Courses Archive - Page 4 of 4 - Greenhead College

A Level Business

Why Study This Subject?

Business is one of the most interesting, relevant and varied subjects available. Newspaper and television headlines offer continual reminders of how important the business world is to us all. In recent years much attention has been directed to issues such as fair trade, business ethics, globalisation and e-commerce. Our students have investigated the success of Apple and Ryanair in comparison to the relative problems faced by HMV and Nokia. The topical nature of the subject makes it a fascinating addition to any choice of A Levels. In our most recent inspection report the department was awarded grade one, with special recognition given to the outstanding level of student achievement.

Students are expected to undertake 3-4 hours of independent work each week for this subject.

Topics you will cover

The Business course introduces students to the functional areas of a business: marketing, finance, operations and human resources. Students may decide to specialise in one of these at university. The course also covers business strategy and managing strategic change in relation to a global business environment. It looks at all types and sizes of business and analyses what they have to do to be successful.

Entry Guidelines

Other than the College’s general entry requirements there are no additional qualifications needed to study Business.

10% of the entire course is based on numerate skills. Long written answers also require a sound command of English language.

Enrichment Opportunities & Trips

In the ICAEW National Schools Business Competition our teams have won the regional finals four times and were runners up nationally. Students have won three awards during the world finals of the Global Student Challenge in Hong Kong on two occasions. Their business plan came third in the world and won the best environmental business award out of 191 teams. In another business competition, organised by Grant Thorntons, our students won iPad computers for being the best business in Yorkshire.

Our department has been credited in the Good Schools Guide for the best non-selective state school for Business Studies at A Level. The department gives every student the opportunity to visit famous businesses and speak first hand with entrepreneurs. First year students have been visited by local entrepreneurs including Nicola Mellor of Pepamint Marketing and the designer Stefanie Smith. Second year students have visited entrepreneurs Kirsty Henshaw, Dean Hoyle and Theo Paphitis at local events. Recent trips have included Jaguar Land Rover, Coca Cola, Man Utd, Nissan, IKEA and JCB. Further afield we have been to Shepherd Neame in Kent and the Crystal D’Arc glass factory in France. Second year students have the opportunity to visit New York with visits to the Federal Reserve Bank and Macys department store.

Skills you will develop

A Level Biology

We are a team of enthusiastic, dynamic, innovative and experienced staff, many of whom have experience as A Level examiners. We provide a very supportive environment to help you to reach your full potential. There are 14 specialist biology teachers who teach more than 1000 students, making us one of the largest A Level Biology departments in the country. Our results are consistently much higher than the National averages.

If you plan to follow a science or health-related degree course at university, Biology is very desirable and often obligatory. For medicine or dentistry, Biology is usually compulsory.

Students are expected to undertake 3-4 hours of independent work each week for this subject.

Topics you will cover

The department offers the 2 year AQA A Level course in Biology.

Year 1

Biological molecules
Cells
Exchange with the environment
DNA and genetic variation

Year 2

Energy Transfer
Response to the environment
Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
DNA and gene expression

All students are required to participate in Practical work and Fieldwork.

Entry Guidelines

Grades 6/6 in GCSE Science AND Grade 5 GCSE Mathematics OR Grade 6 in GCSE Biology, Grade 5 in GCSE Chemistry AND Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics.

Enrichment Opportunities

We offer a variety of extension and enhancement projects including Biology Olympiad, Science Teaching, First Aid, Balloon Modelling, War Hammer, Wildlife Photography and Introduction to British Sign Language. We also organise guest speakers from universities to deliver presentations to our students to enhance their learning experience.

Skills you will develop

A Level Art & Design

Our Art and Design A Level course offers students many opportunities to get involved in their own area of interest. Many students choose to work across a number of specialisms as they develop their ideas and creative identity. Between 50-60% of our students go on to Art and Design related courses post-18 including Foundation, as well as direct entry onto degree courses such as Fine Art, Textile Design, Fashion Design, Graphics and Advertising, Photography, 3D, Multimedia, Architecture, Product Design, and Illustration.

All lessons take place in purpose built specialist studios and workshops. We have facilities for painting, printmaking, black and white photography, digital imaging, moving image, graphics, textiles and fashion. The studios are alive with a diversity of ideas and methods of work and many students gravitate towards the art studios in their own time to continue their work in a supportive, highly creative and happy environment.

As a department we very much want your art experience to excite and challenge you creatively as well as develop social, interpersonal and communicative skills.

Students are expected to undertake 3-4 hours of independent work each week for this subject.

Course Overview

Eduqas Art, Craft and Design

At Greenhead we offer a broad-based A Level art and design course that gives students the opportunity to experience a range of specialist areas before making informed choices about the areas in which they would like to specialise. The emphasis of the course is on developing your own ideas and creativity with constant reference to contemporary art practice and culture.

You will be given on-going and constant feedback that will allow you to refine and develop your working practices allowing you to meet your full creative potential. Through a combination of slideshows, discussions and gallery visits we will introduce you to a wide range of contextual sources both historical and contemporary allowing you to make personal and informed responses to the work of current artists, designers and craftspeople.

The first year of the course is designed to introduce you to a range of different art processes, techniques and materials as well as challenging your idea of what art is. You will be given the opportunity to experiment within a range of specialist areas such as paint, printmaking, textiles, graphics, black and white photography, moving image, digital imagery and fashion.

Comments from Students

The support we receive is great, the teachers are always there to listen and help when it is needed, they are kind and art has helped me become more confident in my own personal development.

I have no problem approaching my teacher which makes me feel at ease and less stressed.

A Level Art will always stay with me, as I enjoyed the course so much. It was very difficult for me yet also very rewarding.

Brilliant, my teacher makes the environment calm and enjoyable.

Entry Guidelines

Other than the College’s general entry requirements there are no additional qualifications needed to study Art and Design, although the best foundation for success in A Level Art is a good grade at GCSE.

However if you are creative or have an aptitude for the subject, you may have the basic skills to succeed. To be successful in A Level Art and Design you should be prepared to work hard at developing your work. You should have an interest in creating and understanding art and the determination to develop that interest.