General Information
Awards Sixth Form

Academic

Standard expected:

Awards are made to those who can be expected to gain high grades at ‘A’ level.

Nature of exam:

Candidates will be asked to sit papers as follows:

 A General English Paper of 1 1⁄2 hours, it will include a compulsory comprehension and a choice of questions that will range across current affairs, moral issues and the arts and sciences.

 Written papers of 11⁄4 hours in two subjects, preferably ones which the candidates hope to follow to A-Level.

The following subjects are available:

Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, German, History, ICT, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Spanish,

Candidates who wish to submit papers in subjects other than those listed above or wish to offer Art or Design and Technology in support of an academic scholarship should contact the Registrar. All papers are set on the understanding that candidates will have followed a wide variety of syllabuses in their GCSE courses. All subject papers will seek to test not only the soundness of the candidate’s knowledge but also potential in the subject. Modern Languages will include an oral. All candidates will be interviewed and will sit a Verbal Reasoning test.

Art
Standard expected:

All candidates will be required to present at the time of the examination a portfolio of recent examples of their own work. These may be in any medium and can include several sketches or prints mounted on a single sheet. Unfinished works and work in progress should also be included. The portfolio of work is considered of prime importance.

Nature of exam:

The examination will consist of a two hour session in which candidates will be asked to make a drawing or painting from a plant or fruit or flowers or other natural objects selected from the objects provided. Candidates will be interviewed, and their portfolio discussed with them. They will also sit a Verbal Reasoning test.

Design and Technology

Standard expected:

Candidates will be required to present at the time of the examination a portfolio of their best recent work. It should include:

• Problem(s) or situation(s) identification

• Design work to include the development of a design from initial ideas through to final presentation drawings

• Small pieces of practical work or photographic evidence of practical work (in more than one material)

• A written evaluation of a project

Nature of exam:

There will be a two hour examination when candidates will be asked to design a range of solutions to specific problems, and then after reasoned judgement choose their best solution. Candidates will be interviewed and expected to discuss their recent projects. They will also sit a Verbal Reasoning test.

Music

Standard expected:

Candidates are expected to offer two instruments but an award might be made to an outstanding candidate who offers only one. Voice can also be taken into account. As a guide a minimum standard of around Grade 7 is expected.

Nature of assessment:

Candidates will be expected to play two contrasting pieces on their first instrument, and at least one piece on any other instrument offered. There will also be sight-reading and aural tests together with questions about

musical knowledge and interests. In addition candidates will be interviewed and will be asked to sit a Verbal Reasoning test. The examination will not take more than two hours. (This is not the same examination as Music offered as a written paper for an academic award.)

Sport

Standard expected:

Awards will be made to those who can be expected to make an active contribution to the sporting life of the school, as individual players and as members of teams. They will be expected to provide leadership at their own level, by their example and sportsmanship and in their knowledge of the game. They will have achieved or be of a standard to achieve representative honours at County, Regional or National level.

The awards will be based on:

• a report from the present school, indicating the nature and the standard of the contribution to the school sport, as well as on general behaviour;

• Achievements outside the school at county or club level;

• Performance in the tests and interviews on the day.

Achievements in any sport that the school offers is welcome, but preference may be given to those able to contribute to the major sports.

Nature of assessment:

The tests will consist of

(i) test of physical attainment

(ii) performance on the day in their sport or sports

(iii) interview

Candidates will be asked to sit a Verbal Reasoning test.