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A-level courses

Click to enlargeAt Reigate Grammar School, we believe that the Sixth Form should be a time for serious study as well as extensive opportunities for enrichment. We therefore offer our students the chance to excel academically, and thus prepare themselves for life at university, at the same time as developing their own leadership skills and experience with a wide range of activities.

We offer a broad selection of academic courses to AS and A-level; we do not offer GNVQs or any other qualification. From September 2008, all students will study four subjects chosen from the list below. Unlike in most schools, they will sit no exams in the Lower Sixth (Year 12), but will take all their A-level modules in the Upper Sixth.

This system will give the following advantages:

» students will receive between six and eight weeks more teaching over two years through not having to prepare for and sit AS exams in the Lower Sixth;
» students will be able to grow into their subjects gradually over a two year period, without being faced with constant hurdles;
» students will have time for reflection and independent study, preparing them better for study at university;
» students will avoid the treadmill of having to sit public examinations every six months from the Fifth Form onwards;
» when they sit AS papers in the Upper Sixth, students will be more mature and will have a greater understanding of the subject-matter through A2 content, giving them a significant advantage over other candidates;
» candidates for Oxbridge, medicine, and other top courses will have covered more of the content prior to interviews than their contemporaries elsewhere;
» stress levels throughout the Lower Sixth year will be reduced, and students will have more time for extra-curricular activities;
» university offers will be easier to achieve with 4A2s.

In addition to the above, we will, from September 2008, be re-introducing a non-examined curriculum designed to broaden students’ general education. It will consist of a mixture of compulsory elements (including lectures by visiting speakers) and optional courses, allowing students to pursue areas of interest outside their examined subjects. We intend that this will extend our commitment to offering a broad education beyond the confines of the examined curriculum.

Click here for full details of the courses (opens in a new window).

Note: The courses listed here are available during the current academic year, but no guarantee can be given about their future availability. Prospective parents and students are advised to contact the school to confirm the curriculum for the next academic year.

Subjects available at A-level (*AS only):

Mathematics
Further Mathematics
English Literature
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
French
German
Spanish
Latin
Classical Civilization
Greek
Government & Politics
History
Geography
Philosophy & Ethics
Economics
Business Studies
Art & Design
Music
Music Technology
Theatre Studies
Information Technology
Sport Studies
Electronics*
Critical Thinking*

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Related links

A-level courses in detail

A-level 2008 results in detail