Academic Curriculum

Academic

At A Level, girls work in their own studio space with an independence more similar to that of an established artist as they create their own practical portfolio of work. Additionally, students create a sustained, investigative and intellectual piece of written research that supports and aligns with their practice. They live and breathe the subject, immersing themselves in the world of art and design by visiting galleries and exhibitions as well as talking to visiting artists such as OHS alumnae Amy Isles Freeman and Emma Bridgewater. Skills, knowledge and understanding are taught through personal tutorials, group crits and discussions and workshops inspired by the interests and learning needs of the cohort. Many students pursue an Art-related route beyond Sixth Form for which mock interview and portfolio support is given.

Co-Curricular

Without a doubt our most popular co-curricular activity is Art Club, which runs before school, at lunch and after school. A Level students love having a relaxed, supportive environment in which to consolidate their artistic practice. We also run Animation Club, Observational Drawing Club and Digital Photography Club with the help of our expert Art technicians and Sixth Form Art Scholars. Visits to galleries and exhibitions are offered at GCSE and A Level, local and national competitions are promoted within the Department and OHS alumnae such as Amy Isles Freeman and Emma Bridgewater regularly come back to give tutorials and talk to the girls about artistic life beyond school.

See the Art A level booklet

Academic

The transition from GCSE to working at A Level contains no unwelcome surprises but plenty of new opportunities. The years of reading synthetic Latin and Greek are past and in Years 12 to 13 our students will read selections from many of the major authors: Caesar, Livy, Tacitus, Horace, Ovid and Virgil in Latin and Homer, Euripides, Plato, Xenophon, Herodotus and Thucydides in Greek. Some of these will be studied in depth as set texts for examinations, some will be read in preparation for unseen translation examinations and some for pure enjoyment, but all will raise as many questions about life in these ancient societies as they will answer. Most pupils find the experience of being taught in a small group hugely enjoyable and many students continue their studies at university, with 10 OHS girls in the past 9 years going on to read Classics at Oxbridge (and one at Harvard).

Co-Curricular

The Classics Department runs a veritable cornucopia of clubs, trips and visits to enrich the learning of our students. These include residential trips to Greece, Sicily, the Bay of Naples and Portsmouth (Year 8); visits to the Ashmolean and British Museums, day trips to Corinium (Cirencester) and Bath and to the Greek plays staged by UCL and Oxford/Cambridge. We enter pupils into many competitions including Oxfordshire Classical Reading, the Euroclassica Latin & Greek Language Olympiad and the Cambridge University Classical Myth Competition. Classics students also enter various Oxbridge essay prizes and attend the Bryanston Greek Summer School and archaeological digs in the summer.

See the Classics A Level booklet

Academic

In the Sixth Form, Computer Science students graduate to developing programmes with a graphical user interface, explore Boolean algebra, data structures and common search and sort algorithms, as well as taking material covered at GCSE to a deeper level. A significant component of the course is the programming project, where students are required to analyse a problem of their choice. The best projects solve real problems and are created to a professional standard.

Co-Curricular

Computing students enter a growing range of competitions throughout the year in which they always excel and often succeed. These include the Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge, the TCS Oxford Computing Challenge (for those in top 10% of Bebras competition), the CyberFirst Girls Competition, Cyber Discovery and the British Informatics Olympiad. Our clubs include the Code Club, Pi Club (using Raspberry Pis) and Robotics Club (using Arduinos and run by Sixth Formers).

See the Computer Science A Level booklet

Academic

We follow the Edexcel Drama course at A Level, which has three key elements. First, all students are required to conceive an original devised performance inspired by an original performance text and a chosen practitioner. Second, students write a 3,000 word portfolio, evidencing their journey through the creative process. Third, students conduct an investigation of two separate performance texts from which they must then perform a monologue/duologue and a group performance to demonstrate their theatre-making skills. It is a thrilling, yet well-rounded higher level apprenticeship in the theatre and the perfect platform for further study.

Co-Curricular

All senior girls are encouraged to perform in dramatic productions during their time at OHS. Sixth Form students experience ever more opportunities to help out backstage, learning applied production skills with our professional Theatre Manager. There also exists a wide range of opportunities to produce, write, direct and perform one’s own plays with the support of the Drama department. Finally, House Drama is a vital component of Oxford High School, providing a fun, annual opportunity to devise, direct and perform a self-written play.

See the Drama A Level booklet

Academic

Students do need a degree of numeracy for Economics A Level, but only to a GCSE level, such as calculating percentages.  The subject is assessed with short answers, data response questions and essays. At degree level, by contrast, Economics becomes very mathematical and A Level Maths is essential.  As a new subject in our Sixth Form, Economics provides girls with a great opportunity to explore something entirely different and of great interest to prospective universities.

Co-Curricular

As well as entering Economics essay competitions, OHS students habitually lead and run their own Economics conferences for other Trust and local schools, recently on the topics of the environment and economic development.  They also have written an Economics magazine. Students also have the opportunity, when possible, to go on annual foreign trips, with the biennial October trip to New York and Washington DC providing a highpoint of the A Level course, with excursions to places such as the World Bank Museum, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the United Nations. In alternate years, students have the chance to visit a European city or cities to find out about businesses and the running of their economies, such as Prague, Brussels, or Amsterdam.

See the Economics A Level booklet

Academic

A popular and academically successful subject, A Level English takes students on a journey of discovery and self-realisation that provides the ideal platform for university study across a wide range of Humanities subjects. We follow the OCR syllabus, which affords each teacher the freedom to share their passion for the subject and engage in rich, seminar-style discussion. Students also benefit from the opportunity to submit two pieces of coursework, including the option of a creative response to their chosen texts.

Co-Curricular

Our Sixth Form students celebrate their passion for English in myriad ways. Some contribute to or edit the school magazine, others enter creative writing competitions, others still join the Senior Debating teams, sign-up for book group, compose poetry in creative writing club or attend talks by visiting academics and authors. A Level students also have the opportunity of going on mind-expanding tours to literary locales such as Brontë country or Woolf and Tennyson’s South Downs, while the biannual writer’s retreat to the Arvon Foundation’s Shropshire hideaway is not to be missed!

See the English A Level booklet

Academic

With issues such as migration, human development and climate change dominating the political agenda, there has never been a more important time to study Geography. As a department, we believe that Geography provides a vital forum to further one’s understanding, ask questions and seek answers. Geography’s strength comes from its unique ability to connect the social sciences with earth sciences and unite knowledge from different disciplines to interpret the bigger picture. A roomful of geographers will be confident analysing case studies and data, producing strong written arguments and offering new ideas.

Co-Curricular

Students can engage with Geography outside the classroom through a range of different co-curricular opportunities. KS4 and 5 students can be found attending online talks and in-person Geographical Association lectures by eminent academics and many students extend their subject interests by entering GDST and University essay writing competitions. Sixth Formers also help run our KS3 Geography Club. Sessions include: exploring new places, GIS mapping projects, treasure hunts and competitions. As a Geography department, we encourage students to create individual opportunities for themselves, supported by the department. Recently such endeavours have included planning and conducting additional fieldwork and independent research projects in the local area, teaching students at the Prep School about climate change and managing the data from the school weather station.

See the Geography A Level booklet

Academic

The Edexcel A Level course focuses on the theme of revolution across a range of periods from rebellion and disorder under the Tudors (1485-1603) to conflict, revolution and settlement in England (1625-1701) and the Russian Revolution (1894-1924). In the process, the course develops independent learning skills that will equip students to face undergraduate study with confidence. Greater analysis of primary source material, the study of historiography and the challenging of preconceptions of the past build exponentially on GCSE skills while a coursework element provides scope for extended individual research.

Co-Curricular

Sixth Form Historians benefit from a wide range of trips to sites of historical interest both locally and further afield. Of course, the fiercely contested historical cake competition is another highlight for our A Level students.

See the History A Level booklet

Academic

Maths is the most popular A Level subject at OHS. We follow the Edexcel courses for Maths and Further Maths which both balance a core of Pure Maths with Statistics and Mechanics and offer the girls the breadth and depth of mathematical skills required for a huge variety of university courses. They meet a wide range of ideas and concepts from the abstract to the real-world (firing crossbows and analysing the habits of a ‘typical teenager’ can help them put their knowledge in context) and focus on approaching problems creatively, logically and with an eye for detail.

Co-Curricular

We take advantage of our proximity to the University by attending undergraduate lectures and study days, while eminent mathematicians are invited to speak in school. All Sixth Form mathematicians are encouraged to enter the UK Maths Trust Senior Maths Challenge, with many winning certificates or qualifying for the follow-on rounds, and we also enter students for the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls.

See the Maths A Level booklet

A Level

We take the Edexcel A-Level Chinese Mandarin course, which allows students to study one work of literature and a film. The assessment aims to evaluate students’ language proficiency and cultural awareness, helping them further develop their skills. Students also deepen their knowledge of Chinese by conducting a research project on a topic of their choosing, which is presented as part of the oral exam at the end of the year. The Edexcel A-Level Chinese Mandarin course covers a variety of themes, including changes in contemporary Chinese society, Chinese culture, and the impact of the 1978 reform and opening-up on China.

Co-Curricular

Our weekly A-Level student-run Chinese Cultural Club offers all students a fun space to explore Chinese culture and language. Through student-led discussions and activities, participants share knowledge about Chinese traditions, festivals, food, and landmarks. In Year 9, students embark on an annual trip to the British Museum and Chinatown to experience Chinese art and New Year festivities. Best of all, we also organise a biannual trip to China, which combines intensive language learning with cultural activities, a school exchange, and excursions to some of the most famous sights in and around Beijing and Xi’an.

See the Chinese Sixth Form booklet

Academic

At A Level, we follow the AQA syllabus, which offers an exciting range of topics and a strong emphasis on personal research for the oral. Lessons are enriched through the use of recent resources from magazines, the web and other authentic stimuli, such as podcasts and recordings from French TV and radio. We also host workshops on translation with a professional translator and incorporate a strong emphasis on French cinema as part of the A2 syllabus. Many students go on to read French at top universities as a main subject or as part of a combined course.

Co-Curricular

We offer a huge range of co-curricular activities to enrich our students’ appreciation of French. These include the annual home-stay trip to Angers, lectures by French academics and professionals, a range of clubs and French-language plays. Sixth Formers, meanwhile, benefit from our Oxbridge French Literature Club, Oxbridge competitions and a Sixth Form French Day outing to Oxford with Alliance Française.

See the French A Level booklet

Academic

Russian is a popular option in the Sixth Form, with a broad spectrum of cultural, cinematic and literary study engendering deeper understanding of the nation’s language and culture. The girls achieve fluency by the end of the A Level course, enabling them to hold conversations with native speakers across a plethora of topics. The girls participate in the Sixth Form Russian Conference organised by OHS, where they encounter university-style workshops and attend the lectures of leading Russian academics and cultural commentators.

Co-Curricular

Beyond the curriculum, we run theatre and ballet trips, lectures, clubs and various exciting events to support our students’ passion for Russian language, culture, history and literature. Our girls participate in various national Russian language competitions, including the Russian Essay Competition, with OHS girls often winning the top prizes.

See the Russian A Level booklet

Academic

The A Level German course aims to develop awareness and understanding of other cultures and civilisations through the study of German society, literature and film, and by means of an individual research project. Students gain a thorough knowledge of German grammar and thus learn to speak naturally and accurately, and to write with clarity and precision. In the past four years, A Level Germanists have gone on to prestigious universities to read German, often combined with other languages and specialisms such as Law, History and Linguistics.

Co-Curricular

The German Department runs a busy Co-Curricular calendar, including the annual German Exchange to Fürstenried West Gymnasium in Munich, inter-school German-language events, trips to the annual Oxford Liederfestival, competing in the Oxford German Olympiad and producing original artwork inspired by artists and writers of the German Expressionist movement alongside the Art Department. We also support Sixth Formers in entering the UK-German Connection competition, through which OHS Germanists frequently win places on summer language courses and conferences in Berlin, Bremen, Mönchen-Gladbach and Weimar.

See the German A Level booklet

Academic

Studying the Edexcel A Level syllabus, students deepen their knowledge of Italian language and culture through a diverse range of topics including changing families, immigration and the media, as well as historical subjects like Fascism, the Resistance and its relevance to the foundation of the EU. Students also study literary works and cinema such as Lara Cardella’s Volevo i pantaloni (‘Good Girls Don’t Wear Trousers’) and Benigni’s La vita è bella – both of which provide excellent springboards for developing interdisciplinary awareness and general knowledge.

Co-Curricular

While studying Italian, students are encouraged to seek and develop interdisciplinary links to other subjects and interests from Music to Art, from English to Science, from Classics to Geography, from History to Religious studies. Their learning process is supported whenever possible through educational visits to galleries, museums, theatres, cinemas and lectures, as well as exchange trips to Italy and social events usually involving pizza!

See the Italian A Level booklet

A Level

We follow the AQA A Level, which permits students to study one work of literature and a film. They will learn about artistic culture, regional identity, political life, and multiculturalism across the Spanish-speaking world. Students also deepen their love of Spanish by conducting a research topic of their choosing, which is presented as part of the oral exam at the end of the year. Together, these elements enable students not only to flourish academically (generally several students each year go on to study Spanish at universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Durham and UCL), but also to communicate fluently in Spanish so they can use their language skills in later life.

Co-Curricular

Our Sixth Form Language Reps offer a Beginners’ Spanish Club for those who wish to get a taste of Spanish, and there are support sessions for those who need a little extra help. Outside the classroom, we offer enrichment experiences, including a 5-day study tour to El Puerto de Santa María for Years 9 and 10 and a cultural visit for the Sixth Form, most recently to the Royal Academy of Art for the Hispanic Art exhibition. Students also participate in a range of activities such as a salsa dance class and the Oxford University Flash Fiction competition.

See the Spanish A Level booklet

Academic

Music A Level develops the ability to explain and link complex concepts, master technical vocabulary and display both creativity in composition and communication in performance. This combination of skills provides an excellent foundation for other subjects at degree level as well as for studying Music itself. At A Level we follow the Edexcel specification which breaks down into the following elements:
(i) Performance – an 8-12 minute recital of music of at least Grade 7-8 standard (30%);
(ii) Composition – advanced harmonisation and an extended piece of composition (30%);
(iii) Appraising – a critical evaluation of set works testing students’ ability to write accurately and incorporate context (40%).

Co-Curricular

Our Music Department is a buzzing hive of voices, instruments and harmony, offering a packed calendar of choirs and orchestras for all ages and standards of player as well as smaller groups such as string quartets, chamber choirs and a cappella groups. Each term we present a major Lower School and a major Senior School concert, using venues such as Oxford Town Hall, the Sheldonian Theatre and a number of Oxford colleges. There are frequent chamber concerts and tea concerts, Open Mic nights, masterclasses with guest artists and a biannual whole-school musical staged in conjunction with the Drama Department. Music Scholarships and Exhibitions are available on entry to Year 12.

See the Music A Level booklet

Academic

Politics at A Level consists of UK Politics and Government, US Government and Politics, a comparative study of the UK and US, core ideologies and an optional ideology. Uniquely, we offer students the opportunity to choose their own optional ideology from a choice of anarchism, ecologism, feminism, multiculturalism and nationalism as a guided research project in Year 12. It is assessed by essays and some shorter questions, some of which have stimulus material.

Co-Curricular

Students have organised and run Politics conferences for other Trust and local schools including ones on Women in Politics and US foreign policy.  They also enter Politics essay competitions.  OHS students regularly go on Politics trips to the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the UK Supreme Court. They also go on school trips abroad, when possible, including the biennual trips in election years to New York and Washington DC, where the itinerary includes visits to the White House, the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Pentagon and the United Nations. In alternate years, students can visit a European city to look at the politics with recent forays focusing on Brussels, Strasbourg, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Students run a mock election on Open Evening every year which is a very good barometer of political opinion!

See the Politics A Level booklet

Academic

The specification that we follow at Oxford High School is AQA A, which will introduce you to some of the fundamentals of Psychology such as the approaches that explains human behaviour from the perspective of different psychologists using current scenarios. The specification is divided as follows:

Paper 1: ‘Introductory Topics’, 

Paper 2: ‘Psychology in Context’, 

Paper 3: ‘Issues and Options in Psychology’. 

The range of topics we explore will give you insights to various aspects of life apart from developing important skills valued by higher education (HE) and employers including critical analysis, independent thinking and research. Scientific thinking is important as at least 25-30% of the overall assessment comes from research methods and ‘how science works’ and another 10% from mathematical skills, which makes Psychology a new science subject. 

In addition, OHS Psychology students are asked to undertake a small-scale research project to refine their research skills. In previous years, the research projects have taken place on a range of different areas in Psychology such as an in-depth study of the halo and horns effect, our ability to concentrate under the influence of different types of music, whether there is evidence for similarities in level of attractiveness in married couples, and researching the potential existence of gender stereotyping in children’s literature. 

The specification will appeal to students from all fields of study, as it builds on skills developed in the sciences and humanities, which enables progression into a wide range of other subjects. Psychology explores a broad range of everyday scenarios which is seen as beneficial in a number of careers including business and marketing, human resources, clinical, education, sports, counselling, law and many more.  For more information on careers in Psychology, visit British Psychological Society website.

Co-Curricular

At OHS, the psychology department hold events such as international conferences for our students as well as external schools by inviting external speakers to share their expert knowledge in specialist fields of Psychology by giving presentations on fascinating areas such as anxiety disorders, the psychology of cognitive neuroscience, and the science of laughter and other interesting areas. We also take students on visits, such as our trip to the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford; the MSc Poster Presentations at Oxford where graduate students present the findings of their highly interesting research projects; and the Brain Network Dynamics Unit, an open day designed specifically for A Level students. Our main highlight is the yearly residential trip we run to the USA and Europe consequently which gives our students an edge in witnessing and experiencing the difference in culture as well as human behaviour in general. Our students also take part in the many essay writing competitions, Psychology research competitions and we are proud to say that the OHS Psychology team has been winning an award from the GDST Psychology Cup since 2019.

See the Psychology A Level booklet

Academic

At A Level, the Department follows the Edexcel 9RS0 Religious Studies course, which includes papers in Philosophy, Ethics and Theology. The skills developed in philosophy, ethics and theology are those that employers and universities value most: those of analysis, textual criticism, empathy and an ability to clearly express one’s own opinion in order to persuade others of your point of view. Mastery of these skills represents a clear benefit when entering the adult world and, furthermore, our students will be exploring life, the fundamental and ultimate questions in the process. It’s really quite fun.

Co-Curricular

The Department organises opportunities for foreign exploration and local visits, whilst visits to Amsterdam, New York and Washington are planned, as are more local visits to the Oxford University Centre for Hindu Studies and Christ Church Cathedral.

See the RPE A Level booklet

Academic

At A Level, the Department follows the AQA Philosophy course. Studying Philosophy is an excellent way of demonstrating your ability to write analytically, to engage with complex ideas and abstract concepts, and to consider challenging ideas in a balanced manner. Philosophy is a popular subject amongst university departments for these reasons, and can help you with a number of degree subjects, including Theology, Politics and History, as well as a number of diverse careers including journalism, law, teaching and public relations.

Co-Curricular

The Department organises Study Visits both locally and further afield.

See the Philosophy A Level booklet

Academic

Biology is a very popular subject among the Sixth Form students, with approximately 50% of the year group studying for the A level each year. At OHS, we follow the OCR Biology A specification (H420) as it provides an excellent introduction to a wide range of biological principles, and has practical investigation at its heart. Naturally, the theoretical knowledge required is much greater than at GCSE, but it is also more satisfying and interesting, and students relish exploring topics in greater depth. The modules covered during Year 12 include: Foundations in Biology, Exchange and Transport and Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease. The modules covered during Year 13 include: Communication, Homeostasis and Energy and Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems. Throughout both years we continue to place a strong emphasis on both investigative practical work and independent
learning, developing skills that are highly valued by universities.

The course is covered by nine periods a week, shared between two teachers. The Head of Biology is Miss Zoe Steer. Miss Susan Berry, Mrs Tiffany Simmons, and Mrs Maria Whittington also teach A Level. Mr Neil Dighton assists the Biology department.

Co-curricular

There are numerous excellent co-curricular opportunities on offer for students completing A level Biology. We are always keen to support students with taking the lead and exploring new opportunities whether that be by running a club, inviting external speakers to OHS, participating in research projects or entering local, national or even international competitions.

Regular features of the co-curricular programme include STEM outreach, STEM talks, MedSoc, Crest Awards, Biology Olympiad and Bee Club to name a few. Our OHS Bee Club currently has three thriving hives and regularly extracts and sells OHS honey and beeswax candles!

At the end of Year 12, we also complete two day trips to Wytham Woods where we learn from Ecologists who conduct research for the University of Oxford. The field trip focuses on developing a range of ecological sampling skills and culminates in the completion of an independent research project.

See the Biology A Level booklet

Academic

Chemistry is a very popular subject at Sixth Form, both in its own right but also as a requirement for many vocational degrees such as medicine, dentistry or veterinary science. We study the Edexcel Chemistry (2015) course, which provides an excellent grounding in Physical, Inorganic, Organic and practical Chemistry. It follows on naturally from the concepts introduced at GCSE, deepening student understanding of core chemistry principles and allowing them to further develop key analytical skills, as well as demonstrate their practical competency through the required “Core Practicals”.

Teaching is typically shared between two teachers for each group, with one side of the course focussing on Inorganic and Physical aspects of Chemistry such as: calculations and amounts of substance, redox, enthalpy and entropy, kinetics, equilibria and the transition metals.  The second teacher primarily focusses on Organic Chemistry, with topics including: bonding and structure, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carbonyls, aromatic chemistry, amines and amino acids, and modern analytical techniques. Our highly experienced teaching team consists of Dr Richard Jones (Head of Chemistry), Mr Joel Abbott, Dr Edward Batchelar, Mr Jack Sobey, Mrs Nikki Westwood and ably assisted by our Chemistry Technician Mrs Mosleen Idiahi.

Co-curricular

Pupils are continually encouraged to explore the material covered in the course in more depth, and we are always here to support pupils to take ownership of their learning and interests. Pupils enter the RSC Chemistry Olympiad and L6 Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, opportunities that set their learning in unfamiliar settings, related to real-world challenges, giving pupils a taste of the world beyond the confines of the curriculum. We have many successes with these but it is the inspiration behind the questions that is most important. Pupils enter a range of essay competitions, such as Newnham College, Peterhouse, and Immerse Education essay competitions to name a few. Students have taken on their own independent research, for example through Gold CREST awards, and the Armourers and Brasiers TATA Sixth Form Materials Prize. Numerous opportunities in terms of STEM-outreach, STEM discussion groups, and STEM seminars provide leadership opportunities as well as a chance to explore their own interests, as does our student-led magazine, The Medical Myriad. 

See the Chemistry A Level booklet

Academic

Physics continues to grow in popularity at OHS. We follow the Edexcel A level syllabus which gives an excellent grounding in the most important content and skills, as well as allowing us to look at more modern developments in the subject. The course encourages students to develop their practical skills through the 16 Core Practicals which lead to the Practical Endorsement being awarded, as well as developing their problem-solving ability. It is possible to study Physics without A level Maths, although we recommend that students take both as Maths will help significantly with the understanding of some of the more complex topics later in the course.

Co-curricular

We encourage students to take part in external competitions such as the British Physics Olympiad, in which we have had considerable success in recent years. Many students also achieve highly in various national essay competitions and any students interested in engineering are supported and encouraged to apply for an Arkwright Scholarship.

We aim to offer at least one trip each year, often to the Particle Physics Masterclass at Rutherford Appleton laboratories and we also aim to offer our regular residential trip to CERN in Geneva. Within school, the STEM society regularly has outside speakers and Sixth Formers have the option of joining Engineering club, Physics Club or SciFi club.

See the Physics A Level booklet

Academic

At A Level, students present their studies, research and design developments through worksheets as well as annotated sketchbooks. Themes are selected that focus on personal engagement and ideas are explored through analytical observation and individual study. Technical skills are extended and honed, whilst materials are used in inventive ways in a variety of personal responses. An extended essay of 3,000 words explores an aspect of textiles, costume or fashion relating to the individual creative journey. All work is exhibited at the end of the course with 60% of marks allocated to folio work and 40% to a timed personal project.

Co-Curricular

We run textiles clubs for all key stages. Our textiles scholars take the lead in lunchtime clubs with years 7 through 9 and they create projects such making our textiles quilt for the school’s 150^th birthday. Exam groups further up the school benefit from clubs running before school, lunchtime, after school and in private study sessions. These offer a supportive environment in which to flourish and develop complex technical skills, as well as the opportunity to attempt work on a larger scale.  Visits to galleries and exhibitions are offered at GCSE and A Level, and local and national events beyond school such as ‘Fashion Sustainability Week’ are promoted. A number of students continue their studies to degree level in Fashion, Costume or Textile Design. Others work in a wide variety of creative industries across the world

See the Textiles A Level booklet

Academic

A Level PE is a highly academic subject that combines Physical Education along with the science behind it and involves Biology, Physics, Maths, Psychology and Sociology among other areas. A Level PE is made up of 70% theory – and 30% practical – including practical performance in one sport and course work analysing your on performance,

Co-Curricular

We regularly compete in county and regional competitions and often have success qualifying for national competitions too. Training takes place on a weekly basis and selection for school fixtures are based upon ability, commitment and attitude.

See the PE A Level booklet