1. Year 12 Options Assembly
Monday 20th 2017

2. 56 Days to first exam Approx 30 School DAYS 112 HOURS
14 HOURS PER SUBJECT=
1 DAY PER SUBJECT!!!!
Approx 30 School
DAYS

3. Subject Choices September 2017

4. Entrance Requirements
Minimum 5 GCSE A*- C grades
Most subjects require you to have minimum of Grade B at GCSE Level
Minimum of Grade C in Maths and English
Excellent attendance record
Excellent behaviour record
Excellent work ethic

5. Range of Subjects on offer
Art & Design Digital Technology (ICT)
Business Studies Mathematics
Biology BTEC Level 3 Creative Media
Chemistry Music
Drama & Theatre Studies BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts
BTEC Public Services BTEC Level 3 Engineering
Physics Applied Science
English Literature Psychology
Geography Religious Studies
Health and Social Care (Single and Double)
BTEC Sports Studies (Single and Double)
History Software Systems Development
Home Economics Technology & Design
BTEC Childcare

6. Banbridge Area Learning Community
Banbridge Academy
Banbridge High School
Dromore High School
Southern Regional College
St Patrick’s College
Transport will be organised by the College and pupil progress is tracked through our tracking system. Parents meetings and reports are issued in line with College procedures for all Sixth form courses.

7. GEOGRAPHY     A - Level Geography requires a good GCSE foundation in order to study it. Course requirements involve • A minimum Grade C in GCSE • A genuine interest in the subject • AS level builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed within GCSE Geography; • A2 builds upon the foundation of knowledge, understanding and skills developed at AS level, and provides the basis for further study of Geography.
AS MODULES (40%) AS1 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (1hr. 15mins): Rivers, ecosystems and weather/climate, and the human interaction with them. AS2 - HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (1hr. 15mins): Human processes of population, settlement and development, and how they change over space and time. AS3 – FIELDWORK SKILLS & TECHNIQUES IN GEOGRAPHY (1hr.): This module examines geographical skills, those relating to fieldwork and manipulation of secondary data. A2 MODULES (60%) A2/1 - PHYSICAL PROCESSES,LANDFORMS & MANAGEMENT (1hr. 30mins): This examines two physical Geography units developed beyond the level studied in AS A2/2 – PROCESSES & ISSUES IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (1hr. 30mins): This module examines two human Geography units developed beyond the level studied at AS A2/3 – DECISION MAKING IN GEOGRAPHY (1hr. 30mins): Students analyse resource data, examine conflicting arguments and make and justify recommendations.  

8. Business Studies
Introduction to the business sector and encourage candidates to develop skills, knowledge and understanding in realistic business contexts, such as discovering the problems and opportunities faced by local businesses and/or organising an enterprise activity.  
Study the practices and techniques used within marketing, finance, operations management, human resource management. Social and ethical issues in business.
AS Single Award
Assessment
A2 Single Award
Creating a marketing proposal
Portfolio
Strategic decision making
External exam
Recruitment in the workplace
A business plan for the entrepreneur
Understanding the business environment
External Exam
Constructing a financial strategy

9. BTEC LEVEL 3 ENGINEERING Btec Level 3 Engineering
Specialist work-related programme of study
Learning about Engineering Principles, Mathematics, Design and Manufacture.
Qualification equivalent to A-Level.
The BTEC Level 3 Engineering provides opportunities for learners to enhance a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in their working lives and career development.
Btec Level 3 Engineering 
Unit 1 Engineering Principles (120) Core
Unit 2 Delivery of Engineering Processes Safely as a Team (60) Core
Unit 3 Engineering Product Design & Manufacture (120) Core
Work Experience in the Engineering Sector (60) Optional

10. BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Public Services
BTEC LEVEL 3 PUBLIC SERVICES
Inspire and enthuse learners to consider a career in the public service sector.
Gain a broad knowledge and understanding of the public service sector.
Provide opportunities for the development of transferrable skills gained through outdoor learning, through walking expeditions and navigation skills.
If successfully completed it provides a qualification equivalent to A-Level.
BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Public Services
Core Units
Unit 1 Government, Policies and the Public Services
Unit 2 Leadership and Teamwork in the Public Services
Unit 3 Citizenship, Diversity and the Public Services
Optional Units
Unit 35 Land Navigation by Map and Compass
Unit 4 Understanding Discipline in the Uniformed Public Services

11. HOME ECOMONICS
Builds upon the foundation of knowledge, understanding and skills developed within
GCSE Home Economics and related subjects.
A study of GCSE is useful preparation for AS and Advanced GCE level but not a prerequisite.
However, a grade B at GCSE is recommended as this subject is demanding and involves independent study.
UNIT
ASSESSMENT FORMAT
DURATION
WEIGHTING AND MARKS
AS 1: Nutrition for Optimal Health
External assessment
(compulsory)
1 hour 30 minutes
50% of AS
25% of Advanced Level
Unit AS 2: Priority Health Issues.
Unit A2 1: Consumer Issues.
2 hour exam
Unit A2 2: Research-based Assignment.

12.  MUSIC
Entry Requirements You must have studied Music to GCSE level and achieved grade B or above in
order to study the subject in Sixth Form.
You should already play an instrument and/or sing and have some understanding
of basic harmonic progressions and staff notation.
The minimum standard for technical difficulty for:
• AS Performing is Grade 4 or equivalent
• A2 performing is Grade 6 or equivalent
Units of Study
AS1 – Making and Appraising Music % Practical
AS2 – Responding to Music % Written Exam/Listening
A21 – Making and Appraising Music 2 30% Practical
A22 – Responding to Music % Written Exam/Listening

13. PSYCHOLOGY What is Psychology?
Psychology is the science of mind and behaviour. Its immediate goal is to understand behaviour and
mental processes by researching and establishing both general principles and specific cases.
Entry Requirements: A good GCSE background required, especially good grades in English,
mathematics and biology.
Course Content:
Unit One: Introductory topics in psychology
Social Influence , Memory, Attachment, Psychopathology
Unit Two: Psychology in Context
Approaches, Biopsychology, Research Methods
Unit Three: Issues and Options in Psychology
Gender, Schizophrenia, Forensic Psychology
Assessment for A Level : Three papers each lasting 2 hours (worth 33.3% each).
Questions include multiple choice, short answers and extended writing.

14. SOFTWARE SYSTEMS Written examinations and internal assessment.
It includes the essential skills of programming and user testing. The ability to write computer programs
in languages that are used widely in the industry is one of the most valuable skills to have in the world
today. Knowing languages such as C# allows students to program and develop applications on a range of
platforms such as desktops and mobiles
It has been designed to help students:
• develop subject knowledge, understanding and skills that will prepare
them for work in today’s software industry;
• demonstrate their understanding and application of key concepts
through challenging internal and external assessments;
• apply their skills to relevant work-related scenarios; and
• research, develop and present their findings in a variety of formats.
COURSE CONTENT
AS 1: Introduction to Object Oriented Development 2hr Exam 25%
AS 2: Event Driven Programming 25% Coursework
A2 1: Systems Approaches and Database Concepts 2hr Exam 25%
A2 2; Implementing Solutions 25% Coursework
Written examinations and internal assessment.
SOFTWARE SYSTEMS .

15. TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN
Studying product design you will study either electronic and microelectronic control systems or mechanical pneumatic control systems.
Taking GCE Technology and Design would also be beneficial when combined with other subjects. The fields of Art, ICT and Physics are just a few of the areas which would be enhanced by the skills and knowledge gained through the study of Technology and Design.
AS1 – Product Design and Systems and Control 2hr Exam 25%
AS2 – Coursework: Product Development 25% Coursework
A21 – Systems and Control 2hr Exam 25%
A22 – Coursework Product – System, Design and Manufacture 25% Coursework
Entry Requirements
Technology and Design at GCSE level and a B grade or higher.  
Assessment
Written examinations and coursework.

16. Key Dates Thursday 24th August: GCSE Examination Results Day
Monday 27th s March: Return Sixth Form Application Form
Thursday 24th August: GCSE Examination Results Day
Thursday 24th August: Sixth Form Interviews

17. Whatever you choose to do.. Do your best!!!