Choosing A Level subjects is always an exciting time in the academic career of any student. At Christ College we offer a wide variety of courses that can be studied in many different combinations.

What should guide you in making these choices?

• Do I enjoy the subject? You will have over 4 hours of lessons per week in each subject so enjoyment is an important factor.
• Have I achieved well in this subject or a similar subject previously? If you have done well in something before it is a good indication that you will do again.
• What do I want to do in the future? Certain career paths require particular choices whereas others do not require you to study particular subjects; contact us to find out what the best combination will be for you.

You will need information to help you make the best possible choices. We aim to provide you with that information here but wider consultation with teachers and parents will be vital in helping you come to the right programme for you.

David Bush Director of Studies

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 or better in the subjects chosen for AS Level. However, there may be exceptions to this general guideline and we are always sensitive to individual circumstances.

Most students will choose 4 subjects at AS Level with this reducing to 3 A2s in the second year.

You may have heard that there have been changes to the A Levels for your year group. This is correct but A Levels are still modular with the overall A Level award comprising AS in the first year of study and A2 the second year. The AS Levels are designed to meet the interests and needs of students moving on from GCSE courses with the A2 being more challenging in terms of content and intellectual demand.

Examinations are available in January and June in most subjects. Heads of Department will discuss with students when best to sit the examinations. The AS grade is awarded at the end of the lower sixth and a certificate issued to the students not carrying on to full A Level in the subject.

So the examination is very similar to the A Levels that have been in place since 2000 but there are some changes you should be aware of:

• there are only 2 units in each of AS and A2 in the majority of subjects apart from Music, Mathematics and Science which will continue with 6, 3 in each of AS and A2;
• there will be increased challenge in the questions at A2;
• there is no optional coursework; and
• there is a new A* grade awarded to those students who achieve an A grade at A Level and who score 90% or more on the aggregation of their A2 units.

Individual subject entries later in this section give further guidance on what and how you will study in the Sixth Form. You can always contact Heads of Department directly by the email addresses provided under the individual subjects, or contact the myself directly via david.bush@christcollegebrecon.com

J D Bush

 Director of Studies