2017 a Level Prospectus Web.Pdf
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ST HELENS COLLEGE PROSPECTUS 2017 CONTENTS Welcome 2 Humanities 34 All About A levels 3 Business 35 Our A Level Academy 4 Government and Politics 37 Six Reasons 5 History 39 Your Study Programme 6 Religious Studies 41 A Level Results 7 Sciences 44 Where Are They Going? 9 Biology 45 A level Changes 11 Chemistry 47 A level Entry Criteria 12 Computer Science 49 Upcoming Events 13 Physical Education 51 Creative Studies 16 Social Sciences 54 Art and Design 17 Law 55 Design Technology: Psychology 57 Product Design (3D) 19 Sociology 59 Drama and Theatre Studies 21 62 Media Studies 23 Progress on to a degree English and Maths 26 English Language 27 English Literature 29 Mathematics 31 WELCOME Welcome to the A Level Academy at St Helens College. We are delighted that you are considering us as a place to study. As one of the largest college’s in the Northwest, we are committed to providing high-quality education to our students beginning their journey to university and into successful careers. Our A Level Academy provides a direct route to university and tailors your education to meet your interests and future ambitions. You’ll learn in a focused, aspirational environment, with access to state-of-the-art learning facilities on our £60million campus. Inspiring, passionate tutors provide individualised support. They are committed to ensuring that all of our students are stretched and challenged to realise their academic potential and are well-equipped to compete for entry into the top universities and professions. Our strong partnerships with prestigious universities and distinguished employers will contribute to an enhanced learning experience. We have great expectations for you and with pre-subject guidance, pastoral services and support, we strive to ensure that you have the opportunity to make an informed decision about your A level options and achieve your aspirations. We look forward to welcoming you in September. Dr Jette Burford St Helens College Principal Welcome 2 ALL ABOUT OUR A LEVELS A LEVEL ACADEMY A levels are a more traditional, direct route to university and could be the right fit At St Helens College, our A level students have a dedicated study environment for you if you enjoyed studying GCSEs, don’t mind sitting exams and are good at where they can really excel. The A Level Academy is equipped with a study zone, researching topics. suites of computers and social areas. They also allow you to choose three subjects to study and these will take you two years to Our class sizes are smaller in comparison to sixth forms resulting in a highly supportive, complete with exams at the end of your second year. learning experience. Our tutors are academics, experts in their fields with strong employer links. Studying A levels shows employers that you are capable of thinking and working at an advanced level, and will also enable you to keep your career options open. In 2016, we achieved 98.2% overall A level pass rate with 81% of students progressing on to university and 14% progressing on to apprenticeships or into employment. A levels give you the opportunity to progress on to university, a higher apprenticeship or into employment. We’ve recently invested £1m into revamping our Town Centre Campus library to give you high-tech computers, private study booths, a new performance and exhibition zone and Our tutors will support you to choose the best package of A levels to suit you and your a Starbucks. future aspirations. Ensuring that every student achieves their full potential is at the heart of our A Level Academy. All that you can be begins here! “All staff contribute to developing a culture of high ambition and achievement” OFSTED 3 All About A levels A Level Academy 4 SIX REASONS TO YOUR STUDY STUDY A LEVELS PROGRAMME At St Helens College’s A Level Academy your study programme is designed to help 1. ROUTE TO UNIVERSITY you realise your full personal and academic potential. You will choose three A level subjects with the opportunity of studying an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). A LEVELS ARE A MORE TRADITIONAL, DIRECT ROUTE TO UNIVERSITY. PASTORAL GUIDANCE 2. COMPETITIVE EDGE YOU’LL SHOW THAT YOU’RE CAPABLE OF THINKING OPTIONAL: WORK AT AN ADVANCED LEVEL. EXTENDED PROJECT EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION (EPQ) 3. TAILORED SUBJECTS YOU’LL COMBINE THREE SUBJECTS TO HELP PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE. YOUR STUDY PROGRAMME 4. DEVELOP SKILLS YOU’LL DEVELOP CRUCIAL RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS. 5. UCAS APPLICATIONS A LEVEL SUBJECT 1 A LEVEL SUBJECT 2 A LEVEL SUBJECT 3 EXPERIENCED TUTORS PROVIDE SUPPORT WITH UCAS APPLICATIONS. 6. EARN AND LEARN WHAT IS AN EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATION (EPQ)? PROGRESS ON TO A HIGHER APPRENTICESHIP TO EARN AND LEARN. EPQ enables you to extend and develop the crucial academic skills of research and analysis to boost your university study skills. You will undertake the EPQ alongside your chosen A levels and it will take one year to complete. 5 Six Reasons Your Study Programme 61 A LEVEL RESULTS TOP NATIONAL AVERAGE ST HELENS COLLEGE’S A LEVEL ACADEMY ACHIEVED AN IMPRESSIVE 98.2% OVERALL A LEVEL PASS RATE. 100% PASS RATE IN FACILITATING SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH LITERATURE, MATHEMATICS, HISTORY AND BIOLOGY. Gary Shortall Law, Business and History St Edwards College “I’m so happy that I’ve achieved B B B in Law, Business and History. The last two years have been hard but completely worth it. 100% PASS RATE I am going to Liverpool John Moores studying a degree in Law, so WITH HIGH GRADES (A*- C) IN that I can work towards becoming a qualified Solicitor.” ENGLISH LANGUAGE, ENGLISH LITERATURE AND MATHEMATICS. 7 A level Results Off to university... WHERE ARE NAME SUBJECTS UNIVERSITY DEGREE History, Law, Government RACHEL BELL BA (Hons) History and Politics University of Chester THEY GOING? Sociology, Government and BA (Hons) International JOE BRAMMA Politics, History Liverpool Hope University Relations and Politics Biology, Mathematics, Jack Clare RACHEL BURGESS University of Bristol BSc (Hons) Economics Biology, English Literature and History English Language St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School Religious Studies, Sociology, LIBBY CHISNALL University Centre FdA Criminal Justice Psychology “All of my tutors and my personal tutor were very welcoming and St Helens the small class sizes have ensured that everyone on the A Level Religious Studies, Law, ROBERT HUGHES BA (Hons) History Academy floor knows each other! Government and Politics University of Chester Sociology, Psychology, BA (Hons) Early Childhood I am really enjoying the research aspects of Biology and gaining a MEGAN LEE English Language Edge Hill University Studies strong understanding of History and how it can be used in day-to- day situations. History, Sociology, BA (Hons) Philosophy/ HATEM KAAK Manchester Metropolitan Government and Politics University Politics After I have completed my A levels, I intend to do a Biology degree BA (Hons) International JOSH KAY History, Sociology, Business Manchester Metropolitan at university.” University Business Management English Language, BA (Hons) English and FRANKIE MADEN Liverpool John Moores Ben Wolstenholme Sociology, Psychology University Creative Writing Business, Law and Government and Politics GARY SHORTALL Law, Business, History Liverpool John Moores LLB (Hons) Law Byrchall High School University “I really like the A Level Academy as it’s close to the town centre, KATIE THOMAS History, Law, Psychology BSc (Hons) Criminology there are easy transport links nearby and a group of my friends University of Salford also attend the College. AARON History, Government and BA (Hons) International University of Salford Once I have completed my A levels, I hope to study business or WARBURTON Politics, English Language Relations and Politics international business law at university so that I can one day work for an established company and work my way up to managerial or BA (Hons) Fashion Buying KYRA WELDING Sociology, Psychology Manchester Metropolitan CEO level.” University and Merchandising History, English Literature, BSc (Hons) Psychology LIANA WHITE Psychology University of Salford Mohammed Ahtash History, Sociology and Government and Politics Entering full-time employment or an apprenticeship... “I have had so many amazing opportunities so far, from attending NAME SUBJECTS APPRENTICESHIP school in Libya to having the opportunity to take part in a student exchange programme in the USA to moving to the UK and Business Administration CONNOR FINN Business, Computer Science attending St Helens College! Apprenticeship SIOBHAN Law, Psychology, Computer The tutors are very helpful and encourage us to aim higher, Legal Apprenticeship MARSHALL Science providing extra support and advice if needed and I really like that the A level students have the top floor of the College to themselves!” NAME SUBJECTS EMPLOYER Religious Studies, Sociology, Upon completion of my A levels, I hope to go on to university to BETHAN HARRIS Armed Forces study either law or diplomacy.” English Language 9 Where Are They Going? Where Are They Going? 10 A LEVEL ENTRY A LEVEL CHANGES CRITERIA You may have heard that there have been changes to A and AS levels from As part of the new GCSE grading structure, reformed New Current September 2015 onwards, across England and Wales. GCSEs will be introduced gradually over the 3 years Structure Structure from September 2015. They will be graded from 9 to 1, As a student looking to progress on to university, it is now expected that you will study instead of A* to G. 9 three A levels rather than four but don’t worry, this will not put you at a disadvantage in A* any way as all universities require students to have three good A levels as part of their Students being awarded GCSEs in 2017 and 2018 will standard offer. receive a mixture of 9 to 1 and A* to G grades.