Sixth Form Curriculum

The department is rooted in the fine-art tradition, and all pupils have the opportunity to explore painting, textiles, print-making, mixed-media, digital media, and sculpture.

Our examination results are outstanding and we are regarded as a national centre of excellence. We were rated as the top school in the country for Pre-U in 2017, and in the top two schools in 2018. Art at King’s Worcester has an excellent track record for pupils gaining direct entry onto degree courses without the benefit of a foundation course.

Biology is a diverse subject that will help you understand how plants and animals work, the effects of our activities upon the planet, and how species have evolved. The department is housed in its own building and has a well-stocked library, a large AV collection, and IT facilities. Pupils enjoy a mix of independent and team study.

Almost everything in life revolves around business. Business and commerce relate to the buying and selling of goods, services and information – important exchanges in almost any area of life!

Business consists of four themes: Marketing and People, Managing Business Activities, Business Decisions, and Strategy and Global Business.

Chemistry is a key subject at A-level for those who want to go on to study Medicine or Veterinary Science; it is also a useful and interesting subject in its own right. Many pupils have gone on to pursue careers in the chemical and biological sciences, climate and environmental sciences, computer science, and forensics.

Classical Civilisation brings students face-to-face with the cultures of Greece and Rome through the reading of literature in translation. Knowledge of Latin or Greek is not required and neither is a GCSE in Classical Civilisation, but in order to succeed, a real curiosity about the past and a willingness to engage with new ideas is needed.

Pupils will discover a world that is in some respects quite alien to ours, yet in others, remarkably similar. English, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Art combine particularly well with this course, but it adds variety and breadth to any set of options. Key skills developed include literacy analysis, appreciation of interpretation of evidence, and essay writing.

Computer Science is a course that is relevant to the modern and changing world of computing, and this course is aimed at those who want a better understanding of how computers work at base level.

Computational thinking is at the heart of the course, helping pupils to develop skills to solve problems, design systems, and understand human and machine intelligence.

Pupils studying Design and Technology at A-level are encouraged to think and work with real creativity and purpose. The subject provides a wonderful stepping stone towards a range of careers, including product and industrial design, interior and fashion design, graphic design, architecture, and engineering. Specifically, it meets Art at one end, Physics at the other, and covers all that is in-between.

This course combines academic study with a development of practical skills and is ideal for those who love drama, have theatre experience, or have an interest in being an actor, a designer, or a technician.

Assessment is by a combination of practical and written coursework and examination. Pupils need a willingness to work practically and cooperatively with others in a generous and supportive way.

Economics is about choice and the impact of our choices on each other. It relates to almost every aspect of our lives, from the decisions we make as individuals or families to the structures created by governments and firms. The economic way of thinking can help us make better choices.

Pupils have gone on to read Economics, PPE, Economics & Management, and other related courses in Higher Education.

English Literature is taught at King’s as a subject which challenges the intellect, stirs the imagination, broadens perspectives, and develops significant skills.

Enjoyment of reading and the subject at GCSE is good reason for studying the subject at A-level, but pupils rightly identify it as a strong, highly-regarded academic subject, welcomed by universities whatever a student’s degree discipline.

French is an important international language, used for business and diplomacy across the world. Confidence in French, as in other modern languages, can bring significant benefits for those working in the arts, media, law, politics, and business.

Linguists develop skills in communication and analysis as well as social and cultural awareness. Immersion in French is encouraged, both in lessons and in France on study visits and during work experience.

This is for outstanding mathematicians who are considering studying Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or similar subjects in Higher Education. All pupils follow the Mathematics A-level course as well as the Further Mathematics course. Further Mathematics content includes pure maths, mechanics, and statistics.

Studying Geography stimulates an interest in, and a sense of wonder about, places, people, and the environment. It bridges the gap between the arts and sciences, and develops a wide variety of skills that are transferable to Higher Education courses and the world of work.

Both physical and human topics are studied at A-level with an emphasis on the links between the two. Pupils will develop a deeper understanding of our complex and dynamically-changing world by considering economic, social, environmental, and political issues.

The language of Goethe, Beethoven, Marx and Nietzsche, German remains a language for the cultured, philosophers, lawyers, historians, the business-minded, politicians, scientists, designers, and engineers.

A sound knowledge of German can be a tremendous asset to those working in high-level business and finance in Europe.

Explore and discover the development and consequences of major events and movements affecting Europe and the wider world. Studying History develops a range of skills including the communication of complex ideas, the ability to analyse and evaluate, the competence to make judgements based on evidence, and to engage in research.

In the Upper Sixth the independent study offers a broad choice and an opportunity to shape your own course and gain experience of writing research-based studies.

Latin is sometimes regarded as ‘dead’ simply because it is no longer used as an everyday spoken tongue, but its influence on English, French, Spanish, and Italian cannot be underestimated.

A-level Latin is highly suitable for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the power of both language and literature. It combines very well with English, modern languages, and History, but would also complement Maths and the sciences. It also provides a very useful backdrop for those interested in a career in medicine, law, or journalism.

A-level Mathematics is a much sought-after and well-regarded qualification, both as a subject in its own right and for entry to a wide variety of courses in Higher Education. It is a varied course with three branches of mathematics: pure maths, statistics, and mechanics.

Music at A-level is a challenging and rewarding discipline that cultivates musical understanding and performance and develops skills of literacy, teamwork, leadership, confidence, time management, self-discipline, listening, and critical thinking.

The course is both theoretical and practical, with study of set works, including classical and jazz, and a significant performance element with an externally-examined final recital as well as composition and harmony.

If you are interested in sport and performance then this course will be sure to excite you because it provides the opportunity to study both the theory and practice of Physical Education. It is an ideal preparation for those looking to pursue a career in leisure, professional sports management, physiotherapy (when combined with Biology), or sports administration.

Physics is about asking fundamental questions and trying to answer them by observing and experimenting. We ask really big questions, such as ‘how did the universe begin?’ and ‘what are the basic building blocks of matter?’. If you think these questions are fascinating, then you will like A-level Physics.

Experimental work is a vital part of physics, and this is a great strength of the Physics Department. Four well-equipped laboratories and enthusiastic staff make practical work a central part of learning to be a physicist.

Politics is a challenging and exciting subject, constantly changing and developing and one which requires students to be fully aware of current affairs. In politics there are no unchangeable truths; instead, students have to assess and respond to a variety of approaches and doctrines.

Politics is an excellent A-level to take in combination with any other subject as it is stimulating and encourages individuals to think. This latter quality is why so many business people, lawyers and teachers and even politicians have taken politics at A-level.

Seminars at King’s have been held by the MP for Worcester and the Bishop of Worcester. Our students prepare and host Political Forum which are modelled on ‘Question Time’, with the panel including local MPs. councillors and even a Lord or two.

The course at A-level includes a wide-ranging study of UK and US politics. This provide students with a grounding in political theory at the same time as encouraging students to develop a critical awareness of contemporary events. Pupils gain a thorough understanding of the two political systems as well as an up-to-date understanding of the wider world.

The mind is an amazing thing. Is there really anything more fascinating than yourself and others? The brain is the organ that governs your every perception and sensation. Psychology focuses on the science of the mind and that science is ever-changing through constant advances. Our A-Level Psychology Course aims to develop your understanding of how science contributes to the success of society. You will learn about different areas of psychology and how they relate to each other.

Through studying this course, you will gain transferable skills of analysis, evaluation and critical thinking. You will also gain knowledge and understanding of how the brain works which will prepare you for further study. If you want to grasp the complexities of human behaviour, A-Level Psychology is for you.

Religion and Philosophy offers an ideal opportunity for pupils to think about some of the things that really matter: ‘is there a God?’, ‘why is there evil and suffering in the world?’, ‘is war ever justified?’, ‘is there a life after death?’, and ‘what is the purpose of life?’. The answers to most of these questions are hotly debated. Pupils are therefore required to think critically so that they can identify good arguments from bad. In other words, pupils learn to think philosophically.

By learning to express your arguments orally and in writing, the A-level in Religion and Philosophy will prepare you for the rigours of Higher Education and good careers beyond.

Students sit three exams on philosophy, ethics, and theology (the New Testament). There is no coursework.

Spanish is one of the world’s global languages, and its study immerses pupils in a rich and diverse culture, and opens opportunities for those living and working in the Spanish-speaking world.

The opportunity to visit Spain, and support from the Spanish language assistant, will ensure you can be confident and will develop skills in all essential aspects of the language: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.