Sixth Form Prospectus - The Perse School

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24 25EnglishLiteratureWhy study English Literature?English Literature is one of the most established, rigorous andwidely-recognised A level courses; it allows students to engage in astimulating and demanding way with a wide range of texts rangingfrom the fourteenth century English poet Chaucer to the contemporaryAmerican playwright David Mamet.Teaching and learning experiences will be lively and interactive, fromgroup work to student-led seminar presentations, from improvisationin class to analysing film language. Discussion of complex ideas andchallenging themes in a lively and supportive environment is integralto our working methods and students grow in skill and confidence asthey explore texts in detail.English is a subject to be enjoyed both inside and outside the classroomand there are many opportunities for theatre trips, lectures, directing,performing and filming as well as gallery and exhibition visits. There isa student-led Literary Society (visited in 2010/11 by the Poet LaureateCarol Ann Duffy), a Debating Society and an annual production stagedat the Edinburgh Festival. Last year our students went on a literary tourof New York; this year we are running a study visit to Dublin duringOctober half-term week.The English Literature course is popular and has an outstanding recordof success. The qualification is admired by universities and enablesstudents to go on to study a wide range of courses at the highest leveland subsequently embark on a variety of prestigious careers.Course contentStudents will follow the OCR AS and A2 specifications in EnglishLiterature (H071 and H471) which provide a balance betweencoursework and examined papers and include texts from a varietyof periods, genres and styles. There is the possibility of a creativewriting option at AS level, allowing students considerable freedomof expression. All AS papers are completed and examined at the endof the Lower Sixth Year; A2 papers are all taken at the end of theUpper Sixth.AS F661 : Poetry and Prose (1800–1945) Exam – 2 hoursAS F662 : Literature (post–1900) Coursework of 3000 wordsF663: Drama and Poetry (pre–1800) Exam – 2 hoursA2 F664 : Texts in Time Coursework of 3000 wordsFrenchWhy study French?The ability to understand and communicate in other languages isincreasingly important in our society and in the global economy.Languages contribute to the cultural and linguistic richness of oursociety, to personal fulfillment, mutual understanding, commercialsuccess, international trade and global citizenship. At The Perse we arebucking the national trend, and French is an increasingly popular subjectand attracts students from all subject specialisms who recognise thatthe ability to speak and understand a language beyond GCSE level willbe a real asset at university and beyond. French combines well with allsubjects, whether Arts, Sciences or Humanities and we regularly have 35to 40 Sixth Form students studying French, roughly a third of whom willcontinue to study languages at university in one form or another.We organise an annual French study day, held at the school in February,at which an outside speaker and French national delivers talks and leadsdiscussions on a number of topics taken from the AS and A2 syllabuses.AS and A2 students also have the opportunity to take part in an annual4 day cultural trip to Paris during February half-term and a biennialseven day visit to the island of La Réunion in the Indian Ocean at Easter.In addition we can offer penfriend links with Sixth Formers at ourpartner schools, Sainte Croix de Neuilly in Paris or Institut Florimontin Geneva, as well as advice on arranging a work experience placementin France.Course contentWe follow the AQA specification in French.The AS topics are:At A2 the syllabus combines a stimulating mix of contemporarytopics with the more traditional opportunity to study two culturaltopics, both on separate literary works.The A2 topics are:• Media• Youth culture• Health and well-being• Family and relationships.• The environment• Contemporary social issues• The multi-cultural society• Personal cultural topic (a novel or a film)• Whole-class cultural topic (a play)
26 27General StudiesGeographyStudents may choose to do AS General Studies (AQA) in addition totheir other AS Levels. The extra workload is minimal compared withnormal AS Levels but it does provide students with the means ofbroadening their education and of demonstrating to universities theirintellectual curiosity and breadth of knowledge and interests. The ASGeneral Studies examination is taken in January of the Lower Sixth.It is examined by a mixture of multiple choice and stimulus questions.Although there is little formal teaching for these examinations, studentswill find that their AS and other courses plus general reading will enablethem to obtain a good grade. Candidates are provided with past papersand some extra tuition for the examinations if required. Students mayobtain the A2 qualification in the Upper Sixth.Why study Geography?The word geography literally means ‘to write the earth’. A massivetask – the study of the earth’s 150 million sq km surface and the effectsof its seven billion inhabitants! Therefore, it is not surprising that theGeography course covers a diverse array of topics, such as sustainability,global development, population dynamics, global warming and glaciers.We believe that students will find the course relevant and thoughtprovoking. Geography is not just a catalogue of facts and figures, buta subject that attempts to understand the diversity, similarities andinterconnections that exist between people and places.Fieldwork is an essential and enjoyable element of the course. Fieldtripsat AS include a four day residential trip to the highly regarded Cranedalefield study centre in Yorkshire and a day trip to the North Norfolk coast.A charge may be made for trips. The department has also run optionaloverseas trips to Iceland during the past four years.In the past department results have been excellent and the course is anideal preparation for those intending to read Geography at university.Geography links very well with a wide range of science and humanitiessubjects, is stimulating and is well regarded by employers and universitiesas it encourages a broad range of communication, problem solving andnumerical skills.Course contentWe offer the OCR Specification for AS and A2 examination. The courseis dynamic and exciting and involves the study of global variations inthe pattern and processes that form and affect the earth’s surface.The specification offers a balanced approach to human and physicalgeography within which fieldwork is encouraged.At AS there are two written examinations to be taken in June of the Lower Sixth.Module 1Module 2Managing the Physical Environment• Coastal Environments• Hot Arid and Semi Arid Environments • Cold EnvironmentsManaging Change in the Human Environment• The Energy Issue • Managing Urban Change • Managing Rural ChangeAt A2 there are a further two modules. Module 4 is taken in Januaryand Module 3 in June of the Upper Sixth.Module 3Module 4Global Issues• Earth Hazards • Atmospheric Hazards • GlobalisationGeographical Skills
Page 3 and 4: 2 3Welcome...We believe that our Si
Page 16 and 17: 28 29GermanGreekWhy study German?Wh
Page 18 and 19: 32 33LatinMathematicsWhy study Lati
Page 22 and 23: 40 41PsychologyReligious StudiesWhy
Page 24 and 25: 44Enrichment ProgrammeOnce a fortni
Page 26 and 27: 48 49Extra curricularDramaThere is
Page 28 and 29: 52 53Clubs and societiesThe school
Page 30 and 31: 56 57A levelresultsA level results
Page 32: 60Abigail BertelsenI joined The Per

Sixth Form Prospectus - The Perse School

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