Level 3 Courses
Advanced Level Courses
The majority of our students feel that Advanced Level courses offer the best preparation for entry to higher education and proposed career.  If you are already certain or even fairly clear about a particular degree course or career, ask for advice to check that the combination of subjects you have chosen is acceptable.

GCE A Levels

• In your first year at Aquinas you will follow an Advanced Subsidiary (AS) course.  This takes one year of study and represents the first half of a full A Level and is worth 50% of the value of a full A Level
• In your second year, you will continue your studies in some of these subjects to what is called A2 Level
• Successful completion of a subject at AS Level and at A2 Level equals a full A Level.  Most students at Aquinas, we expect, will study 3 subjects at A2 Level.  However, it will be possible to start new AS Levels in your second year.

The A Level syllabuses are made up of 6 units.  Some have an examination at the end of each unit, others have the assessment at the end of the AS and A2 courses.

Diplomas
From September 2010 our current curriculum will be extended to include Advanced Diplomas (and a limited number of Higher Diplomas), which can be taken alongside traditional A Levels.  The new Advanced Diploma is a highly regarded qualification and a flexible alternative to traditional A Level.  It will help keep your options open while easily leading to Higher Education or a rewarding career.  Based around work within a particular occupational sector this course allows you to work in different environments and experience varied learning styles while enjoying both practical and theoretical work.  In addition you will work in a team, think creatively, work independently and develop the ability to reflect and mange yourself.

By the end of the course you will be able to express yourself confidently and know how to apply your knowledge and skills in any work related situation.  In this way you will be highly valued by universities and employers.

Employment Skills Courses
There are a variety of skills and business subjects offered in the business and information suite. These 1 year programmes may be added to either A Level or GCSE programmes.

Level 2 Courses
GCSE Courses
If you do not achieve a grade C or above in English and/or Maths, we strongly advise you to enrol for the appropriate course.  However, we do not advise you to resit a subject in which you have been awarded an F or G grade.  A GCSE course at Aquinas College lasts only 9 months compared with the 2 year course at your previous school.  We only offer a limited number of GCSE courses.

Please Remember at Aquinas:

• The advice on this page is to guide and enable you to choose your course wisely.  We are here to help with individual problems and will listen carefully to your requests.  Above all, we do not want you to start on the wrong course and end up feeling frustrated or that you have wasted your time with us.
• The following courses will be available in September 2010 subject to demand
• We offer a place to each student as an individual, NOT subject to certain GCSE results.  Don’t worry about what subjects you will study at Aquinas. Concentrate on gaining the best grades you
  can in Year 11.
• You do not have to decide on the subjects you are to study until the September you enrol.  We will spend as long as it takes to help you choose the right course and/or subjects for you.
• Further details are available from the Admissions Manager at the college.

Core Studies
All students at Aquinas College follow Core Studies consisting of four elements:

• Complementary Studies
• Ethics
• Study Skills
• Tutorial

Complementary Studies
(Course durations vary – attendance strongly encouraged)
There is more to education at Aquinas than exams! Our extra curricular programme offers students real enrichment and diversity of experience. Students are offered the opportunity to add extra courses to their subject-based timetable in the following areas:

• Community Service
• Enrichment projects
• European exchange programmes
• General Studies
• Japanese courses
• Skills and interest courses
• Sporting activities
• Subject-based workshops

Ethics
(One class per week - attendance compulsory)
This course aims to identify and promote exploration of and reflection upon questions which have ultimate meaning and significance.  Students are encouraged to develop skills of critical enquiry and analysis.  The programme centres on core ideas central to Religion and Philosophy - faith, trust, belief, values and needs.  It is seen as an open-ended search for truth which respects the freedom and dignity of each student.  Active participation is encouraged.

Study Skills
These skills are recognised by employers and universities as essential. We offer a programme at different levels depending on need.

One concentrates on skills for working life. It will also include leadership activities and presentation skills along with an introduction to emotional intelligence and time management.

Another follows the AS Critical Thinking specification which offers students the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills which are central to the process of arriving at reason-based judgements.

Critical thinking is a fundamental academic competency and is useful for students taking a wide variety of advanced level subjects.  It is especially useful for those expecting to take one of the university entrance tests.

Any student enrolling at Aquinas without a qualification in IT will be helped to achieve one.  We also offer a brief Support and Monitoring course to help with the transition to college.

Tutorial
(up to 2 sessions per week - attendance compulsory)
This is an important part of the guidance and support system at Aquinas College. Each student is a member of a tutor group of over twenty students.  The group tutor is each student’s first point of contact and provides support with any problems encountered on a day-to-day basis as well as leading the tutorial period.  The programme followed concentrates on the personal, social and career development of the individual student.  At regular intervals each half-term, the group tutor discusses in detail the progress made in every area of college life. This procedure is named Progress Interview and is, by design, a twoway process.  Students are required to take an active part in reviewing their work, setting specific targets to be achieved during the next assessment period as well as recording their involvement in college life.