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Embley Sixth Form Guide 2020-2022

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<strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong><br />

Course<br />

<strong>Guide</strong><br />

<strong>2020</strong>-21 ENTRY


At <strong>Embley</strong> you will be inspired to learn and fulfil<br />

your academic and personal potential in readiness<br />

for university and beyond. We combine innovation<br />

with tradition to ensure outstanding teaching<br />

expertise, a personalised curriculum<br />

and one to one support.<br />

We offer a unique opportunity where you will build your LinkedIn profiles<br />

and develop a clear pathway for fulfilling your career aspirations. Our MBA<br />

Experience is delivered by leading business professionals; our Nightingale<br />

Lectures see explorers, astronauts, leading sports personalities and <strong>Form</strong>ula<br />

1 designers and engineers speak to students during formal, black tie dining<br />

experiences and our higher education conferences, university roadshows<br />

and industry careers events all form part of our two-year programme.<br />

Our diverse co-curricular programme includes performing arts, sports,<br />

debating, overseas expeditions and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.<br />

From representing members of the school community at Student Council<br />

and leading our golf and sailing programmes to supporting staff in the<br />

planning and management of school investment projects, you will take an<br />

active role in the leadership of our school.<br />

EMBRACING AMBITION


WELCOME FROM OUR HEAD BOY & HEAD GIRL<br />

“<br />

<strong>Embley</strong> provides a<br />

wonderful platform into<br />

the world by enabling<br />

students to lead<br />

initiatives that have a<br />

positive impact on our<br />

communities, learn from<br />

the insights of successful<br />

leaders and start to build<br />

their business credentials and networks.<br />

The MBA Experience, black tie Nightingale<br />

Lecture Series along with <strong>Embley</strong>’s<br />

universities and careers programme help me<br />

feel better informed in making important<br />

decisions about my future. Many of us are<br />

involved in the school’s keelboat sailing<br />

programme and I plan to take my PB2<br />

qualifications soon. We’re also looking<br />

forward to an upcoming expedition to the<br />

Arctic – a once in a lifetime opportunity.<br />

It’s easy to make friends in the <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong><br />

because we all share the same vision of<br />

achieving good grades and doing well and we<br />

”<br />

all support one another on this journey.<br />

Gabriel<br />

“<br />

<strong>Embley</strong>’s <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong><br />

offers a huge range<br />

of opportunities and<br />

experiences for day and<br />

boarding students alike.<br />

One of the key benefits<br />

of studying A Levels at<br />

<strong>Embley</strong> is the quality of<br />

education and the small<br />

class sizes. This enables us to build strong<br />

working relationships with our teachers, gives<br />

lessons a tailored approach and ensures that<br />

teaching and learning relates to the needs of<br />

the individuals in every class.<br />

The pastoral side of <strong>Embley</strong> perfectly<br />

complements the quality of education. We<br />

receive a huge amount of support from our<br />

teachers. I always feel the staff are looking<br />

after my best interests both inside and<br />

outside the classroom. This level of support<br />

is so important because A Levels can be a<br />

stressful period in our lives.<br />

We look forward to welcoming you to<br />

”<br />

<strong>Embley</strong>’s <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong>.<br />

Megan<br />

SIXTH FORM KEY DATES<br />

<strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> Taster Day<br />

Closing date for scholarship applications<br />

<strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> interviews<br />

Deadline for accepting scholarship offers<br />

Monday 7 October<br />

Friday 22 November<br />

Week commencing 20 January<br />

Monday 2 March<br />

3


STUDENT SUPPORT<br />

& LEADERSHIP<br />

Tailored learning experience<br />

You will benefit from small class sizes, a<br />

personalised curriculum and regular one-to-one<br />

support sessions with your tutor as well as UCAS<br />

advice. This provides an environment where<br />

you will strive to achieve academic excellence.<br />

Combined with our career and university<br />

programme, this makes for a stimulating, successful<br />

and fulfilling experience.<br />

Leadership opportunities<br />

You will take an active role in the leadership of the<br />

school. Our Student Council meetings are modelled<br />

on the House of Commons Select Committee. Led<br />

by our Head Girl and Head Boy, the opinions and<br />

views of year group representatives are shared<br />

and the Headmaster responds to the issues raised.<br />

Each of our Year Group Leaders acts as the student<br />

go-to person for each year group and, in Year 13,<br />

students are selected as Prefects and Heads of<br />

House.<br />

Boarding and community<br />

If you decide to board with us or join us as a <strong>Sixth</strong><br />

<strong>Form</strong> day student, you will become an integral part<br />

of our community where you will develop lifelong<br />

friendships and memorable experiences that will be<br />

with you for the rest of your life. We also recognise<br />

the significance of the unique partnership between<br />

you, school and home and do all that we can to<br />

make these important years happy, successful and<br />

a strong foundation for your future.<br />

Student ambassadors<br />

Our whole school engagement programme sees<br />

our <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students acting as role models<br />

to our younger pupils and you will have the<br />

opportunity to support the roll out of a number<br />

of curricular programmes, such as our Royal<br />

Institution Mathematics Masterclasses, and cocurricular<br />

initiatives including sailing, golf and<br />

skiing, across the school.<br />

BROADENING<br />

HORIZONS &<br />

FUTURE CAREERS<br />

As well as studying for your A Level subjects, all<br />

<strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students will follow a broad enrichment<br />

programme. This helps develop an understanding<br />

of careers and prepare students for the future<br />

world of employment.<br />

Nightingale Lecture Series<br />

Our <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students attend a formal dinner<br />

event and listen to and reflect on the life stories<br />

and experiences of influential entrepreneurs,<br />

explorers and pioneers. During these evenings, you<br />

have the opportunity to respond to and discuss the<br />

challenging issues that are presented to you by the<br />

guest speaker.<br />

MBA Experience<br />

This offers an innovative addition to the school’s<br />

academic curriculum in Year 12. It will help you<br />

understand the key factors that impact business<br />

performance, build your commercial awareness and<br />

develop your fluency in the language of business.<br />

The programme is delivered through a series of<br />

practical and interactive workshops by leading<br />

business professionals and in partnership with<br />

Winchester University.<br />

Industry career evenings<br />

These events enable our students to interact<br />

with a range of successful business people and<br />

hear, first-hand, about their career paths. You will<br />

receive advice about the skills and qualities that<br />

will help you lead a successful career. In addition,<br />

these events also provide an opportunity for you<br />

to start building your professional networks and<br />

may lead to opportunities for work experience,<br />

apprenticeships or future employment.<br />

4


Duke of Edinburgh<br />

This programme broadens horizons and develops<br />

friendships but perhaps most importantly it will<br />

equip you with vital employability skills such selfdiscipline,<br />

time management, problem solving and<br />

communication skills. Silver and Gold trips include<br />

expeditions to Dartmoor and the Wye Valley.<br />

Team building residentials<br />

A fun way in which you will learn to work with<br />

your peers and, through a variety of activities,<br />

learn important skills that will help in life beyond<br />

school, such as understanding different leadership<br />

and teamwork skills, building trust and enhancing<br />

problem solving techniques.<br />

Biennial charitable global outreach<br />

initiatives<br />

In recent years, our <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students have<br />

supported and visited charity projects in Costa<br />

Rica, India and Ecuador. Most students encounter<br />

rewarding, humbling and amazing experiences as<br />

they make a difference to the lives of others. These<br />

trips also help to build character and will enable<br />

you to learn more about yourself.<br />

PREPARING FOR<br />

UNIVERSITY<br />

We will do everything possible to help you make<br />

informed decisions about your future and you will<br />

receive all the support necessary to secure a place<br />

at your chosen university. As part of a small tutor<br />

group, every student receives tailored advice and<br />

support as part of their application process.<br />

Year 12 Autumn term<br />

• Investigate prospective university courses and<br />

destinations with the support and guidance of<br />

your tutor and learn more about the range of<br />

universities and course choices available in the<br />

UK and around the world.<br />

• Attend our International University Roadshow<br />

with exhibitors from leading universities across<br />

Europe, Canada and the USA.<br />

• Join our UK Higher Education Conference<br />

with workshops and learn about the courses<br />

available at some of the top UK universities,<br />

including Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick,<br />

Imperial and LSE.<br />

Spring term<br />

• Understand how to apply to universities<br />

through UCAS.<br />

• By now you will have provisional ideas about<br />

the subjects that you would like to read at<br />

university and your tutor, along with our<br />

experienced UCAS coordinator, will help you<br />

navigate the process.<br />

• Visit universities including Oxbridge.<br />

Summer term<br />

• Participate in our Personal Statement<br />

workshop which offers valuable guidance on<br />

how to showcase your skills, aspirations and<br />

experiences when applying for a course and<br />

preparing for potential interviews.<br />

• Attend a local UCAS exhibition.<br />

• Strengthen your university application and<br />

CV by participating in our work experience<br />

programme.<br />

5


Year 13 Autumn term<br />

• Submit your university applications following<br />

final discussions and guidance from your tutor<br />

(students applying for Oxbridge, medicine,<br />

dentistry and veterinary medicine must submit<br />

their applications before mid-October). Our<br />

teachers and tutors will prepare references to<br />

support applications.<br />

• Begin to hear back from universities with<br />

invitations to interviews.<br />

• Practise university interview techniques with<br />

experienced professionals according to your<br />

chosen course.<br />

Spring term<br />

• Continue to attend interviews for university<br />

courses.<br />

• Make ‘firm’ and ‘insurance’ choices for your<br />

chosen courses, with guidance and support<br />

from your tutor.<br />

• Attend our higher education talks on subjects<br />

such as student finance to help prepare you for<br />

university life.<br />

Summer term<br />

• Collect your A Level results. Wherever possible,<br />

we work to ensure all our students achieve their<br />

first choice of university.<br />

• Receive continuing support from our teaching<br />

staff and UCAS coordinator if you decide to<br />

defer your place or apply to university post-A<br />

Levels.<br />

CO-CURRICULAR LIFE<br />

Our outstanding co-curriculum offers access<br />

to high-quality activities for all. It provides<br />

opportunities for student leadership and challenge;<br />

it enables our young people to uncover new<br />

interests and talents, explore subjects beyond<br />

the classroom and build resilience; and it nurtures<br />

the growth of intellectual curiosity, creativity and<br />

independent learning.<br />

We offer a wide variety of sports and our aim<br />

is to provide all students with the opportunity<br />

to participate in as many of these as possible.<br />

Alongside traditional sporting opportunities such<br />

as rugby, hockey, cricket, netball and rounders, we<br />

offer outdoor adventure activities. These include<br />

our Keelboat Sailing Programme, which sees our<br />

fleet of Etchell 22s and 37ft Stewart racing boat<br />

moored nearby at Lymington Harbour, golf on our<br />

9-hole course within the school grounds, a national<br />

ski team.<br />

These opportunities will build a variety of skills that<br />

help students to better understand themselves<br />

and test boundaries in a challenging, yet safe<br />

environment. They develop confidence and<br />

encourage children to evaluate situations and take<br />

calculated risks – alongside broadening horizons<br />

and making friends.<br />

Creative life at <strong>Embley</strong> is also very important. We<br />

have a purpose built Performing Arts Centre, a<br />

Music Department with rehearsal rooms and a<br />

recording studio and an exceptional Art Faculty<br />

covering conventional art techniques to textiles,<br />

ceramics and much more.<br />

We encourage all our students to try different<br />

activities and it is our aim that by the time they<br />

leave our school, they will have found a passion in<br />

life and had new experiences that will have built<br />

character and cemented friendships.<br />

6


ENTRY<br />

REQUIREMENTS<br />

Students studying A Levels at <strong>Embley</strong> will normally<br />

have attained a minimum of five GCSEs grade 9-5<br />

(A*-B) and ideally 7 (A) in the A Level subjects they<br />

wish to study, or an equivalent subject. In order<br />

to study Further Mathematics, we expect a level 8<br />

or above. For students that have studied Double<br />

Science at GCSE and want to go on to study a<br />

Science subject at A Level, we would expect them<br />

to have achieved at least a double level 7. However,<br />

all cases are looked at on an individual basis.<br />

EXTENDED PROJECT<br />

QUALIFICATION<br />

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a<br />

research-based qualification that is completed<br />

in Year 12 and complements an A Level study<br />

portfolio. Students research a subject of their<br />

choosing before producing a dissertation,<br />

investigation, performance or artefact.<br />

<strong>Embley</strong> students achieve excellent results in the<br />

EPQs - 100% of our students achieved A* or A<br />

last year. The qualification is worth half an A Level<br />

and it is well-respected by universities. It teaches<br />

students essential research and writing skills that<br />

are required to succeed in higher education and the<br />

qualification is invaluable on a personal statement,<br />

CV or at interview. Many of our students applying<br />

to universities often receive reduced offers for A<br />

Level requirements if an A and A* grade is achieved<br />

in the EPQ.<br />

A lot of our students choose to study an area that<br />

will contribute to their university course or a future<br />

career. In recent years, projects have ranged from<br />

designing and building a hybrid paddle/surf board<br />

to conducting meta-research analysis on the diet of<br />

the Maasai tribe (the latter was highly commended<br />

by The Peter Watson International Scholarship).<br />

Other projects have focused on such things as laws<br />

on capital punishment in the US and Iran, George<br />

Orwell’s political views, as well as the design and<br />

materials used in eco-house building. The options<br />

for topics are limitless.<br />

Although the nature of the project is individuallydriven,<br />

students receive one-to-one guidance to<br />

support the requirements of their title. Tutorial<br />

discussions are a regular feature of the process and<br />

we use the vast experience of our staff and network<br />

with industry and higher education to support each<br />

student in the process of creating their project.<br />

Furthermore, we have close links with Southampton<br />

University’s staff and facilities to support learning<br />

and can arrange visits to the university to help with<br />

development and research.<br />

Students taking three A Levels are expected to<br />

complement their academic portfolio with an EPQ.<br />

SIXTH FORM CHOICES<br />

Choosing A Levels is a finely wrought process<br />

and our highly experienced senior teaching staff<br />

are available to help you make these important<br />

decisions. Our advice is to choose a manageable<br />

combination of subjects that you enjoy and, if new<br />

subjects, will play to your academic strengths and<br />

interests. In our experience, this combination is likely<br />

to lead to achieving the best grades.<br />

Most universities usually offer undergraduate<br />

places based on three A Level grades with very<br />

few requiring a fourth subject at A Level. In light of<br />

this, and the increased rigour of the linear A Levels,<br />

we would anticipate that most students follow<br />

three A Level subjects and an Extended Project<br />

Qualification.<br />

7


ART & DESIGN<br />

COURSES<br />

Our large, airy and open plan art studio and<br />

expert teaching team will help you develop into an<br />

emerging artist and designer. Similar to facilities<br />

offered at some of the top universities for art<br />

degrees, you will have a personalised ‘pod’ space<br />

for the duration of your A Level course; giving you<br />

ample space and flexibility to develop your art work.<br />

We also have a range of installation spaces where<br />

our students can experiment on a larger scale with<br />

their creative ideas.<br />

During the first two terms of our A Level courses,<br />

you will participate in a series of workshops to<br />

allow you to explore our wide range of facilities<br />

and broaden your technical skills and visual<br />

understanding of different creative techniques. This<br />

will also help you to build an impressive portfolio of<br />

work. Our teaching staff will spend time discussing<br />

your personal ambitions and tailor the subject<br />

matter of your work towards your own interests as<br />

much as possible.<br />

Assessment of the course is by two components:<br />

a personal investigation (60%) and externally set<br />

assignment (40%).<br />

Examination board: AQA<br />

ART, CRAFT & DESIGN<br />

This course provides a fantastic opportunity to build<br />

a varied range of techniques through drawing and<br />

painting (fine art), photography, textile design and<br />

three dimensional design.<br />

You will have access to our specialist printmaking,<br />

ceramics and textiles facilities, and a computer<br />

suite for digital processing and CAD/CAM software.<br />

Our 3D design studios provide a fully equipped<br />

workshop including equipment for wood, metal and<br />

plastics. Led by local resident artists, you will benefit<br />

from our after-school drawing workshops to hone<br />

your core drawing technique.<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

This subject can lead to a wide range of degrees.<br />

Many of our students have gone on to study degrees<br />

such as fine art, architecture, three dimensional<br />

design and costume design for theatre and screen.<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

Studying Photography at A Level will allow you<br />

to explore your personal interests and sense of<br />

identity through a creative journey. You will develop<br />

your experience and skills using DSLR cameras<br />

on manual settings and you will be encouraged<br />

to explore the boundaries of what is possible with<br />

digital photography - with an emphasis on finding<br />

your personal creative ‘voice’ whether through<br />

commercial or fine art outcomes.<br />

During the course, you will explore various forms<br />

of camera-less photography using light sensitive<br />

media and experiment with different styles of<br />

photography including portraiture; landscape,<br />

still life, documentary and fashion photography;<br />

experimental imagery; photographic installation; as<br />

well as video, film and animation.<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

This subject can lead to a wide range of creative<br />

arts degrees. It could also lead to a diverse range of<br />

career paths in industries such as animation/games<br />

design, product design, interior design, as well as<br />

photography specialisms such as photojournalism<br />

and portrait, product or food photography.<br />

TEXTILE DESIGN<br />

Textile Design is a wonderful course for anyone who<br />

enjoys art and likes working and experimenting with<br />

textiles. The course will introduce you to a wide<br />

range of textile media, processes and techniques.<br />

You will be taught by our specialist teachers; use<br />

our textiles facilities which include sewing and<br />

embellishing machines, burn tools, hand embroidery,<br />

felting, weaving, quilting, dying and batik<br />

equipment; and experiment using our print making<br />

facilities which include dry-point etching, collagraph,<br />

lino, gel plate and silk screen.<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

This subject can lead to a wide range of degrees.<br />

Many of our textile students leave us to join degree<br />

courses at art and design universities and more<br />

recently students have gone on to study degrees<br />

such as costume design for theatre and screen,<br />

design for stage and performance and fashion<br />

marketing and media. Career paths are wide-ranging<br />

and include fashion design, surface pattern design,<br />

set design and costume design.<br />

8


THREE DIMENSIONAL DESIGN<br />

A Level Three Dimensional Design is an exciting<br />

course that will enable you to explore and develop<br />

a wide range of techniques to create concept<br />

architecture, sculptures, products and furniture and<br />

understand the complex relations between design,<br />

materials, manufacture and marketing. It is a good<br />

course to choose if you are interested in a career in<br />

design or engineering.<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

This course is ideal for students wishing to pursue<br />

degree courses and careers in art and design,<br />

architecture, engineering, as well as product,<br />

fashion, set, exhibition and interior design.<br />

BIOLOGY<br />

Biology has expanded enormously in the last four<br />

decades, from the study of molecules and DNA to<br />

ecosystems and artificial intelligence. Biologists<br />

are trying to solve significant challenges including<br />

disease and antibiotic resistance, climate change,<br />

food production and genetic technologies.<br />

This course is delivered through a wide range of<br />

teaching methods by an enthusiastic and dedicated<br />

team of biologists. Our practical work is regarded<br />

as exceeding expectations by the exam board. Class<br />

sizes are small and you will work in small groups or<br />

independently with all the necessary resources to<br />

develop your biological knowledge.<br />

The topics covered during this course include<br />

biological molecules; cells; organisms and their<br />

environment; genetic information and variation;<br />

energy transfer; organisms responding to change;<br />

genetics, populations and ecosystems; and the<br />

control of gene expression. You will be assessed<br />

through three written papers at the end of the<br />

course based on these topics.<br />

We set high expectations that allow our students<br />

to achieve their full potential in a friendly and<br />

supportive environment and we will challenge<br />

you every step of the way. There are lots of<br />

opportunities for you to get involved in a wide range<br />

of national competitions, field trips, science events<br />

and university visits as part of your studies.<br />

Examination board: AQA<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

Biology holds academic weight in university<br />

applications and it opens exciting opportunities<br />

in both science and non-science careers due to<br />

the wide-ranging knowledge and transferable<br />

skills it provides. Many of our students go on to<br />

read Biology-based subjects at university such<br />

as medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. We<br />

will guide you through the UK Clinical Aptitude<br />

Test (UKCAT) and Bio Medical Admissions Test<br />

(BMAT) examinations to ensure that you have every<br />

opportunity to fulfil your ambitions.<br />

9


BUSINESS<br />

Studying Business at A Level develops the skills and<br />

attitudes that underpin innovation, creativity and<br />

enterprise.<br />

Our Business Studies Department comprises<br />

teachers from different commercial backgrounds<br />

including banking, accounting and human resources,<br />

who apply their experiences in lessons to help<br />

provide a real world context to business theory.<br />

We use a wide range of teaching methods<br />

that will enable you to develop commercial<br />

awareness. Through contemporary case studies<br />

and current business news items, we bring to life<br />

the complexities of UK and global business. All<br />

students take part in the national Tycoon in Schools<br />

competition: in previous years our students have<br />

been awarded start-up loans from the Peter Jones<br />

Foundation on the strength of their business plans.<br />

You will benefit from participating in Student<br />

Investor, field trips to commercial organisations<br />

and guest lectures from a wide range of business<br />

professionals.<br />

Through independent learning projects, we foster a<br />

spirit of enquiry and a critical approach to thinking<br />

about business problems. You will learn how to<br />

evaluate alternative solutions to problems in the<br />

face of uncertainty and the importance of evaluating<br />

outcomes and learning from mistakes.<br />

The course covers the core themes of marketing<br />

and people, managing business activities, business<br />

decisions and strategy, and global business. You will<br />

be assessed through three written exams at the end<br />

of the course.<br />

Examination board: Edexcel<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

This A Level will help prepare students for a<br />

career in business, which may stretch across any<br />

sector or industry. Higher education and career<br />

options are therefore varied and include areas<br />

such as management, marketing, human resources,<br />

accounting and finance.<br />

CHEMISTRY<br />

Chemistry is everywhere – medicines, the<br />

environment and new smart materials are just<br />

three examples. Increasingly, an understanding of<br />

chemical principles is becoming vital to explain and<br />

improve the world we live in.<br />

You will study Chemistry in a range of different<br />

contexts, through theory and practical assessments<br />

which together convey the excitement of<br />

contemporary chemistry. Our A Level Chemistry<br />

course is taught in small groups, providing each<br />

student with individual attention, tailored feedback<br />

and additional support where needed. Theory<br />

and ideas are introduced in a spiral way with<br />

topics introduced in an early part of the course<br />

reinforced later. There is a particular emphasis on<br />

an investigational and problem–solving approach to<br />

practical work.<br />

During the two year course, students study elements<br />

of life: developing fuels, elements from the sea,<br />

the ozone layer, medicines, the chemical industry,<br />

polymers and life, oceans, developing metals and<br />

colour by design. The course is assessed in three<br />

exams taken at the end of Year 13. Throughout<br />

the course, you will carry out a range of practical<br />

experiments which are assessed and reported<br />

separately to the A Level grade as a practical<br />

endorsement.<br />

Examination board: OCR Chemistry B (Salters)<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

A thorough understanding of Chemistry is a vital<br />

foundation for many university courses including<br />

engineering, medicine and pharmacy. Chemistry<br />

is also highly regarded by law degree course<br />

providers, where the use of precise definitions and<br />

accurate techniques taught in Chemistry are vital.<br />

One of the most challenging (and rapidly growing)<br />

areas of science is that of our environment and a<br />

firm understanding of the principles of Chemistry<br />

will be necessary if we are to work on the problems<br />

posed by human impact on this environment.<br />

1 0


COMPUTER SCIENCE<br />

Computerisation is governing increasing parts of our<br />

daily lives. Our Computer Science A Level course<br />

is a practical subject in which you will apply the<br />

academic principles learned in the classroom to realworld<br />

systems. It is an intensely creative subject that<br />

combines invention and excitement, problem solving<br />

and programming, and it will encourage you to look<br />

at the natural world through a digital prism.<br />

We use a variety of teaching methods throughout<br />

the course, including practical programming<br />

activities, presentations, field and university trips<br />

and, through scaffolded-tasks, you will develop a<br />

mastery of the subject.<br />

You will begin the course by learning the<br />

fundamentals of Computer Science: the internal<br />

working of the central processing unit, data<br />

exchange, software development, data types and<br />

legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues associated<br />

with the subject. In the second year, you will<br />

study computational thinking, how computers<br />

and programs can be used to solve problems and<br />

produce algorithms in order to describe and solve<br />

problems.<br />

There are two written examinations at the end of<br />

the course and you will complete a programming<br />

assignment in Year 13, where you will apply the<br />

principles of computational thinking to a practical<br />

coding programming task of your choice.<br />

Examination board: OCR<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

The skills of Computer Science A Level graduates<br />

are highly prized by a range of industries and<br />

sectors and students benefit from a high level (90%)<br />

of employment (Graduates in the Labour Market:<br />

2017 ONS). This subject could also lead to careers<br />

in defence, engineering, technology, medicine,<br />

multimedia and IT.<br />

DRAMA & THEATRE<br />

Drama & Theatre helps students pursue their<br />

interests and skills in a range of practical drama<br />

elements including acting, directing and technical<br />

design. During this course, you will gain a thorough<br />

understanding of how theatre and plays are created<br />

and performed. We use a variety of teaching<br />

methods and much of the course is delivered in our<br />

specialist performing arts facilities.<br />

You will have the opportunity to get involved in a<br />

wide range of workshops with professional touring<br />

companies, visit London and local theatres and help<br />

lead whole school performances, as well as creating,<br />

developing and performing in your own pieces of<br />

work. There are opportunities to develop technical<br />

skills, alongside our technician, as part of our<br />

theatre productions, and to lead our Senior School<br />

Drama Club, in which our A Level students facilitate<br />

workshops and impart their skills and experience to<br />

our younger children.<br />

As part of the course, you will study five texts<br />

over two years and devise further material for<br />

performance examinations. The written component<br />

of this qualification is highly analytical and<br />

welcomed by universities.<br />

Examination board: Eduqas<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

This course can lead to a range of exciting career<br />

paths in performing arts. Many of our A Level<br />

students have gone on to study vocational courses<br />

at Loughborough University, the Academy of Live<br />

and Recorded Arts, Drama Centre London, Guildhall,<br />

Italia Conti and Fourth Monkey. The course also<br />

complements a range of A Level subjects and<br />

is useful in building confidence and improving<br />

presentation skills that are valuable in most careers.<br />

1 1


ECONOMICS<br />

Our A Level Economics course involves lively<br />

discussion and debate in lessons as we analyse the<br />

current economic climate through the news and<br />

live data to develop an understanding of economic<br />

theories and the interrelationships between micro<br />

and macro economies.<br />

Because many economic problems have more<br />

than one solution, you will learn how to evaluate<br />

information for its relevance and quality. In addition,<br />

you will become proficient in using quantitative<br />

methods effectively across a range of problems and<br />

learn how to apply economic reasoning to policy<br />

issues in a critical manner. The insights this provides<br />

are powerful and can help make sense of some of<br />

the challenges facing societies today.<br />

We use a range of engaging teaching methods,<br />

including class discussion, group work, workshops<br />

and simulation games, such as Student Investor,<br />

that allow you to acquire deep subject knowledge<br />

and to develop a range of interpersonal and critical<br />

thinking skills. Our Economics Society helps prepare<br />

you for national essay writing competitions and the<br />

Bank of England challenges.<br />

To inspire and broaden your horizons further, we<br />

have a programme of specialist guest speakers and<br />

field trips, which include visits to the City of London,<br />

and we run extension classes for those applying to<br />

Oxbridge.<br />

At the end of this two-year course, you will be<br />

assessed through three written papers on markets<br />

and market failure, the national and international<br />

economy, and economic principles and issues.<br />

Examination board: AQA<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

Economics is a subject that is well respected by<br />

employers in both the public and private sectors<br />

and universities. Careers related to Economics<br />

include accountancy, banking and finance, business,<br />

consulting and management.<br />

ENGLISH LITERATURE<br />

English Literature is a very popular A Level subject<br />

at <strong>Embley</strong>. During the course, you will enjoy a wide<br />

range of prose, poetry, and drama and, through<br />

close critical analysis and group discussion, learn<br />

to read critically, analyse, evaluate and undertake<br />

independent research: all valuable skills for higher<br />

education and beyond. Regular theatre trips are<br />

arranged in order to support the texts and to allow<br />

for alternative interpretations, and a range of TV<br />

and film interpretations are studied alongside the<br />

reading.<br />

In Year 12, you will study a Shakespeare play, an<br />

anthology of poetry and two prose texts while<br />

considering the presentation of ‘Love through the<br />

Ages’. While in Year 13, you will hone your critical<br />

thinking skills and, following an independent reading<br />

path, you will carry out a critical study of texts<br />

across time – be it the Gothic genre, satire and<br />

dystopia or representations of race and ethnicity,<br />

for example. The course is assessed by two written<br />

papers and a 2500 word essay.<br />

What could be better than learning about the lives,<br />

loves, hopes and jealousies of people, both real<br />

and fictional, throughout the ages? Understanding<br />

the methods used by writers to make political,<br />

social and historical comments about the world as<br />

they see it is a great foundation for understanding<br />

humanity in general.<br />

Examination board: AQA<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

English Literature remains one of the most<br />

prestigious subjects to study and can lead to a<br />

wide range of career opportunities, including:<br />

journalism, advertising, creative writing, teaching,<br />

law, broadcasting, public relations and politics.<br />

More broadly, an enthusiasm for literature, added<br />

to an understanding of communication and human<br />

behaviour, will be invaluable, whatever path you<br />

choose to follow.<br />

1 2


FRENCH<br />

Studying a Modern Foreign Language at A Level<br />

can open up a wealth of new opportunities and<br />

experiences. French A Level builds on the core skills<br />

of listening, reading, writing and speaking gained<br />

through GCSE. During this course, you will develop<br />

a deeper understanding of French in a variety of<br />

contexts and genres, and learn to communicate<br />

confidently, clearly and effectively in French for a<br />

range of purposes.<br />

Our lessons are largely taught in French and our<br />

small class sizes mean that you will quickly develop<br />

your oral fluency and confidence, with individual<br />

guidance given in every lesson and plenty of<br />

opportunities for pair work, group discussions and<br />

lively debates.<br />

As part of the course, you will study a wide range of<br />

topics including social issues and trends; political,<br />

intellectual and artistic culture; immigration and<br />

multicultural societies; and the Arts, literature and<br />

history - such as the work of author Albert Camus<br />

and the occupation of France during the Second<br />

World War.<br />

As well as textbooks, we use newspaper articles,<br />

magazines, books, online resources and study trips<br />

which provide you with plenty of opportunities to<br />

immerse yourself in the language.<br />

At the end of this two-year course, you will<br />

be assessed through three exams: two written<br />

assessments and an internally conducted and<br />

externally assessed speaking paper.<br />

Examination board: Edexcel<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

Our students have gone on to study French at a<br />

number of Russell Group universities including the<br />

University of Cardiff and Kings College, London.<br />

The skills and qualifications that are gained from<br />

studying a language at A Level are incredibly<br />

important tools and French can be combined with<br />

and complement many courses at university. With<br />

the globalisation of the world economy, many<br />

businesses are keen to employ students who can<br />

speak a second language to a high level.<br />

GEOGRAPHY<br />

This is an opportunity to study a fascinating, everchanging<br />

and valuable subject: Geography is a<br />

multidisciplinary subject that stands astride the Arts<br />

and Sciences and will provide you with the ability to<br />

gain invaluable skills that employers are increasingly<br />

looking for.<br />

We study the Cambridge International Exam<br />

Board because it enables our students to choose<br />

a diverse range of physical and human geography<br />

topics that are intrinsically interesting and relevant<br />

in today’s changing world. You will study issues<br />

such as climate change, coastal erosion, volcano<br />

management and population change, and gain<br />

essential transferrable skills such as being able to<br />

articulate well-informed opinions, suggest new<br />

ideas and provide evidenced argument on a range<br />

of issues. Through classroom and fieldwork, the<br />

Geography you study will be brought to life.<br />

You will be encouraged to develop an enquiring<br />

mind, to investigate and be proactive in your<br />

learning. We are always here for support, but we<br />

seek to develop the confidence of each student and<br />

their ability to become independent learners. At<br />

the same time, the detailed subject knowledge that<br />

we provide enables our students to reach the top<br />

grades, with many students choosing to continue<br />

their enjoyment of Geography at university level and<br />

beyond.<br />

Our teaching staff provide outstanding subject<br />

knowledge, clear guidance and abundant energy for<br />

the duration of the course. All we ask is for you to<br />

work hard, aim high, ask questions and continue to<br />

search for answers, now and in the future.<br />

Examination board: Cambridge International<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

Some of our past A Level students have gone on<br />

to lead successful careers, such as in the field of<br />

meteorology, chasing tornadoes in Tornado Alley,<br />

Oklahoma; working for the Environment Agency<br />

as a hydrology, flood risk and drainage engineer;<br />

and developing sustainable energy for a key energy<br />

company. Geography therefore provides many<br />

different pathways. With a multitude of transferable<br />

skills, geographers are eminently employable.<br />

1 3


HISTORY<br />

A Level History will enable you to study a fantastic<br />

range of engaging topics covering British and world<br />

history. It will ignite a passion for the past, as you<br />

study complicated historical questions in great<br />

depth. Topics focus on a mixture of political, social,<br />

economic and cultural history, which will help you<br />

see patterns and trends in history and to recognise<br />

the impact of past events on today’s complex<br />

societies.<br />

This A Level is gained through coursework and<br />

assessment papers. In Year 12, you will study<br />

the early Stuarts and the origins of the Civil War<br />

(1603 - 1646); the execution of Charles I and the<br />

Interregnum (1646 – 1660); and the USA in the 19th<br />

century: westward expansion and Civil War (1803<br />

- c.1890). In Year 13, you will learn about China and<br />

its rulers (1839 - 1989) and complete a 4000 word<br />

essay on an area of your own interest. Our most<br />

recent student essay topics have been wide ranging,<br />

including the reasons for Henry VIII’s break with the<br />

Catholic church, the French resistance in the Second<br />

World War, the role of the Suffragettes in women<br />

winning the vote one hundred years ago and the<br />

reasons for the failure of the prohibition of alcohol in<br />

1920s America.<br />

By studying History, you will develop a wide range<br />

of essential skills which will be indispensable in your<br />

future studies. You will become an analytical, critical<br />

thinker and well informed decision maker, as well as<br />

a highly literate, persuasive communicator.<br />

Progress is supported by regular help sessions<br />

and students are invited to attend A Level History<br />

revision conferences.<br />

Examination board: OCR<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

A Level History students will find all areas of study<br />

and all career avenues open to them. Previous<br />

students have gone on to study degrees in history,<br />

law, journalism, philosophy, politics and economics,<br />

languages and science. History qualifications are<br />

highly regarded and graduates work in a variety<br />

of industries including the media, law, education,<br />

politics, international development and charity work.<br />

MATHEMATICS<br />

Mathematics is recognised as a rigorous A Level and<br />

it is held in very high regard by universities. It is a<br />

subject that has wide application and complements<br />

many other subjects, including Physics, Chemistry,<br />

Biology, Geography, Psychology, Economics and<br />

Business Studies, which all use some form of<br />

Mathematics.<br />

Our Mathematics teachers come from a wide range<br />

of professional fields. We have a former engineer<br />

teaching mechanics, a former data analysist<br />

teaching statistics and teachers who studied Pure<br />

Mathematics at universities including Oxford<br />

and Cambridge. The insights of our Mathematics<br />

Department into how our curriculum in the<br />

classroom can apply to careers enriches the lessons<br />

and inspires our students to study.<br />

You will be stretched beyond the classroom with<br />

lectures by inspiring individuals in their field through<br />

our links with some of the UK’s leading universities<br />

and at our annual <strong>Embley</strong> Women in Mathematics<br />

Conference. There are opportunities for you to<br />

explore an area further through an Extended Project<br />

in Mathematics and we will provide additional<br />

revision support for entrance exams such as STEP<br />

(the Cambridge entrance exam), MAT (the Oxford<br />

entrance exam) and SATS (the US entrance exam).<br />

You will study pure Mathematics, statistics and<br />

mechanics, with the course examined at the end of<br />

Year 13 with three papers: two on pure Mathematics<br />

and one on applied topics.<br />

Examination board: Edexcel<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

On leaving school with A Level Mathematics,<br />

students open themselves up to a wide range of<br />

opportunities in areas such as finance, engineering,<br />

computing, programming, architecture, research,<br />

medicine and more. The course is the basis for a<br />

multitude of degree courses and the skills gained<br />

during the course are core to many career paths.<br />

1 4


FURTHER<br />

MATHEMATICS<br />

Further Mathematics provides an enjoyable,<br />

rewarding, stimulating and empowering experience.<br />

It is a challenging qualification, which both extends<br />

and deepens knowledge and understanding beyond<br />

A Level Mathematics, with greater depth and new<br />

content usually taught at degree level. Our specialist<br />

Mathematics teachers have vast experience on how<br />

to guide you through this exciting and challenging A<br />

Level.<br />

We hold our Further Mathematicians in high esteem.<br />

They are ambassadors for the subject across the<br />

school. This includes working with our Prep School<br />

to challenge our talented Mathematicians in Year<br />

5 and 6, leading our Royal Institution Mathematics<br />

Masterclasses, clubs and supporting Mathematical<br />

events in school.<br />

Further Mathematics contains two pure Mathematics<br />

modules and two applied modules. As a study<br />

group, you will choose the applied modules. This<br />

will be either further mechanics, further statistics<br />

or decision Mathematics (algorithms linked to<br />

programming).<br />

Examination board: Edexcel<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

Further Mathematics is required by a number of<br />

universities offering Mathematics degrees and it is<br />

beneficial for degrees in Physics, Computer Science<br />

and Engineering.<br />

MUSIC<br />

Studying A Level Music will allow you to expand<br />

your musical repertoire, develop a deeper<br />

appreciation of what you hear and discover how<br />

elements of music work together as you compose<br />

and perform your own work.<br />

You will explore a variety of musical genres and<br />

discover what inspires musicians and how they<br />

develop techniques for practice and performance.<br />

You will use our professional recording studio, which<br />

has specialist music software including Cubase and<br />

Logic Pro for producing studio based compositions,<br />

and Sibelius to score creations.<br />

You will direct and organise your own ensembles<br />

and prepare performances for the many musical<br />

events that occur throughout the school. These<br />

include live performances in Romsey Abbey, our<br />

Musical and Performing Arts Showcase events,<br />

regular lunchtime recitals and concerts. In addition,<br />

there are many varied groups and ensembles for you<br />

to take part in, including Orchestra, Jazz Band, Flute<br />

Choir, Rock Band and Choir.<br />

The course is assessed in three parts: performing,<br />

composing and listening/appraising.<br />

Examination board: Edexcel<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

Studying Music at university can lead to varied<br />

pathways, such as performance, composition,<br />

musicology, ethnomusicology, sound engineering,<br />

conducting and teaching. It is also common to find<br />

music graduates in consultancy, finance, banking,<br />

music therapy and the legal profession because of<br />

the valuable skills that Music graduates have.<br />

1 5


MUSIC TECHNOLOGY<br />

In Music Technology you will develop the skills,<br />

knowledge and understanding needed to compose,<br />

sequence, record, analyse and produce music. The<br />

key focus of the course is mastery of the different<br />

disciplines within Music Technology.<br />

You will learn to understand the science behind<br />

sound and apply your understanding through<br />

professional standard multi-track recordings made<br />

in our purpose built music studio. Musical listening<br />

and appraising skills will be developed through the<br />

study of the history of music and you will apply your<br />

knowledge through composing in particular styles<br />

or to set briefs.<br />

As well as the mixing and mastering process of<br />

the multi-track recording, you will learn advanced<br />

Logic Pro X editing and manipulation skills and<br />

processes which are applied through sequencing<br />

and composition work.<br />

Our Music Technology students are encouraged<br />

to use our recording studios outside lesson time<br />

to develop skills, complete recording tasks, mix<br />

and master their work. You will be encouraged to<br />

develop instrumental skills, to enhance your musical<br />

ability and understanding and apply your technical<br />

skills at the school’s live performances, recitals and<br />

concerts.<br />

Examination board: Edexcel<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

Students who take Music Technology A level can<br />

progress to degree courses, such as the Tonmeister<br />

degree at the University of Surrey, Music Production<br />

at Leeds College of Music, Music Production at<br />

Huddersfield University, Live Sound Engineering<br />

at ACM and Music Technology at Birmingham<br />

Conservatoire. Career opportunities may include<br />

sound engineering, music production, teaching,<br />

composing for film and media, music journalism and<br />

music software development.<br />

PHYSICAL EDUCATION<br />

Physical Education (PE) is a subject that will<br />

motivate and inspire you due to its diverse and<br />

wide range of topics. You will study a variety of<br />

units that are delivered in depth by experienced<br />

and dedicated sports coaches. Whether you have a<br />

passion for physiology or psychology, biomechanics<br />

or the history of sport, at <strong>Embley</strong> you will find your<br />

interests are encouraged and challenged.<br />

Your ability to analyse and interpret key factors on<br />

sport performance will be at the forefront of your<br />

studies, with much of the content being taught<br />

around your own sporting experience to maximise<br />

your learning and understanding. You will learn<br />

to think critically, evaluate and analyse your own<br />

approach, whilst reflecting on regular feedback for<br />

improvement.<br />

You will have the opportunity to take part in a<br />

selection of fieldtrips, such as fitness testing<br />

workshops at leading universities as well as<br />

historical tours at famous sporting sites such as<br />

Twickenham and Lords. These trips are carefully<br />

structured to supplement the course content<br />

and provide our students with live and practical<br />

experience of their exam topics.<br />

You will be assessed at the end of the two-year<br />

course by means of a practical assessment and<br />

written examination.<br />

Examination board: OCR<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

A Level Physical Education is an excellent base<br />

for a university degree in sports science, sports<br />

management, healthcare or exercise and health.<br />

It can also complement further study in Biology,<br />

Human Biology, Physics, Psychology, Nutrition and<br />

Sociology.<br />

1 6


PHYSICS<br />

People with a background in Physics are needed<br />

more than ever to monitor climate change and find<br />

sustainable ways of generating electricity. We also<br />

need more engineers to work out how to save water,<br />

improve the world’s food supply, make travel more<br />

environmentally-friendly and recycle waste on a<br />

large scale.<br />

At <strong>Embley</strong>, our dedicated teachers, high<br />

expectations and small class sizes enable all<br />

students to perform to the best of their ability. The<br />

well-equipped department brings theories to life<br />

and you will find out for yourself how things are<br />

related. A great emphasis is placed on practical<br />

work and learning through doing. Topics are always<br />

related back to the real-world and these come to life<br />

through our many trips, including a visit to CERN,<br />

and attendance at inspiring lectures and workshops<br />

at leading universities.<br />

The qualification builds on prior knowledge,<br />

understanding and processing skills gained from<br />

GCSE Science. You will already be familiar with<br />

many of the topics that you will study, including<br />

forces, waves, radioactivity, electricity and<br />

magnetism. At A Level, you will look at these<br />

areas in more detail and find out how they are<br />

interconnected. You will also learn how to apply<br />

Mathematics to real-world problems and explore<br />

new areas, such as particle physics.<br />

You will sit final assessments at the end of the<br />

second year of the course and this will comprise<br />

three written examinations. Practical and data<br />

analysis skills will be tested during these exams.<br />

Examination board: AQA<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

A Level Physics is an important qualification in a<br />

range of careers, including technology and science.<br />

It is useful for medical and veterinary careers and<br />

is a qualification which is welcomed in law, banking<br />

and accountancy, since a good A Level grade<br />

demonstrates a student’s analytical and problem<br />

solving skills and mathematical competencies.<br />

POLITICS<br />

Politics is the study of power. Who gets what,<br />

why and how? There is no better time to be<br />

thinking about this, with all the changes taking<br />

place in the way we are governed nationally and<br />

internationally. Who really holds the power to<br />

make policy? Does our electoral system create the<br />

strongest governments? Are referendums the most<br />

democratic way to make decisions?<br />

You will cover a broad range of topics and develop<br />

skills including critical analysis, problem solving<br />

and debate. You will analyse the politics of the UK<br />

and USA and explore the foundations of political<br />

thought, looking at liberalism, conservatism,<br />

socialism, anarchism and feminism.<br />

In addition to independent study and group<br />

discussions, we encourage you to join our Model<br />

United Nations (MUN) to discuss the challenges<br />

facing the world, learn about the work of the United<br />

Nations and debate global issues including climate<br />

change, conflict and human rights.<br />

Our Politics Department will help equip you with<br />

a political literacy and confidence to question and<br />

shape the challenges of the international world.<br />

They share their knowledge and passion to help<br />

students develop a mastery in the subject.<br />

Assessment is by three exams containing short<br />

answer, source based and essay questions.<br />

Examination board: AQA<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

Politics can be taken as a joint degree with subjects<br />

like History, Philosophy, Economics or Business, or<br />

as part of a combined Social Science degree. In<br />

addition, Politics is a good A Level for those wanting<br />

to follow international relations, public policy,<br />

American studies or international development.<br />

1 7


PSYCHOLOGY<br />

Psychology involves studying and exploring human<br />

behaviour and what drives it. It is one of the newest<br />

science subjects with its research having been<br />

developed within a very recent time-span and new<br />

ideas are always coming forward in the media to<br />

develop learning.<br />

You will play an active role in lessons, with plenty<br />

of opportunities to discuss issues in small groups<br />

and explore the latest research developments<br />

to illustrate and strengthen arguments. As well<br />

as being an active learning experience, you will<br />

improve your skills in note taking, analysis and<br />

evaluation of psychological research.<br />

In the first year of this course, you will study social,<br />

cognitive and biological psychology and learning<br />

theories (behavioural psychology). Alongside each<br />

topic you will participate in a practical research<br />

exercise, gathering data, analysing it and presenting<br />

it via a report format. This practical research<br />

exercise must adhere to ethical principles in both<br />

content and intention. While in your second year,<br />

you will study clinical psychology along with<br />

criminological, child or health psychology. Research<br />

methods, issues and debates will be studied for each<br />

unit and you will benefit from the drop-in support<br />

offered by the Psychology Department.<br />

You will have the opportunity to join field trips to<br />

bring your studies to life, including visits to the<br />

London Freud Museum, Bethlem Royal Psychiatric<br />

Hospital in London and to psychological exhibitions<br />

in London.<br />

There are three examination papers, each of two<br />

hours, at the end of this two-year course.<br />

Examination board: Edexcel<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

Psychology is a science and is recognised as such by<br />

many academic institutions. It has links with many<br />

academic areas, such as psychology of business,<br />

sport, education and criminal (forensic) psychology.<br />

It is useful for any career that involves working with<br />

people such as the police, medical professions,<br />

businesses of all kinds and in any profession where<br />

knowledge of the workings of the brain would be<br />

useful, for example, performance related careers,<br />

teaching or sport.<br />

RELIGIOUS STUDIES<br />

Religious Studies covers much more than just<br />

a history of religion. Equally important are<br />

philosophical and ethical ideas and you will study<br />

the theories of people such as Plato, Descartes,<br />

Nietzsche and their colleagues and formulate your<br />

own responses as part of this course.<br />

Our experienced team of teachers combined with<br />

small class sizes, highly engaging and interactive<br />

lessons and outstanding levels of support, lead to<br />

excellent outcomes for our students.<br />

You will have the opportunity to attend universitystyle<br />

A Level Lecture Conferences in London as<br />

well as attend seminars at a variety of leading<br />

universities. Our Religious Studies Department has<br />

a well-established history of regular trips to Prague,<br />

Krakow and Auschwitz, and Berlin and in <strong>2020</strong> there<br />

is a trip to Rome to investigate its cultural heritage,<br />

art and historic architecture. At school, you will be<br />

encouraged to join the Senior Debating Team and/or<br />

the PPE (Philosophy, Politics & Economics) Society.<br />

You will study three key components in the course:<br />

the philosophy of religion, the study of Ethics and<br />

the study of key concepts within the Development<br />

of Christian thought. Knowledge and understanding<br />

are externally assessed in three two hour papers at<br />

the end of the course.<br />

Examination board: OCR<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

Studying Religious Studies at A Level helps develop<br />

the critical skills necessary for a host of career<br />

options, including public services, journalism,<br />

media, medicine or nursing, teaching and the<br />

travel industry. At university, this qualification links<br />

well with the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences<br />

and it is a well-respected qualification within all<br />

higher education settings, including Russell Group<br />

universities.<br />

1 8


SPANISH<br />

Studying a Modern Foreign Language at A Level<br />

can open up a wealth of new opportunities and<br />

experiences. Spanish A Level builds on the core<br />

skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking<br />

gained through GCSE. During this course, you<br />

will develop a deeper understanding of Spanish<br />

in a variety of contexts and genres, and learn to<br />

communicate confidently, clearly and effectively for<br />

a range of purposes.<br />

Our lessons are largely taught in Spanish and our<br />

small class sizes mean that you will quickly develop<br />

your oral fluency and confidence, with individual<br />

guidance given in every lesson and plenty of<br />

opportunities for pair work, group discussions and<br />

lively debates.<br />

As part of the course, you will study a wide range of<br />

topics including: social issues and trends; political,<br />

intellectual and artistic culture; immigration and<br />

multicultural societies; and the Arts, literature and<br />

history - such as the Spanish Civil War and magic<br />

realism in Latin-American literature. As well as<br />

textbooks, we use newspaper articles, magazines,<br />

books, online resources and study trips which<br />

provide you with plenty of opportunities to immerse<br />

yourself in the language.<br />

At the end of this two-year course, you will<br />

be assessed through three exams: two written<br />

assessments and an internally conducted and<br />

externally assessed speaking paper.<br />

Examination board: Edexcel<br />

Where could this course take you?<br />

Our students have gone on to study Spanish at<br />

a number of Russell Group universities including<br />

the University College London and the University<br />

of Birmingham. The skills and qualifications that<br />

are gained from studying a language at A Level<br />

are incredibly important tools and Spanish can be<br />

combined with and can complement many courses<br />

at university. With the globalisation of the world<br />

economy, many businesses are keen to employ<br />

students who can speak a second language to a<br />

high level.<br />

1 9


SCHOLARSHIPS<br />

We make a limited number of scholarship awards<br />

each year following a competitive process. They<br />

recognise and reward outstanding achievement<br />

and potential in a range of areas that are important<br />

to the school. In return, we expect our scholars to<br />

work hard, contribute positively to the life of the<br />

school and to set a good example to other pupils.<br />

Scholarships are available to new and existing<br />

pupils entering our <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong>.<br />

There is an expectation that scholars will normally<br />

take their discipline at A Level. The value of award<br />

is determined by the Headmaster and scholarships<br />

are reviewed annually against criteria such as<br />

talent, effort and progression.<br />

Honorary scholars<br />

Honorary scholarships give no financial benefit<br />

but recognise a pupil’s potential and commitment<br />

to a discipline. They are encouraged to take part<br />

in the scholarship programme and benefit from<br />

its opportunities to develop their talent. Honorary<br />

scholars are either identified during the scholarship<br />

application process or during their time at <strong>Embley</strong>.<br />

The Nightingale Scholars’ Society<br />

The Society meets regularly and follows a<br />

programme of talks by experts on a variety of<br />

topics. Scholars are expected to attend small group<br />

tutorials with scholar mentors and complete mini<br />

projects each term. The mini projects enable our<br />

scholars to build a portfolio of work throughout<br />

their time with us. The depth and expectation<br />

of these projects will increase as our scholars<br />

progress through the school. Nightingale scholars<br />

are expected to participate fully in the life of the<br />

school. This includes attending co-curricular events<br />

as organised by the Head of Scholars and scholar<br />

mentors and, when appropriate, lead co-curricular<br />

events.<br />

Applying for a scholarship<br />

To support all scholarship applications, all<br />

applicants should write a brief personal statement<br />

to explain why he/she should be considered for the<br />

scholarship. This should be returned together with<br />

a completed scholarship application form and any<br />

additional information required to the Admissions<br />

Department by Friday 22 November 2019.<br />

Scholarship assessments<br />

Candidates are invited to attend a scholarship<br />

assessment in January before September<br />

entry. The assessments are led by our Heads of<br />

Department. Further details regarding each of the<br />

scholarship assessments will be communicated<br />

closer to the time.<br />

Academic Scholarships<br />

Our Academic scholars show high academic<br />

attainment across the curriculum and contribute<br />

to the intellectual life of the school. They have a<br />

thirst and passion for the academic opportunities<br />

at <strong>Embley</strong> and take a leading role in relevant cocurricular<br />

enrichment programmes. Academic<br />

scholarships are awarded to pupils who show<br />

commitment to their studies and demonstrate<br />

all round academic excellence. This will be<br />

supported by high attainment in internal and<br />

external examinations, the interview process and<br />

a supporting report from the Head of their current<br />

school. All academic scholarship applicants will<br />

be invited to an interview with a member of the<br />

school’s Senior Leadership Team.<br />

Art & Design Scholarships<br />

Candidates should be able to demonstrate skill and<br />

ability in a range of artistic areas or demonstrate<br />

a creative ability within design and show how<br />

they experiment and explore their creative ideas.<br />

Candidates will need to submit a portfolio of work,<br />

produced at home or school, by no later than<br />

Friday 10 January <strong>2020</strong>. This should be clearly<br />

labelled with the pupil’s name. Candidates will<br />

be selected for interview on the quality of their<br />

portfolio.<br />

In the portfolio, we are looking for:<br />

• A range of work showing a variety of skills<br />

• An ability to use a range of media and<br />

techniques in 2D, 3D and digital media<br />

• Examples of observational drawing, sketching<br />

and photography<br />

2 0


• Breadth and depth of approach and an<br />

understanding of contextual studies in Art,<br />

Craft & Design Technology, including an ability<br />

to make an informed connection between<br />

the candidate’s own work and that of artists,<br />

designers and crafts people<br />

• Sketchbooks, scrapbooks and journals which<br />

show genuine commitment, idea exploration<br />

and thought process<br />

• For designers, evidence of an understanding<br />

of design and production methods. All artwork<br />

should be mounted.<br />

Performing Arts Scholarships<br />

Drama scholarships are awarded to talented<br />

performers who are committed to playing a leading<br />

role in all aspects of drama and performing arts<br />

at school and within the community. Candidates<br />

should have a passion and flair for drama. They<br />

should be able to demonstrate excellent vocal<br />

skills, clear articulation and projection along with<br />

imagination and creativity. Pupils will be invited to<br />

an audition and interview with our Head of Drama<br />

in January.<br />

During the audition for Drama Scholarships,<br />

candidates will be asked to:<br />

• Perform a speech learned and prepared<br />

previously (the speech will be sent in advance<br />

to candidates)<br />

for providing their own accompanist, if needed.<br />

The pieces may be performed on any combination<br />

of instruments or voice. They will be interviewed<br />

informally about their past and present musical<br />

activities and may bring with them any evidence<br />

to support this and should be prepared to discuss<br />

what they enjoy about music making. Candidates<br />

can expect to be given tests of aural recognition,<br />

sight reading or improvisation.<br />

Sport Scholarships<br />

Candidates applying for this award should have<br />

displayed significant talent in their chosen sport.<br />

They should already have represented their chosen<br />

sport or physical activity at county level or be<br />

capable of achieving a similar standard. Our Sport<br />

scholars perform to a high standard in one or<br />

more sports, represent the school in a range of<br />

competitive sport within the school programme and<br />

display an excellent standard of personal health and<br />

fitness.<br />

Candidates wishing to apply for a Sport Scholarship<br />

should return a completed application form,<br />

together with copies of certificates of achievement<br />

to support the application. Pupils will be invited<br />

to attend an assessment in January where we will<br />

assess their skills in invasion games (e.g. hockey,<br />

rugby, netball), target games (e.g. cricket or<br />

rounders), net wall games (e.g. tennis) as well as<br />

sports specific fitness testing (e.g. athletics). Tasks<br />

will be set to assess agility, balance, co-ordination<br />

and speed.<br />

• Perform an improvisation in response to a task<br />

Please bring records of achievement in drama,<br />

certificates or public speaking awards to the<br />

interview.<br />

Music scholarships are awarded to musicians who<br />

demonstrate exceptional musical talent and are<br />

expected to participate fully in the musical life<br />

of the school. Candidates applying for a music<br />

scholarship in the <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> should demonstrate<br />

a musical ability to Grade 5+ as well as have a<br />

proficient grasp of music theory.<br />

Candidates will also be invited for an interview<br />

with our Director of Sport. During the interview,<br />

candidates will be asked to talk about their previous<br />

experiences, expertise and contribution to club or<br />

school performance.<br />

Pupils will be invited to an audition and interview<br />

with our Head of Music in January. Candidates<br />

are required to prepare two contrasting pieces of<br />

music. The arrangements should last no longer than<br />

10 minutes in total and candidates are responsible<br />

2 1


UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS<br />

OF RECENT LEAVERS<br />

Arts Educational School of Acting, London<br />

Arts University Bournemouth<br />

Bath Spa University<br />

Belmont Abbey, North Carolina, USA<br />

Birmingham City University<br />

Brighton & Sussex Medical School<br />

Cardiff Metropolitan University<br />

Carlton University, Ottawa, Canada<br />

Falmouth University<br />

Florida Atlantic University, USA<br />

Imperial College London<br />

King’s College London<br />

London College of Creative Media<br />

New England College, New Hampshire, USA<br />

Oxford Brookes University<br />

Queen Mary University of London<br />

Regent’s University, London<br />

Royal Holloway, University of London<br />

University of Birmingham<br />

University of Brighton<br />

University of Cardiff<br />

University of Edinburgh<br />

University of Essex<br />

University of Manchester<br />

University of Newcastle<br />

University of Nottingham<br />

University of Plymouth<br />

University of Portsmouth<br />

University of Reading<br />

University of Southampton<br />

University of West of England<br />

University of West of England, Bristol<br />

University of Westminster<br />

University of Winchester<br />

University of York<br />

York St John University<br />

University of Aberystwyth<br />

2 2


For all admissions enquiries please contact:<br />

<strong>Embley</strong>, <strong>Embley</strong> Park, Romsey, Hampshire<br />

s e n i o r s c h o o l SO51 6ZE p r e p s c h o o l SO51 6ZA<br />

t e l +44 (0)1794 512206<br />

www.embley.org.uk

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