Sixth Form Handbook 2022-24

Preparing for university-level studies - Extended Project and Short Course The last few years have seen competition for places within higher education intensify and, as such, it is important that your mainstream academic programme consists of more than just your basic academic subjects. University admissions tutors look increasingly for evidence of applicants having excellent skills of independent learning and of having studied an appropriately broad curriculum. They also value the ability to think creatively, to problem solve and to communicate effectively, both on paper and in front of an audience. To this end, all Sixth Form pupils follow a course leading to the Extended Project Qualification . Offered by AQA and carrying all-important UCAS tariff points if taken to Level 3, the course is taken over the first four terms of the Sixth Form. It allows pupils to choose an area of academic interest and to research it in depth before producing a written report and a presentation to their peers. Before the research process begins, pupils undertake a series of introductory lessons in which they learn not just about research methods, but also about the skills of critical thinking and analysis which will be needed to produce a successful project. Universities increasingly value the Extended Project Qualification and the attributes it develops. For example, a significant number of university offers are now accompanied by a second, lower offer, contingent upon obtaining a good grade, usually a Grade A, in the Extended Project. Research titles can range far and wide and, in the past, pupils have looked at areas as diverse as the nature of existential theatre or the possibility of time travel. Indeed, the best projects often cross traditional subject boundaries and, in so doing, raise the possibility of cross-disciplinary work. As you complete your project, you will be able to use your experiences to inform your university application. Indeed, it is likely that the final project will also feature in the UCAS reference which the School will write in support of this application. More details relating to the Extended Project are provided during Lower Sixth orientation at the end of the PVI year. In addition to the Extended Project, the Sixth Form curriculum also provides for breadth in the form of the so-called Short Course. These activities lead to an English Speaking Board qualification which tests oral communication and carries UCAS points. This course does not come with the kind of pressure which attends naturally to full A-Level study.

your career but your skills will be transferable. It is important, though, that you ascertain the requirements of any university course to which you aspire before making a final selection of A-Level subjects. The conditional offers set by UK universities require three A-Level subjects. As a consequence, the majority of Sixth Form pupils in the UK take just three subjects from the outset. However, here at IPS we think it is important to provide some flexibility. First, it can be a difficult decision to narrow down to just three subjects from nine, particularly when some of the options are brand new, such as Economics or Religious Studies. After all, for the next two years, you will want to focus on three subjects that will both engage you and give you the best possible grades at the end. Hence, at IPS, Sixth Formers start by studying four subjects in the first term. After Half Term, however, you will be given the opportunity to drop one subject. At this point, the number of lessons per subject rises from five to six each week. Hence, the total number of lessons you attend each week will fall from 20 to 18. The balance is taken by Independent Study Periods. Secondly, some pupils who are strong academically may want to improve their chances of entry to some of the more prestigious and competitive higher education institutions by studying four subjects throughout the Sixth Form. Principally, pupils who take both Mathematics and Further Mathematics may well wish to study four A-Levels in total. Such pupils can persist with their four choices at IPS. These pupils too will move to six periods per subject per week, to 24 periods in total from 20 each week. To realise this increase in lessons, these pupils will drop the Short Course and lose some Independent Study Periods. If you are uncertain about whether a three or four subject programme suits you best, you can seek advice from your subject teachers, your tutor and the Head and Deputy Head of Sixth Form. Procedures for choosing subjects • Preliminary notification of possible subject choices takes place in January 2022. • There are opportunities for the parents of PVI pupils to discuss choices with staff at the Parents’ Evening. Other appointments may be made with the Sixth Form staff and/or subject teachers as necessary. • We expect to have firm choices of subjects by March 2022 so we may timetable for all requested subject combinations. Although changes may be made after this time, they will be subject to the timetable structure created from this initial free choice.

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