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King Edward VI Community College

King Edward VI Community College

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Key Stage 5

Humanities 

Geography Advanced Level 

Qualifications: GCE A Level

Exam Board: AQA

Entry Requirements: GCSE Grade C or above in English

Overview

If you choose AQA Advanced Level GCE in Geography you will have the opportunity to:

  • engage with the relationship of human populations to each other over space and time
  • study the relationship between human populations with their physical environment at a variety of scales from the local to the global
  • consider your own role in relation to themes and issues being studied and the roles, values and attitudes of others including decision makers

What will I learn?

  • Unit 1 – Physical Geography: water and carbon cycles, coastal systems and landscapes and hazards
  • Unit 2 – Human Geography: global systems and global governance, changing places and contemporary urban environments
  • Unit 3 – Geographical Fieldwork Investigation

How will I learn?

Lessons will take many different forms with an emphasis on encouraging student-led learning, allowing you to be active in your learning.  Fieldwork, research and practical work are all part of the wider investigation process. They form an intrinsic part of each of these topics.  In Year 12 we will be carrying out coastal fieldwork at Start Point and Torbay and rebranding fieldwork in Plymouth and Totnes to link with the Geographical investigations unit (please be aware there is a charge for this).

Where could it lead?

Geography is inherently multidisciplinary in a world that increasingly values people who have the skills needed to work across the physical and social sciences. The subject will enable students to have access to a wide range of possible career and Higher Education opportunities. Students will learn and use a variety of transferable skills throughout the course. These skills are in great demand and are recognised by employers and universities as being of great value.

Geography also combines well with almost all other subjects. Taken with sciences and mathematics, geography supports applications for almost any science based degree; taken with other humanities subjects, Geography supports an equally wide range of university courses, such as business, law, media, politics and philosophy. The subject also has one of the best employment records with only 5.8% of geography graduates still job-hunting six months after they graduated, against an average of 7.3%.

Contact

Millie Harris: Faculty Leader for Humanities                          mharris@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk

History Advanced Level  

Qualifications: GCE A Level

Exam Board: AQA

Entry Requirements: Grade B in GCSE English or Grade B in GCSE History. It is not necessary to have studied History at GCSE but it is an advantage.

Overview

History is a well-respected subject which would suit both those students who wish to specialise in history as a career and those who wish to create a ‘well balanced’ academic profile.

What will I learn?

Component 1: Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy 1603 to 1702

This is a period of massive change and we will chart the shift in Britain from Absolute Monarchy to more democratic systems of government. It covers a Civil War, a few Social Revolutions and more beheadings than you can shake a stick at.

Component 2: America: A Nation Divided 1845 to 1877

We again take up the theme of social change and conflict. This time, we will look at issues surrounding the American Civil War. This is a period which sees the abolition of Slavery in the USA, some massive social and economic changes that affected the lives of all Americans, and raises questions about what are the rights of citizens in a country.

Component 3 is Coursework

You pick the focus for your study. You might explore the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire or questions on the significance of Nelson Mandela. The key issue is to research and explore historical issues and debates and express your own opinions. This unit is tested through a 3000-3500 word report.

How will I learn?

A variety of teaching and learning styles will be employed throughout the course. Students will be given the opportunity to acquire and effectively communicate knowledge and understanding of selected periods of history; develop understanding of historical terms and concepts; explore the significance of events, individuals, issues and societies in history; understand the nature of historical evidence and the methods used by historians in analysis and evaluation; develop their understanding of how the past has been interpreted and represented and develop their interest in and enthusiasm for history.

Where could it lead?

History deals in-depth with the ideas, dreams and actions of the most fascinating creature on the planet:  humans! By studying history you will develop key skills in researching, analysing and synthesising information from a range of sources and producing substantiated and reasoned conclusions. Vital skills for life! History A Level is highly regarded by universities. Many prominent lawyers, politicians and professionals in a wide variety of fields have enjoyed an academic historical training which has been beneficial to their careers. This course is ideal for both students who are considering specialising in History at degree level as well as those students following different paths who want to show a well-rounded education and well developed skills in debate. An understanding of history is an essential prerequisite to an understanding of the human condition. For many it becomes a lifelong interest and pastime.

Contact

Millie Harris: Faculty Leader for Humanities                          mharris@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk

Philosophy Advanced Level 

Qualifications: GCE A Level

Exam Board: AQA

Entry Requirements: Grade B or above in GCSE English. 

Overview

Do we perceive the world as it really is? Is there such a thing as truth? Can we ever really know anything?  Who are you? Do thoughts exist independently of your body? Is there such a thing as a soul? Can the existences of God be proved? Why is there evil in the world? Is it ever ethical to take another’s life? How do we make moral decisions?

If you like asking questions that will expand your mind and enjoy debating and discussing ideas then this course will suit you.

We aim to challenge the ideas you already have and offer you a wide range of views on many complex issues.

What will I learn?

The course focuses on aspects of Philosophy:

Epistemology explores how we acquire knowledge of the world and what it is we can actually know. We will examine the arguments of different thinkers including Descartes, Locke, Hume Berkley and Russell, and consider criticisms and challenges to their views.

Philosophy of Religion including arguments for the existence and nature of God, the problem of evil and religious language. Philosophers studied will include Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes and Kant, as well as more recent contributions from Russell, Hick and Swinburne.

Theory of mind considers the relationship between the mental and the physical, exploring dualist and materialist arguments.

Ethics including the main ethical theories of Kantian Ethics and Utilitarianism. An important aspect of this course will also be the application of these theories to the issues of violence and war, animal rights, and crime and punishment.

How will I learn?

You will develop key skills through a range of lesson activities including debates and discussions, seminar-style research and presentation; exploring films and examining literature. You will also be expected to engage directly with Philosophical arguments from key thinkers. Questioning and challenging is at the heart Philosophy and the course requires you to be an active learner.

Where could it lead?

Philosophy is one of the fastest growing subjects at A Level. It is well respected as an academic subject by universities. Philosophy can be used as part of basic entrance qualifications for a university course, especially in Politics, the Arts, Humanities, Law and Sciences. The study of Ethics compliments work in the field of medicine, medical sciences or the caring professions.

Many of the world’s greatest thinkers were Philosophers and today some of our most eminent politicians, authors, directors, journalists and scientists have studied Philosophy. You will be in good company taking this course.

Contact

Millie Harris: Faculty Leader for Humanities                          mharris@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk

Social Sciences

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma  

Qualifications: BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Exam Board: Edexcel

Entry Requirements: GCSE Grade C or above in English and Maths.

Overview

Fancy yourself as the next Alan Sugar or Karren Brady? Do you have a creative idea for starting up a business, but need some additional skills to make it work? Do you enjoy studying Business Studies at GCSE Level? If so, then this course would be ideal for you.

What will I learn?

This course is designed for students who wish to know how to start up a business or social enterprise. Therefore, the compulsory units of the qualification reflect the essential aspects of starting and running a business - for example developing entrepreneurial skills and attributes. Optional units provide the opportunity to specialise in areas that will develop students’ understanding of enterprise, such as e-marketing, and international business. The qualifications have been designed to enable students to start up a social enterprise instead of a profit-making business, should this be their preference.

You will learn about creating a viable business idea and developing this into reality; business finance, setting up a supply chain, communicating with customers is all part of this process. You will also learn how to monitor the performance of your business and plan for future expansion.

How will I learn?

During the course, you will have the opportunity to work closely with a business and local employers and gain experience dealing with real business issues.

Where could it lead?

You will be able to use your qualification to continue with study at university or to go straight into employment or, of course, set up your own business.

Contact

Millie Harris  Faculty Leader for Humanities                          mharris@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk

Psychology Advanced Level  

Qualifications: GCE A Level

Exam Board: AQA

Entry Requirements: Grade B or above in English and Maths.

Overview

Psychology is the scientific study of the brain, thought processes and behaviour. The usefulness of understanding human behaviour means that ‘Psychology’ is used continuously in the real world, in occupations as diverse as the Media and Film industry to Sports Coaching. It is fair to claim that, every day, you have psychology practised on you! It might be through an advertising campaign, the way items are sold to you in a shop, the way a doctor talks to you or even the way your teachers decide to teach you! The AS and A Level courses offer an insight into the key theories that underlie this diverse subject and offers you an alternative way to start understanding the world around you. So the real question is: why wouldn’t you study Psychology?

What will I learn?

The course provides an introduction to the key theories and scientific approaches that underpin Psychology. You will investigate how we are influenced by social situations, the structure of memory and how it can malfunction, the impact of childhood on the development of a person, and a range of mental health disorders.

In Year 13 there is the opportunity to study Schizophrenia, Forensic Psychology and Gender in greater depth. The A Level course draws together the two years of study through investigating key issues and debates throughout the course.

How will I learn?

Throughout the course you will be involved in a range of learning activities such as discussion, debated small group work and independent investigation.

Where could it lead?

Psychology is valued by all degree courses because it demands a broad base of literacy skills and includes mathematical interpretation of data.

Contact

Millie Harris   Faculty Leader for Humanities                     mharris@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk

Sociology Advanced Level 

Qualifications: GCE A Level

Exam Board: OCR

Entry Requirements: Grade B or above in English.

Overview

Sociology is a fascinating, wide ranging and dynamic discipline which examines the nature of contemporary society. Sociology tries to understand how society works and it helps to provide us with answers to important social questions: Do families need fathers? Why does racism exist? Why are some people poor? Does being equal make us happy? What is feminism? Is religion dead? Does prison work? Are criminals born or made?

What will I learn?

Component 1: Socialisation, Culture and Identity

Section A: This component is an introduction to the key concepts in sociology and focuses on the theme of socialisation, culture and identity. The main identities examined will be gender, ethnicity, class and national and sexual identities, focusing on the relationship between the individual and wider society.

Section B: Students develop an understanding of the key concepts and processes of socialisation and culture through detailed study of one of three options: Families and Relationships, Youth Subcultures or Media.

Component 2: Researching and Understanding Social Inequalities

This component focuses on methods of sociological enquiry and social inequality. Students will explore the ways in which sociologists go about their research and develop an understanding of social differentiation, considering gender, class, ethnic and age inequalities. A consideration of the changing nature of inequality is central to this component.

Component 3: Debates in contemporary society

This component engages students in theoretical debates and how these relate to a contemporary global society. It also explores issues of power in contemporary society through a range of optional topics.

Section A: Students study the process of globalisation and the impact of digital technology;

Section B: Students explore debates in contemporary society through the study of one option from the following:

  • crime and deviance
  • religion, belief and faith
  • education

How will I learn?

Lessons are lively and involving. Discussion, debate, the sharing of ideas and group work are important aspects of the course. There is no coursework.

Where could it lead?

The emphasis on the acquisition of higher order skills in this course enables students to develop transferrable capabilities which could be utilised in either academic or professional arenas.

Sociology is accepted as admission to a wide range of university degree courses in the social sciences, for example sociology and social policy, anthropology, psychology, politics and business studies; humanities and the arts, for example media studies and journalism and education. Sociology is useful for a huge range of careers including social and probation work; criminology and the legal profession, including policing; equal opportunities; human rights; journalism; social policy and research; education; business including human resource management; Civil Service and health care including nursing, physiotherapy and speech therapy.

Contact

Millie Harris  Faculty Leader for Humanities                          mharris@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk