5.6.

Madison Slack

Armthorpe Academy

Biology

What are lessons like in this subject?

We use metacognition at the heart of our teaching to promote understanding and memory of key concepts. Lessons are taught by teachers who are knowledgeable and have a passion for their subject. We focus on developing the skills needed to excel at Biology, lots of which are transferable and will help students succeed after their time at college. Many skills are developed during practical work, and we have well-equipped laboratories to support you with this.

What will I study?

• Biological molecules. • Cells. • How organisms exchange substances with their environment. • Genetic information and variation. • Energy transfer within and between organisms. • Responses to internal and external environments. • Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems. • Practical and investigative skills in Biology.

a-level

Subject intent:

Key contemporary developments in the labour market such as digital technology, big data and the impact of globalisation are considered within the business curriculum. Opportunities to interact with industry is firmly embedded in the curriculum and students have regular opportunities to apply key employability skills in both the classroom and in the wider work-related opportunities that being a business student offers.

business

What are lessons like in this subject?

In Business lessons you will examine the everyday decisions made by businesses through case studies of a variety of firms, from the large wellknown multinationals, to small local independent ones. We use a combination of individual, paired and group work to develop your analysis and evaluation skills, through tasks such as building and delivering presentations, financial calculations, business games, simulations and role-play case studies. We will have trips to local businesses to see the application of theory in practice and real life, as well as to develop employability skills. Students also have the opportunity to practice the skills they learn in the classroom in real life situations through our enterprise enrichment project.

ENTRY

Grade 4 English Language and a Grade 5 Maths with a GCSE minimum point score of 4.5.

“This course has developed my skills and knowledge of the business and marketing world. It is an interesting and enjoyable subject.”

Amy Frost

The Hayfield School

What will I study?

• Business as a whole, including ownership, stakeholders and aims of the business. • Key functional areas – HR, Marketing, Operations and Finance. • Business in the context of the external. environment and the competition in the market • Analysing key performance indicators in finance, marketing and HR. • The impact of threats in the business environment and the extents to which different businesses are affected. • Investment appraisal. • Innovation in business in product and process. • Managing change. • Business operations in international markets.

a-level

Subject intent:

The Chemistry curriculum allows students to develop an understanding of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry. It provides many transferable skills required for a range of careers. Teaching students’ skills in critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork and organisation prepares them well for the next steps that Chemistry can offer. These include careers in medicine, engineering, research, pharmacology and support the growing shortage in STEM in Yorkshire.

“A-level Chemistry is a course that challenges yet rewards like no other. The course is a well balanced mix between practical and theory, with the practicals being performed in new and hi-tech labs. The teachers have nothing but time for you, making themselves readily available for any additional needs you may have, providing you with the best opportunities to excel.”

ENTRY

Grade 5 English Language and Grade 6 Maths, Grade 6 in Chemistry or 6-6 in Combined Science with a GCSE minimum point score of 5.6 (or a 7 in maths).

Rowan Edward Bichan

The Hayfield School

Chemistry

What are lessons like in this subject?

You’ll experience a range of activities that are planned to both challenge and develop your confidence of Chemistry. New content is introduced using comprehensive booklets of notes, examples and exercises, and lessons are planned to help you develop strategies for applying your new knowledge to a range of exam questions.

Throughout the course, you will undertake a number of practical activities per term. These are designed to meet the requirements of the Practical Endorsement, develop strong laboratory skills and to further develop your understanding of the practical applications of Chemistry. All of these activities will utilise specialist chemical equipment and dedicated teaching labs.

What will I study?

In Year 12, you will study: • Practical skills in chemistry. • Foundations in chemistry including atoms, compounds and molecules and bonding and structure. • The periodic table and energy including periodicity, qualitative analysis and reaction rates and equilibrium. • Core organic chemistry including hydrocarbons, alcohols and haloalkanes and infrared spectroscopy (IR) and mass spectrometry (MS).

In Year 13, you will study:

• Practical skills in chemistry. • Physical chemistry and transition elements including enthalpy, entropy and free energy and redox and electrode potentials. • Organic chemistry and analysis including aromatic compounds, carboxylic acids and esters, polymers and NMR.

a-level

Subject intent:

The Computer Science curriculum allows students to apply both abstract concepts and mathematics in real world solutions, making the course have a real life and relevant focus. Students are encouraged to look at the role of technology from a moral and ethical viewpoint and link this to the rule of law, and how technology aligns with our fundamental British values, and beyond to a worldwide audience. Computer Science qualifications also address the shortage in the UK jobs market, preparing our students for a wide range of degree courses, apprenticeships, and future roles in an ever-evolving and exciting sector.

“Computer Science gives students the freedom to grow and become more independent as a programmer by exploring a range of languages, as well as supporting practical lessons with the theory and knowledge needed.”

ENTRY

Grade 4 English Language, Grade 6 Maths and Grade 6 in Computer Science with a GCSE minimum point score of 5.6.

Mia Wood

Outwood Academy Adwick

computer science

What are lessons like in this subject?

Computer Science lessons usually begin with a friendly low stakes quiz, retrieval practice, or, as we move through the course, an exam style question. This is based upon the preview work that is set each week, or from a previous topic from earlier in the course. We then build upon the preview exercises by introducing new concepts and then doing a variety of activities to embed your understanding and clear up any misconceptions. We work in pairs, groups and individually; this depends upon the activity and if we are doing theory or programming.

The kind of trips you can expect to go on are university visits for students who want to understand what it will be like to study beyond A-Level, but we also get to see technology in action at businesses, expos and museums (both locally and further afield).

What will I study?

Unit 1

• The characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices. • Software and software development • Exchanging data. • Data types, data structures and algorithms. • Legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues.

Unit 2

• Elements of computational thinking. • Problem solving and programming. • Algorithms to solve problems and standard algorithms.

a-level

Subject intent:

Economics affects people on a daily basis, from the choice of products that we buy, the prices we pay for goods, and the way in which we trade and interact with other countries. Our Economics curriculum enables students to think critically about the world around them and the decisions made by policymakers, helping to develop both their analytical and evaluative skills. The course enables students to develop their ability to make informed judgements and to communicate their findings effectively. Students will again a greater insight into the economic changes seen in the area in which they live over the past 50 years, including the collapse of the industry and its impacts on the local area and how employment opportunities have changed since. Economics is seen on a daily basis by students without often realising it. Once they start studying, they begin to review their own choices and opportunities.

ENTRY

Grade 5 English Language and Grade 6 Maths with a GCSE minimum point score of 5.

“Economics is a useful and interesting subject. It provides helpful knowledge about the economy of the country and world we live in.”

Carter Essem

Astrea Academy Woodfields

Economics

What are lessons like in this subject?

In Economics lessons you will examine the principles and models of economics through real life examples recent UK and world events, as well as everyday applications from your own experiences, such as what affected your decision to buy a particular product or to choose a certain career path. We use a combination of individual, paired and group work to develop your analysis and evaluation skills, through tasks such as responding to exam questions, debates, complex problem solving of economics problems and simulations.

We have trips to local businesses to see how they are affected by economic changes and have visits form guest speakers from the industry and financial institutions who will explain their responses to economic policy changes.

We have teaching classrooms and IT suites, and we will use Microsoft Teams as a library for all teaching resources as well as setting and collecting independent work.

What will I study?

Microeconomics - individuals, firms and market behaviour:

• How economic decisions are made. • Price determination in competitive markets. • Business economics. • Behavioural economics. • Distribution of income and wealth: poverty and inequality. • Government intervention into markets and government failure.

Macroeconomics- development in the national and international economy:

• Inflation, growth and unemployment. • Macro policy management. • Banking and Financial markets. • Economic growth and development. • Living standards and quality of life. • The challenges of globalisation. • The UK and European economy.