Subject Choices

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Francis Holland prides itself on the ability to offer a wide choice of subjects and every effort is made to accommodate different subject combinations. Teaching groups tend to be smaller, which allows staff to support students as much as possible.

Most Sixth Formers take three subjects in the Lower Sixth, although students with a very strong GCSE profile can take four subjects. Most students continue with three subjects to A Level in the Upper Sixth. Students taking three subjects in the Lower Sixth also take an elective course, some of which are examined. All students follow a general Life Skills programme (not examined), enjoy Sixth Form Lectures from external speakers, as well as take part in PE and PSHE. They have the additional opportunity to study for the Level 3 Extended Project Qualification.

Electives

The Electives are designed to provide additional breadth, foster intellectual curiosity and provide an opportunity for students to explore subjects not taught at school. Some of these additional courses lead to a qualification and all of them are designed both to extend and to enrich learning, providing a schooling for life.

The following enrichment courses are available to students in the Lower Sixth studying three A Levels:

Sports Leader Award*
Lessons in Financial Education*
Language for Business (French)*
Engineering Education Scheme*
Social and Cultural Thought of the Twentieth Century: Music, Art and Literature
Zine (Arts) Magazine

* These courses lead to external qualifications

More details of the electives currently on offer can be found in our A Level Subject Book.

Extended Project Qualification

The projects range in subject matter from ‘How did cricket assist political protest and reform in the West Indies?’ to ‘Can our environment affect our DNA without mutagens?’. Other subjects studied include ‘How can CAR-T cell therapy help cure cancer’ and ‘How does synaesthesia affect one’s perception of the world?’ The EPQ is undertaken in addition to A Levels and students are supported by a supervisor and a project coordinator.