Are you interested in how our country works, what different political parties stand for and how relations with different countries operate? Do you know what the difference between a written and unwritten constitution is and how this explains some of the political turmoil in the United Kingdom in recent years? Would you like to know more about how to make your voice heard over the fundamental issues of our times; such as climate change or equality? Are you interested in a career in the civil service, law, or journalism? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes,’ then Politics is the subject for you! A Level Politics is the study of the structures of government and the concepts behind it. Over the two year A Level you will gain a thorough understanding of how our government works, the make-up of our country, elections and what each political party believes in and the principles they seek to introduce. You will also gain an understanding of politics on the international stage and how problems and issues are discussed and dealt with in different ways. You will also explore theory and thinkers behind key political ideology including Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism and Feminism. This A Level is taught from the EDEXCEL board over two years. You will sit three papers at the end of your second year and the subject is fully exam assessed. A Level Politics add to basket Awarding Body Hours Per Week UCAS Points Pass Rates Campus Level Edexcel 4.5 A* = 56 91% Filton 3 73% A*-C If you are looking to study A-Levels please apply for up to three subjects. Simply add each course to your basket or visit our Apply section . Apply now for 2025/2026, simply add the course to your basket to start the enrolment process. Summary Are you interested in how our country works, what different political parties stand for and how relations with different countries operate? Do you know what the difference between a written and unwritten constitution is and how this explains some of the political turmoil in the United Kingdom in recent years? Would you like to know more about how to make your voice heard over the fundamental issues of our times; such as climate change or equality? Are you interested in a career in the civil service, law, or journalism? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes,’ then Politics is the subject for you! A Level Politics is the study of the structures of government and the concepts behind it. Over the two year A Level you will gain a thorough understanding of how our government works, the make-up of our country, elections and what each political party believes in and the principles they seek to introduce. You will also gain an understanding of politics on the international stage and how problems and issues are discussed and dealt with in different ways. You will also explore theory and thinkers behind key political ideology including Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism and Feminism. This A Level is taught from the EDEXCEL board over two years. You will sit three papers at the end of your second year and the subject is fully exam assessed. Entry Requirements A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 and above, including Maths. A grade 5 or above in English Language. Course Content Year 1 In the first year you will study two units. 1. ‘UK Politics’: In this unit you will gain an understanding of what democracy is and what systems we use in the United Kingdom for both direct and representative democracy. You will look at the extension of voting rights and how human rights have been developed. You will gain an understanding of the different political parties and their beliefs in the United Kingdom. You will examine referendums and our voting systems and analyse their strengths and weaknesses. Lastly you will look at how voting behaviour is influenced by the media and critically evaluate what happened in the last three general elections. 2. ‘UK Government’: This unit focuses on the structures of government in the United Kingdom and explores the nature of the unwritten constitution, how Parliament works, the powers of the executive and the relationship between the two. It also explores other institutions such as the Supreme Court and analyses where sovereignty in the UK political system lies. You will gain a thorough understanding of the make-up of the UK Political system and processes for making laws. Year 2 In the second year you will study two more units. 3. ‘Comparative Global Politics’: This unit explores the global political system. You will study globalisation and the role of the state in a global economy as well as global governance institutions, such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organisation. You will also look at key issues such as human rights, environmental concerns, and regionalism before finally looking at issues in international relations and power blocs. 4. ‘Core and Non-core Political Ideologies’: In this unit you will look at the key concepts and ideas behind the main political ideologies in the United Kingdom of Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism. You will explore how these concepts have evolved over time and who the key thinkers in these ideologies are. You will also study the ideology of feminism in the same manner to explore how this ideology has developed and changed over time. Progression Routes Studying politics is useful for a range of careers that require an understanding of the political structures in our country and worldwide. This includes journalism, the civil service, work in the charity sector, academia or in business. Many subjects are good combinations for Politics, including History and Law due to the obvious similarities in content, Geography due to the global politics unit and sections on issues and debates. English Language and Literature are also good subjects, due to the focus on essay writing and constructing arguments. Economics and Philosophy are also useful subjects, especially if you wish to go onto to do a PPE based course at university. Additional Learning Opportunities There are many opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom for Politics. This includes a trip to Parliament to see the seat of our democracy. We have also previously held a husting in the Sixth Form for candidates for the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency in the general election. Politics learners may find it useful to join our Social Academy which organises cultural awareness and political events throughout the year and would benefit from membership of our Legal, Sociology or History Academies. "SGS Sixth was an amazing experience for me. My teachers were always on hand to help with any of my problems and ensure I achieved my maximum potential." Student Support Our Team Find out more about our outstanding staff and departments, dedicated to providing you with outstanding learning and support. Careers Advice Academies

Have you ever wondered how the free market operates and how the government intervenes to improve its operation? Do you want to know more about why there are such high taxes on products such as alcohol and tobacco and why legislation is passed? Do you want to know what causes inflation and economic growth and how macroeconomic policies can be used to improve the economy? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then Economics is the subject for you! Economics is the study of the economy. It explores both microeconomics, which looks at the workings of individual markets and the choices that individuals, businesses, and nations make in response to limited resources and challenges. It also looks at macroeconomics which is the study of the economy as a whole. You will gain a firm foundation of how markets work and sometimes fail and what governments attempt to do to manage the economy. Economics is taught from the AQA board. At the end of the second year, you will sit the full A Level exam composed of three examination papers, each worth a third of the final grade. A Level Economics add to basket Awarding Body Hours Per Week UCAS Points Pass Rates Campus Level AQA 4.5 A* = 56 100% Filton 3 If you are looking to study A-Levels please apply for up to three subjects. Simply add each course to your basket or visit our Apply section . Apply now for 2025/2026, simply add the course to your basket to start the enrolment process. Summary Have you ever wondered how the free market operates and how the government intervenes to improve its operation? Do you want to know more about why there are such high taxes on products such as alcohol and tobacco and why legislation is passed? Do you want to know what causes inflation and economic growth and how macroeconomic policies can be used to improve the economy? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then Economics is the subject for you! Economics is the study of the economy. It explores both microeconomics, which looks at the workings of individual markets and the choices that individuals, businesses, and nations make in response to limited resources and challenges. It also looks at macroeconomics which is the study of the economy as a whole. You will gain a firm foundation of how markets work and sometimes fail and what governments attempt to do to manage the economy. Economics is taught from the AQA board. At the end of the second year, you will sit the full A Level exam composed of three examination papers, each worth a third of the final grade. Entry Requirements A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 and above. A grade 5 in both GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths We recommend learners studying Economics also consider choosing Core Maths as a fourth subject to continue their mathematical development. Course Content You will study two units in the first year and two more units in the second. Year 1 1. ‘The Operation of Markets and Market Failure’: This unit gives you an introduction to microeconomics. You will look at different economic models and apply these to current issues. You will look at how supply and demand works, the operation of the price mechanism and what the causes of market failures are. You will evaluate different forms of government intervention to reduce market failure in real-world contexts. 2. ‘The National Economy in a Global Context’: This unit is an introduction to macroeconomics. You will explore what sits behind macroeconomic performance and how the models of circular flow of income and aggregate supply and demand help explain it. You will also see how governments try to implement monetary, fiscal and supply policies to meet macroeconomic objectives in regards to economic growth, inflation, employment and international competitiveness. Year 2 3. ‘Individuals, Firms, Markets and Market Failure’: This unit explores further how individuals make decisions using traditional theory and behaviour economics. Market structures including perfect competition, monopolies and oligopolies are explored in more detail. Labour markets are also studied, including the impact of trade unions, dominant employers and discrimination on wage rates and levels of employment. The distribution of income & wealth and market failure and government intervention are further developed and you will also study about the role of privatisation, nationalisation, and competition policy. 4. ‘The National and International Economy’: This last unit further develops an understanding of the UK economy and government policies as well as developments in the world economy; such as globalisation and economic development and the importance of exchange rates and international trade. Progression Routes Learners studying Economics often find that this goes well with Business and Politics due to the overlap of economic and political themes. Another good combination is Economics, Politics and Religion, Ethics and Philosophy to mirror a PPE programme that is offered at top universities. Economics is also a natural subject to take alongside Mathematics, History, and Psychology. Studying Economics at A Level naturally gives you a firm understanding to be able to study Economics Degrees at university and dependent on your other choices may allow you to gain an area of specialism; for example, if you wish to study Economic History, or Global Finance, or Business Law. Studying Economics also gives you opportunities for a variety of different careers from government policy analysists to careers in finance, accounting and marketing. Additional Learning Opportunities You will have opportunities to learn outside the classroom. Previously we have held a political hustings in the Sixth Form with candidates standing in the general election and learners have been able to grill them on their party’s policies. We also have regular talks from individuals and groups from the world of business and finance. Learners studying this subject also get the opportunity to join our Business Academy where they get their own opportunity to start a use their knowledge in a real world context. "SGS Sixth was an amazing experience for me. My teachers were always on hand to help with any of my problems and ensure I achieved my maximum potential." Student Support Our Team Find out more about our outstanding staff and departments, dedicated to providing you with outstanding learning and support. Careers Advice Academies

Are you considering choosing an A level that contains a mathematical element; such as Business, Psychology, Economics, Geography or a Science but don't want to do a full A Level in Maths? Are you wanting to continue your development in maths beyond GCSE? Would you like to know how to apply maths to budgeting and personal finance? If the answer to any of the above is ‘yes’, then Core Maths is the subject for you! Core Maths is a one-year subject taken as a fourth option alongside your other A Level choices. It is an opportunity for you to continue to develop and hone your mathematical skills which are especially important in a range of subjects that require good levels of mathematical skill. Core Maths carries the same amount of UCAS points as an AS qualification (up to 20 UCAS points) and is taught on the AQA specification. You will sit two papers at the end of the year, both 1 hour and 30 minutes long and worth 60 marks. You will sit Paper 1 and Paper 2A - Statistical Techniques and can take a scientific calculator into both exams. L3 Core Maths add to basket Awarding Body Hours Per Week UCAS Points Pass Rates Campus Level AQA 4.5 20 New Filton 3 If you are looking to study A-Levels please apply for up to three subjects. Simply add each course to your basket or visit our Apply section . Summary Are you considering choosing an A level that contains a mathematical element; such as Business, Psychology, Economics, Geography or a Science but don't want to do a full A Level in Maths? Are you wanting to continue your development in maths beyond GCSE? Would you like to know how to apply maths to budgeting and personal finance? If the answer to any of the above is ‘yes’, then Core Maths is the subject for you! Core Maths is a one-year subject taken as a fourth option alongside your other A Level choices. It is an opportunity for you to continue to develop and hone your mathematical skills which are especially important in a range of subjects that require good levels of mathematical skill. Core Maths carries the same amount of UCAS points as an AS qualification (up to 20 UCAS points) and is taught on the AQA specification. You will sit two papers at the end of the year, both 1 hour and 30 minutes long and worth 60 marks. You will sit Paper 1 and Paper 2A - Statistical Techniques and can take a scientific calculator into both exams. Entry Requirements Core Maths is studied as a fourth subject offer. A grade 5 in GCSE Maths is required to study the subject in addition to the entry criteria required for your other subjects. Course Content AQA core maths is studied over 1 year and consists of two units. Unit 1 is focused on the application of statistical techniques, interpreting data and drawing conclusions in the solution of problems. This involves estimation, collection of data and analysis of data, and maths for personal finance (e.g. taxation savings, loans and mortgages). Unit 2 involves working with critical analysis of data and models (including spreadsheets and tabular data), normal distribution of data (e.g. peoples heights, errors in measures etc), you will also work with probabilities and estimations and correlation and regression analysis of graphs. Progression Routes Studying Core Maths will equip you with a range of skills to make you more attractive to universities and employers and also aid you in your subject choices at A Level. You will develop key skills such as problem solving, data and budget management, and data modelling which are extremely important life and employability skills. Additional Learning Opportunities If you study Mathematics, you can benefit from our maths mentor programme where our dedicated maths mentors help to support and guide newer learners in the Sixth Form. The maths department also run a drop-in maths clinic twice a week for you to obtain bespoke support and guidance with your mathematical problems. You could take part in one of the problem-solving courses at Bath/Bristol University or engage with university academics and employers in our STEM@Lunch and SGS Sixth Talks series. "SGS Sixth was an amazing experience for me. My teachers were always on hand to help with any of my problems and ensure I achieved my maximum potential." Previous Student Student Support Our Team Find out more about our outstanding staff and departments, dedicated to providing you with outstanding learning and support. Careers Advice Academies

Do you enjoy reading? Have you considered reading more widely and discovering the works of the famous poets and writers? Do you enjoy discussing the issues and attitudes raised by such texts? Do you like writing and would like to know more about the techniques authors and poets use to convey meaning in their work? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then English Literature maybe the subject for you! English Literature examines the works of English-speaking authors, poets and playwrights and aims to break down the structure of the texts. It develops analytical, evaluative, and writing skills alongside an appreciation of the techniques used by authors and poets to create their work. This subject is taught from the AQA board. You will sit two A Level exams at the end of your second year which will cover the content taught over both years. There is also a Non-Examined Assessment (coursework) that counts for 20% of your overall mark. A Level English Literature add to basket Awarding Body Hours Per Week UCAS Points Pass Rates Campus Level AQA 4.5 A* = 56 100% Filton 3 If you are looking to study A-Levels please apply for up to three subjects. Simply add each course to your basket or visit our Apply section . Apply now for 2025/2026, simply add the course to your basket to start the enrolment process. Summary Do you enjoy reading? Have you considered reading more widely and discovering the works of the famous poets and writers? Do you enjoy discussing the issues and attitudes raised by such texts? Do you like writing and would like to know more about the techniques authors and poets use to convey meaning in their work? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then English Literature maybe the subject for you! English Literature examines the works of English-speaking authors, poets and playwrights and aims to break down the structure of the texts. It develops analytical, evaluative, and writing skills alongside an appreciation of the techniques used by authors and poets to create their work. This subject is taught from the AQA board. You will sit two A Level exams at the end of your second year which will cover the content taught over both years. There is also a Non-Examined Assessment (coursework) that counts for 20% of your overall mark. Entry Requirements A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 and above, including English Language and Maths. A grade 5 in GCSE English Literature. Course Content Year 1 In the first year you will study the texts under the theme of ‘love through the ages'. 1. ‘Shakespeare and Poetry’: You will study Shakespeare’s tragedy about the heroic general, Othello, whose downfall is plotted by his trusted advisor Lago. Together techniques are explored, as well as the context in which the play is set. You will study fourteen different poems from pre-1900 and examine how poets convey meaning and symbolism in their writing. 2. ‘Prose’: You will explore two different pieces of literature: The Great Gatsby - A novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that explores life in the 1920s era of wealth and glamour; and Rebecca – A gothic novel by Daphne Du Maurier that depicts the life of a woman who marries a young widower before discovering that the household are haunted by the memory of his first wife. You will also develop the skills of critical analysis and evaluation to approach a piece of Unseen Prose. Year 2 In the second year you will consolidate work from the first year and explore texts which have a shared context, as well as complete a non-examined assessment. 3. ‘Texts in shared contexts – Post 1945’: You will study Carol Ann Duffy’s seminal collection of poems that explore women and feminism in the 21st Century called The Feminine Gospels. Alongside this you will also study Alice Walker’s 1982 novel The Colour Purple which explores the life experiences of a fourteen-year-old African American girl and the traumas she faces. Lastly you will also study Tennessee Williams' play 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and the tragic journey of Blanche DuBois in post-war America. 4. ‘NEA (Non-Exam Assessment) – Independent critical study: texts across time’: You will also complete an independent study (coursework) which is worth 20% of the overall grade. In this you will choose and compare two books alongside an investigative question of your own choosing and then submit a 2,500-word essay. This is marked internally. 5. ‘Love through the ages’: You will revisit the texts studied in the first year: Othello, the Great Gatsby, Rebecca and Pre-1900s poetry in preparation for the summer exams. Progression Routes English Literature can develop the skills for a range of different employment opportunities that require an understanding of evaluating and interpreting what has been presented. It can also lead to an English Literature degree, which can be the basis for a range of careers such as a writer, journalist, publisher, advertising, and law conversion to a legal career. You will also develop an awareness of black and feminist history, class inequalities and issues that affect our modern world. Additional Learning Opportunities There are lots of opportunities to extend your learning as an English Literature student. There are opportunities to attend theatre performances of your studied text. There is an English Academy which provides you with additional support and guidance to really excel in the subject and to further develop their skills in the subject. You might also find our Creative Writing Academy interesting to further hone and develop your writing skills. We have a Sixth Form Talks programme that features guest lecturers who are experts on the texts being studied from local universities. "SGS Sixth was an amazing experience for me. My teachers were always on hand to help with any of my problems and ensure I achieved my maximum potential." Student Support Our Team Find out more about our outstanding staff and departments, dedicated to providing you with outstanding learning and support. Careers Advice Academies

Are you interested in why people commit crimes, why girls do better than boys in school, or to what extent religion is still important in the world? Would you like to know more about the issues and challenges in society and what different people use to justify their opinions? Would you like to know more about the how mass movements are created and what unites and divides communities and cultures? Would you like to know more about critical issues in the workplace and what our rights and responsibilities are? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes,’ then Sociology is the subject for you! Sociology teaches you the skill of debate; how to structure and argument and how to evaluate ideas against each other. During the course you will discuss a wide range of topics including race, gender, ethnicity, and religion. You will look at social movements over the past 100 years to establish the route of society and to give you a sense of where society is placed today. The subject teaches tolerance, diversity and equality and discusses issues where these are less commonplace in society with the aim of understanding the issues to create change in society towards a more equal, tolerant place. It can become quite political and an interest in current affairs is necessary. It will suit anyone interested in pursuing a career in law, journalism, police, teaching, and wider social roles. Sociology is taught on the AQA specification. It is fully examination based. The exams are a mix of short answers and longer form essay questions. You will sit the A Level exams at the end of your second year and there are three papers for the subject. A Level Sociology add to basket Awarding Body Hours Per Week UCAS Points Pass Rates Campus Level AQA 4.5 A* = 56 97% Filton 3 81% A* - C If you are looking to study A-Levels please apply for up to three subjects. Simply add each course to your basket or visit our Apply section . Apply now for 2025/2026, simply add the course to your basket to start the enrolment process. Summary Are you interested in why people commit crimes, why girls do better than boys in school, or to what extent religion is still important in the world? Would you like to know more about the issues and challenges in society and what different people use to justify their opinions? Would you like to know more about the how mass movements are created and what unites and divides communities and cultures? Would you like to know more about critical issues in the workplace and what our rights and responsibilities are? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes,’ then Sociology is the subject for you! Sociology teaches you the skill of debate; how to structure and argument and how to evaluate ideas against each other. During the course you will discuss a wide range of topics including race, gender, ethnicity, and religion. You will look at social movements over the past 100 years to establish the route of society and to give you a sense of where society is placed today. The subject teaches tolerance, diversity and equality and discusses issues where these are less commonplace in society with the aim of understanding the issues to create change in society towards a more equal, tolerant place. It can become quite political and an interest in current affairs is necessary. It will suit anyone interested in pursuing a career in law, journalism, police, teaching, and wider social roles. Sociology is taught on the AQA specification. It is fully examination based. The exams are a mix of short answers and longer form essay questions. You will sit the A Level exams at the end of your second year and there are three papers for the subject. Entry Requirements A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 and above, including Maths. A grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language. Course Content You will study three units in the first year and three units in the second year. Year 1 1. ‘Education’: This unit investigates the role and functions of the education system, differential educational achievement of social groups by social class, gender and ethnicity in contemporary society, relationships, and processes within schools. You will also explore the hidden curriculum, and the organisation of teaching and learning. Alongside this, you will explore the significance of educational policies, including policies of selection, marketisation and privatisation, and policies to achieve greater equality of opportunity or outcome, for an understanding of the structure, role, impact, and experience of and access to education; the impact of globalisation on educational policy. 2. ‘Research Methods’: You will examine quantitative and qualitative methods of research; research design, sources of data, including questionnaires, interviews, participant and non-participant observation, experiments, documents, and official statistics. 3. ‘Families’: This unit explores the relationship of the family to the social structure and social change, changing patterns of marriage and cohabitation, gender roles and domestic life and the nature of childhood. You will investigate how family life is changing in a postmodern world and look at family diversity, the impact of government policy on the family as well as the influence of immigration and culture from living in a global world. We also study the contentious issues of gender roles in the home looking at how the family is viewed at patriarchal by feminists and how extremes of this result in domestic violence. This topic is wide ranging and discusses many issues surrounding family life in a contemporary, global world. Year 2 4. ‘Sociology of Belief’: You will ask the question ‘is religion a force for social change or does it reflect tradition and keep society the same.’ You will look at the theories of Functionalism, Feminism, Marxism, Weber, and postmodernism to establish the view of religion in society taking the idea that powerful groups have used religion to support their viewpoint and keep society operating to their advantage. You will compare this to the view that religion is a force for change looking at Eastern and Western fundamentalism, Liberation Theology and Black Civil Rights movements among other theories to establish the effect of religion on society. You will examine secularisation; is religion declining and why and look at the rise of cults and sects and new religious movements, including spirituality, and whether this replaces the decline of traditional religion. We look at the effect of religion on social groups e.g., age, gender, race. 5. ‘Crime and Deviance’: If you were not born criminal, what makes someone turn towards crime? Looking at the main theories ideas regarding the structuring of society; Marxism, feminism, New Right etc you will seek to understand the true cause of crime and therefore prevent it. You will ask the question whether prison works and if not, then what works better? looking at a global perspective comparing other countries’ systems of punishment. You will look at the effect of crime on social groups in terms of perpetrator and victim including race, gender, and age. You will look at crime prevention and track crime rates across time and place. 6. ‘Sociological Theory’: You will study the principal theories including Functionalism, Feminism, Marxism, Postmodernism, New Right. Looking at the debate between structure and action; does society control action, or do individuals have free will. You will also ask the question is science a new religion and not actually as impartial as we think it is. Progression Routes There are a range of different career opportunities open to you if you study Sociology. For example, this could include careers in law and policing, education, politics and the civil service as a policy analyst or researcher, social work and marketing or business. You could progress onto a university degree to study Sociology further, however the skills gained in the subject are also applicable to a range of different degrees, including many humanities-based courses. Sociology can be combined with a variety of different subjects. Some suggested good subject combinations include Law, Psychology and Criminology to further develop skills and understanding in shared themes, Politics, History or Geography. Additional Learning Opportunities If you study Sociology, you may like to join our Sociology Academy which further delves into the topics and discussions that take place in the classroom and explores other topics. You may also like to join our Legal Academy if you find the Crime and Deviance aspect of the subject interesting, or the Psychology Academy which also explores some of the themes covered in the subject. There are also opportunities for different trips in Sociology including a trip to the Bristol Law Courts. We have also previously held a ‘behind closed bars’ day for Sociology learners with speakers coming in to talk about their real-life experiences of the Criminal Justice system and legal reforms. "SGS Sixth was an amazing experience for me. My teachers were always on hand to help with any of my problems and ensure I achieved my maximum potential." Student Support Our Team Find out more about our outstanding staff and departments, dedicated to providing you with outstanding learning and support. Careers Advice Academies

Educational research shows that the partnership between students, parents or guardians and the College is vitality important for successful learning. This area of the website is dedicated to parent(s) and guardian(s) of SGS Sixth learners. SGS Sixth Student Zone This page is a central location for our current learners to access the Sixth Form systems, support and important information. 'We take pride in developing and supporting our learners to reach their full potential and to develop their skills. Your tutor is there to offer you bespoke support and guidance throughout your studies and to help you with your future plans, be that university, higher apprenticeships or into employment. The student zone is where our students can access our college systems. Here they can take ownership of their learning and track their grades through ProPortal, access the college intranet through e-campus to open Microsoft Teams and their emails on Outlook and also use the professional futures platform to build and check their CVs, prepare for job interviews and to take their career pulse and find job opportunities. Gary Parsons Head of SGS Sixth Student Portal Communications Events Exam Access Arrangements Revision Resources Online Payments Uni Open Days Attendance NEWSLETTERS Spring 2024 Newsletter 27 March 2024 Winter 2023 Newsletter 14 December 2023 UC AS Student S upport (Coming Soon) Newsletter SGS OPEN DAY Join us at our SGS College and SGS Sixth Open Day to find out more about the extensive range of courses on offer. Speak with our experienced tutors, take a tour of our campus and discover what makes SGS outstanding!

Educational research shows that the partnership between students, parents or guardians and the College is vitality important for successful learning. This area of the website is dedicated to parent(s) and guardian(s) of SGS Sixth learners. SGS Sixth Parent Zone Undertaking A-Levels is a crucial time in a personal's life. The more help and support we can provide, working in partnership with each other, the greater the chances are of our learners achieving their full potential. At SGS Sixth, each individual student sits at the heart of everything we do. From developing our curriculum, to providing relevant enrichment opportunities and learning experiences, you can guarantee that SGS Sixth will devote the time needed to unleashing the potential of your young adult and equipping them with the skills, foundation knowledge and expertise needed to navigate this challenging period in their lives. Our experienced management team and passionate staff are eager communicate with you as parents through reporting structures and regular newsletters so, every student that comes to us is freed from barriers that could stop them from achieving their academic dreams and aspirations. We look forward to working collaboratively with you to ensure the academic and vocational success of your child in their educational pursuits. Becky Riddell Head of SGS Sixth Parent's Evenings We hold two parent evenings a year, one in the late Autumn for Year 2 learners and one in the Spring for our Year 1 learners. In these parent evenings you can book to see teachers to recieve updates on how the young person in your care is progressing in their subjects. By signing up to Parent Portal, you can also always have attendance, assignment and formal assessment information at your finger tips. Being Involved We strongly encourage parents and guardians to continue to have an interest in how their child or young person in their care is progressing on their study programme with us. We have a range of methods for parents and guardians to keep up to date with what is happening at SGS Sixth and to track progress. We recommend visiting our Parent Portal which provides access to a range of information, from attendance and punctuality to assessment grades and exam dates and timetables. We also publish every half term a Progress Report on a young person's progress which is also viewable through Parent Portal. Making an appointment to visit us If you wish to talk to a member of staff, we ask all parents and guardians to make an appointment in advance. This is because staff are teaching, on duties and in meetings during the day, and it is very unlikely they are available if you turn up at Reception without an appointment. Getting in touch with us Our dedicated Customer Experience Team are available between 8:00 - 17:00 Monday till Friday on 0800 0567253 . Alternatively, you can contact our Sixth Form directly on 0117 915 2459 or email sixth@sgscol.ac.uk Parent Portal LATEST NEW SLETTER Online pAYMENTS Attendance Dates Parking Student Zone Financial Support NEWSLETTERS Spring 2024 Newsletter 27 March 2024 Winter 2023 Newsletter 14 December 2023 Newslettes SGS OPEN DAY Join us at our SGS College and SGS Sixth Open Day to find out more about the extensive range of courses on offer. Speak with our experienced tutors, take a tour of our campus and discover what makes SGS outstanding!

All students should be attending SGS Sixth regularly, should you need to report an absence you can do so here. Students or Parents/Carers are required to report all absences be it authorised or unauthorised to SGS Sixth for safeguarding purposes. SGS Sixth report an Absence All students should be attending SGS Sixth regularly, should you need to report an absence you can do so here. Students or Parents/Carers are required to report all absences be it authorised or unauthorised to SGS Sixth for safeguarding purposes. What if I have more questions? SGS Sixth Form are here to answer all your questions. If you would like to find out more please Contact us or visit our Meet The Team section. Reporting an early leave If you are attending college and need to leave early for any reason, please contact your tutor and teacher in the first instance. Absence information for SGS Sixth All students are required to have high levels of attendance. If you have poor attendance this will be investigated. We do, however, understand that occasionally students do need to be absent from college. On these occasions it is important that you let us know the reason for the absence and that you contact your teachers to complete the work you missed before the next lesson. Students or Parents/Carers are required to report all absences be it authorised or unauthorised to SGS Sixth for safeguarding purposes. Absences should be reported each day, preferably before 9am or in advance if the absence is known about. If you are receiving a college bursary, you should be aware that an absence regardless of if authorised or unauthorised could have an effect on future upcoming payments. What is an authorised absence? It is important that you contact us as soon as possible if you are going to be absent from college. Examples of an authorised absence is when you have told us you are unwell, have a funeral to attend, need to attend a university open day, have an orthodontist, doctor's or hospital appointment or have a driving or theory test booked. Whilst we encourage appointments to be booked outside of college time as much as possible, we recognise that this is sometimes difficult. Students are required to fill in the authorised absence form, provide evidence of the absence and make sure they make arrangements to catch up with their work. kk What is a unauthorised absence? Absences will be classed as unauthorised in the following circumstances: Missing college for a holiday, birthday or to visit / look after family. Students still need to let us know about these absences so that we know where you are. Students may use a free period if this is not possible. An Unauthorised Absence Form must still be completed.

Applying for SGS Sixth Form couldn't be easier, with applications welcome throughout the year. Simply click the apply button viewable on any of our subjects pages. Alternatively, contact us directly and we'd be happy to help. SGS Sixth View Your Basket Applying for SGS Sixth Form couldn't be easier, with applications welcome throughout the year. Simply click the apply button viewable on any of our Subjects pages and view your basket here. Alternatively, you can find other ways to apply on our Apply page.

The SGS Sixth Form believes that all individuals, regardless of restriction or ability, should be able to have equal access to digital information. It is our goal to continuously innovate and we are committed to making our website available to everyone. SGS Sixth Accessibility Statement South Gloucestershire and Stroud College and Sixth Form believes that all individuals, regardless of restriction or ability, should be able to have equal access to digital information. It is our goal to continuously innovate and we are committed to making our website available to everyone. Introduction We at SGS College and SGS Sixth are committed to ensuring that our website is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. We continuously strive to improve our website's accessibility, adhering to web accessibility standards and guidelines. This accessibility statement outlines our efforts to make www.sixth.sgscol.ac.uk more user-friendly for all visitors. Feedback We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of www.sixth.sgscol.ac.uk . If you encounter any accessibility issues or have suggestions for improvement, please let us know. You can contact us by: Email: info@sgscol.ac.uk Phone: 0800 0567 253 Assistive Technology Compatibility Our website is designed to work well with common assistive technologies, including: Screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, Voiceover) Screen magnifiers Speech recognition software Third-Party Content Some content on our website may come from third-party sources. While we strive to ensure their accessibility, we do not have full control over their accessibility features. Alternative Access If you require information from our website in an alternative format, please contact us using the provided contact information, and we will work to accommodate your request. Conformance Status We are dedicated to ensuring our website complies with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at the AA level. We periodically review our website to evaluate and improve accessibility. Currently our website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliance elements used within the site. We are working towards achieving AA status and will be publishing our 'Road Map' shortly. Accessibility Features To enhance accessibility, we have implemented the following features: Alternative Text: We provide alternative text for the majority of our images (with 100% of our images having this feature by late January 2024), enabling screen readers and text-to-speech software to describe visual content to users. Keyboard Navigation: You can navigate our website using just a keyboard, making it easier for users who cannot use a mouse. Colour Contrast: We have partially ensured adequate colour contrast to improve readability for users with visual impairments. See ‘Road Map’ for further details. Text Resizing: You can adjust the text size on our website to suit your preferences. Ongoing Improvements We are committed to ongoing efforts to improve the accessibility of our website. Regular accessibility audits, testing, and user feedback help guide these improvements. Accessibility Statement Updates We will review and update this accessibility statement periodically to reflect our ongoing commitment to inclusivity.

Here you can access various revision resources to help you study independently. The resources here are updated regularly, should you have any questions simply get in touch with the Team. SGS Sixth Revision Resources Here you can access various revision resources to help you study in dependently. Kaboodle Log-in page Science subjects use Kaboodle for online textbooks. Once set-up by the teacher, you can access your kaboodle textbook on the following link: Kerboodle - Sign In Links to the exam boards You can access past papers and the specifications for your subjects by visiting the exam board websites: AQA - https://www.aqa.org.uk/ Edexcel - https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/home.html OCR - https://ocr.org.uk/ Eduqas - https://www.eduqas.co.uk/ Library Plus Existing learners can access the library catalogue at the following link: LibraryPlus - Home (sharepoint.com) Illuminate Log-in The Psychology department have access to the electronic copy of the textbook. Once set-up by the teacher, you can log-in using the following link: Login Screen (illuminate.digital)

Do you enjoy learning about the past? Would you like to learn about history in greater depth and detail than you have previously? Do you enjoy writing essays at length and developing critical analysis and evaluation skills? Are you interested about how events in the past influence the present? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes,’ then A Level History is the subject for you! History is the study of the past. You will explore key themes and concepts of change, continuity, cause, consequence, and significance about how society has developed over the period of one hundred years as well as investigating events in detail over a shorter timeframe. You will learn how to analyse primary sources written at the time of events and to evaluate how strong an argument put across by an historian is. The subject develops key writing skills including how to put across an argument and back this up with evidence. The History A Level is taken across two years and is sat on the AQA exam board. At the end of the first year, you will sit the AS exams which test knowledge on what you have learnt from that year. You will then go onto to sit the full A Level in the second year which covers content from both years. You will also complete a 4,500-word Non-Examined Assessment (Coursework) which is worth 20% of your overall grade. A Level History add to basket Awarding Body Hours Per Week UCAS Points Pass Rates Campus Level AQA 4.5 A* = 56 100% Filton 3 If you are looking to study A-Levels please apply for up to three subjects. Simply add each course to your basket or visit our Apply section . Apply now for 2025/2026, simply add the course to your basket to start the enrolment process. Summary Do you enjoy learning about the past? Would you like to learn about history in greater depth and detail than you have previously? Do you enjoy writing essays at length and developing critical analysis and evaluation skills? Are you interested about how events in the past influence the present? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes,’ then A Level History is the subject for you! History is the study of the past. You will explore key themes and concepts of change, continuity, cause, consequence, and significance about how society has developed over the period of one hundred years as well as investigating events in detail over a shorter timeframe. You will learn how to analyse primary sources written at the time of events and to evaluate how strong an argument put across by an historian is. The subject develops key writing skills including how to put across an argument and back this up with evidence. The History A Level is taken across two years and is sat on the AQA exam board. At the end of the first year, you will sit the AS exams which test knowledge on what you have learnt from that year. You will then go onto to sit the full A Level in the second year which covers content from both years. You will also complete a 4,500-word Non-Examined Assessment (Coursework) which is worth 20% of your overall grade. Entry Requirements A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 and above, including GCSE Maths. A grade 5 in GCSE English Language and a grade 5 in GCSE English Literature, or a grade 5 in GCSE History (if taken). Course Content Over the two years you will study a breadth study that focuses on British history called: The Tudors, 1485 – 1603, and a depth study that focuses on non-British history called Democracy and Nazism, Germany 1918 – 1945. You will also complete an historical investigation on the Development of Black Civil Rights in the United States 1863-1968 for the NEA. Year 1 1. The Tudors – Part one: Consolidation of the Tudor Dynasty: England, 1485 – 1547: In this unit you will look at how Henry VII came to power, how he developed the powers of the monarchy and what changes he made to local and national government and policies. You will also look at the development of his foreign policy and how the economy and society developed during his reign. You will then go on to look at Henry VIII’s reign and the development of his government is response to the English Reformation. You will evaluate how successful his foreign policy was as well as the impact of his economic policies on society. You will examine how these developments tie into change and continuity over time. 2. Democracy and Nazism – Part one: the Weimar Republic, 1918 – 1933: You will study the establishment and early years of the Weimar Republic including the political, economic and social challenges faced by the new republic between 1918 and 1923. You will then explore the ‘Golden Age’ of the Weimar Republic between 1924 and 1928, seen as a period of stability and optimism. Lastly you will look at the factors that led to collapse of the Weimar Republic between 1928 and 1933 and what led to the rise of Nazism in Germany. 3. The Development of Black Civil Rights in the United States, 1863 – 1968: At the end of the first year, you will start the background research for the non-examined assessment (coursework). You will look at how Black Civil Rights developed from the end of the American Civil War in through a period of just over one hundred years to the era of Martin Luther King and Malcom X. Year 2 1. The Tudors – Part two: England: turmoil and triumph, 1547 – 1603: You will study the events of the Mid-Tudor crisis, looking at the reigns of Edward VI and Mary I. You will examine the development of the powers of the monarch, foreign and religious policy before continuing to explore the reign of Elizabeth I. In this part you will look at the religious settlement, crises in government and England’s involvement in the Dutch Revolt. You will finish the unit by looking at the development of arts and culture during the reign of Elizabeth I before examining the development of key themes across the entire Tudor period. 2. Democracy and Nazism – Part two: Nazi Germany, 1933 – 1945: In the second half of the depth study, you will examine how the Nazis consolidated their power, how they created a terror state and explore Nazi economic and social policies, including the Volksgemeinschaft. You will also look at the development of Nazi racial policies from 1933 to 1945. Lastly you will examine the impact of World War II on Germany and evaluate how effective Nazi economic and wartime policies were through to the collapse of the regime in 1945. 3. The Development of Black Civil Rights in the United States, 1863 – 1968: In the first half of the second year, you will take your research on Black Civil Rights and undertake an historical enquiry into how Black Civil Rights developed in America. You will explore the roles of key individuals and examine key turning points. You NEA will consist of a 4,500-word essay in response to a question you have written on this period. Progression Routes History is a great subject to study not only if you want to do a degree involving the study of the subject, but also if you want to go on to do any essay-based degree. It develops the key skills of writing and constructing an argument as well as looking at evidence. Completing a History A Level is also useful for a range of different careers which involve report writing or research skills from a policy analysist to journalism. Useful subject combinations to take History with include Politics due to the carryover of themes in the content, Law due to examining the legal process and its evolution, Sociology due to looking at the development of groups in society and Geography or English Literature to give you a humanities specialism. Additional Learning Opportunities There are a range of opportunities for learning outside the classroom with history. The History department undertakes both local trips to the ‘Red Lodge Museum’ in Bristol alongside trips further afield to places like Hampton Court Palace. We also have been able to take learners to Auschwitz-Birkenau and hear from Holocaust survivors. We have also previously attended History Conferences to help prepare learners for their exams. As an historian, you can also join our History Academy which has included guest speakers from the SS Great Britain and develops an awareness of history around you and approaches to the subject. "SGS Sixth was an amazing experience for me. My teachers were always on hand to help with any of my problems and ensure I achieved my maximum potential." Student Support Our Team Find out more about our outstanding staff and departments, dedicated to providing you with outstanding learning and support. Careers Advice Academies