CHANGE Sixth Form Courses Guide MAKERS 2021-2023 Foreword (2), Introduction (3), Sixth Form Curriculum (4), Subject Choices (5), Sixth Form Tutoring (6), Applying to University (7), Oxbridge Applications (8), Careers Education and Guidance (9), Sixth Form Careers Programme (10), Art (11), Biology (12), Business (13), Business BTEC (14), Chemistry (15), Classics (16), Computer Science (17), Creative Digital Media Production BTEC (18), Design (19), Drama and Theatre Studies (20), Economics (21), Engineering BTEC (22), English as a Second Language (ESL) (23), English Literature (24), Film Studies (25), French (26), Geography (27), German (28), History (29), History of Art (30), Mathematics (31), Music (32), Physics (33), Politics (34), Psychology (35) Religious Studies (36), Spanish (37), Sports Science (38), Sport BTEC (39), Programme of Electives (40), Higher Education Destinations of Stoics (42) Foreword The Sixth Form at Stowe will be some of the most The successful transition from GCSE requires a growing exciting and rewarding years of your School career. maturity and an ability to organise yourself in a way We know that you will want to make the most of your that reveals a greater capacity for independent study. opportunities, so that you secure the greatest possible Pupils are expected to stay motivated and focused benefit from your time in the Sixth Form. Some very throughout the Sixth Form. We expect hard work. In important decisions about higher education and turn we commit ourselves to helping you to pursue careers lie ahead and the options open to you will be and develop your strengths and interests. You will determined, in large part, by your approach to Sixth experience the pleasure of discovery and exploration, Form life. of forging ideas and increasing awareness and of deepening your understanding of the world around You will be offered all kinds of challenges and you. Personal responsibility and self-motivation are opportunities and are advised to approach these very essential preconditions of success. positively from the outset, with an understanding that talent in any field grows as a result of putting in 98% of Stoics go on to higher education each year, so hours of deep practice. Academic study is, of course, you can see that Stowe’s Sixth Form provision is very the main reason why you will be at School and you good indeed. should consult with Tutors and Heads of Departments to identify your intellectual strengths and needs and to This booklet summarises the objectives and contents of devise strategies for improvement. the Sixth Form courses offered at Stowe. Please think carefully when you make your subject choices. A Levels and their BTEC equivalents continue to represent the ‘gold standard’ and hold the key to a university education. While community life at Stowe makes you think about others, the subjects on offer are designed to make you think deeply and to think for yourself. The options open are broad and flexible; they are not a straitjacket into which you either fit or fail. The Extended Project Qualification, in particular, Dr Anthony Wallersteiner, Head provides a perfect opportunity for you to identify and explore in depth a topic of your choice, demonstrating your ability to work independently which will stand you in good stead for university. 2 Introduction Deputy Head (Academic): Dr Julie Potter Making the correct choices for the Sixth Form is important, not only in ensuring that you flourish at Stowe over the next two years, but so that you keep the right doors open to you for your future beyond Stowe. A Levels are now fully linear, more challenging, and have Electives at Stowe range from standalone AS more content to cover than ever before. In addition, the qualifications in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, or reformed BTECs offer a qualification which is treated Music Technology, to doing a Languages qualification, by universities as equivalent to an A Level, but which is or preparing for Grade 8 Music. The BTEC options assessed in a more practical and modular manner. Given in Business and Sport also offer AS Level equivalent that universities make their offers primarily on the basis qualifications. A provisional list of electives to choose of three A Level or BTEC grades, we recommend that from appears at the back of this booklet. most pupils choose just three to focus on from the start, in order to maximise chances of achieving top grades The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is perhaps in these. However we are also continuing to make it the most respected and most flexible of the electives. possible for pupils to study four if desired, though we The EPQ carries the UCAS weighting of 50% of a recommend you talk this over first with the Head of Sixth full A Level and provides the possibility for pupils to Form. For more guidance on choices, please see page 5 pursue an area of particular interest in a self-designed, of this booklet. assessed project. Universities and employers welcome it because it indicates genuine academic interest and Although the primary evidence for university admissions commitment, as well as an ability to reflect and work will be the three A Level or BTEC grades, they will also independently. The EPQ course at Stowe will run from continue to look for evidence of academic ambition and September to June of the Lower Sixth year. For those extension beyond this. Therefore, we also expect Sixth who wish to stretch themselves that little bit more, it Form pupils who are studying three subjects to complete may be possible to choose both the EPQ and another either an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or another elective. enrichment elective, in addition to their three main subjects. A number of these electives are also examined If you have any questions about the curriculum, or and carry UCAS points, which for some universities will what to consider when making your choices, please feel be accepted as part of an admissions offer. free to contact us for further advice. 3 Sixth Form Curriculum Provisional for 2021-2023 Deputy Head (Academic): Dr Julie Potter The subjects available to those qualifying for the Sixth Please note: Form are listed here. We expect members of the • All A Level subjects have minimum Foundation Grades Sixth Form to take three A Levels/BTECs and an required from GCSEs or Stowe Entry Papers; BTEC elective. Pupils will be asked to indicate their three courses do not have required Foundation Grades, preferred A Level/BTEC subjects and also two insurance however a strong work ethic is necessary given that choices, for the rare cases when we are unable to support grades are built up in a modular manner across the a particular combination. Those wishing to study four course. A Levels are asked to seek advice in the first instance • Further Mathematics may not be taken without from the Deputy Head (Academic) or Head of Sixth Form. Mathematics. • Business, Economics, History of Art, Film Studies and A Level and BTEC subjects to Politics courses are rarely studied before the Sixth choose from are as follows: Form. Some other subjects can also accept candidates who lack the GCSE experience. Prospective candidates Ancient Greek should negotiate with the Head of Department in question. Art • The School reserves the right to withdraw a subject Biology from the curriculum if there is insufficient demand. Business • The Engineering BTEC can be taken either as a full Business BTEC A Level equivalent over two years, or as an elective Chemistry AS equivalent over one year. Both options are delivered through a three-hour session at the UTC in Computer Science Silverstone on Thursday afternoons, with additional Creative Digital Media Production BTEC theory classes at Stowe for the full A Level equivalent. Design & Technology • The Creative Digital Media Production BTEC can only Drama & Theatre be studied as an Extended Level 3 course, equivalent to a full A Level, taught over two years. Economics Engineering BTEC English Literature Elective subjects to Film Studies choose from are as follows: French The Extended Project Qualification Further Mathematics AS Mathematics Geography AS Further Mathematics German Engineering BTEC History (Early Modern) AS Film Studies History (Modern) AS Music Technology History of Art Preparation for Advanced Level Latin Musicians (PALM) Mathematics LAMDA Music English as a Second Language Philosophy & Religion AS/A Levels in Additional Foreign Languages Physics Institute of Leadership and Politics Management Qualification Psychology Spanish Sports BTEC Sports Science 4 Subject Choices Head of Sixth Form: Paul Floyd film scripts, an exhibition of paintings and an exhibition At Stowe we offer a Sixth Form of sculpture. The final grade involves an assessment of curriculum that provides the the process from inception to presentation. As such, the EPQ is recognised by universities as providing evidence flexibility for pupils to follow not only of particular passions and interests but also of skill sets not demonstrated in traditional exams and bespoke programmes that so a good EPQ will significantly enhance any university best suit their interests and application. aspirations. How do I choose which subjects to take? Experience and enjoyment of a subject studied at GCSE is usually a good guide for future success but at Stowe we offer pupils the chance to try something new at Most follow Sixth Form programmes leading to three A Level in areas such as History of Art, Film Studies, A Levels at the end of two years. In addition, pupils Politics, Economics and Business. Some pupils have also are expected to choose one course from our elective successfully taken Drama, Sports Science, Religious programme. Electives allow pupils a degree of control Studies, Computer Science and History without having over their academic journey and can, according to the followed the GCSE course.