Curriculum

Introduction

There is lots of flexibility at St Catherine’s over the choice of subjects, enabling you to specialise in those you most enjoy and at which you are most successful. If you do have a specific career in your sights, then bear this in mind when you make your choices. If you do not, do not panic. You are almost certainly in the signficiant majority at this stage which is absolutely fine!

The flexibility of our system enables you to choose any three A Level subjects from our list and an additional subject - a subsidiary - to enhance your experiences for the L6 only. This may be a subject that you want to pursue to complement your other A Level subjects and have recognised in a formal qualification, or it could be something you want to pursue for fun. Your university application will be enhanced by having a broader portfolio and your week will be even more enjoyable. In making your subject choices, you will find a great deal of advice on hand, both if you are a current student or want to join St Catherine’s. Just ask us. 

Why A Levels not IB?

There are a number of reasons why we continue to offer A Levels at St Catherine’s, rather than International Baccalaureate, or a mixture, but chief amongst these is that they continue to be the best guide to potential. University admissions tutors have told us that they like the fact that A Level students have studied topics in depth. The A Level structure also offers students much more flexibility and personal choice; for example, in IB you may not study all three sciences together, which many girls wish to do at St Catherine’s, and indeed do so with great distinction.

We believe students about to enter the Sixth Form here are already highly qualified at GCSE across a broad range of subjects.  They are more than capable of making well-informed choices, fully ready to focus on subjects they enjoy and which will prepare them for Higher Education and potential career choices. Girls can choose freely from 28 subjects. Additional languages such as Mandarin, Cantonese and Russian are also available by arrangement.

Why Subsidiaries not the EPQ?

We have an annual Sixth Form essay competition which is an optional research piece over the summer holidays at the end of L6.  This is essentially the same as an EPQ in terms of independent, in-depth research into any topic and then a university-style essay.  It is externally judged, by a university professor, and viewed as a prestigious competition.  In the past, we have asked girls to present their essay findings during a SCOPE session to their year group, which also builds on presentation skills.  Essentially, they can do an EPQ just on a slightly smaller scale and we call it something different!  

Students do other research projects and run things themselves as self-starters, such as Medical Feading Club, which is also valuable for personal statements and Oxbridge interviews: the super curriculum.  Students should then not need extra UCAS points if they are providing evidence of other projects and independent study.   The super curricular and independent nature of anything done proactively cannot be underestimated when it comes to impressing a university. If we taught the EPQ, it could be read as more an expectation from the school than something that someone was motivated to do for the love of learning.

The EPQ would not make any difference to the results we gain at A Level or the types of courses our students apply for, and we would prefer them to have time to help secure the highest A Level grades and also be able to keep up activities they enjoy.  Universities want work experience and evidence of scholarly things, but above all they want three top grades.  

The subsidiary subjects provide a moment of relaxation in an otherwise hectic week as a St Cat's Lower Sixth Former.  Students are either gaining specific skills in an informal way, for example in the Beginners' Italian and DT classes, or enjoying some mindfulness to benefit their mental health, for example in the Art and Textiles classes.  This ensures they have access to a broad curriculum with no added pressure, yet continue to learn for learning's sake.  

A Level Subjects

Students opt for three A Level subjects and have complete flexibility in their choices.  To explore each subject, course content and how the A Level subject is assessed read our Sixth Form Prospectus from p. 45.

Biology*	Further Mathematics	Physical Education*
Business	Geography	Physics
Chemistry	German	Politics
Classics	Greek	Product Design (DT)
Computer Science	History	Psychology
Drama & Theatre Studies	History of Art	RS
Economics	Latin	Spanish
English*	Mathematics	Textiles
Fine Art	Music
French	Photography

You will also select one Subsidiary subject to study alongside your A Levels in the Lower Sixth.  To find out about your Subsidiary options, see the specific section above.  

* Students have to take an AS examination at the end of Year 1.

In 2023, 16% of grades were at A*, 60% A*-A and 87% A*-B.   85% of girls secured their first choice of University and a further 10% their second choice.  64% of girls went to a Russell Group University, 11% to overseas universities and 6% to Oxbridge.  The remainder went to non-Russell Group or specialists Music Conservatoires. 

Click here to look at our recent A Level Results

There are particular subjects which may be required or expected for entry to certain degree courses. These requirements may change as universities adjust their expectations, but at present the following guidelines should be borne in mind.

Career Area	Useful A Levels
Architecture	Some universities express a preference for A Level Design Technology or Fine Art and all will want to see a portfolio of visual work – drawings, sketches, photography, painting, or collages. A few may ask for Maths or Science at A Level but in most cases the entry requirements these days are not subject specific.
Business Studies, Management	Mathematics helpful, but not essential.
Computer Science	Maths and Physics, and most undergraduates at Russell Group universities will also have studied Further Maths.
Economics, PPE	Mathematics is essential for Economics and Further Mathematics is highly recommended, particularly if you have Oxbridge aspirations.  History and Maths may be useful for PPE but university requirements should be checked as they vary considerably.
Engineering	Mathematics and Physics essential; Further Mathematics very useful, especially for aspirational courses.
Foreign languages	Two languages (modern or classical) desirable, but many universities will allow you to start a language ab initio, that is, from scratch, in conjunction with a language that you have already studied to A Level.
Law	Any A Levels but ideally with one essay based subject e.g. English, History, Religious Studies.
Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Pharmacy	Chemistry is almost always required and Biology is strongly advised. If you are considering putting Cambridge as one of your choices for Medicine or VetMed, Maths is the preferred 3rd A Level, however, most courses will not state a preferred third A Level although Psychology has been a popular - and logical - choice for Medical applicants.
Natural Science	Mathematics plus at least two of the three sciences advised.
Psychology	A science is required for BSc, (which can be Psychology) but entry via arts subjects for BA courses is possible. Two sciences/Maths recommended for Oxbridge.

 

Your academic support team include: your tutor, your teachers, the subject Head of Department, U6 Subject Mentors, your Boarding Housemistress and the Head of Sixth Form.  We also have our Academic Mentoring department to support those with any additional learning needs.  Subject clinics are also available where, on Tuesday - Friday, a supervised period of 30 minutes allows you to access additional subject support. If appointed as a Subject Mentor you may also be asked to help lead in clinics and assist younger girls, consolidating your own subject knowledge and confidence as you do so. Subject Mentors particularly enjoy this opportunity to develop their higher order thinking skills and learn more through teaching. 

What is the Subsidiary Programme?

Subsidiary subjects give your Sixth Form experience more substance. Alongside your chosen three A Levels, you will select a course to study in the Lower Sixth for two hours a week with self-directed additional study depending on the course you choose. 

Your chosen subsidiary will either: 

• Complement your A Levels and enhance your UCAS application or CV and/or 
• Continue with a creative art or skill that you love, developing your creativity or finding a mindfulness moment in your busy week. 

The subsidiary subjects can vary from year to year depending on staffing schedules but examples include Design Engineering, Psychology, Italian for Beginners, Spanish and Latin American Film, Photography and Sculpture. The final list for Sept 2024 will be available in the Summer Term of 2024.  For more information on Subsidiaries see our Sixth Form Prospectus here.