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KNOWLEDGE I S T D U N S TA N ’ S T H E S I X T H F O R M E X P E R I E N C E
A Levels
S T D U N S TA N ’ S D I P L O M A LOGO CAN WORK IN MONOTONE IF REQUIRED
Co-curricular
Ac vi es
Elec ve Courses
( 2 ) T R I A N G U L A R L AY O U T
( 1 ) L A N D S C A P E L AY O U T
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KNOWLEDGE – Knowing & Accessing the World A Levels are the core of the Diploma and provide the basis for the acquisition of knowledge necessary to access top tier higher education provision. Sixth Form students begin by choosing four subjects in Year 12 that are best suited to them and their academic interests. They will provide the students with the grades and UCAS points that universities need to see, and these will also count towards their Diploma. There will be opportunity to revise and adjust A level options through the two-year cycle – for the full assessment and consultation timeline, see page 19 table 1. There is a selection of 23 subject courses on offer across the academic spectrum, appealing to many interests, so allowing powerful UCAS applications to be built for university and beyond.
Geography
Biology
German
Business
Global Perspectives
Chemistry
History
Classical Civilisation
Latin
Computer Science
Maths
Design Engineering
Music
Drama
Physics
Economics
Psychology
English Literature
Religion, Philosophy, Ethics
French
Spanish
Further Maths (must be chosen with Maths)
Sports Science
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D I P L O M A
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C Four or Three A Level subjects
A LEVELS EXPLAINED
For the Diploma diagram, the titles for each section are A- A Levels C- Co-Curricular Activities E- Elective Courses so take out references to ECAS/ ACAS/Examined Curriculum and Skills sub-text etc
The A Level programme forms the main academic basis of the Diploma, providing students with a formally assessed understanding of the world and its ideas. At its end, student will have achieved excellent subject grades and UCAS points, and hence the academic rigour expected from universities. All students select four subject A Levels to study in Year 12. Based on progress reviews and consultation, they may reduce their profile to three A Levels at an appropriate time after the end of their first term. This process is always supported and guided by the Sixth Form tutors and the Academic Leadership Team. Unlike GCSEs, A Level subject choice is up to you – there are no ‘core’ subjects that all students must complete, though we do guide you in sensible combinations of subjects when thinking of post-College life. To become a doctor, for example, would need you to take Chemistry and Biology, and to give proper consideration to Mathematics as a further combination. You are studying A Levels because you want to, so of course you are expected to be more independent in your approach to learning than you were at GCSE. You should think about the skills required for success – for example, Chemistry, Physics and Economics all have significant mathematical components and would therefore not suit a student who dislikes or struggles with Mathematics. Many other subjects, such as Art or Drama have significant coursework or essay-writing requirements which may make certain combinations of subjects difficult to time-manage. This is not to say you will be ‘on your own’ – quite the contrary!
Prefects Sports Volunteering Socie es The Arts
Global Perspec ves Prac cal Qualifica ons Learn a Language Online Courses UCAS
Co-curricular
Activities
Leadership Sports Volunteering Societies The Arts
You will have more time with your subject teachers than you did at GCSE, your classes will have fewer students, and your teachers will be more available to offer assistance when you need it. Your teachers will be mentoring you to think more independently, work more autonomously, analyse your own work and express your own thoughts and opinions. That’s part of the excitement of Sixth Form study here.
In order to guide your choices, we advise first and foremost that you choose A Level subjects that you enjoy and are good at. A Level study will require you to spend many hours outside of your lessons studying, extending, revising and consolidating your learning. You will be expected to read beyond the syllabus, analyse your own work and confidently express your own thoughts and opinions. It will be very difficult to commit to this level of study if you do not enjoy the material that you are learning or if you find the material very difficult to access. Your future prospects are far better served by strong grades in subjects you enjoy than by weaker ones in subjects you thought you ought to take.
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Art and Design
St Dunstan’s
We are able to accommodate most students’ first choice of subject combination. We provide ‘option blocks’ of subjects for students to choose from in order to maximise the possibility of meeting student subject requests. These blocks are produced annually based on early indications of subject selection from current students, and help us to timetable teachers and classes to meet these demands. The full list of each course’s specification and content description can be found at the end of this prospectus.
