You can choose three or four subjects and may have regular classes plus study to do in your own time.
Work is assessed as you progress and there will be exams at the end of each year. In the first year you will study at AS Level, and the next year at A2 Level. The combined scores will give your overall A Level result.
Some lessons will be taught by staff from the neighbouring St Paul's Catholic School, who will be sharing their expertise at teaching A Level subjects.
You'll get the qualifications you need to apply for a degree or diploma at university or college, and you could then go on to have a professional career.
Careers: Journalism, Media, Law
If you love books or writing, then this is definitely the course for you. It involves studying both modern language and literature texts from the past, and you'll learn how to express yourself and develop your own writing style. You'll be critically looking at drama, poetry, fiction, soap operas, speeches, radio and television, advertisements and telephone conversations.
Careers: Accountancy, IT, Statistics, Aviation
This course will develop your understanding of maths in an enjoyable way, and will teach you new mathematical skills.
You'll cover topics such as geometry, algebra, equations and statistics and learn how to manipulate figures. You'll also use abstract reasoning and logic in problem solving.
Careers: Engineering, Oceanography, Geology, Business, Politics, Travel and Tourism
Studying geography will appeal if you have an interest in the environment. You'll need to carry out practical outdoor work as well as class work and will find out about people, places, landscapes and events. Topics cover everything from volcanoes to pollution and population changes.
Careers: Archaeology, Politics, Business
Understanding our past can be fascinating and tell us a lot about the way we live today. This course covers British, European and world history and includes the British Empire, the slave trade and the Spanish Civil War. You will explore a range of historical perspectives, including social, economic, political, religious and cultural views and see how they influenced behaviour and actions.
Careers: Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Medicine, Catering, Land Management
This is a varied course which will appeal if you have an interest in the study of living organisms and enjoy carrying out investigations in a laboratory or as fieldwork. The course will cover interesting biology issues such as genetic engineering and its impact on society. Topics will include molecules and cells, human nutrition and adaptation to the environment.
Careers: Pharmacy, Medicine, Environmental Science, Agriculture, Biotechnology
You'll be carrying out experiments, collecting and calculating results, and then presenting the results. The course covers a variety of topics including atomic structure, formulae and energetics, and there will be a mixture of practical and written work.
Careers: Chemical Engineering, Radiography, Biotechnology
Discover more about how things work in the physical world. You will need to carry out investigations, solve problems and have good logical thinking.
You’ll be studying everything from radioactivity to electricity and thermal physics and astrophysics.
Careers: Accountancy, Marketing, Human Resources
The Academy has a specialism in enterprise, so we will be building up lots of links with the local business community to help students with this subject.
This course will teach you how to make business decisions and solve business problems. It will also give an insight into how companies work. Topics include marketing, production, decision making and planning corporate strategy.
Careers: International Companies, Travel, Interpretation
This course builds on the understanding of French you have gained at KS4 and will help you communicate in this language. You will develop your skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in French. You will also learn more about the culture and people of France.
Careers: Human Resources, The Care Sector, Advertising, Clinical Psychology
Are you interested in why people behave in certain ways? This course is about studying human behaviour and learning different psychological theories.
You will find out how to carry out research using different methods, and how to collect the data. This will involve some statistics work so it would be helpful if you have a good maths GCSE. You will discuss everything from theories relating to memory and explanations of prejudice and how children learn.
Careers: Social Work
Sociology is the study of people in groups. It is all about group behaviour and human societies, with emphasis on the structures of societies and social influence. On this course you will study culture and identity of social groups and will explore the differences in social groups. Topics include social order, social control and social changes. You’ll gain the essential knowledge and understanding of central aspects of sociological thought and methods.
Careers: Design, Illustration, Marketing
There’s plenty of opportunity to be really creative with this course. You’ll explore expressing yourself through a variety of different creative techniques. You’ll also look at the work of well-known artists and designers and explore their different styles. This course will also help you to develop your own critical thinking skills.
Careers: Dance Performance, Choreography
Do you love dance? With this course you’ll be able to study performance and choreography, and extend your appreciation of dance. You’ll also develop critical thinking skills in relation to dance as an art form. Study will include performing and interpreting dance ideas through solo and group work, as well as learning and writing about choreography.
Careers: Music Industry, IT
This course is ideal if you have a keen interest in music technology and enjoy creating and listening to different styles of music. You will be able to extend your practical experience and understanding of music. Study areas include music from the western classical tradition to the development of music technology. Work will involve using composing and arranging technology and producing performances in sequencing software.
Careers: Acting, Drama Production, Theatre Critic
Studying this course will enable you to develop your interest and enjoyment in drama and theatre. You’ll be working in groups to create and present original pieces of drama as well as developing your personal dramatic and theatrical skills. You’ll also develop your knowledge and understanding of the social and cultural contexts of drama and theatre through detailed study of dramatic texts. You’ll be studying everything from mime to improvisation and acting techniques.
