It must be appreciated that work at this level, whether AS or
A2, is extremely demanding. The courses are wide-ranging, yet of
considerable intellectual depth - much more so than courses at GCSE
level. We look for students who are self-motivated, and who realise
that much is expected of them in the two years of the Sixth Form.
Students now have to take responsibility for their own progress,
and to show initiative in planning work to ensure they meet
deadlines.
Regular reviews of progress are made, some formal, some
informal. All subjects are assessed by modular examinations taken
at up to four stages over the two years of the course. Grades for
university estimates are derived from the Year 12 AS examination
results, and all students are required to attain at least a grade
equivalent to a satisfactory final pass before they can move up
into Year 13. During Year 13 the progress of all students is
regularly monitored and checked, both formally and informally,
providing a system of continuous assessment, modelled on similar
procedures currently operating in universities and colleges of
higher education.