Enrichment & General Studies

AS and A2

All boys are routinely entered for the AQA 2760 General Studies syllabus A examinations in January of Year 13 to achieve the AS qualification. Preparation for the three modules each year is through lessons delivered by teachers with a variety of interests from subject areas across the whole curriculum who can offer different components from the subject specification. Alongside the lessons is a programme of presentations and external speakers that aim to broaden the horizons and experiences of the students as well as addressing contemporary issues in modern society.

The A2 examinations follow in the Summer of Year 13. The programme of lessons and presentations follows on from that at AS.

While a variety of resources are used no single text is used in preparation for General Studies exams as different pupils will attend lessons given by different teachers with different backgrounds and interests.

There is no coursework component to the assessment, though the source material used as the basis for assessment in Unit 4 is made available to candidates about a month before the paper is taken. In this way students can gain insight to the issues raised and get relevant background information prior to the written assessment.

Not all pupils follow the General Studies programme to A2, depending on the other courses they take as part of the Enrichment programme. Each pupil does follow a course that leads to a recognised qualification though.