A GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE SIXTH FORM AND THE SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM 2018-2020 Contents HEADMASTER’S PREFACE .............................................................................................................................. 3 FOREWORD FROM THE HEAD OF SIXTH FORM ............................................................................................. 3 ACADEMIC INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 4 THE SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM: 2018-2020 ................................................................................................. 7 The Pathway to the Sixth Form (for present Fifth Form pupils)................................................. 7 Choosing subjects ....................................................................................................................... 8 Assessment Points .................................................................................................................... 10 Work Patterns and Monitoring Progress .................................................................................. 11 Holiday Work ............................................................................................................................ 12 STUDY AIDS AND ADVICE ............................................................................................................................ 12 Careers and Universities ........................................................................................................... 12 Information Communications Technology ............................................................................... 15 Library ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Pupils requiring Special Access Arrangements in Examinations .............................................. 16 Learning Support ...................................................................................................................... 17 CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................................................ 18 King’s School Talks .................................................................................................................... 18 Drama and Dance ..................................................................................................................... 18 Music ........................................................................................................................................ 19 Sport ......................................................................................................................................... 20 The Activities Programme ........................................................................................................ 20 ACADEMIC SUBJECTS ................................................................................................................................... 24 Art and Design .......................................................................................................................... 24 Art History ................................................................................................................................ 25 1 2 Biology ...................................................................................................................................... 27 Chemistry.................................................................................................................................. 28 Classics: Latin and Greek .......................................................................................................... 30 Classical Civilisation .................................................................................................................. 31 Computing ................................................................................................................................ 33 Design & Technology ................................................................................................................ 34 Drama and Theatre Studies ...................................................................................................... 35 Economics ................................................................................................................................. 36 English Literature ...................................................................................................................... 37 Dr Alex Latter, Head of English ................................................................................................. 38 The Extended Project Qualification .......................................................................................... 39 Geography ................................................................................................................................ 41 Geology (Earth and Planetary Science) .................................................................................... 42 Global Perspectives .................................................................................................................. 43 History ...................................................................................................................................... 45 Mathematics ............................................................................................................................. 47 Music ........................................................................................................................................ 53 Pre-conditions ............................................................................................................................................. 53 Subject Combinations .................................................................................................................................. 53 Course Content and Method of Examination.............................................................................................. 53 Music Technology ..................................................................................................................... 56 Philosophy ................................................................................................................................ 58 Photography ............................................................................................................................. 59 Physical Education .................................................................................................................... 60 Physics ...................................................................................................................................... 61 Politics ...................................................................................................................................... 62 Psychology ................................................................................................................................ 64 Religious Studies ....................................................................................................................... 65 APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................................. 67 Appendix 1: Oxford and Cambridge (‘Oxbridge’) ..................................................................... 67 Appendix 2: the UCAS Tariff ..................................................................................................... 69 Appendix 3: Examination Syllabuses, Boards & Web Links ...................................................... 70 Appendix 4: E-mail contacts ..................................................................................................... 71 6b = first year sixth (year 12) 6a = second year sixth (year 13) This Guide can also be found on the School's website www.kings-school.co.uk HEADMASTER’S PREFACE The Sixth Form at King’s is a vibrant and interesting stage in the whole King’s experience. Whether it is the continuation for those who are already pupils, or a new career for those joining, the programme outlined in this booklet offers choice, wide-ranging opportunities and the freedom to pursue individual pathways to excellence. In summary, we aim to retain the King’s ‘broad-brush’. We offer what Michael Morpurgo recently described as a ‘university-like education adapted to younger people combined with the traditional virtues of the well-rounded King’s education’. King’s Sixth Formers opt in and do not opt out! They see their school life as still the ‘cool’ and stimulating experience of their earlier education. Alongside this broader vision, the ‘reformed’ A Levels and the Pre-U subjects which we offer provide a good balanced academic curriculum, one that enables our Sixth Formers to compete well for those prized ‘top’ university places, whilst remaining accessible and rewarding to all King’s pupils. Overall then, the King’s Sixth Form is a special time, a time to share one’s gifts and to develop them further. I am confident that at the end of the King’s Sixth Form, our 6as not only have access to top university courses through the dedicated and excellent teaching here, but through the cultivation of the skills of communication, research and problem-solving, they are ready to face the challenges of