Advanced Level

Advanced Level qualifications are now taken in two parts.
 
· The first year of study leads to an AS Level qualification which is worth half of a full A level.
· The second year of study (known as A2) leads to the full Advanced Level certificate.
· The standard of the work required for AS level is intermediate between GCSE and what is finally expected in the A2 component of the full A level.
·  AS subjects are nonetheless awarded half the marks for a full A Level. They are also worth half the UCAS points.
· Students are expected to take more AS subjects in the first year of study than they take to A2, giving a broader base to their studies.
· Both AS and A2 are marked against an A-E scale of passes.
 
Although all applications will be considered equally on the admissions criteria we encourage early applications to facilitate a speedy reply in the new year offering conditional places.
 
  
The subjects you select for AS in year 12 will need to show evidence of breadth, with at least one subject being of a complementary or contrasting nature: eg. for a scientist: Maths, Physics, Chemistry and French or for a linguist: English, German, French and Geography You will be offered counselling support to ensure the choices made are realistic for you as well as offering the necessary breadth.
  • You will take some of your AS examinations in the January sitting but the majority in the summer of year 12. After this, supportive advice will again be available to help you choose the most appropriate subjects to continue through to A2 in year 13.
  • There is no automatic entry to year 13. Students must have gained a minimum of DDEE at AS level to progress to A2 at Townley.
Teaching for A2 courses will begin as soon as the AS examinations have been completed in the summer of year 12.
At the start of the new school year in September, there may be further need for counselling on your chosen courses in the light of your AS results.