General Studies

Upper Sixth Only
AQA General Studies A
Advanced Subsidiary (5761)
Advanced 6761

All Upper Sixth pupils study General Studies to AS level, then have the option of continuing to study for the A2 examinations. It is designed to broaden pupils' educational experience, reducing the effects of early specialisation, and it also provides an additional A-level qualification which is accepted by many universities alongside traditional subjects. It is NOT a test of general knowledge. General Studies is an important component of a well-rounded education.

How is it taught?

Teachers from a range of departments throughout the school contribute to the General Studies programme, providing both specialist knowledge and a variety of points of view. Discussion work, presentations, and tutorials provide a stimulating forum for learning and debate.

The course is delivered in 4 hours per fortnight cycle throughout the Upper Sixth year. All pupils attend classes until the January AS modules, but they then have a free choice of whether or not to continue. Pupils with a strong academic record may complete the course “off-timetable” without needing to attend lessons, but receiving individual guidance as necessary.

What use is it?

• Pupils continue to pursue a wide range of disciplines . It offers an introduction to law and politics which they may not encounter elsewhere. It produces well-educated young adults.
• Any universities which make points offers are bound to include General Studies points – the AS and A2 grades are worth exactly the same as any other AS or A2 subject.
• The inclusion of General Studies on a pupil’s UCAS form to ANY university shows that they are following a wider range of study, and distinguishes them from the mass of other applications for the same course.
• We have many years’ experience where pupils who do not quite qualify to take up their university offer have been accepted because they have performed well in General Studies

Critical Thinking

Upper Sixth Only
OCR
AS CRITICAL THINKING (H050)

Pupils applying for the top universities, and those who are applying for courses such as medicine, veterinary science, and law are encouraged to take AS level Critical Thinking instead of General Studies. Not only is this course recommended by universities, it also enables pupils to apply what they have learned to their other A level subjects, and hopefully to improve their performance across the board.

There are two modules, taken in June:

Module 1
Credibility of Evidence (1 hour 15 minutes, worth 40% of the AS)
This consists of structured questions based on one or more stimulus passages.

Module 2
Assessing and Developing Argument (1 hour 45 minutes, worth 60% of the AS level)
Multiple choice questions plus structured questions based on one or more stimulus passages.

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