Sixth Form Curriculum
For some subjects and universities it is necessary to take specific subjects, so the girls receive individual advice on subject choices. Anyone with no clear idea of what she would like to study at university should choose subjects that reflect her strengths and leave open as many future options as possible. Any girl who is having difficulty with her workload may reduce the number of her subjects following consultation with subject teachers, the Head of Sixth Form and parents.
A-level Structure
Most subjects comprise four units, two at AS and two at A2. A few subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths, Music and Physics comprise six units, Girls are able to retake units with the better or best mark being counted, but universities will be able to see that the unit has been retaken and what grades were achieved. Candidates enter unit grades as well as overall subject grades on the UCAS application and university offers may specify grades to be achieved in certain units as well as the overall grade required. A-level passes are graded A*-E; AS passes are graded A-E.
AS Critical Thinking is an additional qualification, not one of the initial 4/5 subjects. It begins in January of Lower Sixth for girls who are on track to achieve good grades and can carry another subject. It is completed in January of Upper Sixth. Its value is for the skills developed, which benefit all subjects.
AQA BACCALAUREATE
We also offer the AQA Baccalaureate which provides the opportunity to develop research skills that universities feel are not adequately developed by A-levels. The personal enrichment element also addresses universities' non-academic criteria as well as benefitting the girls and the community.
The Bacc consists of 4 units : 3 A-levels; AS Critical Thinking; an Extended Project which is independently researched, produced and presented by the student; and an enrichment element involving at least two of: work related learning, community participation and personal development. The Extended Project is also a stand alone qualification separately recorded on the UCAS form.
We also offer SAT preparation for American Universities and can arrange tuition in other modern foreign languages such as Chinese, Japanese and Arabic, and in English as a Foreign Language. For detailed information on individual subjects you can visit the Subject Pages on the website.
Girls choose their AS subjects in the 5th Year (Year 11). They receive a great deal of individual advice on subject combinations from the Head of Sixth. Girls joining the school in the Lower Sixth also have the opportunity to discuss their choices of AS-levels when they visit the school.
There are opportunities to take part in community service, and girls raise funds for their chosen charities.
The St George's Sixth Form Diploma records general studies courses, Sixth Form achievements, activities and offices and is presented at Prize Giving.
Find out information about individual subjects in the Subject Area, or download a copy of the A-Level Subject Information Booklet 2011-13