Subject Information
Please find below information regarding the subjects being offered from September 2024.
Our main entry requirements for entry into our Sixth Form is achieving 5 grade 5s/Merits in your GCSEs.
Any student who has not achieved their English or Maths at a grade 4, will be required to re-sit this in either the November or June exams of Year 12.
If you have any specific questions regarding entry requirements, these can be answered in your interview or you can email us at Sixthformksa@ketteringscienceacademy.org
Finance
Entry requirements
5 GCSE grades, including English and Maths at least grade 4.
Assessment
External exams in January/June of Yr 12 and Yr13
LIBF
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Financial capability for the immediate and short term Unit 2: Financial capability for the medium and long term
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 3: Sustainability of an individual’s finances Unit 4: Sustainability of the financial services system
Future Pathways
The financially-related content of DipFS serves as a strong grounding for undergraduate study within finance and business-related disciplines, with many students going on to study accounting, business, finance and banking.
Criminology
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 5 in GCSE English
Assessment
Controlled Assessment and External Assessment in January/June of Yr 12 and Yr 13
WJEC
Units Studied Yr 12
1 Changing Awareness of Crime Mandatory 2 Criminological Theories Mandatory
Units Studied Yr 13
3 Crime Scene to Courtroom Mandatory
4 Crime and Punishment Mandatory
Future Pathways
Criminology can open the door to an array of career paths that require understanding of the criminal justice sector. These may include careers in the police force or in police support roles, the field of forensic psychology, social and probation work or the prison services.
Physical Education Cambridge Technical
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 5 in GCSE PE OR A grade 5 in biology.
Assessment
Coursework and External Assessment in January/June of Yr 12 and Yr 13
VOC
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Body System and the Effect of Physical Activity Unit 2: Sports Coaching and Activity Leadership Unit 3: Sport Organisation and Development Unit 5: Performance and Analysis in Sport and Science Unit 8: Organisation of a Sports Event
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1: Body System and the Effect of Physical Activity Unit 2: Sports Coaching and Activity Leadership Unit 3: Sport Organisation and Development Unit 5: Performance and Analysis in Sport and Science Unit 8: Organisation of a Sports Event
Future Pathways
This course will develop students’ body awareness, teamwork, communication and leadership skills. Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared to study a degree in sport studies and business, sport psychology, sports education and special and inclusive education and sport and exercise science. Career pathways include sports scientist, physiotherapist or working for a national governing body.
Childrens Play, Learning and Development BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate
Entry requirements
5 GCSE grades including English and Maths at least grade 4.
Assessment
Coursework and External Assessment in January/June of Yr 12 and Yr 13
BTEC - EDEXCEL
Units Studied Yr 12
1. Child Development (Exam) 2.Health and Safety in Early Years Settings (Portfolio) 3.Play & Learning (Portfolio)
Units Studied Yr 13
4.Safeguarding in Early Years (Portfolio) 5.Meeting Children’s Physical Development, Physical Care and Health Needs (Portfolio) 6. Observation, Assessment & Planning (Portfolio)
Future Pathways
The course develops students understanding of how children develop over time from birth, to early years, to primary years through to adolescence. This qualification will prepare students to work with children and understand the different stages of development they go through. This course will benefit students wishing to work directly with young children or progress into Higher Education in related courses like primary education, nursery education, nursing, clinical psychology or child development.
Sociology
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 5 in GCSE combined science, maths and English language or literature
Assessment
External Exam in June of Yr 13
AQA
Units Studied Yr 12
● Families and Household
● Education
● Research Methods
Units Studied Yr 13
● Crime and Deviance
● Beliefs in Society
● Theory and Methods
Future Pathways
This course develops students’ critical thinking, analysis, research and communication skills. Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared to study a degree in sociology or social work. Career pathways include family support, research and social work.
Psychology
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 5 in GCSE combined science, maths and English language or literature OR A grade 6 in biology, grade 5 in maths and English language or literature.
Assessment
External Exam in June of Yr 13
AQA
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology: Social Influence, Memory, Attachment Unit 2: Psychology in Context: Approaches in Psychology, Psychopathology, Research Methods
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 4: Introductory Topics in Psychology: Social Influence, Memory, Attachment, Psychopathology Unit 2: Psychology in Context: Approaches in Psychology, Biopsychology, Research Methods Unit 3: Issues and Options in Psychology: Issues and Debates in Psychology, Relationships, Schizophrenia, Aggression
Future Pathways
This course develops students’ critical thinking, analysis, research and communication skills. Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared to study a degree in an area of psychology including cognitive, developmental, clinical, criminal or social. Career pathways include counselling, education, healthcare, social work, the Police Force and the NHS.
Health & Social Care BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 4 in GCSE maths and English language or literature.
Assessment
Coursework and External Assessment in January/June of Yr 12 and Yr 13
BTEC - EDEXCEL
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development Unit 14: Physiological Disorders and their Care
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1: Working in Health and Social Care Unit 5: Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
Future Pathways
The course develops students’ understanding of human behaviour patterns, the organisational structures in the health and care sector and ethics, rights and responsibilities. Students who successfully complete the qualification will be prepared to study a degree in counselling, social work or nursing. Career pathways include social work, charity work, civil services, counselling, lecturing, healthcare and local government administration.
Physics
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 6 in GCSE combined science and a grade 5 in maths OR A grade 6 in physics and a second science and a grade 5 in maths
Assessment
PAGs and external Assessment in June of Yr 13
OCR
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Development of Practical Skills in Physics Unit 2: Foundations of Physics Unit 3: Forces and Motion Unit 4: Electrons, Waves and Photons
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1: Development of Practical Skills in Physics Unit 2: Foundations of Physics Physical Quantities and Units, Scalars and Vectors, Measurements Unit 3: Forces and Motion Unit 4: Electrons, Waves and Photons Charge and Current, Energy, Power and Resistance, Electrical Circuits, Waves and Quantum Physics Unit 5: Newtonian World and Astrophysics: Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations, Gravitational Fields and Astrophysics Unit 6: Particles and Medical Physics Capacitors, Electric Fields, Electromagnetism, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Medical Imaging.
Future Pathways
This course develops students’ problem solving and mathematical skills. Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared to study a degree in astrophysics, biomedical engineering, engineering or physics. Career pathways include engineering, coastal scientists, pyrotechnics, astrophysicists, computer game design and weather forecasting.
Chemistry
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 6 in GCSE combined science and a grade 5 in maths OR A grade 6 in chemistry and a second science and a grade 5 in maths.
Assessment
PAGs and external Assessment in June of Yr 13
OCR
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Development of Practical Skills in Chemistry Unit 2: Foundations in Chemistry Unit 3: Periodic Table and Energy Unit 4: Core Organic Chemistry
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1: Development of Practical Skills in Chemistry Unit 2: Foundations in Chemistry Atoms, Compounds, Molecules and Equations, Amount of Substance, Acid–Base and Redox Reactions, Electrons, Bonding and Structure. Unit 3: Periodic Table and Energy The Periodic Table and Periodicity, Group 2 and the Halogens, Qualitative Analysis, Enthalpy Changes, Reaction Rates and Equilibrium (qualitative). Unit 4: Core Organic Chemistry Basic Concepts, Hydrocarbon, Alcohols and Halo Alkanes, Organic Synthesis Analytical Techniques (IR and MS). Unit 5: Physical Chemistry and Transition Elements: Reaction Rates and Equilibrium (quantitative), pH and Buffers, Enthalpy, Entropy and Free Energy, Redox and Electrode Potentials, Transition Elements. Unit 6: Organic Chemistry and Analysis
Future Pathways
This course develops students’ observational, investigative and problem solving skills while developing a creative mind. Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared to study a degree in biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemistry or medicine. Career pathways include chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry, law and the healthcare profession.
Biology
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 6 in GCSE combined science and a grade 5 in maths OR A grade 6 in biology and a second science and a grade 5 in maths
Assessment
PAGs and external Assessment in June of Yr 13
OCR
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Development of Practical Skills in Biology Unit 2: Foundations in Biology Unit 3: Exchange and Transport Unit 4: Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1: Development of Practical Skills in Biology Unit 2: Foundations in Biology Unit 3: Exchange and Transport Unit 4: Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease Unit 5: Communication, Homeostasis and Energy Unit 6: Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems
Future Pathways
This course allows students to develop excellent practical, organisational, observational and investigative skills. Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared to study a degree in biological sciences, medicine, chemistry, biomedical science, forensic science, midwifery or psychology. Career pathways include research, teaching and lecturing, biotechnology, nursing, agriculture, physiotherapy, pharmaceutical practice, dentistry, veterinary science and the medical profession. scientific principles, as well as those scientific practical skills recognised by higher education institutions and employers to be most important.
French/German
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 6 in GCSE French or German
Assessment
External Assessment in June of Yr 13
EDEXCEL
Units Studied Yr 12
Students will be assessed on their listening, reading, writing and speaking skills. Theme 1: Social developments in France or Germany Theme 2: Political and artistic culture in German or French-speaking countries Theme 3: Immigration and multicultural society Theme 4: 20th Century history linked to the country of the German – Reunification of Germany French – The occupation and resistance in France.
Units Studied Yr 13
The study of a French or German novel and film.
Future Pathways
This course allows students to gain invaluable language skills which enhance employment prospects in a variety of careers, both in Europe and further afield. Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared to study a degree or combined degree in French/ German. Career pathways include travel, tourism, teaching, interpreting and translation.
Media
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 5 in GCSE media OR A grade 5 in English language OR A grade 5 creative subject such as art and photography.
Assessment
Coursework and External Assessment in June of Yr 13
EDUQAS
Units Studied Yr 12
Core content: 1. Media Language 2.Media Representation 3.Media Industries 4.Media Audiences Unit 1: All areas of the theoretical framework and understanding of the media products students have engaged with Unit 2: Creating a Media Product.
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1: Issues and Debates in the Media Unit 2: Case Study Products Unit 3: Creating a Media Product.
Future Pathways
This course enables students to demonstrate their creative and technical competence with new digital media whilst also allowing them the autonomy to design and create features which reflect their own media tastes. Students who successfully complete this course will be prepared to study a degree in film production, illustration, journalism, marketing, media, communications or photography. Career pathways include publishing, broadcasting, TV and film, advertising, marketing and journalism, as well as the gaming industry.
AQA Certificate Level 3 Mathematical Studies
Entry requirements
This is open to those who have achieved a grade 5 in GCSE maths. OR A grade 6 in another humanities subject
Assessment
External assessment in June
AQA
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1
● Analysis of data
● Maths for personal finance
● Estimation
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 2A: Statistical techniques
● Critical analysis of data models
● The normal distribution
● Probabilities and estimation
● Correlation and regression
Future Pathways
This course is designed to support students not taking A-level mathematics but who wish to develop their skills beyond GCSE. This course will support any further career in which mathematics could be used to analyse or solve problems. This could include accounting, finance and teaching. Studying mathematics alongside essay subjects can help keep your options open for jobs, apprenticeships and university course.
Fine Art
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 5 in an art and design endorsed subject OR A Level 2 pass in an art or design BTEC qualification.
Assessment
External Assessment in June of Yr 13
EDEXCEL
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1 – Personal Investigation This unit of work contributes to 60% of the total qualifications. All project work is set and assessed internally with an external moderation at the end of the course. In this component, students are given opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with Fine Art media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcomes.
● The portfolio or work consists of three major elements: supporting studies, practical work and a personal written study.
● Supporting studies and practical work will comprise a portfolio of development work and outcomes based on given/chosen themes.
● The personal study will be evidenced through critical written communication showing contextual research and understanding in a minimum 1000 words of written prose which may contain integrated images. The personal study comprises 12% of the total qualifications.
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1 – Personal Investigation continued Unit 2 – Externally Set Assignment This unit of work contributes to 40% of ther total qualifications and is externally set, assessed internally and externally moderated at the end of the course. In this component, students will develop a portfolio of work in the same manner as component 1 working towards producing a personal resolved outcome in response to the externally set theme.
● Incorporates 2 major elements: preparatory studies and the 15 hour period of sustained work.
● Preparatory studies will comprise a portfolio of practical and written development work based on the Externally Set Assignment
● During the 15 hour period of sustained focus under examination conditions, students will produce a final outcome/s extending from their preparatory studies in response to the externally set assignment. Disciplines taught within Fine Art
● Drawing and painting
● Printmaking
● Lens-based image making
● Sculpture
Future Pathways
The course will develop students’ skills needed to produce a high standard of work for a portfolio, interview or degree. Students who successfully complete the qualification will be prepared to study a wide range of creative and combined degrees or complete a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at university, experiencing different art and design disciplines that help build a portfolio for application on to a specialist Art Degree. Art is a multi-disciplined pursuit with many potential career opportunities including arts administration, museums, education or therapy, photography, film, video, print, fashion, textile design, fine art, visual art, graphic design, illustration, performing arts, music, advertising, architecture and product design.
Further Maths
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 7 in GCSE maths (You must also choose A Level maths).
Assessment
External Exam in June
EDEXCEL
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Further Pure 1 Unit 2: Further Applied Mathematics (Choice of Decision, Further Mechanics or Further Statistics)
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1: As for Year 12 Unit 2: Further Pure 2 Unit 3: Further Applied 2 (An additional paper from Year 12)
Future Pathways
This course will teach students how to plan and process logically, to interpret the world around them in a factual way and improve their problem solving skills. Students who successfully complete this qualification will be prepared to study a degree in engineering, accountancy or architecture. Career pathways include quantity surveying, financial services and banking.
Maths
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 6 in GCSE maths
Assessment
External Assessment in June of Yr 13
EDEXCEL
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Pure Mathematics Unit 2: Statistics and Mathematics
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1: Year 12 content Unit 2: Pure Mathematics and content not studied in Year 12 Unit 3: Statistics and Mechanics
Future Pathways
This course will teach students how to plan and process logically, to interpret the world around them in a factual way and improve their problem solving skills. Students who successfully complete this qualification will be prepared to study a degree in engineering, accountancy or architecture. Career pathways include quantity surveying, financial services and banking.
History
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 6 in GCSE history OR A grade 6 in another humanities subject.
Assessment
Coursework and External Assessment in June of Yr 13
AQA
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: The quest for political stability 1871-1929 Unit 2: Building a new Britain 1951-1979
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1: The quest for political stability 1871 1991 Unit 2: The making of modern Britain 1951 2000 Unit 3: Historical investigation covering 100 years on a topic that does not overlap any other units studied (3000-3500 words)
Future Pathways
This course is well respected with higher education institutions and employers due to the range of skills students develop including analysis, debate, evaluation, time management and independent research. Students who successfully complete this qualification will be prepared to study a degree in history, archaeology or politics. Career pathways include business, law, archaeology, politics, accountancy, teaching and specialist historical jobs such as museum curator or archivist.
Geography
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 6 in GCSE geography OR A grade 6 in science OR A grade 6 in another humanities subject
Assessment
External Assessment in June of Yr 13
AQA
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1 Physical Geography: Water and carbon cycles, coastal systems, landscapes and hazards Unit 2 Human Geography and Geography Fieldwork Investigation: Changing places and fieldwork investigation and geography skills Unit 3: Geographical Investigation
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1 Physical Geography: Water and carbon cycles, coastal systems, landscapes and hazards Unit 2 Human Geography: Global systems and global governance, changing places and either contemporary urban environments or population and the environment or resource security. Unit 3 Geography Fieldwork Investigation: Students complete an individual investigation which must include data collected in the field. The investigation must be based on a question or issue defined and developed by the student relating to any part of the specification content.
Future Pathways
This course opens a number of routes due to the investigative nature of the subject, which encourages time management, development of data collecting and presenting techniques. Students who successfully complete this qualification will be prepared to study a degree in geography or environmental planning. Career pathways include advertising, education, environmental management, finance, law, marketing, retail, sales, social/ health services and urban planning.
IT Diploma
Entry requirements
Merit in I.T. or a 6 in computer science
Assessment
3 exams and 2 coursework units
OCR
Units Studied Yr 12
Units studied in year 12 Unit 1, 2 and 3
Units Studied Yr 13
Units studied in year 13 8 and 9
Future Pathways
IT Infrastructure Technician
• Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner
• Application Developer
• Data Analyst.
Computer Science Degree or I.T. degree
Computer Science
Entry requirements
Students who have achieved a grade 6 in GCSE IT OR A grade 5 in Computing
Assessment
Coursework and External Exam in June of Yr 13
OCR
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Computing Principles Unit 2: Algorithms and Problem-Solving
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 1: Computer Systems Unit 2: Algorithms and Problem-Solving Unit 3: Independent Project
Future Pathways
This course will develop students’ creativity, analytical and problem-solving skills, which are highly valued by universities and employers. Students who successfully complete this qualification will be prepared to study a degree in computer science, engineering, games design or information science. Career pathways include computer programming, games design, engineering, IT specialism, software development and web design.
Photography
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved grade 5 in Art OR Photography GCSE
Assessment
Portfolio and Externally set Assignment
EDEXCEL
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1 – Personal Investigation This unit of work contributes to 60% of the total qualifications. All project work is set and assessed internally with an external moderation at the end of the course. In this component, students are given opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with photographic lens-based media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcomes.
● The portfolio or work consists of three major elements: supporting studies, practical work and a personal written study.
● Supporting studies and practical work will comprise a portfolio of development work and outcomes based on given/chosen themes.
● The personal study will be evidenced through critical written communication showing contextual research and understanding in a minimum 1000 words of written prose which may contain integrated images. The personal study comprises 12% of the total qualification.
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 2 – Externally Set Assignment This unit of work contributes to 40% of ther total qualifications and is externally set, assessed internally and externally moderated at the end of the course. In this component, students will develop a portfolio of work in the same manner as component 1 working towards producing a personal resolved outcome in response to the externally set theme.
. ● Incorporates 2 major elements: preparatory studies and the 15 hour period of sustained work.
● Preparatory studies will comprise a portfolio of practical and written development work based on the Externally Set Assignment
● During the 15 hour period of sustained focus under examination conditions, students will produce final outcome/s extending from their preparatory studies in response to the externally set assignment.
Future Pathways
This course helps students to develop creative and technical skills through photography. They will become good photographers and have skills that could be useful in many industries. Students who successfully complete this qualification will have an excellent base to go on to further study at foundation and degree level in photography or other art disciplines.
Religious Studies
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 6 in GCSE ethics OR A grade 5 in GCSE English language/literature OR A grade 6 in another humanities subject
Assessment
External Exam in June of Yr 13
OCR
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Philosophy of religion Unit 2: Ethics and religion
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 3: Study of religion Unit 4: The dialogue between philosophy of religion and religion Unit 5: The dialogue between ethical studies and religion
Future Pathways
Students study the moral and ethical dimensions of philosophical thinkers and how these apply to modern ethical dilemmas such as abortion, euthanasia and war. Employers and universities know that this subject teaches people to think clearly and to express themselves coherently. In conclusion, the skills that you will develop in analysis and argument are valuable in a range of careers. For example, former students are accountants, personnel officers, solicitors, criminal psychologists, speech therapists, nurses, teachers and too many more to mention.
Business
Entry requirements
This course is open to students who have achieved a grade 5 in GCSE business OR A grade 5 in English language or literature.
Assessment
External assessment in June of Yr 13
AQA
Units Studied Yr 12
Unit 1: Business 1 Unit 2: Business 2 Modules Include: 1. What is business? 2. Managers, leadership and decision-making 3. Decision-making to improve marketing performance 4. Decision-making to improve operational performance 5. Decision-making to improve financial performance 6. Decision-making to improve human resource performance
Units Studied Yr 13
Unit 3: Business 3 Modules Include: 1. What is business? 2. Managers, leadership and decision-making 3. Decision-making to improve marketing performance 4. Decision-making to improve operational performance 5. Decision-making to improve financial performance 6. Decision-making to improve human resource performance 7. Analysing the strategic position of a business 8. Choosing strategic direction 9. Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies 10. Managing strategic change
Future Pathways
This course will give students flexible routes of progression into higher education, training or employment, providing a broad background to business topics. Students who successfully complete this qualification will be prepared to study a degree in business accountancy, finance, HR management or marketing. Career pathways include accountancy, banking, management consultancy, human resources, operational research, logistics and distribution, retail, sales and marketing and events.