NEWPORT GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL

ACADEMY TRUST

A LEVEL

COURSES INFORMATION

FOR 2017 - 2019

32

CONTENTS

Art & Design              2

Biology              4

Chemistry              5

Design & Technology              7

Economics                9

English Literature              12

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)              13

French              14

Geography              16

German              17

Government & Politics              19

History              20

Mathematics               21

Further Mathematics              22

Music              24

Physics              26

Psychology              28

Religious Studies: Philosophy of Religion & Ethics              29

Subject Exam Codes              32

ART & DESIGN

A LEVEL

Examining Board AQA

Course No. 7202

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

While it is an advantage to have studied Art at GCSE level, the A level course requires a questioning mind, and a student who is not afraid to experiment and ‘try things out’.  An enthusiasm for the subject is important as well as an interest in and enjoyment of Art and Design.  The intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive powers will be developed during the course as well as aesthetic understanding and critical judgement.  Students will be given opportunities to visit galleries to increase their knowledge and first-hand experience of Art from other cultures and societies past and present.  They will be encouraged to visit local galleries collections of Art independently throughout the course.  There may also be a gallery trip abroad during the year which of course is optional but a great opportunity to broaden cultural awareness.

There is an element of work from the life-model during both years and students achieve and benefit greatly from these life studies lessons.

OPPORTUNITIES AFTER STUDYING THE COURSE

Students who wish to pursue further studies in Art and Design often go on to a foundation course prior to degree courses in a wide range of Art related subjects.  Newport Girls’ High School’s Art department has a particularly good working relationship with Stafford College of Art and Design which has excellent facilities and provides, through the nature of the foundation course, an important step to the next stage of Art education.  Students have applied to a wide range of courses at universities; Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds and Lancaster in recent years.  It is also possible to apply directly to a degree course and students will be advised appropriately for their needs at the time.

COURSE OUTLINE

Year 1:

Skills Based Portfolio – Coursework

Students are required to produce a portfolio of work from given starting points, topics or themes.  There is a strong emphasis on work with the life model as a foundation for other ideas.

The focus is on showing that ideas have been explored, researched, and skills and techniques have been acquired during the course. Students will benefit from learning a variety of new techniques such as SLR photography, printmaking, painting and drawing, sculpture and digital art.

Coursework project

Students will be given the opportunity to start their major coursework project after Easter which will go towards their overall A Level.

In May students will have a 10 hour (2 days) exam to work on developing their ideas to experience working under controlled conditions, they will be awarded with an internally assessed grade at the end of the first year.

Year 2

Personal Investigation

Students continue to develop their major project (practical piece of visual work) that has a personal significance to them.  This is an opportunity to show what you have learnt to do well.

The investigation includes a related personal study that must be between 1000 – 3000 words.

Controlled Assignment

Students are given an early release question paper on 1st February from which they select one starting point.

They are given 12 - 14 weeks to prepare and plan their ideas.

Students are given 15 hours (3 exam days) exam time to realise their ideas into a final outcome or piece of work.

Tutor Miss A Wynn

BIOLOGY

A LEVEL

Examining Board AQA

Course Nos. AS: 7401   A2: 7402

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A minimum grade A in Additional Science or Separate Science Biology is required.  A keen interest and enthusiasm for the subject and how it is developing in the 21st century.

OPPORTUNITIES AFTER STUDYING THE COURSE

Many of the students studying biology have gone to a variety of courses including Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Science, Biomedical and Biological Sciences, Genetics, Agriculture, Teaching and Environmental Science.

The course builds on concepts and skills that will have been developed in the GCSE Science courses.  It encourages pupils to:

·        further their knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm for Biology;

·        develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods;

·        develop competence in practical, mathematical and problem solving skills;

·        gain an appreciation of the effects of biology on society.

COURSE OUTLINE

Four units are studied in Year 12:

Unit 1              Biological molecules

Unit 2              Cells

Unit 3              Exchange in organisms

Unit 4              Genes and variation

Four units are studied in Year 13:

Unit 5              Energy transfers

Unit 6              Responding to change

Unit 7              Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

Unit 8              The control of gene expression

Practical assessment does not count towards either the AS or A level.  However, during the course students will be assessed and at A level this will result in a separate endorsement of their practical skills.  Assessment of practical skills will also be tested via the written papers at both AS and A level.

                                                                                                                              Tutors Mrs S Dainty

                                                                                                                                                          Mrs R Narasimhan

CHEMISTRY

A LEVEL

Examining Board AQA

Course Nos. 7404 (AS) 7405 (A Level)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A minimum grade A in Additional Science or Separate Science Chemistry is required.

The greatest difference between GCSE and A level is encountered in physical chemistry. Many of the ideas have been discussed at GCSE level, but more calculations are involved. Some people find these difficult but anyone, who has coped well with GCSE level Maths and gained good science GCSE results, should be capable of them and many people enjoy the challenge of solving problems.

OPPORTUNITIES AFTER STUDYING THE COURSE

Chemistry ‘A’ level is a specific requirement for many courses at university and can lead to careers in chemistry, medicine, pharmacy, biological sciences and other less obvious areas such as law.

Chemistry is an exciting subject; it is also of enormous importance for the well being and advancement of our civilisation. You have only to consider how the chemicals industry provides for your food (fertilisers, agrochemicals, preservatives), clothing (fibres, detergents), shelter (construction materials), transport (fuels, lubricants) and health (drugs, pharmaceuticals) to realise that life as we know it would stop almost overnight if the fruits of past chemical research and development were not available.  Chemistry also has a major part to play in environmental issues.

COURSE OUTLINE

The first teaching modules will cover the fundamental basics in theory and practical work which all good chemists should be familiar with.  This will include topics on acids and bases, redox reactions, use of the mole concept, and structure and bonding within materials.  Questions on this work may feature in ANY of the three final papers.

The subject will then be divided into two strands broadly following the lines of inorganic/ physical chemistry in one and organic chemistry in the other.  These will be tested separately in Papers 1 and 2.

There will be much more emphasis than before on the links between the topic areas and a synoptic view to the subject.  Paper 3 will require knowledge of the whole content and an ability to write at length.

Practical work will no longer feature as a component within the A level, but will be recognised by a ‘pass or fail’ endorsement which will be published alongside the A level grade.  This will involve doing 12 experiments, suggested by the board, in the context of the work carried out during normal lessons.  These will be moderated by the board, but initially assessed by us.

EXAM STRUCTURE

All exams sat at the end of the two-year course.

Paper 1:              Periodic Table, elements and physical chemistry (2 hours 15 minutes) (15 multiple choice questions and structured questions work 85 marks)

Paper 2:              Synthesis and analytical techniques (2 hours 15 minutes) (15 multiple choice questions and structured questions work 85 marks)

Paper 3:              Unified chemistry (1 hour 30 minutes) (structured questions and extended response questions covering theory and practical skills worth 70 marks)

Practical              Pass/Fail – will be reported alongside the A level grade but will no longer be endorsement: part of the exam.

AS is no longer a constituent part of the A level course but is co-teachable with Year 12 of the A level course.  It may be used to provide those who do not wish to continue their studies into Year 13 as a recognised qualification, and may also be used to provide an indication of the suitability of students to continue into Year 13.

Tutors Mr J Wade

Mr C Tolley

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY - PRODUCT DESIGN

A LEVEL

Examining Board AQA

Course No. 7552

This new creative and though-provoking qualification will give students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers, especially those in creative industries.  Students will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning in to practice by designing, manufacturing and evaluating products of their choice. Students will develop their intellectual curiosity about design and manufacture of products and systems, and their impact on daily life and the wider world. Students will gain a real insight into the creative, engineering and/or manufacturing industries.

The course will appeal to students who have an enquiring mind.  The course encourages innovation, takes account of the varied interests of the student and enables students to learn about design in a design-make-test-evaluate context. The course has clear links with maths and science.

OPPORTUNITIES AFTER STUDYING THE COURSE

Product Design can be combined with other favourite subjects to create a wide range of possible career paths.  For example combining with maths or physics creates opportunities for architecture, civil, aeronautical and mechanical engineering. Product Design with business studies would make a strong application to marketing or advertising courses. Product Design with art lends itself to foundation studies, theatre and fashion design. 

COURSE OUTLINE

There are three main areas to this course, the non-exam assessment coursework project (in which students are encouraged to be as creative as possible before making their idea as a finished working product), Paper 1 which is a 2 hour examination (core technical, designing and making principles) and Paper 2 which is a 2 hour examination (specialist knowledge, technical, design and making principles linked to product analysis and commercial manufacturing).  Graphic techniques are an integral part of Product Design to enable students to clearly communicate their ideas.