DOWNEND SCHOOL - A Technology College

The Kingswood Partnership offers a wide range of Advanced Level and AS (Advanced Subsidiary) Level Courses. A, and AS Levels are still one of the main routes to Higher Education.

AS Levels are one-year courses that give students an induction into the knowledge and methods of the subject. The AS bridges the gap between GSCE and A Level (A2) by providing an introduction to Post 16 Study. Students initially choose 4 AS Level in their first year, plus EPQ and General Studies.

For A Level Courses, a further year is necessary in which to further develop knowledge and understanding gained from the AS course by a range of in-depth studies. These courses prepare students for the approaches used in Higher Education. Students are advised to specialise in at least 2 but more usually 3 A Levels (A2) in their second year. All students are expected to take 3 courses in their final year.

We also offer students the chance to mix and match applied A Levels and traditional academic A Levels. Students have to commit themselves fully to their studies and use their private study time constructively in order to achieve their potential.

Level 3 Courses in the Kingswood Partnership. We offer AS and A Levels in:

Art	Geography
Biology	German
Business Studies	Government & Politics
Chemistry	Health and Social Care
Classical Civilisation	History
Critical Thinking(AS only)	ICT
D&T – Food	Law
D&T – Product Design	Mathematics
D&T – Textiles	Media Studies
Drama and Theatre Studies	Music
Engineering	Music Technology
English Lit/Lang	Philosophy
English Literature Film Studies	Photography
Film Studies	Physical Education
French	Physics
Further Maths	Psychology
General Studies	Religious Studies
	Sociology
	Spanish

Important Notes

1. Students who gain 5 A* to C grades including English and Maths will be able to select combinations of subjects. We advise most Level 3 students to take four subjects (AS levels) ; no one should choose less than three.
2. Students not gaining 5 or more GCSE’s at grade C or above will study a Level 2 Applied Programme in which they will choose a 1 year course, alongside re-sitting their GCSE Maths and English as required.