Curriculum

Our overall aim is to provide a curriculum that is demanding and challenging and give Heritage leavers the skills and qualifications required to fully access the next step in their learning journey. Students generally study three or four subjects in lower sixth, including a compulsory global perspective course which develops instinctive thinking skills.

Students will have the option in consultation with relevant teachers and parents/guardians, to write ‘AS’ level only, ‘AS’ and full ‘A’ level or full ‘A’ level only during the two years of sixth form. Advanced (‘A’) level subjects are arranged in option blocks and while we endeavor to satisfy the students desired options we may not always be able to guarantee that every combination can be made available. Please see our website to learn more about our Advanced level courses and the careers that they may lead to.

Students will need to consider what the future holds for them in regard to their further education and potential career, which subjects they have a passion for and what subject content and skills will inspire them to work hard and gain full academic success.

Advanced levels offer the chance to study chosen subjects in greater depth and are the passport to higher education. Many Heritage Sixth Form students go on to study at top Universities around the world.

OPTIONS AVAILABLE

An option system will operate with subjects arranged in five blocks A to E. Students may take any one of four routes as indicated on page 4. It is anticipated that many students will wish to study four subjects at AS level in the first year then three of these through A2 to a final A level in the second year (AS levels count as half of an A level for college and university entry). Students not inclined towards AS and A level studies are directed towards the courses available in Block E. The subjects available may change as the pattern of student choices dictates. Additional courses may be offered while under- subscribed subject may be withdrawn.

A LEVEL SUBJECTS

BLOCK 1BLOCK 2BLOCK 3BLOCK 4BLOCK 5
MathsBiologyEnglish LiteratureEnglish LanguageComputing
Art & DesignHistoryPhysicsChemistryFrench
DivinityAccountingPhysical EducationBusiness StudiesFood Science
  Travel & Tourism Geography

Students should choose three to five subjects, one from each block.

Some things to be considered carefully before reaching decisions on subject choices and routes to follow include:

  • Your enjoyment of and motivation toward you chosen subject will determine you eventual success.
  • You must have shown ability and skill in the area of study so far if you are to succeed at a higher level of study
  • You will be required to take responsibility for your studies and to organise your study time to include individual study outside the classroom; so it is very important that you have a strong interest in the course you choose
  • You need to assess your strengths and weaknesses realistically and this entails honest discussion with your current subject teachers, Form Tutor, Head of Section, parents and colleagues
  • You also need to think about possible career directions to be sure which doors will be opened and which closed by your subject combinations.
  • You must be aware that it may be very difficult to make changes in your choices later in the year