The following points of general guidance will help you in
choosing your subjects.
- You should have a genuine interest in each of your chosen
subjects. You must under no circumstances choose a collection of
subjects simply because they were the ones in which you achieved
your best GCSE results. A realistic approach to choice is required,
and advice and guidance should be sought, if needed.
- You should have a sense of purpose from the outset. You should
appreciate where the course will take you, and realise that you
have made a significant step in leaving the GCSE years behind you.
You have moved from the study of a large group of subjects at a
somewhat elementary level, to the study of a small number of
subjects in depth. Work patterns will, therefore, be different and
inevitably much more demanding.
- You should select an appropriate quartet of subjects to study
for two years for your long-term goals. Where these are still
largely undecided, you should select an acceptable and workable
subject combination to give maximum flexibility in the future.
- You should realise that a place in the Sixth Form at Bolton
School is no guarantee of a place at a university or other
institute of higher education. Many university courses demand high
entry grades (in some cases straight As), together with evidence of
a record that demonstrates responsible attitudes and, across the
board, clear contributions to the community life of the
school.
- You should realise that success in the Sixth Form depends as
much on what you put into work as on what is put into you. You will
have to cope with tasks that are, at times, laborious, involving a
measure of routine learning, and, at other times, challenging,
involving a degree of difficulty and complexity not previously
encountered. It is of paramount importance that you are fully
engaged from the start of Year 12, and that you do not attempt to
treat this year as a period of rest and/or relaxation following the
GCSE programme.
- You should realise that university admissions tutors look not
only for academic success and individual potential, but that they
also place considerable importance on evidence of a candidate's
strong interest in a subject and your genuine commitment to
it.
- A minority of students may find academic study of more than
three obvious AS/A2 choices either difficult or unattractive. This
may be acceptable, depending upon the particular career or
university course that the student may have in mind. Students who
feel that this is the case should see the Headmaster to discuss
their position in more detail.
There is no hard and fast rule which helps to determine subject
choices. However, all medical schools will require Chemistry and
most now prefer at least one more science. Engineering will require
Mathematics and Physics, but, on the other hand, it is now possible
to study Law with almost any combination of A levels. Given that
language graduates are the most employable in the current job
market, it may help to consider a language as a fourth option.
Business Studies and Economics are quite clearly related.
Some universities prefer a contrasting fourth subject, whilst
others simply look for achievement at the highest possible level.
In the final analysis it is likely that you will be allowed to
follow whatever course you chose. However, it would be unwise to
decide before you have sought advice from your teachers and, in
particular, from the Director of Studies and the Headmaster.
A very sociable atmosphere but one that provides well for hard
study, when necessary.
Oliver, Year 13