AS and A2 Levels

THE CURRICULUM

All students take:

1. Four subjects at AS, three of which will normally be carried on to A2. However it is also possible to carry on all four of the AS subjects to A2;
2. The Extended Project. An in-depth study of a topic that interests you – this gives you the same number of UCAS points as an AS.

In addition, to gain the AQA Baccalaureate qualification, most students also choose to take:

3. Critical Thinking – available for students to take to AS Level in either Year 12 or 13;
4. To engage in formal enrichment activities.

The completion of all of these elements results in the award of the British Baccalaureate (AQA) at Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Details on these elements are set-out briefly below, but for more specific course details, please go to the Prospectus.

A.S. SUBJECTS

Students choose from the following subjects:-

Art – Biology - Business Studies (TGSG/TBGS) – Chemistry - Computing (TBGS) - Critical Thinking (to A.S. only) - Dance (to A.S. only) – Drama - Economics(TGSG/TBGS) - English - French - Geography - German - Government and Politics (TBGS) - History - Mathematics and Further Mathematics - Media Studies - Music (TBGS) - Physical Education (TBGS) – Physics – Psychology - Religious Studies - Spanish ( TBGS.)

THE EXTENDED PROJECT

All our students in Year 12 take the Level 3 Extended Project. This allows students to write an essay or to create an artefact on a topic of general interest to them; it could be anything from analysing stem-cell research to the music of Morrissey. This qualification is worth half an A-level in terms of U.C.A.S. points, but it also greatly improves independent learning skills in preparation for Higher Education. More importantly, students are highly motivated by the genuine choice they have.

THE BRITISH BACCALAUREATE

In addition, once you have done the Extended Project, you are some way to completing the British Baccalaureate award. Torquay Girls' Grammar School was among the first schools in the country to offer the British Baccalaureate and we have 90 students currently taking it in our present Year 12. The new award keeps A-Levels as its core but also gives credit for a whole range of other student achievement. It requires you to study a minimum of:-

• 3 A Levels;
• Critical Thinking to AS level. This qualification has many benefits in itself, not least being the fact that it is ideal preparation for university admission tests, and that studying it has been proven to raise achievement in other subjects. It is delivered by the Deputy Head, Mr. Charlwood, who helped to pioneer the subject;
• Enrichment activities;
• An Extended Project to provide breadth of study and personal development.

It builds on the strengths of A level and provides the evidence of all-round achievement that top universities and employers are looking for. You can still choose from the 20+ A level courses as normal. We believe, along with other top schools, such as Colyton Grammar in Devon, that this qualification will be the award of choice for high-achieving future Sixth Formers.