Al Ain English Speaking School

Secondary School 

Entry to Year 12 is based on an interview with the Head of the Sixth Form, and Head of Secondary and a minimum of Five GCSE passes, (Grade C or above) and a teacher recommendation for the subject to be studied.
Usually, subjects selected to be studied at A Level require at least a grade B pass at GCSE. So that students have a solid foundation leading into Year 12.

At the end of two years in the Sixth Form, we expect students to have achieved a good quality set of Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Advanced Level grades, to have developed their skill in sports, and to move on to university as fully responsible adults with a strong sense of self worth.
The systems, structures and opportunities created for the Sixth Form are designed to achieve all these goals, not just good A Level grades.


 

Until universities move away from demanding good Advanced Level grades for admission, we will continue to focus on achieving these. However, even though three A Levels will continue to be at the heart of the curriculum, we expect the majority of students to begin Year 12 by following at least four AS Level courses. At the start of Year 13, the study of one of these may be discontinued whilst the others are taken through to full A Levels.
You may find the following questions and answers helpful. If you have any others, please do contact the Head of Sixth Form.

At Al Ain English Speaking School we place great emphasis on each student achieving their full potential and in order to do this we aim to work closely with parents and students in choosing the correct balance of subjects to follow in the 6th form.
We offer a wide range of subjects and the descriptions in this book are to give both parents and students an insight into what the subject will involve.
However, before choosing your subjects we would encourage you to meet the subject teachers and discuss whether a particular subject is the right choice for you. I would also recommend talking with our Head of Sixth Form and Headteacher, about subject combinations, to ensure that the chosen subjects form a balanced course of study and will provide students with the background needed to find a suitable university place.

Why study A levels?
The A level qualification has been the gold standard for entry into UK universities since its introduction and is recognized throughout the world as a sound basis for pursuing a university education. The introduction in the last decade of the option to study a number of subjects to AS level in Year 12 has allowed students to study a broader range of subjects and then to concentrate on pursuing key subjects to A level in Year 13.
How are A Levels structured?
There are now two parts to an A Level qualification: an AS taken at the end of the first year in the Sixth Form, and an A2 (the full award) taken at the end of the second year. The full A Level will be made up from units of work: 3 units will be studied for AS and a further 3 for A2 to complete the full A Level course.
 

What are the demands at AS and A Level?
It is expected that compared to GCSE, study of AS Level subjects will impose greater demands on the student. In addition to the sheer size of the syllabus and the quantity of work to be covered, some of the topics will prove challenging. This inevitably means that the student will need to revisit them, perhaps several times, before they are fully grasped and understood. Sixth Formers can expect to do considerable extra research and reading, and to structure their use of personal study time – it is why it exists, and is an important stepping-stone to university. In general, Sixth Formers must be prepared to take on greater responsibility for their own learning. As a rough guide, work during study-time and at home should at least be equal to the time spent in formal lessons.
 

What courses are on offer at A Level?
Art,
Arabic,
Biology,
Business Studies,
Chemistry,
English Language,
Geography,
History,
Applied Information Communication Technology,
Mathematics, (inc. Mechanics & Statistics)
Modern Foreign Languages (MfL) French or Spanish
Physical Education,
Physics,
Music, Psychology, Further Maths, Drama, Economics , General Studies and Spanish (*)

* Denotes: to be confirmed, or dependent on numbers
 

What about the standard of the AS (Advanced Subsidiary) Level?

The standard of work is designed to bridge the gap between GCSE and A Level. The AS will be worth 50% of the A Level assessment. These qualifications will have a value in their own right.

What should be considered in designing a course of study?

Higher education institutions’ entrance regulations should be checked for essential or preferred A Level subjects. Aptitude for the subjects is another obvious prerequisite. Ability to cope with workload, time management and organisational skills of the student are also important factors. The usual choice will be to choose four subjects from the subjects on offer at A Level. There will then be the opportunity to discontinue one these in Year 13 after taking the AS examination. The alternative is to choose three from the subjects on offer at A Level and then one from the two subjects on offer as a one year AS course.
 

What is ‘cashing in’?

‘Cashing in’ occurs when a student uses the marks which they have scored in AS or A2 examinations to obtain a certificate from the examining board. Sixth Formers pursuing the normal full, six unit, two year course in a subject will usually ‘cash in’ at the end of Year 13.

Where a student is studying a one year AS Level course or is not continuing the study of a subject taken in Year 12 into Year 13, they may request to ‘cash in’ at the end of year 12. Alternatively, this option may be exercised later when the student elects to re-sit a unit or units in an effort to score higher marks.

‘Cashing in’ is particularly useful when a student has to leave Al Ain English Speaking School at the end of Year 12. It gives the student a UK recognised qualification beyond GCSE standard. The AS Level certificate can be used to gain access to employment or to an A2 course in a UK curriculum education institution elsewhere.

AS is also accepted by USA universities for advanced placement.
For more detailed advice on the complicated and ever changing process of ‘cashing in’ please contact the examinations team at the school.