Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School

Sixth Form
Programme of Courses 2022

‘Your future starts here’

 LANGTON SIXTH FORM ENTRY CRITERIA 2022

GENERAL ENTRY CRITERIA:

Eight GCSE passes in full courses at grade 9 – 5 (A* – C in unreformed GCSE subjects),
including Mathematics and English Language.

Subject specific minimum entry criteria

1 2
Desired Essential
Art 7 in Art (or Textiles or portfolio of work if 6 in Art (or Textiles or portfolio of work if the
the subject is not studied at GCSE) subject is not studied at GCSE)
Biology 7 in Biology and 6 in Maths 6 in Biology and 6 in Maths
Business 7 in Business Studies or 7 in English 6 in Business Studies or 6 in English Language
Language
Chemistry 7 in Chemistry and 7 in Maths 6 in Chemistry and 6 in Maths
Classical Civilisation 7 in Classics or 7 in English Language or 6 in Classics or 6 in English Language or English
English Literature (or other humanity) Literature (or other humanity)
Computer Science 7 in Computer Science and 6 in Maths 6 in Computer Science and 6 in Maths
Design Engineering: DT 7 in Design Engineering: DT (or portfolio of 6 in Design Engineering: DT (or portfolio of
work if the subject is not studied at GCSE) work if the subject is not studied at GCSE)
Drama and Theatre Studies 7 in Drama (or 7 in English Literature if the 6 in Drama (or 6 in English Literature if the
subject is not studied at GCSE) subject is not studied at GCSE)
Economics 7 in Maths and/or 7 in English Language 6 in Maths and/or 6 in English Language
English Literature 7 in English Literature and Language 6 in English Literature and Language
Film Studies 7 in English Language 6 in English Language
French 7 in French
Geography 7 in Geography or contact the school if you 6 in Geography or contact the school if you
have not studied the subject at GCSE have not studied the subject at GCSE
German 7 in German
Greek (Classical) 7 in Greek
History 7 in History (or 7 in English Literature if the 6 in History (or 6 in English Literature if the
subject is not studied at GCSE) subject is not studied at GCSE)
Latin 7 in Latin
Mathematics 7 in Mathematics
Mathematics - Core 5 in Mathematics
Mathematics – Further 8 in Mathematics
Music 7 in Music or Grade 5 practical as a singer or instrumentalist and Grade 5 theory
Music Technology 7 in Music or Grade 4 (or above) practical as a singer or instrumentalist or Grade 4 theory (or
above)
PE 7 in PE NB you must also be a club level 6 in PE (NB you must also be a club level
games player, athlete or gymnast or at games player, athlete or gymnast or at
performance standard for dance activities performance standard for dance activities (or
(or 7 in Biology if the subject is not studied 6 in Biology if the subject is not studied at
at GCSE) GCSE)
Physics 7 in Physics and 7 in Maths 6 in Physics and 7 in Maths
Politics 7 in English Language or 7 in History 6 in English Language or 6 in History
Psychology 7 in Maths, English Language and Biology 6 in Maths, English Language and Biology
RS 7 in RS or 7 in English Language 6 in RS or 6 in English Language
Sociology 7 in English Language or 7 in English 6 in English Language or 6 in English Literature
Literature
Spanish 7 in Spanish
Textiles 7 in Textiles or Art 6 in Textiles or Art
NOTES:
• Dual scientists: Grade 7 7 in Dual Science and a Grade 6 in Maths to study Science A Levels.
• International applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Applicants who have studied non-GCSE qualifications will be assessed on a case by case basis.
 ART
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Art (or Textiles or portfolio of work if the subject is not studied at GCSE)
Essential: 6 in Art (or Textiles or portfolio of work if the subject is not studied at GCSE)
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
Year 12: Unit 1a: ‘Change’: Looking at Still Life and Landscape. Exploring innovative drawing techniques, colour
theory, large scale mixed-media pieces, oil painting and egg tempera.
Unit 1b: ‘The Figure’. A portfolio project of life drawing studies in a range of media
Unit 2: Thematic Unit
Year 13: Unit 3a: Personal Study (Essay)
Unit 3b: Personal Investigation (practical work inspired by student’ ideas)
Unit 4: The Exam Unit
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Personal study (Essay) 10 weeks 12%

2 Coursework and Personal Investigation Selected from across the 2 60%

year course (including
12% for the
essay)

3 Examination Unit Personal development in 40%

sketchbook and timed
test (15 hours)
 BIOLOGY
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Biology and 6 in Maths
Essential: 6 in Biology and 6 in Maths
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
• Topic 1: Lifestyle Health and Risk
• Topic 2: Genes and Health
• Topic 3: Voice of the Genome
• Topic 4: Biodiversity and Natural Resources
• Topic 5: On the Wild Side
• Topic 6: Immunity, Infection and Forensics
• Topic 7: Run for your Life
• Topic 8: Grey Matter
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: Topics 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 and experimental 2 hours 33.3%

methods based on the Core practicals

2 Examination: Topics 1,2,3,4,7 and 8 and experimental 2 hours 33.3%

methods based on the Core practicals

3 Examination: Questions from Topics 1 to 8, including 2 hours 33.3%

Synoptic questions which may draw on two or more
different topics. A section of this paper will have questions
based on a pre-released scientific article
 BUSINESS
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Business Studies or 7 in English Language
Essential: 6 in Business Studies or 6 in English Language
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1: Marketing and people
– Meeting customer needs, the market, marketing mix and strategy, managing people, entrepreneurs and leaders
• Unit 2: Managing business activities
– Raising finance, financial planning, managing finance, resource management and external influences
• Unit 3: Business decisions and strategy (this theme develops the concepts introduced in Unit 2)
– Business objectives and strategy, business growth, decision-making techniques, influences on business
decisions, assessing competitiveness and managing change
• Unit 4: Global business (this theme develops the concepts introduced in Unit 1)
– Globalisation, global markets and business expansion, global marketing, global industries and multinational
corporations
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination on Units 1 & 4 – Marketing, people and global 2 hours, 100 marks 35%
business. Data response questions and two extended open
response questions.

2 Examination on Units 2 & 3 – Business activities, decisions 2 hours, 100 marks 35%
and strategy. Data response questions and two extended
open response questions.

3 Examination on Units 1-4 (synoptic paper), based on a pre- 2 hours, 100 marks 30%
released case study – Investigating business in a
competitive environment. Data response questions and
two extended open response questions.
 CHEMISTRY
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Chemistry and 7 in Maths
Essential: 6 in Chemistry and 6 in Maths
Board
OCR – Chemistry A
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1: Development of practical skills in chemistry
• Unit 2: Foundations in chemistry
• Unit 3: Periodic table and energy
• Unit 4: Core organic chemistry
• Unit 5: Physical chemistry and transition elements
• Unit 6: Organic chemistry and analysis
Assessment
Type of Assessment Modules Duration Weighting
Examined

1 Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry – 1, 2, 3, 5 2 hours 37%

15 marks multiple choice, 85 marks structured 15 minutes
questions on theory and practical

2 Synthesis and analytical techniques – 15 marks 1, 2, 4, 6 2 hours 37%

multiple choice, 85 marks structured questions on 15 minutes
theory and practical

3 Unified chemistry – 70 marks structured and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 1 hour 26%

extended questions covering theory and practical 30 minutes

Practical endorsement for chemistry – Pass / Fail - - -

no examination
 CLASSICAL CIVILISATION
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Classical Civilisation or 7 in English Language or English Literature (or other humanity)
Essential: 6 in Classical Civilisation or 6 in English Language or English Literature (or other humanity)
Board
OCR
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1: The World of the Hero (H408/11) Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid
– Study two of the cornerstones of Western Literature. Analyse the plot and characters present in the set books of
both pieces of epic poetry and compare themes such as heroism, the role of the gods and fate, the position of
women and the context in which both texts were composed.
• Unit 2: Culture and the Arts: The Greek Theatre (H408/21)
– This is unit takes a holistic approach to the topic. You will study two tragedy plays (Sophocles’ Oedipus the King
and Euripides’ Bacchae) and one comedy play (Aristophanes’ Frogs) and analyse key themes and plot devices.
Also you will look at the context in which the plays are set, theatre conventions and our sources of information
on the Greek theatre and what it reveals about Greek society.
• Unit 3: Beliefs and Ideas: Politics of the Late Republic (H408/33)
– Study in detail the political structure of 79-43BC and key individuals such as Sulla, Julius Caesar, Cicero, Pompey
and Crassus who drastically changed the political landscape of the time. Analyse set sources to look at the
causes and consequences of political scandals, alliances and civil wars.
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 A series of short answer questions and longer answers 2 hours 20 minutes 40%
based on set books that have been studied as part of the
course.

2 A series of short answer questions based on sources 1 hour 45 minutes 30%

studied as part of the course. An extract from a set play
with short and longer questions based on this.

3 A series of short and longer answer questions based on 1 hour 45 minutes 30%
studied sources from the course. A choice of 2 essays.
 COMPUTER SCIENCE
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Computer Science and 6 in Maths
Essential: 6 in Computer Science and 6 in Maths
Board
OCR (H446)
Outline of the Course
The OCR A Level in Computer Science will encourage learners to be inspired, motivated and challenged by following a
broad, coherent, practical, satisfying and worthwhile course of study. It will provide insight into, and experience of how
computer science works, stimulating learners’ curiosity and encouraging them to engage with computer science in their
everyday lives and to make informed choices about further study or career choices. The key features of this specification
encourage:
• emphasis on problem solving using computers
• emphasis on computer programming and algorithms
• emphasis on the mathematical skills used to express computational laws and processes, eg Boolean algebra/logic
and comparison of the complexity of algorithms with less emphasis on ICT
• producing a slimmed down programming project which is more refined and more focused on coding
• choosing the project title and problem to be solved in any suitable programming language
• including agile methods
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Component 01 – Computer systems 2 hours 30 minutes 40%

2 Component 02 – Algorithms and programming 2 hours 30 minutes 40%

3 Programming project 03 – non-exam assessment assesses Year 12 and 13 20%

students ability to use the knowledge and skills gained
through the course to solve or investigate a practical
problem
 DESIGN ENGINEERING: DT
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Design Engineering: DT (or portfolio of work if the subject is not studied at GCSE)
Essential: 6 in Design Engineering: DT (or portfolio of work if the subject is not studied at GCSE)
Board
AQA
Outline of the Course
This course looks at the design and manufacture of products with creativity and originality, covering a variety of practical
activities with a product engineering focus. Students will develop designing and making skills looking at a range of
materials, design issues, processes and manufacture and use of computers in design. We take students on a number of
trips including workshops in London, furniture factory visits and a trip to see the BMW Mini Plant in Oxford. Our course
regularly achieves one of the highest Value Added scores in A Level results at SLGGS and consistently achieves high grades
year upon year. Students have access to one of the best equipped school workshops in the country, including a CNC
cutter, laser cutter, 3D printers, lathes, sublimation printing etc as well as many, many machines and hand tools.
Year 12
Students develop a range of products across 1 year in the form of a portfolio of design sheets and products such as a
portable radio or a piece of conceptual furniture. Students should be able to design creatively, with skills such as
drawing, rendering, 3D computer modelling and using technologies such as 3D printing will be taught early on. This
allows the students to develop their skills through a variety of different projects, which is assessed internally. There is an
internal examination component too based on Paper 1 which assesses core technical, design and making principles.
Year 13
Using the skills learnt in Year 12, students have the opportunity to design anything, so long as it satisfies a chosen need
or problem. Past projects have included: a wooden pushbike, electric guitars, chairs, bedside furniture, cots for babies,
outdoor loungers designed for disability. Students are taught how to use a wide range of tools and equipment in our
very well equipped design rooms. A portfolio of work is developed alongside a product. Paper 1 is assessed in Year 13,
as well as Paper 2 which assesses specialist knowledge of technical design and making principles.

Students have gone to study at top universities such as Brunel, Loughborough, Manchester, UCCA, Nottingham and
Bournemouth to name but a few, following respected careers such as Architecture, Product Design, Engineering,
illustration etc.
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: Theory based Paper 1 2 hours 25%

2 Examination: Theory based Paper 2 2 hours 25%

NEA Year 13 Coursework: Major Project (60 hrs) June – March 50%
 DRAMA AND THEATRE STUDIES
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Drama (or 7 in English Literature if the subject is not studied at GCSE)
Essential: 6 in Drama (or 7 in English Literature if the subject is not studied at GCSE)
Board
AQA
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1: Drama and theatre
– Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre
– Study of two set plays, one chosen from List A (drama through the ages), one chosen from List B (20th and 21st
century drama)
– Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre performances
• Unit 2: Creating original drama (practical) – Completed in Year 12
– Process of creating devised drama
– Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)
– Devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner
– This unit is marked by teachers and moderated by AQA.
• Unit 3: Making theatre (practical) – Completed in Year 13
– Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts, each taken from a different play.
– Methodology of a prescribed practitioner must be applied to Extract 3. Extract 3 is to be performed as a final
assessed piece (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)
– Reflective report analysing and evaluating theatrical interpretation of all three extracts. This unit is marked by AQA.
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Written Examination – Section A: one question (from a choice) 3 hours 40%

on one of the set plays from List A (25 marks). Section B: one (80 marks)
two part question on a given extract from one of the set plays
from List B (25 marks). Section C: one question on the work of
theatre makers in a single live theatre production (30 marks)

2 Creating original drama (practical) 30%

How it's assessed: Working notebook (40 marks) and Devised (60 marks)
performance (20 marks)

3 Making theatre (practical) 30%

How it's assessed: Performance of Extract 3 (40 marks) and (60 marks)
Reflective report (20 marks)
 ECONOMICS
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Maths and/or 6 in English Language
Essential: 6 in Maths and/or 6 in English Language
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1: Introduction to markets and market failure
– This unit focuses on microeconomic concepts. Students will develop an understanding of nature of economics;
how markets work; market failure; government intervention.
• Unit 2: The UK economy – performance and policies
– This unit focuses on macroeconomic concepts. Students will develop an understanding of measures of economic
performance; aggregate demand; aggregate supply; national income; economic growth; macroeconomic
objectives and policy.
• Unit 3: Business behaviour and the labour market
– This unit develops the microeconomic concepts introduced in Unit 1 and focuses on business economics.
Students will develop an understanding of business growth; business objectives; revenues, costs and profits;
market structures; labour market; government intervention.
• Unit 4: A global perspective
– This unit develops the macroeconomic concepts introduced in Unit 2 and applies these concepts in a global
context. Students will develop an understanding of international economics; poverty and inequality; emerging
and developing economies; the financial sector; role of the state in the macro economy.
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Markets and Business Behaviour: questions will be drawn 2 hours, 100 marks 35%
from Units 1 and 3

2 The National and Global Economy: questions will be drawn 2 hours, 100 marks 35%
from Units 2 and 4

3 Microeconomics and Macroeconomics: questions will 2 hours, 100 marks 30%

assess content across all four units
 ENGLISH LITERATURE
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in English Literature and Language
Essential: 6 in English Literature and Language
Board
OCR
Outline of the Course
Year 12: ‘The Bloody Chamber’ by Angela Carter; ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley; ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker; A wide
selection of unseen extracts on the theme of Gothic (Teacher A)

‘Hamlet’ by William Shakespeare

‘Paradise Lost’ by John Milton (Teacher B)

Year 13: Continuation and Revision of Gothic texts: A wide selection of unseen extracts on the theme of Gothic
(Teacher A)

‘The Dutchess of Malfi’ (Teacher B)

Coursework: Poetry; Prose and Drama post 1900 (Teacher A and B)

Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: Two essay questions: one on ‘Hamlet’ and one 2 hours 30 minutes 40%
comparing ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ and ‘Paradise Lost’

2 Examination: One essay comparing ‘The Bloody Chamber’ 2 hours 30 minutes 40%
and ‘Frankenstein’ and one essay on an unseen extract on
the theme of Gothic

3 Coursework: One 1,000 word essay on a close reading of a 4 weeks 20%

Poetry Anthology.
One 2,000 word essay comparing two texts – one Prose and 6 weeks
one Drama
 FILM STUDIES
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in English Language
Essential: 6 in English Language
Board
Eduqas (WJEC)
Outline of the Course
In Year 12 students will study:
• 2 Hollywood films, from 1930-1960 and 1961-1990. Examples: Vertigo (Hitchcock, 1958), Bonnie and Clyde (Penn,
1967)
• One US independent film post-2010. Examples: Beasts of the Southern Wild (Zeitlin, 2012)
• Two films for Global Cinema. Examples: Pan’s Labyrinth (Del Toro, 2006), City of God (Meirelles, 2002)
• One recent European film. Examples: Pan’s Labyrinth (Del Toro, 2006)
• Year 12 students also make a production. Either: a film extract, Or: a screenplay, plus a storyboard

In Year 13 students will study:

• A second American film (modern, mainstream). Examples: Selma (Duvernay, 2014), LaLa Land (Chazelle, 2016)
• A documentary film. Examples: The Arbor (Barnard, 2010), Amy (Kapadia, 2015)
• A silent film, or group of films. Examples: Strike (Eisenstein, 1924), Sunrise (Murnau, 1927)
• An experimental film, or group of films. Examples: Pulp Fiction (Tarantino, 1994)
• Year 13 students complete the production they began in Year 12.
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1: Varieties Examination. Section A: Hollywood 1930-1990 2 hours 30 minutes 35%

of Film and Section B: American film since 2005
Film Making Section C: British film since 1995 (two-films)

2: Global Examination. Section A: Global film 2 hours 30 minutes 35%

Filmmaking Section B: Documentary film
Perspectives Section C: Film movements – Silent cinema
Section D: Film movements – Experimental film

3: Either a short film 6 weeks 30%

Production Or a screenplay plus storyboard
An evaluative analysis 2 weeks
 FRENCH
Minimum Entry Criteria
Essential: 7 in French
Board
Eduqas
Outline of the Course
• Component 1: Speaking – This component comprises of 2 parts. The first part is a discussion on a topic chosen by
the student. The second part is based on a stimulus card on one of the themes covered at A level and ensuing
discussion.
• Component 2: Listening, reading and translation – Students will be asked to transfer meaning from a number of
audio texts and reading texts through multi choice questions, gap filling and question and answer type responses.
The translations include translating one text from English to the assessed language and another from the assessed
language to English.
• Component 3: Critical and analytical response in writing – Students will be asked to write two essays based on a
text and/or a film which has been studied in class.
• Components include the following topics: culture and heritage in the Francophone world, diversity and difference,
contemporary youth culture and France 1940-1950 The occupation and post war years
• Texts and films – Le silence de la Mer (novel) and Les Choristes (film)
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: Oral assessment – discussion on chosen topic 21-23 minutes 30%

followed by discussion based on a stimulus card

2 Examination: Listening, reading and translation from target 2 hours 30 minutes 50%
language to English and English to target language

3 Examination: Writing assessment – based on texts or film 2 hours 20%

 GEOGRAPHY
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Geography or contact the school if you have not studied the subject at GCSE
Essential: 6 in Geography or contact the school if you have not studied the subject at GCSE
Board
AQA
Outline of the Course
Year 12:
• Coastal Landscapes (Section B – Physical Geography)
• Global Systems and Governance (Section A – Human Geography)
• Changing Places (Section B – Human Geography)
• Water and Carbon (Section A – Physical Geography
Holiday Work Year 12-13: Review of topics covered in Year 12 – Teams

Year 13:
• Hazards (Section C Physical Geography)
• Population and the Environment (Section C Human Geography)
• Geographical Fieldwork Investigation: 4,000 word Independent Report – Guided by teachers but student directed
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Physical Paper 2 hours 30 minutes 40%

Section A: Water and carbon cycles
Section B: either Hot desert systems and landscapes or
Coastal systems and landscapes or Glacial systems and
landscapes
Section C: either Hazards or Ecosystems under stress

2 Human Paper 2 hours 30 minutes 40%

Section A: Global systems and global governance
Section B: Changing places
Section C: either Contemporary urban environments or
Population and the environment or Resource security

3 Students complete an individual investigation which must 3,000-4,000 words 20%

include data collected in the field. The individual
investigation must be based on a question or issue defined
and developed by the student relating to any part of the
specification content.
 GERMAN
Minimum Entry Criteria
Essential: 7 in German
Board
Eduqas
Outline of the Course
• Component 1: Speaking – This component comprises of 2 parts. The first part is a discussion on a topic chosen by
the student. The second part is based on a stimulus card on one of the themes covered at A level and ensuing
discussion.
• Component 2: Listening, reading and translation – Students will be asked to transfer meaning from a number of
audio texts and reading texts through multi choice questions, gap filling and question and answer type responses.
The translations include translating one text from English to the assessed language and another from the assessed
language to English.
• Component 3: Critical and analytical response in writing – Students will be asked to write two essays based on a
text and/or a film which has been studied in class.
• Components include the following topics: Being a young person in German speaking society, understanding the
German speaking world, diversity and difference and the making of modern Germany 1989 onwards.
• Texts and films – Ich fühl mich so fifty fifty (novel) and Goodbye Lenin (film)
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: Oral assessment – discussion on chosen topic 21-23 minutes 30%

followed by discussion based on a stimulus card

2 Examination: Listening, reading and translation from target 2 hours 30 minutes 50%
language to English and English to target language

3 Examination: Writing assessment – based on texts or film 2 hours 20%

 GREEK (CLASSICAL)
Minimum Entry Criteria
Essential: 7 in Greek
Board
OCR
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1: Unseen translation
– Students build their knowledge of the Classical Greek language to become familiar with the vocabulary and
linguistic structures.
• Unit 2: Prose composition or comprehension
– Students develop and demonstrate their detailed understanding of Classical Greek vocabulary and linguistic
structures through either:
– Translating unseen material from English into Classical Greek; or
– Demonstrating their understanding of an unseen prose text through comprehension, translation and questions
on syntax and accidence.
• Unit 3: Prose literature
– Students study two prose set texts: for example, the historian Thucydides and the philosopher Plato.
• Unit 4: Verse literature
– Students study two verse set texts: for example, the poet Homer and the playwrights, Sophocles and Euripides.
– Both literature components involve translation, and writing commentaries and essays.
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Unseen translation 1 hour 45 minutes 33%

(100 marks)

2 Prose/Comprehension 1 hour 15 minutes 17%

(50 marks)

3 Prose Literature 2 hours 25%

(75 marks)

4 Verse Literature 2 hours 25%

(75 marks)
 HISTORY
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in History (or 7 in English Literature if the subject is not studied at GCSE)
Essential: 6 in History (or 7 in English Literature if the subject is not studied at GCSE)
Board
OCR
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1: British period study: England 1445-1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII
• Unit 2: Non-British period study: The Cold War in Asia 1945-93
• Unit 3: Depth Study – China and its Rulers 1839-1989
• Unit 4: Individual Assignment – an opportunity to research and write on a topic of your choice
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: The first question is a source response, 1 hour 30 minutes 25%

focusing on the downfall of Henry VI, the early reign of
Edward IV and the War of the Roses. The second question is
an analytical essay, focusing on Richard III and Henry VII.

2 Examination: The first essay requires precise analytical 1 hour 15%

thinking, whilst the second looks at the rule of the
presidents and ideologies in developing aspects of the Cold
war.

3 Examination: Three essay questions: The first question 2 hours 30 minutes 40%
focuses on comparing and contrasting historian’s opinions
of either The First Opium War, The Boxer Rebellion and The
Cultural Revolution. The next section requires you to
answer two thematic questions which encourage an
evaluation of the themes and timing points that have led to
the development of modern China.

4 Coursework: Independent Study Essay: 4,000 words: An 2 terms 20%

exciting opportunity to pursue your own research interests
and write an essay on a topic of your choosing. This is
excellent academic preparation for competitive Russel
Group university courses.
 LATIN
Minimum Entry Criteria
Essential: 7 in Latin
Board
OCR
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1: Unseen translation
– Students build their knowledge of the Latin language to become familiar with the vocabulary and linguistic
structures.
• Unit 2: Prose composition or comprehension
– Students develop and demonstrate their knowledge of vocabulary and language structure by:
– Translating unseen material from English to Latin; or
– Showing understanding of an unseen prose text through comprehension and questions on grammar and syntax.
• Unit 3: Prose literature
– Students study two prose texts from a choice of Cicero, Tacitus, Livy or Seneca.
• Unit 4: Verse literature
– Students study two verse texts from a choice of Virgil, Horace, Ovid or Catullus.
Both literature components involve translation, and writing commentaries and essays.
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Unseen Translation 1 hour 45 minutes 33%

(100 marks)

2 Prose/comprehension 1 hour 15 minutes 17%

(50 marks)

3 Prose Literature 2 hours 25%

(75 marks)

4 Verse Literature 2 hours 25%

(75 marks)
 MATHEMATICS
Minimum Entry Criteria
Essential: 7 in Maths
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
• Pure Maths: Proof, Algebra & Functions, Co-ordinate Geometry, Sequences & Series, Trigonometry, Exponentials &
Logarithms, Differentiation, Integration, Vectors, Numerical Methods
• Statistics & Mechanics: Statistical Sampling, Data Presentation & Interpretation, Probability, Statistical
Distributions, Hypothesis Testing, Quantities & Units in Mechanics, Kinematics, Forces & Newton’s Laws, Moments.
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: Pure Maths 2 hours 33.3%

2 Examination: Pure Maths 2 hours 33.3%

3 Examination: Statistics & Mechanics 2 hours 33.3%

 MATHEMATICS IN CONTEXT
(CORE MATHS)
Minimum Entry Criteria
Essential: 5 in Maths
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
This is a one year AS course aimed to support students who are not taking A Level Mathematics, but who are taking A
Level subjects with some mathematical content, such as Psychology, Biology, Geography or Business Studies. You will
develop and learn to apply real-world maths skills through solving problems in various contexts, including Social
Networking, Sport, Travel, Finance and Health. The maths content of the course will focus on four main areas:

• Application of Statistics
• Probability
• Linear Programming
• Sequences and Growth
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: Comprehension 1 hour 40 minutes 40%

2 Examination: Applications 1 hour 40 minutes 60%

 MATHEMATICS – FURTHER
Minimum Entry Criteria
Essential: 8 in Maths
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
• Further Pure Maths 1: Proof, Complex Numbers, Matrices, Further Algebra & Functions, Further Calculus, Further
Vectors.
• Further Pure Maths 2: Complex Numbers, Further Algebra & Functions, Further Calculus, Polar Co-ordinates,
Hyperbolic Functions, Differential Equations.
• Optional Paper 3C: Further Mechanics 1: Momentum & Impulse, Collisions, Centres of Mass, Work & Energy, Elastic
Strings & Springs.
• Optional Paper 3D: Decision Maths 1: Algorithms & Graph Theory, Algorithms on Graphs I, Algorithms on Graphs II,
Critical Path Analysis, Linear Programming.
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: Further Pure Maths 1 hour 30 minutes 25%

2 Examination: Further Pure Maths 1 hour 30 minutes 25%

3 Examination: Optional Paper: Mechanics 1 hour 30 minutes 25%

4 Examination: Optional Paper: Decision Maths 1 hour 30 minutes 25%

 MUSIC
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Music or Grade 5 practical as a singer or instrumentalist and Grade 5 theory
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1: Approaches to performing
The purpose of this component is to assess students’ performing skills in a solo and/or ensemble context. You will
be given the opportunity to rehearse and refine performances on your chosen instrument or voice, developing
technical control, expression and interpretative skills.
• Unit 2: Approaches to composing
The purpose of this component is to assess students’ skills in composing music. It allows you to appreciate the
process of creating music. You will learn more of the processes involved in creating music through developing the
technical and expressive skills needed by a composer.
• Unit 3: Appraising
Knowledge and understanding of musical elements, contexts and language. Application of knowledge to unfamiliar
works.
Application of knowledge through the context of six areas of study, each with three set works.
– Vocal Music
– Instrumental Music
– Music for Film
– Popular Music and Jazz
– Fusions
– New Directions
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Coursework – Performance: A public performance of one or Min. 8 mins 30%

more pieces

2 Coursework – Composition: Two compositions, one set by Min. 6 mins 30%

the exam board, and one either free composition or also to
a brief

3 Examination: 2 hours 40%

Three questions related to the set works
One short melody/rhythm exercise
Two essay questions based on set works and an unfamiliar
extract.
 MUSIC TECNOLOGY
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Music GCSE or Grade 4 (or above) practical as a singer or instrumentalist or Grade 4 theory (or above)
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
Students will create a multitrack recording and a technology based composition. The recording will be completed in our
studio using Logic Pro X and the composition will allow you to explore the use of synthesis, sampling/audio
manipulation and sound structure.
The listening and analysing exam will assess your knowledge of recording and production techniques for both corrective
and creative purposes, the principles of sound and audio technology and the development of recording and production
technology. The production exam will assess your knowledge and understanding of editing, mixing and production
techniques, by applying them to unfamiliar materials provided by the exam board, as well as principles of audio
technology. The majority of lessons will be spent composing or mixing on our iMacs or recording in the studio.

Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Recording: You produce a multi-track recording. Recordings 3-3 ½ minutes 20%

must include vocals, acoustic guitar, bass guitar and drums
plus other instruments or your choice.

2 Technology-based composition: Using samples provided by 3 minutes 20%

Edexcel, you are to produce a piece in a style of your
choice. You will learn how to create, edit and manipulate
sounds through synthesis and sampling in Logic X.

3 Listening & analysing: You will sit an exam listening to 1 hour 30 minutes 25%
unstudied commercial recordings. Questions will test your
knowledge of recording and production techniques,
principles of sound technology and the development of
recording and production technologies.

4 Producing & analysing: You will sit an exam which contains 2 hours 15 minutes (plus 35%
practical elements and written questions. Using audio 10 minutes setting-up
material provided by the exam board you will have to time)
produce a track following given instructions.
 PE
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in PE NB you must also be a club level games player, athlete or gymnast or at performance standard for dance
activities (or 7 in Biology if the subject is not studied at GCSE)
Essential: 6 in PE NB you must also be a club level games player, athlete or gymnast or at performance standard for
dance activities (or 6 in Biology if the subject is not studied at GCSE)
Board
AQA
Outline of the Course
Factors affecting participation in physical education and sport
• Section A – Applied anatomy and physiology
• Section B – Skill acquisition
• Section C – Sport and society
Factors affecting optimal performance in physical activity and sport
• Section A – Exercise physiology and biomechanics
• Section B – Sport psychology
• Section C – Sport and society and technology in sport
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination – Paper 1 Factors affecting participation in 2 hours 35%

physical education and sport. The paper is divided in to 3
sections and there are multiple choice, short answer and
extended writing questions. 105 marks are available in
total, 35 marks from each section.

2 Examination – Paper 2 Factors affecting optimal 2 hours 35%

performance in physical activity and sport. The paper is
divided in to 3 sections and there are multiple choice, short
answer and extended writing questions. 105 marks are
available in total, 35 marks from each section.

3 Practical moderation – Assessment in the role of performer 30%

in the full sided version of one activity. Alongside a written
analysis of performance. This component is worth 90
marks.
 PHYSICS
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Physics and 7 in Maths
Essential: 6 in Physics and 7 in Maths
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1: Working as a Physicist
• Unit 2: Mechanics
• Unit 3: Electric Circuits
• Unit 4: Materials
• Unit 5: Waves and the Particle Nature of Light
• Unit 6: Further Mechanics
• Unit 7: Electric and Magnetic Fields
• Unit 8: Nuclear and Particle Physics
• Unit 9: Thermodynamics
• Unit 10: Space
• Unit 11: Nuclear Radiation
• Unit 12: Gravitational Fields
• Unit 13: Oscillations
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Core/Advanced Physics 1 1 hour 45 minutes 30%

2 Core/Advanced Physics 2 1 hour 45 minutes 30%

3 Advanced Physics 3 2 hours 30 minutes 40%

 POLITICS
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in English Language or 7 in History
Essential: 6 in English Language or 6 in History
Board
Edexcel
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1: UK Politics
– Part 1: The UK Political system
– Part 2: Core Ideological Ideas: Liberalism, Conservatism & Socialism
• Unit 2: UK Government
– Part 1: UK Parliament, Prime Minister and Judiciary
– Part 2: Alternative Ideological Ideas: Feminism
• Unit 3: Comparative US Politics
– The US Political system and US/UK Comparative Politics
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Written Examination 2 hours 33.3%

2 Written Examination 2 hours 33.3%

3 Written Examination 2 hours 33.3%

 PSYCHOLOGY
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Maths, English Language and Biology
Essential: 6 in Maths, English Language and Biology
Board
AQA
Outline of the Course
• Paper 1
– Memory (eg why do we forget things? Can we trust eye-witness testimony?)
– Attachments (eg why do infants become attached to their parents?)
– Social Influence (eg why do we change our behaviour when part of a group?)
– Psychopathology (eg what are the most common mental disorders? Can they successfully be treated?)
• Paper 2
– Approaches (eg which approach to Psychology is the most scientific?)
– Biopsychology (eg can we understand human behaviour solely in terms of biology?)
– Research Methods (ie how do psychologists collect and analyse data?)
• Paper 3
– Issues and Debates in Psychology (eg what are the key issues faced by psychologists today?)
– Gender (eg is gender the product of genetic factors or upbringing?)
– Schizophrenia (eg why does schizophrenia develop and how can it be treated?)
– Aggression (eg why are some people more aggressive than others?)
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: multiple choice, short answer and extended 2 hours 33.3%

writing questions

2 Examination: multiple choice, short answer and extended 2 hours 33.3%

writing questions

3 Examination: multiple choice, short answer and extended 2 hours 33.3%

writing questions
 RS
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in RS or 7 in English Language
Essential: 6 in RS or 6 in English Language
Board
Eduqas
Outline of the Course
• Component One – Study of Religion (Christianity): Religious beliefs, values and teachings and how they vary
historically and in the contemporary world; key moral principles, beliefs about the self, death and the afterlife;
sources of wisdom and authority; significant social and historical developments; practices which shape religious
identity; religion and society
• Component Two – Religion and Ethics: Ethical language and thought; three normative ethical theories; the
application of ethical theory to two personal, societal or global issues; how ethical language in the modern era has
changed over time
• Component Three – Philosophy of Religion: Philosophical arguments for the existence of God; The nature of
religious experience; Problem of evil and suffering; Philosophical language; critiques of religious belief
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1-3 Students will sit three 2 hour papers, one on each of the 2 hours (per paper) 33.3% of the
topics (Philosophy, Ethics and Christianity). Within each qualification
exam there will be Section A and Section B, students will (per paper)
choose one out of two questions set in section A and one
out of three questions set in Section B. Each question set
comprises of Part A (20 marks) and Part B (30 marks).
 SOCIOLOGY
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in English Language or 7 in English Literature
Essential: 6 in English Language or 6 in English Literature
Board
AQA
Outline of the Course
• Unit 1 (Education with Theory and Methods): Education; Methods in Context; Theory and Methods
– Within this unit we look at the role education plays in society, and who it benefits. We investigate why some
social groups get better GCSE results and whether this is due to factors inside or outside of school.
– We also explore the research methods that are used to reach such conclusions, and how this can affect our
viewpoint of society.
• Unit 2 (Topics in Sociology): Families and Households; The Media
– Here we look at the role of the family in maintaining the structure of society and explore how the family has
changed over time and whether this is positive or negative; including the increase in nuclear lone-parent and
reconstituted families.
– In the media topic we examine the extent to which the media has an impact on audiences within society and
who it benefits through the ownership, selection and presentation of the news. We also study how age, social
class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and disability are represented within the media.
• Unit 3 (Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods): Crime and Deviance; Theory and Methods
– Crime and Deviance explores why some groups are more likely to commit crimes than others. We evaluate
different ways of lowering crime, from tougher punishments to early intervention and investigate the role crime
has in society.
– Theory and methods takes an evaluative glance at different sociological perspectives and asks questions such as
whether Sociology should be a science and whether it’s possible to be objective and value free in Sociological
research.
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: short answer and extended writing questions 2 hours 33.3%

2 Examination: extended writing questions 2 hours 33.3%

3 Examination: short answer and extended writing questions 2 hours 33.3%

 SPANISH
Minimum Entry Criteria
Essential: 7 in Spanish
Board
Eduqas
Outline of the Course
• Component 1: Speaking – This component comprises of 2 parts. The first part is a discussion on a topic chosen by
the student. The second part is based on a stimulus card on one of the themes covered at A level and ensuing
discussion.
• Component 2: Listening, reading and translation – Students will be asked to transfer meaning from a number of
audio texts and reading texts through multi choice questions, gap filling and question and answer type responses.
The translations include translating one text from English to the assessed language and another from the assessed
language to English.
• Component 3: Critical and analytical response in writing – Students will be asked to write two essays based on a
text and/or a film which has been studied in class.
• Components include the following topics: travel and exploration, diversity and difference, contemporary youth
culture and The two Spains from 1936 onwards
• Texts and films – El Otro Arbol de Guernica (novel) and Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Nervios (film)
Assessment
Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Examination: Oral assessment – discussion on chosen topic 21-23 minutes 30%

followed by discussion based on a stimulus card

2 Examination: Listening, reading and translation from target 2 hours 30 minutes 50%
language to English and English to target language

3 Examination: Writing assessment – based on texts or film 2 hours 20%

 TEXTILES
Minimum Entry Criteria
Desired: 7 in Textiles or Art
Essential: 6 in Textiles or Art
Board
AQA
Outline of the Course
• Mini project Year 12
• Unit 1: Personal Investigation (coursework 60%)
• Unit 2: Externally set assignment (practical exam 40%)
Assessment
Assessment is through weekly individual tutorials and formal assessments at a number of points in the year. Students
are given work schedules to help assist the planning of their independent work. Students are expected to keep up with
the schedules to enable them to gain the highest grades. The school provides the basic equipment and materials for the
students to succeed. Students are required to provide A1 mount boards and any additional materials above and beyond
the basic requirements they wish to purchase.

Please note that the A Level work is assessed holistically across each unit

Type of Assessment Duration Weighting

1 Sketchbooks and progress assessment Easter Year 12 – 60%

Christmas Year 13
Individual samples and progress tutorials

Sample Boards completed

Critical essay written

Final make

2 Sketchbooks and progress assessment February Year 13 40%

Individual samples and progress tutorials March/April Year 13

Sample Boards complete March/April Year 13

15 hour practical exam May Year 13

 Application Process
All applications to Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School should be made via Kent Choices by 28th February
2022.

Key Dates 2021 – 2022

Internal Applicants
October 2021 – February 2022 Subject Presentations for Year 11 students
November 2021 ‘Preparation for Progression’ lessons
November 2021 Letters re: username and password (Kent Choices)
November 2021 Year 11 Mock Examinations
November – December 2021 Year 12 Students Presentations: Life in Sixth Form
December 2021 Presentation ‘The Next Steps on your Langton Journey’
15th December 2021 Year 11 Parents’ Evening
January 2022 ‘A Level Subject Fair’ –Sixth Form Students
27th January 2022 Sixth Form Open Evening
February 2022 Consultations
4th February 2022 A Level ‘Taster lessons’
March 2022 Accept and rank offers on Kent Choices
1st March 2022 Deadline for applications to the Sixth Form
30th March 2022 Year 11 parents’ and students’ event: ‘Transition in to Year 12’
April 2022 Applications for Form Guardian
June – July 2022 GCSE Examinations
24th, 27th, 28th June 2022 Pre-Sixth Induction Day
June – July 2022 Summer Assignments and Endeavour Programme and Applications
for Senior Prefects
25th August 2022 GCSE Results Day/Enrolment Day from 8.30am

External Applicants
27th January 2022 Sixth Form Open Evening
February 2022 Consultations
March 2022 Accept and rank offers on Kent Choices
1st March 2022 Deadline for applications to the Sixth Form
30th March 2022 Year 11 parents’ and students’ event: ‘Transition in to Year 12’
24th, 27th, 28th June 2022 Pre-Sixth Induction Day
June – July 2022 Summer Assignments and Endeavour Programme and Applications
for Senior Prefects
25th August 2022 GCSE Results Day/Enrolment Day from 8.30am