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Last Updated: 20/04/2007 |
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THE SIXTH FORM AT CHRIST COLLEGE Life in the Sixth Form at Christ College, Brecon is different, challenging, fun and benefits from a curriculum described by ESTYN inspectors as outstanding. The same adjective was used by the inspectors to describe Sixth Form teaching. If you have already been at Christ College in the Lower School, or if you are coming into the school for the first time in the Lower Sixth, these are the things you can expect. You will already have had some guidance from your Careers department about the study area which is most suitable for you and discussions on the choice of AS and A Levels to match your career choice. Don’t worry if you have not yet made up your mind which career you want to follow – that is very common. The key thing is to choose the A Level subjects that keep your options open and at which you are likely to do best because you enjoy them. During the Sixth Form at Christ College the Careers department will continue to advise you. Some of you may want to go directly into the Armed Services or directly into employment – visiting Serving Officers will give you advice about the former – but the majority of the Sixth Form, well over 90%, will decide to follow a degree course. With recent A Level pass rates at 100% - a consequence of determined hard work by pupils and skilful teaching by the staff – we hope to finely tune the choice of University course for you. For those already at Christ College the procedure for selecting AS and A Levels begins during the Michaelmas Term of the Fifth Form and the selection process is reviewed after GCSE trial examinations and again after your results in August. For newcomers to Christ College these discussions will take place before you come to the school and decisions are reviewed when you arrive. So, why is the Sixth Form different? Teaching groups are smaller and there is a greater expectation that you will be responsible for your own work – researching for it, discussing and presenting it in some detail. You would be expected to spend time in the school and department libraries working independently or researching via the internet. Your self-discipline and determination are very important, but you have also prolonged access to the teaching staff, many of whom live in the school. You may find the style of teaching is different; there is much more discussion and often greater informality which gives YOU a chance to express, test and develop YOUR ideas. By the end of the Sixth Form the nature, content, independence and mutual respect and support of the boarding school environment should have prepared you well to cope with the next stage of your education at University. Academic work should be a priority in the Sixth Form, but a large part of Sixth Form life is also to do with exercising responsibility for others through the Prefect system, having exposure to and opportunities to participate in a wide range of sport, music and drama to high level, as well as all the social life, friendships and fun of the Sixth Form Centre. Christ College’s Careers department or the Director of Studies will be pleased to offer further guidance to you. It is essential for us to have an idea of the demand for AS and A Level subjects as early as possible LOWER SIXTH SUBJECT CHOICES The revised 16+ curriculum is now fully operational. All AS and A Level subjects are modular: AS Levels comprise of 3 modules and A Levels comprise of 6 modules (including the 3 AS modules). AS Level are designed to broaden the Sixth Form curriculum. The AS specifications have been written in such a way as to be accessible to Lower Sixth students and most should study 4 AS Levels during their Lower Sixth year, although exceptions to this model might be possible by arrangement. AS modules will be examined during the Lower Sixth year and marks awarded in August. There are no restrictions as to the number of times a module can be sat although we do try to minimise disruption to our teaching programme. At Christ College our policy is currently not to certificate the AS Level as a discrete examination where the subject is being pursued to A Level unless a candidate requests it. The AS Level not taken on to A Level will be certificated as a matter of course in the Upper Sixth. It is worth bearing in mind that universities are likely to take AS results, when certificated, into account when considering applications. In the Upper Sixth Year 3 subjects is the norm and Lower Sixth AS choices should be made with this in mind. During the Upper Sixth year A2 modules will be examined and A Level grades awarded in August. The standard qualification for entry to the Sixth Form at Christ College Brecon is grade C or better in 6 or more GCSE subjects. We would normally expect B grades in the subjects chosen for AS Level. Individual subject entries give further guidance on module content and complementary subject choices. All students are strongly encouraged to consult as widely as possible in order to make an informed subject choice.
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