AS/A Level - Biology
AS: Year 12 Course summary:
BIOLOGY 1 - Basic Biochemistry Organisation
The content is examined by a paper lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes. The unit contributes towards 20% of the qualification.
BIOLOGY 2 - Biodiversity and Physiology of Body Systems
The content is examined by a paper lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes. The unit contributes towards 20% of the qualification.
There is no internal assessment of coursework at AS Level.
A Level: Year 13 Course summary:
BIOLOGY 3 - Homeostasis and the Environment
The content is examined by a paper lasting 2 hours. The unit contributes towards 25% of the qualification.
BIOLOGY 4 - Variation, Evolution and Options (Immunology and Diseases)
The content is examined by a paper lasting 2 hours with extended questions. The unit contributes towards 25% of the qualification.
BIOLOGY 5 - Internal Assessment
Experimental work set by WJEC consisting of one experimental task and one task interpreting experimental data. The unit contributes towards 10% of the qualification.
AS/A Level - Chemistry
Unit 1 – (20%) - The Structure of Matter, Simple reactions and The Language of Chemistry
Unit 2 – (20%) - Energy, Rate and Chemistry of Carbon Compounds.
Unit 3-- (25%) - Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Unit 4 – (25%) - Organic Chemistry and Analysis
Unit 5 – (10%) - Practical Examination
Assessment Structure:
AS (40%)
Unit 1 & 2 – Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes.
A2 (60%)
Unit 3 & 4– Written examination 1 hour 45 minutes containing some synoptic elements.
Unit 5 – A practical examination to be completed within year 13 on a specific date.
Additional information
Learners should be prepared to apply the knowledge, understanding and skills specified in a range of theoretical, practical, industrial and environmental contexts.
There are specific practical tasks which must be undertaken by learners throughout the course in order to ensure that they are suitably prepared for the written examinations. They are required to keep an informal record of their work.
AS/A Level - Physics
Over the two years, A Level Students are expected to follow five modules: Ph1: Motion, Energy & Matter; Ph2: Light & Electricity; Ph3: Oscillations and nuclei; Ph4: Fields and Options Ph6: Experimental Assessment.
Each unit has an examination:
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two at the end of the first year
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two at the end of the second year.
For the AS course, modules Ph1 and Ph2 are studied, with an examination at the end of the year (each examination will constitute 50% of the final grade).
Practical work is an integral part of the course and every opportunity is taken to complete this. The department has the modern equipment that the course necessitates. The emphasis is placed on the development and experience of the individual in handling the apparatus.
Every opportunity to engage the pupils in extra-curricular activities will be taken, as this has proven beneficial to past students when they have attended interviews at further education institutes. We have undertaken trips to Cern in Switzerland in the past to observe the Large Hadron Collider.