sixth form centre 2014 - 2015

SIXTH FORM CENTREA LEVELS 2014–2015

City College Norwich – Sixth Form Centre

THE SIXTH FORM CENTRE

It was founded in 1891 and

moved to its present site on

Ipswich Road in 1953.

We have been teaching A Levels here for many years. In fact, one of our most famous former students is Stephen Fry, who has said, “It all started here [at City College Norwich]. I will never forget it. I will never cease to be grateful for what it’s done, in such a perfect way. Not a mollycoddling way, not a stern authoritarian way, but a civilised way. We were not treated as children; we were students, not kids. The standard of teaching was astonishingly high. Norwich, the city, and Norfolk, the county, should be immensely proud of this institution. This is a really special place.”

In 2007, we brought our A Level courses together into a specialist Sixth Form Centre for time 16-18 year old students.

Since then, almost 2,000 students have taken courses with us and achieved an average A Level pass rate of 97%.


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“The standards get higher and higher each year. Norwich, the city, and Norfolk, the county, should be immensely proud of this institution. This is a really special place.”Stephen Fry – former A Level student at City College Norwich.

Each year, a majority of our second year students progress on to higher education while most others go on to further education or employment.

Key features of the

Sixth Form Centre include:

• A more adult environment than at school

• Highly qualified specialist A Level teachers

• Expert personal tutors to guide you through your studies and on to degree level study or the first steps of a career

• Our own specialist facilities.

The Sixth Form Centre also benefits from City College Norwich’s excellent resources and facilities. These include a superb Information Store with thousands of books and other resources, 1,200 PCs, a TV studio and media suite, a sports hall and well-equipped gym. There is also a choice of five cafés and restaurants to eat in.

City College Norwich has a long pedigree.

HAOCHENHaochen Zhu left the Sixth Form Centre in summer 2013 as a worthy winner of our Governors’ Further Education Award for Outstanding Achievement. Only one of the College’s thousands of students receives this Award each year, and Haochen stood out as clearly the most deserving candidate for the Award, a shining example of what talent, hard work and great support can make possible.

He arrived in England from China with very little English in August 2009 and enrolled at City College Norwich the next day. In the four years that followed, he made exceptional progress in a series of English, GCSE and A Level courses. As a talented mathematician, he started his Mathematics A Level while still taking his GCSEs in other subjects, and then moved on to a full time A Level programme. In summer 2013, Haochen achieved three B grades at A Level in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, adding to the A* he achieved in Mathematics a year earlier.

The next stage in his education will be at York University, where he will be studying Biochemistry, his first choice of degree because he wanted something that would be more of a challenge than Mathematics!


WELCOME TO THESIXTH FORM CENTREDear student,

You probably already know about City College Norwich’s great vocational courses in subjects like business, sport and catering, but I want to tell you about our Sixth Form Centre, which you may not have heard so much about.

It often surprises students and their parents and teachers to learn that we’re actually one of the biggest sixth forms in Norfolk and that hundreds of young people like you choose to study for A Levels with us each year.

In September 2014, we will be starting our eighth year as a specialist A Level Sixth Form Centre. There is a wide choice of subjects, expert teaching and individual tutorial support for your studies and to help you move on to higher education or employment. We will treat you like an adult and work with you to achieve your goals. In short, it’s a great place to be an A Level student.


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CONTENTSThe Sixth Form Centre 3

Welcome to the Sixth Form Centre 5

A Message to Parents 7

Helping you Succeed 8

Tutorial Support 9

Extra Help When You Need It 10

Life at College 11

The Students’ Union 13

Applying and Enrolling 14

Your time at Sixth Form 15

A Levels 16

Entry Requirements 17

Art 19

Biology 21

Business Studies 23

Chemistry 25

Creative Writing 27

Drama and Theatre Studies 29

English Language and Literature 31

English Literature 33

Film Studies 35

We describe our approach as an adult one. This means that we are a learning community of adults and young people where students are full members with both rights and responsibilities. You are entitled to good teaching and support and to be treated with respect. At the same time, you will be expected to do everything you can to ensure your own success. This includes attending all lessons, working hard and acting on the advice you receive from teachers and tutors.

I hope you will decide to join us for the next stage in your education and look forward to meeting you soon.

Steve Guratsky

Head of Sixth Form Centre

In March 2013, Ofsted rated City College Norwich as good (grade 2), describing Science and Mathematics teaching, learning and assessment as consistently good and Sixth Form Centre tutorial support as good.

Science lessons by lecturers Simon Duggan, Rose Niescierowicz and Steve Riches (all pictured below) were observed by Ofsted and were all rated as outstanding (grade 1).

The full Ofsted report

can be found at:

www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/130764

OFSTED SUCCESS

Rose NiescierowiczBiology

Steve RichesChemistry

Simon DugganPhysics & Mathematics

GazelleGazelle was created in 2011 with an exclusive focus on building a recognisable cluster of entrepreneurial colleges in the UK. Gazelle combines the exceptional experience of entrepreneurs who have succeeded in business with leaders in the further education and wider public sector to transform education and to help create the next generation of wealth creators. As part of this development, A Level students in the Sixth Form Centre can access the College’s StartUp Lounge to help them develop skills needed for employment and self employment. This is done through competitions, workshops and sessions with expert guest speakers.

French (under Modern Foreign Languages) 50

Further Mathematics 37

Geography 39

German (under Modern Foreign Languages) 50

Government and Politics 41

History 43

Law 45

Mathematics 47

Media Studies 49

Music 53

Music Technology 53

Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics 55

Photography 57

Physics 59

Psychology 61

Sociology 63

Spanish (under Modern Foreign Languages) 51

Textiles 65

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) 67

How to find us 68


A MESSAGETO PARENTS

Successful completion of

A Levels is one of the most

effective routes to degree level

study and professional careers.

We believe it is critical that

young people choose where

to take their A Levels carefully

and wisely, considering a range

of providers and being willing

to move on from a school

environment if that is the right

choice for them.

City College Norwich helps students achieve academic success as well as providing somewhere to grow into confident and mature young adults, ready for the challenges of higher education and employment.

As an A Level provider, the Sixth Form Centre has adopted many of the best practices found in sixth form colleges around the country, widely recognised as among the very best places for young people to study.

Expert specialist teachers and personal tutors are supported by managers whose central focus


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is on ensuring the best possible teaching, learning and support for all our students.

We are particularly proud of the working relationships our staff and students create, as equal partners in a shared endeavour. Mutual respect is a given and we treat our students as young adults with both rights and responsibilities.

Part of this approach is a very clear expectation that students will work as hard as we do for their futures. As part of this approach, we:• help students to choose the

right courses and settle in when they arrive

• provide effective, challenging lessons and tutorials

• use regular tests, assignments and other work to monitor students’ progress and tell them how well they are doing and how to do better

• provide help and advice when students need it

• help students move on to the next step in their education or careers.

In return, we expect students to do everything they can to ensure their own success by working hard and acting on the advice of their teachers and tutors. In particular, we require students to:• attend all lessons and

arrive on time• come to lessons well prepared

and with all the books and materials that will be needed

• work hard in and out of lessons, completing work to the best of their ability and to the deadlines set

• respond positively to feedback and advice from teachers and tutors.

We also recognise the vital role of parents in this student-college partnership, providing encouragement and support for students. This is why we seek to work closely with parents, by sending them copies of students’ Progress Reviews and holding Information and Consultation Evenings. We also raise any serious concerns by telephone or letter as soon as they arise.


TUTORIALSUPPORT


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HELPING YOU SUCCEEDOur approach to helping you succeed begins with the advice we give at interviews and enrolment. We will help you choose subjects where you have the best chance of being successful and moving on to your chosen option when you leave college.

This does not mean that we boost our position in league tables by only accepting students we are sure will achieve the highest grades. Unlike many other sixth forms, we are very open in our recruitment and enrol students with widely varying educational experiences and achievements. This is reflected in our entry requirements, where five GCSEs at grade A*-C can be enough to enrol on an A Level programme, though we do ask for more than this for entry to some subjects.

Once you have enrolled, we take the quality of teaching and learning very seriously.

Our approach is a simple one. Expert teaching and support, coupled with serious effort from you will lead to your success.

There is a simple relationship:

EFFORT = SUCCESS

A key benefit of studying in the Sixth Form Centre is the focus that teachers can give to A Level students. All of our teachers are experienced and well-qualified in the subjects they teach and many are also examiners and moderators for awarding bodies.

For each of your courses you will be set a minimum target grade, which we believe you should be able to achieve. These targets are based on what previous students with similar GCSE results to yours have achieved.

In addition to academic expertise, we believe that care and support are essential to your success. This is why we have a team of specialist Group Tutors, who are friendly, supportive, experienced teachers who will work with you throughout your time here.

In March 2013, Ofsted highlighted this support as a real strength of the Sixth Form Centre.

Our students come from schools all across the region, so we know how important it is for you to get to know other students and find out about life at college when you arrive. To help you do this, the first day of your courses will be an induction session with a Group Tutor.

After this you will have weekly group tutorials on topics ranging from contemporary politics, to exam techniques that work and applying for university.

You will also have regular one-to-one meetings with your Group Tutor. These are a chance to discuss your progress and resolve any problems or difficulties that you might be experiencing with your studies or personal life. You will also receive great support and advice about things like applying for higher education and other college courses or getting that job or apprenticeship you really want.

A key focus in tutorial work is on helping you achieve the best possible results. We believe that anyone can do well if they embrace the idea that effort leads to success and that getting things

Most courses have five hours of classes per week and part of this is used for subject support sessions. These include extra help if you need it and more challenging extension work to help you achieve the best possible grades.

Your teachers will give you regular feedback on tests, assignments and other work, including guidance on how your work compares to the standards needed to achieve your target grades and how you can improve further.

Teaching methods are based on evidence of what works. Drawing on 15 years of research into effective teaching methods by Professor John Hattie, whose 2009 book, Visible Learning, analysed many thousands of studies, our staff development programme is focused on how we can use active learning approaches and detailed feedback to help you achieve the best possible results.

wrong simply highlights areas for improvement. This approach draws on the ‘mindset’ approach developed by University of Stanford psychologist, Professor Carol Dweck.

Tutorials take place in our specialist tutorial suite, with its own classrooms, private interview rooms and IT and research facilities.

We also have a Promoting Achievement in Learning (PAL) team who work with tutors and teachers to support students by monitoring your attendance and punctuality. They will also help you resolve any issues that you might face that affects your attendance.

Roz Hicks

Group TutorRebecca Blunsden-Ford

Group Tutor

Roz and Rebecca worked as A Level teachers and Heads of Sixth Form in a number of schools before becoming Group Tutors in the Sixth Form Centre in 2010. They are highly experienced specialists in providing academic and pastoral support for students and in advising them on progression to university and future careers. Roz is also a qualified careers advisor and Rebecca has particular expertise in counselling young people. Both also support our students who are working towards Extended Project Qualifications.


LIFE AT COLLEGE


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EXTRA HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT THE WELLBEING ZONEThe Wellbeing Zone has a range of resources to help you with health and wellbeing while you are a City College Norwich student. A Wellbeing Adviser is available to talk to you about any concerns you might have. The service is friendly, discreet and non-judgemental.

THE ADVICE SHOPThe Advice Shop can offer help and advice on a whole range of subjects, such as choosing the right course for you, careers and higher education options, financial advice, personal issues and accommodation, as well as providing support for international students. Contact The Advice Shop

on 01603 773 773 or email

[email protected]

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESIf you need extra help because of a physical or learning disability, the College offers a range of support services that can help you.

For further information, please

contact the Curriculum Support

Team on 01603 773 058 or

email [email protected].

TRAVEL ASSISTANCEThis may be available if you are aged under 19, are studying at least 16 hours per week and live more than three miles from the College.

For more details, please contact

the Passenger Transport Unit,

County Hall, Martineau Lane,

Norwich NR1 2SG or call the

Student Transport Hotline

on 0344 800 8020 or visit

www.norfolk.gov.uk/

post16transport for further

information. Special needs

transport is available

with support from

Norfolk County Council.

In the Sixth Form Centre, we

want you to get as much as

you possibly can out of being a

student. Being part of City College

Norwich means that there

are a huge range of excellent

facilities available to you.

THE INFORMATION STOREThe Information Store provides access to a fantastic range of resources to help you with your course, whether books, online resources, CDs, DVDs or magazines as well as more than 200 PCs, including laptops, all with internet access and a wide selection of software packages. Our specialist staff will help you find what you need for your studies.

THE STARTUP LOUNGEThe StartUp Lounge is a unique space where students are given the opportunity to develop 21st Century employment and self-employment skills, innovate and come up with ideas for developing new products, services and ways of working. Students can access business mentoring and advice from the College’s entrepreneurs in residence and get practical help with job searching and CV workshops.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT16-19 Bursary Scheme

If you are studying on a further Education course at City College Norwich, you could be eligible for help from a discretionary fund to help those on low incomes with costs such as transport, equipment and study trips.

There is also a 16-19 Bursary Scheme for Vulnerable Young people, worth up to £1,200 a year. To be eligible for the Bursary you need to be in one of the following groups:

• Disabled and in receipt of employment support allowance and disability living allowance

• A young person in the care of Norfolk County Council

• A care leaver• Estranged from your

parents and in receipt of income support.

For more information or

an application form please

contact The Advice Shop

on 01603 773 773 or email

[email protected].

GET FIT. GET ACTIVEYou can take part in a variety of sports and fitness activities. In our newly refurbished sports centre we have modern, up-to-date facilities which include a fully equipped gym and sports hall.

An activity programme will be available when you start at college and will include sports such as football, netball, rugby, climbing, kayaking and wind surfing, to name but a few.

City College Norwich also has excellent links with the Norfolk Football Association’s Football Development Centre and Eaton Vale Outdoor Activity Centre.

HAIR AND BEAUTY SPAOur Solutions Salon offer a wide range of hair and beauty treatments at a fraction of high street prices! These include hair cutting and colouring, facials, massages and tanning.

RELAXING WITH FRIENDSDuring breaks or after lessons, you can make the most of the many cafés and restaurants we have on campus, offering great food at sensible prices.

Popular with students and staff is the student-run Debut Café, where you can enjoy a range of freshly made coffees, tea, smoothies, cold drinks and our trainee chefs serve excellent, great value hot lunches, sandwiches and panini and a wide range of hot and cold snacks, cakes and bread throughout the day.

The College also has a Starbucks Café located in the main Norwich Building, plus our City Café in the Norfolk Building and City Restaurant in the Wroxham Building, offering a full range of hot food and drinks, including vegetarian options, tea and coffee as well as light snacks, from 8am to 7pm during term-time.

Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to treat yourself, or your family and friends, to a fine dining meal, three course lunch or six course dinner in the superb Debut Restaurant.


THE STUDENTS’ UNION


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Once you have enrolled as

a student you automatically

become a member of the

College’s Students’ Union

which is affiliated to the

National Union of Students

(NUS). It is here to help

with your studies as well as

connecting you to more than

seven million students all over

the country.

Members have an opportunity to get involved at all levels of the work of the Students’ Union including club nights and band nights to representation at Student Parliament and on the College’s Board of Governors.

The education sector is facing ongoing changes and the Union will continue to stand firm for your views and values.

As a member of the Students’ Union you have access to a variety of student groups, societies, and associations. Whether you want to meet new people, continue a hobby or skill, learn something new or just get involved with student life, there is a group for you. And if there isn’t one already, we’d be delighted to help you set one up.

Freshers’ Week will take place during your first weeks at College and is designed to make the start of your academic year as easy and as fun as possible!

For all the latest information on what’s in and around City College Norwich or if you need help and advice come and visit us. We are always happy to help and the door is always open.

STUDENT GROUPS AND SOCIETIESYou will have access to a variety of student groups, societies and associations, supported by the Students’ Union. Whether you want to meet new people, continue a hobby, learn something new or just get involved in student life, there is likely to be a group for you.

START YOUR OWN!If you can’t find a group

that’s already doing

something you want to do,

why not start your own?

If you can get a group of students together that want to do the same thing as you, we will try to provide the facilities that you need and some money for expenses.

It can be almost anything you like, as long as it’s safe, legal and doesn’t break any College rules or policies!

If you have a great idea for a club, make sure you tell your tutor. You could be surprised by how many other students want to do the same thing.

APPLYING AND ENROLLING

If you are still deciding whether you want to join us, take your time. This is a big decision and we know there are lots of options open to you. You can find out more about us from this prospectus, on our dedicated website www.norwichsixthform.co.uk or at one of our open days. See the back page of this prospectus for a full list of our open days for 2013/14.

APPLYING

You can apply on-line at www.norwichsixthform.co.uk, www.ccn.ac.uk, or http://helpyouchoose.org, or by using a paper application form available from the Advice Shop at City College Norwich.

There is no deadline for applications, but you will be given priority if courses become full and you apply early.

INTERVIEWS

Once you have applied to the Sixth Form Centre, we will invite you to a guidance interview, where we will help you choose the right courses for you.

There are interview sessions every few weeks from October onwards.

RESULTSDAY!

If you are taking your GCSEs this year, we will be happy to talk to you about your courses on results day or afterwards.

ENROLMENT

You will enrol for your courses in late August. It’s important that you attend your appointment; if you don’t, you could miss out on your preferred courses.

INDUCTION

Your induction will include a session with your Group Tutor, when you start getting to know other students, where things are and how everything works. There will also be subject induction sessions at the start of each A Level, to help you understand them and make sure they are the right ones for you.

At the end of your induction we will have an individual discussion with you to confirm your course choices.

COURSES

Your courses will start in September. Most students are with us for two years and take three or four subjects in the first year and three in the second.

There is more information about our courses on pages 16 to 67 and on our website, www.norwichsixthform.co.uk

WORKINGWITH YOUR

TUTOR

You will have a group tutorial every week and will discuss your progress in regular individual tutorials. Your tutor will also help you move on to the next stage of your career, at the end of your courses. This will include helping you write the best possible UCAS application if you decide to go on to university.

RESULTSDAY

AGAIN!

When you receive your results at the end of your courses, we will be there to celebrate with you and to provide advice on what to do next if you need it.

THE RESTOF YOUR

LIFE!

This bit’s up to you, but

whatever you decide to do,

we will do everything we

can to help you get there.

City College Norwich – Sixth Form CentreCity College Norwich – Sixth Form Centre

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TASTER DAYS

After your interview, you will be able to come a Taster Day, which will include sample lessons in subjects that interest you. They’re a great way to meet other students as well as your teachers for next year.

1 DECIDINGTO APPLY 2 3

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1 2 3

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YOUR TIME AT SIXTH FORM


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A LEVELSA Levels are among the most interesting and useful qualifications around. By focusing on three or four subjects in depth, you will be able to study things you really enjoy and develop advanced knowledge and skills that will be relevant to both higher education and employment.

A Levels are also challenging. To succeed, you will need to have academic ability, choose the right courses and be willing to work hard. You will also need to be able to cope well with end of year examinations, as all A Levels include them and many don’t have any coursework at all.

Many of our former students who have gone on to university tell us that their A Levels were as demanding as the first year of their degree courses.

In spite of these challenges, our results are good, with an average pass rate of 97% and 100% in many subjects in recent years.

A Levels are divided into an AS (first) year and an A2 (second) year. The AS year will help you move on from GCSE to more advanced study and is a stepping stone to the full A Level standard of the second year. Each course has two or three modules per year.

Work in A Level courses can vary widely and includes traditional classes, practical work and field trips and visits. Choosing the right subjects can be complicated, but we will help you decide.

We recommend subjects that:• you will enjoy• you will have a good chance

of succeeding in• will help you move on to

the next stage in your chosen career.

If you are thinking of applying later on for highly rated academic degree courses, we will recommend taking at least two of the ‘facilitating subjects’ most often expected by the Russell Group of selective universities, such as English, Maths, Geography, History, Sciences and Modern Foreign Languages.

The entry qualifications for different A Levels are explained in their subject descriptions on the pages that follow. All require grades A*-C in five full GCSEs including English. This is less than some sixth forms ask for, but we know that if you meet this entry requirement, choose the right subjects and work hard, you will succeed.

Our entry qualifications do not

include ones which are not full GCSEs such as:• Short course GCSEs• Applied GCSEs• BTEC qualifications• OCR National qualifications• Edexcel DiDA qualifications• Adult Literacy and Numeracy

(ALAN) qualifications

These are all useful qualifications but we believe that full GCSEs are the best evidence that you have a good chance of being successful on A Level courses.

Some subjects also require minimum average GCSE points scores.

These take account of national statistics from the A Level Information System (ALIS) based at Durham University that tell us if you have a good chance of succeeding in each subject with a particular GCSE score. Average GCSE scores are calculated by adding up the points for all your GCSEs, using the scale below, and then dividing the total by the number of subjects taken:

GRADE POINTS

A* 8

A 7

B 6

C 5

D 4

E 3

F 2

G 1

U 0

For example, if you have a grade C in all of your GCSEs, your average would be 5.0. If half are at grade C and half at grade B, it would be 5.5.

DOING A LEVELS WITHOUT A GRADE C IN GCSE MATHS

Our entry requirement of

five GCSEs at grade A*-C

includes English but not

necessarily Maths.

We know that some students with very good GCSEs in other subjects may still find Maths more difficult.

If you think this could apply to you, please talk to us about A Levels you may be able to do without an A*-C grade in Maths GCSE. These include more than half of the subjects we offer.

If you do take A Levels with us but don’t have an A*-C grade in Maths GCSE, we will ask you to attend classes to help improve your Maths and work towards a better GCSE grade.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTSCOMPUTING AT CITY ACADEMY NORWICHThe Sixth Form Centre works closely with a number of partner school sixth forms in order to present students with the widest possible choice of courses. One of these schools is City Academy Norwich, where a new programme has been developed that specialises in Computing and Digital Technology. These courses, some of which will be delivered at City Academy Norwich and some at City College Norwich, are specifically designed for students who want to progress in Computer Science, Digital Media and related degree courses and will be available from September 2014.

The programme will include A Levels in Computing, Music Technology, Digital Arts and related subjects.

For more information, please call 01603 452 628 or visit www.cityacademynorwich.org


ARTArt A Level will develop your

ability to think and work as an

artist. During the course, you

will use a range of activities

and processes to explore the

use of visual language.

Your work will be linked to your own personal themes and to the work of other artists and art movements. You will learn to think and write analytically about your own work and that of other artists.

Practical work begins with a structured course, in which drawing and painting are covered extensively using a range of materials such as inks, charcoal, watercolours, acrylics and oil paint. You will then move on to printmaking and explore drypoint, collograph and relief techniques such as lino cuts.

Basic sculptural methods using card and wire follow, and then a range of collage and mixed media techniques are explored.

You will be able to use photography equipment and experiment with darkroom processes such as photograms, which can form a useful addition to more traditional techniques.


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As part of the course, you will visit galleries and exhibitions – locally and in London. These have included the Turner Prize exhibition, as well as shows featuring the work of Gauguin, Rauschenberg and Joseph Beuys.

Each year there is also a visual arts trip abroad to a city renowned for its artistic heritage. Recent destinations have included Paris and New York. In Paris, students experienced an outstanding exhibition of women artists at the Pompidou Centre and also a magnificent collection of post-impressionist art at the Musée D’orsay. The trip to New York included the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the International Museum of Photography, the Rockefeller Center and visits to the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Grand Central Station.

Each June there is an annual Visual Arts show, where Art, Photography and Textiles students show their best work in a gallery-style environment, which is open to the public.

To be successful on the course, you will need to have an interest

in art and in the world around you and be able to work independently and with enthusiasm. You should also enjoy visiting galleries and exhibitions.

Assessment is through:• A range of practical work

including experiments contained in a work journal, finished pieces of coursework and a response to a theme set by the exam board

• A written personal study investigating ideas in textiles.

An A Level in Art can lead to related courses at a college, art school or university, and then on to a very wide range of careers in art and design and other creative industries.

Art can be taken with any subjects, but students often choose to combine it with other visual disciplines such as Textiles, Photography, Media Studies or Film Studies.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:• Five GCSEs at grades A*-C

including English and Art or a related subject, or a suitable portfolio of art work.


BIOLOGYBiology is the study of life

including you and all other

living organisms, from the

molecular level right through

to entire ecosystems.

Essential principles are taught in the context of today’s themes and issues, such as how our actions enhance the antibiotic resistance of bacteria and studying lifestyle factors that increase the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Humans are part of the ecological balance and their actions affect it both directly and indirectly.

Should we try to prevent malaria by breeding and releasing mosquitoes that carry a gene that is lethal for their offspring, or cull harriers to increase the survival of red grouse chicks?

In the AS year, the main areas of study are:• Biology and disease• Variety of living organisms.


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In the A2 year, the main areas of study are:• Populations and environment• Control in cells and organisms.

The course combines detailed theoretical knowledge with practical research including laboratory work, interpreting data to solve scientific problems and writing in a scientific way. The course includes field studies to Holkham and Anglesey, in Wales.

Biology is challenging, not only because of the content that is covered, but also in the scientific skills you will need to develop, such as in practical work and interpreting data. You will also need to understand chemical processes within organisms, so knowledge of chemistry is also useful.

Assessment is through a mixture of written exams and practical work. An A Level in Biology can be the first step towards careers in fields such as;

research science, marine biology, healthcare and forensic science, as well as medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.

Biology is identified by selective universities as one of the subjects they prefer applicants to have studied at A Level.

Biology can be taken with any subjects, but students often choose to combine it with Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology.


including English• A GCSE at grade A*-B in

Biology or Science and Additional Science

• A GCSE at grade A*-B in Mathematics

• A GCSE average points score of more than 5.8 (see page 17 for details of how this is calculated).

JESSICA STOREY PREVIOUSLY AT: Norwich High School for Girls

A LEVELS: Biology A*, English Literature A*, History B, AS Geography A

NOW STUDYING:Chemistry A Level in the Sixth Form Centre, as preparation for a degree in Medicine


BUSINESS STUDIESThis subject introduces

you to the challenges and

issues of starting a business

and then goes on to explore

the management of people,

operations, finance

and marketing.

The course is divided into four units covering:• planning and financing a business• managing a business• strategies for success• the business environment

and managing change.

During the course, you will draw on general business principles and current events in the world of business to understand and evaluate the decisions organisations make. There is a strong emphasis on the practical application of what you learn. A lot of the work is based on data and case studies, where you will be asked to analyse a variety of business problems and situations.


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To succeed on the course you will need to have an enquiring and logical mind and a general interest in what goes on in business, as well as good communication skills and confidence in handling data and numbers.

Assessment is through exams with varied question types, including data response and essays. There is no coursework.

An A Level in Business Studies can lead on to a degree or foundation degree at a Higher Education institute or careers in any industry, including general management, with specialisms such as accounting and finance, marketing or human resources. You could also start up your own business using the skills you have learned during the course. Business Studies can be combined with a wide variety of other subjects.

Some students take it with subjects that can be useful in business such as Law, Psychology or Media Studies, while others prefer Mathematics or Science courses.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:• Five GCSEs at grades

A*-C including English and Mathematics

• A GCSE average points score of at least 5.0 (see page 17 for details of how this is calculated)

• You do not need to have studied Business Studies before, but if you have, you will need to have a GCSE at grade A*-C or equivalent.

ROSIE DICKENSPREVIOUSLY AT: Rosemary Musker High School, Thetford

A LEVELS: Business Studies A*, Government and Politics A*, Psychology A

NOW STUDYING: BA Music and Entertainment Industry Management at the University of Hertfordshire


CHEMISTRYAre you fascinated by

chemical reactions? Do you

want to explore the world of

atoms and molecules? If so,

then Chemistry is for you.

from medical discoveries

to microscopic organisms,

Chemistry is central to our

understanding of the universe.

Topics include:• The structure of atoms and how

they form bonds• Chemical reactions• The periodic table and groups

within it• Quantities and the

mole concept• Groups of organic chemicals• Making new chemicals• Analysing the structure of

unknown substances.

Work includes lectures, note taking, question and answer sessions, problem solving, written work and model building. Classes include demonstrations and practical laboratory work.


24 25

You will develop a range of skills such as making observations, collecting data, titration and organic synthesis. Links with the University of East Anglia allow college students to work alongside undergraduates, such as on a spectroscopy day.

You are likely to enjoy and do well in this subject if:• You are intrigued by the

science that you have studied so far and want to know more

• You can understand and remember lots of facts and abstract concepts

• You enjoy practical laboratory work

• You can cope fairly easily with mathematics and like to use it in problem solving

• You are prepared to work hard and have a go at any questions you are set.

Assessment is through two written exams and practical work in each year.

An A Level in Chemistry can lead to careers in fields such as research science, healthcare and forensic science, as well as medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.

Chemistry is identified by selective universities as one of the subjects they prefer applicants to have studied at A Level.

Chemistry can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose to combine it with Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology.



Chemistry or Science and Additional Science



NENNA OKOYEPREVIOUSLY AT: Sprowston High School, Norwich

A LEVELS: Biology A, Chemistry A, Maths A, Physics B

NOW STUDYING: Chemical Engineering at University College London (UCL)


CREATIVE WRITINGThis subject will give you an

opportunity to develop your

creative writing abilities,

introducing you to the range

of skills required to express

yourself forcefully and

effectively in both fiction and

non-fiction formats.

You will explore the methods of other writers through the study of published texts and regular, focused writing practice will help you learn the discipline of writing to a specific brief and reflecting on the intentions and outcomes of your work.

As the course progresses you will develop your expertise as a writer by exploring your preferred formats and genres, gaining the confidence to share your ideas, critique your own work and give constructive feedback to other budding writers on the course.


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You will also acquire the practical skills needed to edit and redraft your written work.

The study of Creative Writing will help develop a range of key skills that can be applied in the real world, including thinking and writing clearly, critical and analytical skills, team working and creative problem solving. It will also help you learn to write for a range of audiences and purposes, a skill that can be applied to a wide range of writing tasks across the professional and the academic world.

As well as preparing you for further study of Creative Writing in higher education, this course is ideal if you to intend to progress to further study in English Literature or English Language and Literature, and can be studied alongside either

of these subjects. The Creative Writing A Level also works well in conjunction with other creative subjects, such as Media Studies and Film Studies, and is good preparation for those intending to pursue a career in journalism.

A genuine enjoyment of writing and reading is essential if you are to succeed on this course. You will also need to be curious, imaginative, enthusiastic and committed.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:• Five GCSEs at grades A* - C,

including English.


DRAMA AND THEATRE STUDIES “When an actor is completely

absorbed by some profoundly

moving objective so that he

throws his whole life being

passionately into its

execution, he reaches a

state we call inspiration.”

- Constantin Stanislavski

The Drama and Theatre Studies course focusses on practical work with devising, rehearsing and performing taking place in the A Level drama studio. There is a strong focus on contemporary theatre influencing and inspiring your work, with trips to see live performances of both AS and A2. Past trips have included seeing the award winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Apollo Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Julius Caesar at Norwich Theatre Royal and tours of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.


28 29

You will learn how to de-construct, analyse, interpret and perform play texts from a wide range of influential writers, as well as having the opportunity to devise your own original piece of theatre. You will acquire and develop movement, vocal, communication and characterisation skills as well as learning to use drama language and terminology.

You will have the opportunity to study plays from the point of view of a director, designer, performer and critic. The course includes various workshops on additional skills such as stage combat, puppet making, lighting operation, budgeting for performance companies, and Q&A with professional actors. You will also learn about theatre history and look in detail at the work and theory of significant theatre practitioners.

Assessment is through practical work, coursework and one written examination at the end of the two years of study. Classes are high-energy and physical with a combination of both group work and the development of individual skills. It is essential that students can work well in groups and have a high level of attendance, as well as having a genuine passion for the subject and enjoy learning about the theoretical aspects of theatre.


including English• You do not need to have

studied Drama before, but if you have, you will need to have a GCSE at grade A*-C or equivalent.


ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATUREThis course explores a wide

variety of texts from different

historical periods and genres,

written for different audiences

and purposes. These will include

novels, newspapers, journals,

plays, speeches, poems, short

stories and diaries.

You will think about the nature of language and how it works and consider how writers and speakers are affected by the context in which they live and the medium and genre through which they have chosen to communicate.

You will look at dialogue and narrative voices in literature and compare them with the spontaneous speech of everyday life.


30 31

You will explore how speech conveys information about character to the reader or listener and how things that are left unsaid can be just as important as those revealed through dialogue.

You will learn the critical skills needed to talk and write confidently about writers and their work and will develop your creative writing skills by writing from different perspectives and by adapting existing texts.

You will study revered writers from the literary canon, such as Tennessee Williams and modern authors like Alice Sebold and Khaled Hosseini. This year, students have visited the National Theatre to see Henry V.

Assessment is through written exams and coursework.

An A Level in English Language and Literature can lead on to related degree courses and any courses or careers that require good language, communication and analytical skills.

English Language and Literature can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose to combine it with Drama and Theatre Studies, Media Studies or Film Studies.


including English.

COLETTE ARMITAGEPREVIOUSLY AT: Langley School

A LEVELS: Biology B, English Language and Literature A, Sociology A*

NOW STUDYING: English and Society at the University of York


ENGLISH LITERATUREThis subject gives you the

enduring pleasure of reading

and getting to know in detail a

wide range of literary texts and

plays, from the Renaissance to

the present day.

As well as reading the texts themselves, you will consider the social, literary and historical context of the time they were written and examine some critical responses to them.

During the course, you will:• explore the role of narrative in

literacy texts and the distinctive nature of literary genres

• develop your reading, writing and analytical skills

• become a more independent learner and thinker

• apply critical ideas to literary texts


32 33

To succeed on the course, you will need curiosity, enthusiasm, creativity and commitment, and above all a desire to read literature.

Recent texts have included:• The Kite Runner• The Great Gatsby• Poetry by Robert Browning and

Alfred Lord Tennyson• Comedies such as Twelfth

Night and The Importance of Being Earnest

• Gothic texts such as Frankenstein, Doctor Faustus and The Bloody Chamber.

Assessment is through written exams and coursework.

An A Level in English Literature is an ideal preparation for a wide variety of degree

courses and careers that require good communication and thinking skills.

English Literature is identified by selective universities as one of the subjects they prefer applicants to have studied at A Level.

English Literature can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose to combine it with; Drama and Theatre Studies, Media Studies or Film Studies.


including English Language; at least a C grade in English Literature if taken.

NATASHA BAKHSHOVPREVIOUSLY AT: Norwich High School for Girls

AS LEVELS: Art A, Business Studies C, English Literature A

NOW STUDYING: A2 Art, Business Studies and English Literature in the Sixth Form Centre


FILM STUDIESA Level Film Studies will

develop your understanding

of films and their social,

historical and artistic

importance. You will learn

about the film-making process,

from the early pioneers through

to modern day mainstream

and non-mainstream cinema.

The focus in the first year is on British and American films and how they often embody societal concerns and anxieties. Students complete a series of research projects and case studies that investigate the producers of film and the shifting nature of film spectatorship.

World Cinema and the silent movie era are studied in year two. Students also complete a single film study and a research project on a film style, film actor or director of their choice.


34 35

The course will also enable you to put theory into practice. You will make films in both years of the course, working to briefs agreed with your teacher. You will have creative freedom to experiment in a range of different film styles and genres, from Wallace and Gromit style Claymation, to documentary film, single camera drama pieces and avant-garde films. You will have access to High Definition digital video cameras, the College’s TV studio and the Adobe Creative suite for post-production effects, including Adobe After Effects.

Experienced staff will offer technical and production advice and guidance throughout the course.

You are likely to do well in this subject if you enjoy watching films, not just for their content

but also for the meanings behind them, and if you are keen to learn about films from the entire history of cinema. You will also need to be creative and well-organised to complete your practical work successfully.

Assessment is through coursework and written examinations. A Level Film Studies is useful for anyone wishing to take an arts or humanities subject at degree level, and can lead to careers in the film industry.

Film studies can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose to combine it with: English Literature, Drama and Theatre Studies or Photography.


including English.

JENNY FENNELLPREVIOUSLY: Sprowston High School

AS LEVELS: Art C, Drama and Theatre Studies B, English Literature A, Film Studies A

NOW STUDYING: A2 Drama and Theatre Studies, English Literature and Film Studies and Extended Project Qualification in the Sixth Form Centre


FURTHER MATHEMATICSFurther Mathematics is a

course that broadens and

deepens the maths covered

in A Level Mathematics.

It develops your mathematical

ability and introduces you to

new topics, which are vital

if you are intending to study

a mathematics degree.

Further Mathematics is studied alongside Mathematics A Level. See page 47 for details of our Mathematics A Level course.

When you study Further Mathematics at A Level, you will not only learn new mathematical skills, but will also apply them to solving problems. You will see how the subject can be used to show what is happening and what might happen in different real life situations.

Each year of the Further Mathematics course includes a compulsory core (pure) mathematics unit and two


36 37

optional units in areas such as pure mathematics, statistics and mechanics. Options may vary from year to year, depending on demand.

Core mathematics extends your knowledge of topics such as algebra, trigonometry and geometry as well as learning some new ideas such as calculus. These ideas are interesting in their own right, but they also serve as a foundation for other work you will do.

In statistics you will learn how to analyse and summarise numerical data to arrive at conclusions and predictions about it. Mechanics describes mathematically the motion of objects and how they respond to forces acting on them.

Many of the ideas studied here form an introduction to modern fields of study

such as robotics and biomechanics, as well as the more traditional ones of engineering and physics.There is a total of six modules to be completed. Assessment is mainly through written examinations, although there is also a small amount of coursework.

Further Mathematics A Level is essential if you are intending to go on to a degree rich in mathematics, and it could lead to degrees in other subjects such as Science, Economics, Engineering or Computing. The skills you will learn, such as thinking clearly and logically, will be useful in a wide range of careers.


including English• A GCSE at grade A* or A in

Mathematics• A GCSE average points score of

more than 5.8 (see page 17 for details of how this is calculated).

AARON SMITHPREVIOUSLY AT: Sixth Form Centre on a GCSE Programme

AS LEVELS:Chemistry A, Mathematics A, Further Mathematics A, Physics A

NOW STUDYING: A2 Chemistry, Mathematics and Further Mathematics and Extended Project Qualification in the Sixth Form Centre


GEOGRAPHYGeography is the study of the

earth’s surface and atmosphere,

human responses to them and,

increasingly, the effects of

human activity upon them.

It will give you an insight into issues that affect your everyday life, from coastal erosion and global warming to rising global population and food supply. As well as working in class, you will carry out practical fieldwork and take part in events such as the biodiversity conference held at Norwich Castle each year.

Assessment is through two written exams in each year. Topics include:• Forces influencing our natural

environment, from global tectonic processes to the smaller scale landscape processes of coasts and rivers

• Issues affecting people and the places where they live, including how cities and the countryside are changing


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• How people are affecting the environment

• Decisions about the use of resources and who makes them

• Current events and problems such as natural disasters, the plight of refugees and the problems of food supply

• Fieldwork investigation, including collecting and analysing evidence.

An A Level in Geography could lead on to a related degree, but the skills you will learn such as thinking and writing clearly and logically and interpreting different kinds of data will be useful in a wide range of other subjects.

Geography is identified by selective universities as one of the subjects they prefer applicants to have studied at A Level.

Geography can also help you move on to a variety of careers, such as; conservation and environmental management, town planning, teaching or international development.

Geography can be taken with any other subjects, but Geography goes particularly well with; Mathematics or Science subjects as well as; Business Studies, Government and Politics, Sociology and other Humanities and Social Science subjects.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:• Five GCSEs at grades

A*-C including English and Mathematics

• A GCSE average points score of more than 5.0 (see page 17 for details of how this is calculated)

• You do not need to have studied Geography before, but if you have, you will need to have a GCSE at grade A*-C or equivalent.

BETHANY PLUMMERPREVIOUSLY AT:Norwich High School for Girls

AS LEVELS: Biology A, Chemistry B, Geography A, Mathematics C

NOW STUDYING: A2 Biology, Chemistry and Geography and Extended Project Qualification


GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Is the Government right to

raise tuition fees? Are tougher

sentences the way to solve

crime? Does it matter if

politicians lie to the people?

To what extent is the

government to blame for

the economic crisis?

Government and Politics

is the study of how the UK

Government works and how

it affects ordinary people;

it is also the study of UK

government policy and

its effectiveness.

Topics include:• Democracy• Pressure groups• The purpose and effectiveness

of parliament• Education, health and

welfare policy• Law and order policy• Economic policy• The European Union and the UK.

You are likely to enjoy and do well in this subject if you are interested


40 41

in how Government works, enjoy discussing current issues and are good at developing logical, reasoned arguments.

You will need to keep up-to-date with current events by reading quality newspapers and watching the television news on a regular basis, as well as doing independent research using the internet and other sources. Assessment is through written exams in each year, with a mixture of structured, short, mid-length and source response questions in the first year. The second year has mid-length questions and essays.

This A Level is likely to be especially useful if you are thinking about going on to related university courses such as; politics, international relations, history and public policy, but the skills you will learn, such as thinking and writing clearly

and logically and interpreting and evaluating evidence, will be useful in a wide range of other subjects as well. They will also help you in a variety of careers such as in the civil service, law or journalism.

Government and Politics can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose; Business Studies, History, Law, Sociology or English.


including English• A GCSE average points score

of more than 5.0 (see page 17 for details of how this is calculated).

MICHAEL MAGGSPREVIOUSLY AT: Long Stratton High School, Long Stratton

A LEVELS: Government and Politics A, English Language and Literature A, Sociology A

NOW STUDYING: BA History and Politics at the University of East Anglia (UEA)


HISTORYThis subject covers modern

European and British history, with

themes including nationalism,

war and its impact on society,

revolution and fascism. It helps to

explain our present and collective

past as a story, or a series of

stories, whose content shifts

according to the storyteller.

As George Santayana said,

“A country without a memory is a country of madmen.”

Themes of study include nationalism, the impact of war on society, Nazi Germany and the development of British democracy. A typical class will include reading, analysing and evaluating historical sources and discussion.

History is academically challenging. To succeed you will need to enjoy reading, think logically and be good at evaluating evidence and opinions.


42 43

You must also be prepared to read widely and deeply, to work at developing essay writing skills and to think analytically and independently.

Assessment is through exams with essays and there is coursework in the second year.

This A Level could lead on to a related degree course, such as History, Politics or Law, butthe skills you will learn, such as thinking and writing clearly and logically and interpreting and evaluating evidence, will be useful in a wide range of other subjects.

History is identified by selective universities as one of the subjects they prefer applicants to have studied at A Level.

The skills you will learn at A Level will also help you in a variety

of careers such as in the civil service, law, journalism, teaching, archaeology and museum work.

History can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose Government and Politics, Law, Sociology or English.



of at least 5.0 (see page 17 for details of how this is calculated)

• You do not need to have studied History before, but if you have, you will need to have a GCSE at grade A*-C or equivalent.


LAWThis subject answers questions

such as, ‘Where does our law

come from and how does it

change?’ and ‘how does

the legal system work?’

It can be related to most aspects of everyday life and will help you to understand your legal rights and participate in discussions and debates on topical issues.

The AS course covers sources of law and the English legal system, giving an insight into how the law works in the UK. It includes case law, statute law, the court system and the legal profession, and provides a fundamental knowledge for any further study of law.

At A2 level you will study criminal law, including the elements of a crime (the act and the intent) and types of crimes, and will complete a special studyof one area of criminal law.


45 45

Classes will help you understand the law in detail and to apply it to a variety of situations. It is often contentious and there are plenty of opportunities to discuss and debate. Guest speakers, such as magistrates and police officers, will be invited into classes and there will be an opportunity to visit the local Magistrates’ and Crown Courts to see the law in action. The subject is challenging and requires hard work and concentration, but is rewarding and stimulating. To succeed, you will need to have good listening skills and a good memory, be able to think logically and coherently and to express yourself clearly in essays.

Assessment is through two written exams in each year.

This A Level could lead on to a related degree course, such as Law, History or Politics,

but the skills you will learn, such as thinking and writing clearly and logically and interpreting and evaluating evidence, will be useful in a wide range of other subjects, and will also help you in a variety of careers such as in the civil service, law or journalism.

Law can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose; Government and Politics, History or English.


including English• A GCSE average points

score of more than 5.0 (see page 17 for details of how this is calculated).

RADHA KHANNAPREVIOUSLY AT:City of Norwich School, Norwich

A LEVELS: Chemistry A, Physics A, Textiles B

NOW STUDYING: BA Law at the University of East Anglia


MATHEMATICS When you study mathematics

at A Level, you will not only

learn new mathematical skills,

but will also apply them to

solving problems. You will see

how the subject can be used

to show what is happening and

what might happen in different

real life situations.

If you are intending to study mathematics or another maths-rich degree at university, we strongly recommend you combine a Mathematics A Level with a Further Mathematics A Level to give a deeper insight into the subject. See page 37 for details of our Further Mathematics A Level course.

The course includes core (pure) mathematics plus statistics and/or mechanics.

Core mathematics extends your knowledge of topics such as algebra, trigonometry and geometry as well as learning some new ideas such as calculus. These ideas are interesting in their own right, but they also serve as a foundation for other work you will do.


46 47

In statistics, you will learn how to analyse and summarise numerical data to arrive at conclusions and predictions about it.

Mechanics describes mathematically the motion of objects and how they respond to forces acting on them. Many of the ideas studied here form an introduction to modern fields of study such as robotics and biomechanics, as well as the more traditional ones of engineering and physics. Mathematics can be challenging at this level. To succeed, you will need to be able to think clearly and logically and, just as importantly, to persevere when you can’t immediately see the solution to a problem.

There is a total of six modules to be completed. Assessment is mainly through written examinations, though there is also a small amount of coursework.

Mathematics can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose; Physics,

Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Business Studies or Geography.

Mathematics A Level could lead on to a related degree course, such as in mathematics, science, economics, engineering or computing, but the skills you will learn, such as thinking clearly and logically, will be useful in wide range of other subjects.

Mathematics is identified by selective universities as one of the subjects they prefer applicants to have studied at A Level.

Mathematical knowledge is also essential in a wide range of careers including ones in science, engineering, computing and management.



Mathematics• A GCSE average points score of

more than 5.8 (see page 17 for details of how this is calculated).

KARINA ADCOCKPREVIOUSLY AT: Attleborough High School, Attleborough

A LEVELS: Biology A*, Chemistry A, Mathematics A

NOW STUDYING: Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA)


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MEDIA STUDIESThe media affects us all in

many ways. We use media

technology to connect,

investigate, learn and play.

This course will develop your

understanding of the media

and your practical media

production skills.

At AS Level, you will study a range of contemporary and historical TV dramas and complete a case study on a key area of the media. Practical work will include designing and writing the front page, contents page and a double page spread for a new magazine. This will teach you the fundamentals of digital photography and Photoshop design and help you sharpen your journalistic writing skills.

At A2 level, you will study a range of contemporary media issues and debates as well as completing an extensive cross-media promotion project.

This involves working with local musicians and bands to produce a promo package that includes a music video. Past students have worked with Ed Sheeran and The Crookes.

Throughout the course you will be supported by experienced staff and have use of HD cameras, digital SLRs (Canon 600D), a TV studio and Adobe Creative Suite.

Completed magazine designs and films are shown at our annual Oscars Night at The Forum in Norwich.

You are likely to do well in this subject if you are interested in the media, not just for their content, but also for the meanings behind them. You will also need to be creative and well-organised to complete your practical work successfully. Assessment is through exams and coursework.

A Level Media Studies is useful for anyone wishing to take a Humanities degree or to pursue a career in the industry. The course will also develop skills of critical analysis and interpretation, essay writing and debating.

Media Studies can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose to combine it with Art, English, Film Studies, Photography or Sociology.


including English• You do not need to have taken

Media Studies before, but if you have, you will need to have a GCSE at grade A*-C or equivalent.

MAISIE HALLPREVIOUSLY AT: High School in Wellington, New Zealand

AS LEVELS: English Literature A, History B, Media Studies A

NOW STUDYING: A2 English Literature, History and Media Studies in the Sixth Form Centre


MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES FRENCHAS focuses on a variety of topics in all skill areas and no coursework is involved. If you wish to investigate the structure of the courses further, visit The Welsh Board website at www.wjec.co.uk or the International Baccalaureate website at www.ibo.org.

We spend the autumn term helping you to make the transition from GCSE to AS, covering a multitude of interesting topic areas and social issues using Elan 1 as a text book. In the Spring term we run the exchange to Montpellier which has proved very helpful in developing oral skills and improving fluency – both connections and confidence are built. This is the time when we concentrate on the oral examination both in lessons and with the help of our language assistant.


50 51

In the summer term we work closely with past papers in order to prepare for the May exams.

A2 takes us to yet another level of sophistication. We focus on the film ‘La Haine’ in preparation for the oral and for the written paper we read and analyse the 20th century novel ‘L’Etranger’ by Albert Camus. We also spend time developing our translation skills in preparation for the summer examination.



of at least 5.0• A GCSE at grade A*-B

in French

During the spring/summer term we will work through past papers in preparation for the exams in May.

You should be prepared to: • speak German in the lesson at

every opportunity• attend regular lessons with the

Foreign Language Assistant• do approximately 30 minutes

of homework for each lesson• do additional Supported

Self-study using all the videos, listening materials, the internet and reading materials at your disposal.

A2 takes us to yet deeper into the language. We focus on the film ‘”Goodbye Lenin” and the history surrounding the time of “die Wende” in preparation for the oral exam. For the written paper we read and analyse the 20th century play “Der Besuch der alten Dame” a tragic-comedy, by the Swiss author Friedrich Dürrenmatt. We also spend time developing our translation skills in preparation for the summer examination.



of at least 5.0• A GCSE at grade A*-B in German

GERMANThe course will cover a variety of topics which extend far beyond basic GCSE and use a range of materials. It is widely recognised that knowledge of a second language is important in today’s society and a knowledge of German is particularly valuable in the science and business world. This course will benefit both those wishing to study languages or those wishing to have a language to support other areas of study. The exam board will be WJEC.

The main course books are called Brennpunkt and Zeitgeist but there will be ample opportunity to use ICT for both research and interactive learning. At the start of the year we will focus attention on the transition from GCSE to AS Level, gradually moving into the AS Level course itself. As our students come from a variety of schools and learning experiences we ensure that grammar is taught from the very beginning i.e. back to basics so that all students feel confident and are able to progress more quickly.

Assessment will be carried out at regular intervals and will cover all 4 skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and be based on expectations for the final exam.

SPANISHThe study of Spanish enables students to communicate confidently, clearly and effectively in both the spoken and written language. Additionally, it will enable you to widen your knowledge and understanding of the countries where your chosen language is spoken.

The examinations will be as follows:

Unit 1: AS Reading,

writing and listening

You will answer a range of questions based on approximately 5 minutes of heard material and on a selection of written stimulus texts. You will also respond in writing to a question based on one of the AS topics.

Unit 2: AS Oral examination

conducted by an external

examiner

You will discuss a target-language stimulus card based on one of the AS topics and take part in a conversation covering three further AS topics.

Unit 3: A2 Reading, writing,

listening and translation

You will answer a range of questions based on approximately 6 minutes of heard material and on a selection of written texts. You will also respond in writing to a question based on a cultural topic area.

Unit 4: A2 Oral examination

conducted by an external

examiner

You will present a point of view based on a target language stimulus card from one of the A2 topic areas and take part in a conversation covering three further A2 topics.



of at least 5.0• A GCSE at grade A*-B

in Spanish

NOTE: These subjects are taught at City of Norwich School (CNS) and Notre Dame High School and the information about them has been supplied by these schools.


MUSIC AND MUSIC TECHNOLOGY MUSICThe Hewett Sixth Form has a reputation for excellent music teachers and facilities. With a dedicated music block containing two recording studios, six practice rooms and a wide variety of instruments music students are always able to go the extra mile in their studies.

In A Level Music you will develop your performance skills, improve composition skills learned at GCSE level and develop an understanding of harmony, music analysis and history. You will be taught to understand how music works by listening to set works. You will also be given the opportunity to perform as a soloist and/or part of an ensemble. You will be able to choose music in any style and play any instrument(s) and/or voice(s) as part of a 5-6 minute assessed performance.

You will also develop your composition skills leading to the creation of a three minute piece in response to a chosen brief. You also write a CD sleeve note to describe aspects of your final composition and explain how other pieces of music have influenced it.

In recent years, Music students have joined the A Level French students on a trip to La Fete de Musique in Beaugency. The A Level Music students performed as part of the Fete and it is hoped that foreign trips will become a regular feature of the A Level course.

A-Level Music students also get the opportunity to play as part of the school music production.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:• Five GCSEs at grades A*-C including English• A GCSE at grade A*-B in Music • Able to read traditional music notation• Able to play an instrument or sing to a standard

equivalent of Grade 4 or above


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MUSIC TECHNOLOGYThe Hewett School has invested heavily in the specialist equipment needed to make this course successful. With two recording studios and a dedicated music computer suite with industry-standard software, music technology. You will be pushed hard and required to undertake a lot of self study but you will find it very enjoyable and rewarding.

Music Technology, like other forms of technology, advances rapidly. The new Music Technology specification provides opportunities to embrace recent developments in the field with the emphasis on a wide range of practical work.

You will learn about the production and recording of music through the use of new technology. You will develop skills needed to produce your own CD as well as creating your own sequenced performance. You will also learn how to use the recording studios to capture the sound of a live band/performer and then process and mix the sounds to create a final product. As well as technical aspects of music recording you will need to understand how pitch, rhythm, dynamics, articulation and phrasing all affect the final sound produced and add your own creativity to the sounds.

Many students have studied this subject further at university with some going straight into the music industry. Two of our most recent students have been signed up by a record label to produce their own material commercially. Whether or not you end up as the next Drum and Bass star you are able to take this course on to Music Technology courses at various universities or aim for a career in music/sound production, TV, theatre or radio.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:• Five GCSEs at grades A*-C including English• Some experience of making music and/or using

music technology

NOTE: These subjects are taught at The Hewett School and the information about them has been supplied by the school.


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PHILOSOPHYAND ETHICSThis is one of the most

fascinating subjects it is possible

to study. Philosophy of Religion

is all about how we look at the

world and try to make sense

out of universal questions that

have fascinated human minds

for thousands of years.

It can help you make sense of life and give life some meaning and purpose. Religious Ethics is all about how we decide what is right and what is wrong. You will look at practical issues like war, peace, abortion and at the morality of these issues. In both areas of the course there are very few right answers – it appeals to those who have a questioning mind and can argue their case.

You will need to discuss and debate your views on euthanasia,

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NOTE: This subject is taught at The Hewett School and this information has been supplied by the school.

conscience, free-will, the nature of God, the right to have a child, life and death. These are truly fascinating areas of discussion and as well as putting your own views forward you will consider the views of other students and the great philosophers.

As well as these topics you will have the opportunity to go on A Level conferences and visits to places of philosophical and ethical interest.

This course provides a suitable foundation for the further study of Religious Studies, Philosophy or Theology. Past students have gone on to study Philosophy at Cambridge and York Universities. Some have studied other degree subjects as students acquire a great range of skills,

such as analysis, interpretation, critical thinking and the ability to produce extended evaluative pieces of writing. These are skills that will prepare students well for a range of courses in higher education and, beyond that, in employment generally. The skills it develops are of particular relevance to the following careers for example: teaching, law, management, minister, medicine, civil servant, journalism and business.


including English• You do not need to have taken

Philosophy and Ethics before, but if you have, you will need to have a GCSE at grade A*-C or equivalent.


PHOTOGRAPHYPhotography is the pre-eminent

visual medium of the age,

especially since digital

photography has made it more

available and added even more

to its expressive potential.

By exploring themes such as ‘Light’, ‘Capturing the moment’ and ‘the truth’, this course will teach you digital and traditional darkroom photography skills, how to express yourself and communicate ideas through photographs and how to understand different layers of meaning in images.

As part of the course, you will visit galleries and exhibitions – locally and in London. These have included the Tate Modern, the Haywood Gallery, the Royal Academy, the Photographers’ Gallery, the Whitechapel Gallery, the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich and Norwich Castle Museum.

Each year there is also a visual arts trip abroad to a city renowned for its artistic heritage. Recent destinations have included Paris and New York. In Paris, students experienced an outstanding exhibition of women artists at the Pompidou Centre and also a magnificent collection of post-impressionist art at the Musée D’orsay. The trip to New York included the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the International Museum of Photography, the Rockefeller Center as well as


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visits to the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Grand Central station.

Each year there is an annual Visual Arts show, where Art, Photography and Textiles students show their best work in a gallery-style environment, open to the public.

To succeed you will need curiosity, independence and initiative, and have an eye for a good picture. You will be willing to develop ideas and to investigate and analyse images and you will be persistent and hardworking. Assessment is through:• A range of practical work


• A written personal study investigating ideas in photography.

The course is taught in a well-equipped, specialist room, with PCs and printers for your digital work and a traditional darkroom dedicated to the A Level course. We provide essential equipment and materials for the course including digital SLR cameras for loan. However, you are recommended to have your own camera as well. An A Level in photography can lead to related courses at a college, art school or university,

ANNALISE TAYLORPREVIOUSLY AT: Thorpe St Andrew School, Norwich

A LEVELS: Media Studies B, Photography B, Psychology C

NOW STUDYING: BA in Photography at Falmouth University

and then on to a very wide range of creative careers, such as in art and design or the media. Photography can be taken with any subjects, but students often choose to combine it with other visual disciplines such as; Art, Film Studies or Media Studies.


including English• A GCSE at grade A*-C in

Photography or another Art-based subject or a suitable portfolio of photographic work.


PHYSICSPhysics is a fascinating

theoretical subject about how

the real world (and the rest of

the Universe) works. It asks

about everything from what

existed before the Big Bang to

how cars can use less petrol.

Topics include:• Particles• Quantum phenomena

and electricity• Mechanics• Materials and waves• Fields and further mechanics• Nuclear and thermal physics.

The course combines learning about theories in physics with practical laboratory work and analysing data.

You are likely to do well if you can think logically, critically and imaginatively and are willing to work hard. The course can be challenging and you will need


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to persevere when you can not immediately see the solution to a problem. It includes some mathematical concepts and theories, so it will also help if you enjoy and are good at mathematics, especially algebra. You will be assessed through written exams and practical work.

This A Level could lead on to related degree courses and careers, such as; science, engineering or computing, and the skills you will learn, such as thinking clearly and logically, will be useful in a wide range of other fields. Physics is identified by selective universities as one of the subjects they prefer applicants to have studied at A Level.

Physics can be taken with any other subjects, but students often choose; Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology or Geography.



Physics or Science and Additional Science



ALEX JANTZENPREVIOUSLY STUDIED IN DENMARK

A LEVELS: Physics A*, Maths A*, Chemistry A

NOW STUDYING: BSc Physics at Southampton University


PSYCHOLOGYPsychology tries to answer

the questions of why people

behave as they do, how they

think and how they feel.

It looks at these questions

using a variety of scientific

methods such as experiments,

interviews and questionnaires.

During your AS course, you will study memory, attachment between children and their parents, stress, obedience, abnormal behaviour and research methods.

The topics you will investigate in your A2 year are perception, relationships, eating behaviour, depression, addictive behaviour and advanced research methods.

Classes will allow you to undertake research into these topics and introduce you to a wide range of interesting studies that psychologists have carried out in trying to understand these behaviours.


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This is a popular course taken by students who are keen to engage with a new subject and be taught by experienced, enthusiastic subject specialists.

The course is assessed through exams, there is no coursework. You will have plenty of practice in exam techniques and help from your teachers who have themselves worked as examiners in the subject.

The exams have short answer questions, essays and interpretation of data. To do well you will need to be able to remember factual information, interpret questions and be able to write concisely.

Students who have studied psychology often go on to university to study it further, but may also study or work in related areas such as teaching, business, social work or the police.

Psychology can be taken with any other subjects, in particular science subjects, especially Biology, but also History, Geography, Law, Business Studies and Sociology.




• You do not need to have studied Psychology before, but if you have, you will need to have GCSE at grade A*-C.

ELLIOT BYFORDPREVIOUSLY AT: Rosemary Musker High School, Thetford

A LEVELS: Biology A*, Chemistry A*, Psychology A*

NOW STUDYING:Medicine at the University of East Anglia (UEA)


SOCIOLOGYSociology is the study of

society using a range of different

perspectives. We look critically

at how different features of

society work, such as the

family, the media and education,

opening ourselves up to new

ideas and questioning our own

experiences. There is really no

right and wrong in sociology,

only different points of view, and

critical thinking is encouraged.

Sociology will enable you to question social organisation, understand people’s experiences in different social positions and social groups and become more articulate and fluent in expressing your ideas and opinions.

Students come to sociology from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a range of different experiences and work with a subject specialist with a real commitment and belief in the value of sociology. This makes for lively and stimulating sociological discussion and debates.


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Classes include using topical visual material, news articles, interactive textbooks and more. Sociology is an academically rigorous subject, combining theoretical perspectives and real world problems. To succeed, you will need to enjoy reading and writing, should have a keen interest in society and social issues and should be preparedto question common sense understanding.

You will learn to compare different ways of understanding society so should be open to different arguments.

Assessment is by modular exams in the form of data response papers.

Sociology goes well with other social sciences and humanities subjects and is a good subject for a range of occupations such as medicine, policing and social work.




• You do not need to have studied Sociology before, but if you have, you will need to have a GCSE at grade A*-C.

LAUREN BURROWSPREVIOUSLY AT: Sewell Park College, Norwich

A LEVELS: Business Studies B, Psychology B, Sociology A

NOW STUDYING: Business Management at the University of East Anglia (UEA)


TEXTILESThis subject will help you

develop a working knowledge

of materials, practices and

technology. You will use

these to interpret and express

your ideas and feelings using

textiles, craft and design.

You will also develop a

knowledge and understanding

of the place of textiles, craft

and design in history and in

contemporary society.

Practical work will include printing, machine embroidery, hand stitching, felt making, paper making and weaving.

As part of the course, you will visit galleries and exhibitions – locally and in London. These have included the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Textile Museum in Norwich, the Sainsbury Centre, the Louvre Textile Museum and the Hub Museum at Sleaford.

Each year, there is also a visual arts trip abroad, to a city renowned for its artistic heritage. recent destinations have included Paris


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and New York. In Paris, students experienced an outstanding exhibition of women artists at the Pompidou Centre and also a magnificent collection of post-impressionist art at the musée D’orsay. The trip to New York included the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the International Museum of Photography, the Rockefeller Center as well as visits to the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Grand Central Station.

Each year there is an annual Visual Arts show, where Art, Photography and Textiles students show their best work in a gallery-type environment, which is open to the public. To be successful you will need an interest in and understanding of the basic elements of design and the position of art, craft and design in the world. Above all, you should have an interest in creating and understanding textiles and the determination to develop that interest.

Assessment is through:• A range of practical work


• A written personal study investigating ideas in textiles in the second year.

An A Level in textiles can lead to related courses at a college, art school or university, and then on to a very wide range of careers in art and design and other creative industries.

Textiles can be taken with any subjects, but students often choose to combine it with other visual disciplines such as; Art, Photography, Media Studies or Film Studies.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:• Five GCSEs grades A*-C

including English• A GCSE at grade A*-C in an

Art-based subject or a suitable portfolio of Textiles work.

SASKIA HADLEYPREVIOUSLY AT: Stradbroke School, Eye

A LEVELS: Textiles A, English Language & Literature B, History B, French D

NOW STUDYING: BA in Fashion at Norwich University College of the Arts


EXTENDED PROJECTQUALIFICATION (EPQ)This is a one year course,

designed to make you

into a skilled researcher,

someone who can discover

information and evaluate

its importance and credibility.

You will then apply these core research skills in producing either a 5,000 word report on a subject of your choice or an artefact such as a piece of artwork, music or video plus a report of around 1,000 words.

You will also compile a detailed production log as you go, showing how you carried out your project.


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Key areas that you will learn about on the EPQ course include:• Project management• Searching and collecting

information• The importance of the peer

review process• Evaluating information• Data analysis• Referencing and citation• Report writing and

presentation skills.

Examples of students’ projects have included:• How the creatures of mythology

are portrayed in modern society• As part of a pluralistic society,

should Sharia Law exist within the British legal system?

• The history and key developments in the sport of snowboarding.

A key challenge of the EPQ is to manage your time effectively, balancing the need to do research for your EPQ with the demands on your time made by your A Levels.

An EPQ is equivalent to an AS Level, although, unlike AS courses, an A* grade may be awarded. If you are considering applying to go to university, it will both give you extra UCAS points and demonstrate that you have developed valuable independent research skills.

CHLOE FLATTPREVIOUSLY AT: Bethlehem College, New Zealand

A LEVELS: Drama and Theatre Studies B, English Language and Literature A, Psychology A, Extended Project Qualification A

NOW STUDYING: Drama at the University of Exeter

HOW TO FIND US

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We are a few minutes walk from the City Centre on Ipswich Road. From the St Stephens Street roundabout (near the bus station), follow signs to Ipswich. A few hundred metres south of the roundabout the A11 and A140 divide: take the left fork and the College is about 300 metres further along on the left.

There is limited pay and display parking on campus, but we also offer a subsidised park and ride scheme from the County Council site on Harford roundabout (near Tesco on the A140/A47 junction).

City College Norwich – Sixth Form Centre City College Norwich – Sixth Form Centre

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NOTES

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NOTES

City College Norwich Ipswich Road, Norwich NR2 2LJ

Telephone 01603 773 311

Textphone 01603 773 678

www.ccn.ac.uk

www.norwichsixthform.co.uk

THE SIXTH FORM CENTRE, YOUR BEST POSSIBLE START AFTER SCHOOL

There is no deadline but you

should apply as soon as possible

because some of our popular

courses fill up quickly.

On line:

www.ccn.ac.ukwww.norwichsixthform.co.uk http://helpyouchoose.org/

On paper:

Ask our Advice Shop for an application form or download and print a PDF from:www.ccn.ac.uk OR

www.norwichsixthform.co.uk

Return your completed

application form to:

ApplicationsCity College NorwichIpswich Road, Norwich NR2 2LJ

Don’t worry if you are not completely sure about your subjects as we will give you all the help and advice you need to make the right choices.

If you can’t find what you are looking for in this prospectus, contact our Advice Shop on 01603 773 773 or by email at [email protected]. An Adviser will then direct you to an appropriate member of Sixth Form Centre staff.

Thank you also to Sixth Form

Centre A Level Photography

students Georgina Manning,

Katharine Radmore, Kieran Raza

and Ella Stephenson for supplying

other photographs used in

this prospectus.

Cover

image by:

Matt Radmore

Models: Conor Flint and Alexandra Howard

part of the

HOW TO APPLY

IMPORTANT DATESTuesday 15th October 2013, 4.30pm to 8.30pm – Sixth Form Centre Open Evening

Friday 8th November 2013, 10am to 7pm – City College Norwich Open Day

Saturday 9th November 2013, 10am to 2pm – City College Norwich Open Day

Thursday 6th February 2014, 4.30pm to 8.30pm – Sixth Form Centre Open Evening

Tuesday 18th February 2014 – Sixth Form Centre Taster Day

Friday 7th March 2013, 10am to 7pm – City College Norwich Open Day

Saturday 8th March 2013, 10am to 1pm – City College Norwich Open Day

Friday 4th July 2014 – Sixth Form Centre Taster Day

Thursday 21st August 2014 – GCSE results day

Friday 22nd August to Friday 29th August 2014 – Sixth Form Centre enrolment

Monday 1st September 2014 – Start of term and induction for students

ENROLMENT AND THE START OF COURSESEnrolment for A Level

courses will be from 22nd

to 29th August 2014.

Your enrolment appointment will be sent to you in mid August. If you miss it, you may not be able to join your chosen courses.

It is also very important that you attend your courses from 1st September 2014 onwards. If you can’t do this, we may not be able to accept you as a student.

sixth form centre 2014 - 2015

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