A Level

Once again twelve per cent of the AL cohort achieved the A* - well above the national average. Half of those who sat Mathematics as a subject gained an A*, and in English 25% A*’s were achieved. The highest achiever at A Level this year secured five A*’s and has secured a place to study Medicine at HKU.

The new Advanced Level courses commenced in September 2008. The main changes have been designed to reduce the amount of coursework and the number of examinations completed by students. The courses are split into four units (six for Mathematics, Music and Science). Two of these units are examined in the Lower Sixth and contribute to an Advanced Subsidiary award. Students who pass this first level then study a further two, more challenging units in the Upper Sixth. The combined mark for all four units determines the final Advanced Level grade.

Advanced Subsidiary Units will be examined in June at the end of the Lower Sixth, providing students with clear feedback about their performance and evidence of academic potential to prospective universities.

Top universities require students to study four subjects at Advanced Subsidiary level and at least three of these through to full Advanced Level. The new Advanced Level provides greater discrimination for universities by awarding an A* grade to all students who score over 90% of the available marks in the Upper Sixth units.

All AS Level students also follow the Ardingly core programme; this consists of a General Studies and Critical Thinking course, the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and they are encouraged to complete a 4000 word research assignment.

Course available at Ardingly from September 2012:

Art and Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation (dependent upon demand), Design and Technology, Divinity and Philosophy, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English (Literature), Geography, History (Modern), History (Medieval), Italian (may be available on request), Latin (dependent upon demand), Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Modern Languages: French, German and Spanish, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology

For more information about A Level course please see our Sixth Form courses booklet