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Ursuline College

‘Act, move, believe, strive, hope, cry out to God with all your heart’

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Level 3 and 2 Subject Structure

Following substantial changes that the government has introduced to A-levels and Level 3 BTEC subjects over the past four years, qualifications are structured as follows:

 

Academic A Level 3

 

  • A-levels are all linear. This means that all exams are taken at the end of Year 13. Coursework for the majority of linear A-levels has been removed.
  • For students who are predicted to achieve, or who have achieved 5 grades 9-7 at GCSE, including English and Maths at no less than grade 6, it is expected that they will choose four Level 3 subjects, predominantly made up of academic A Levels.
  • For students who are predicted to achieve, or who have achieved 5 grades 9-4 at GCSE, including English and Maths, it is expected they will choose three Level 3 subjects from the academic and/or vocational options.

 

Vocational Level 3

 

  • BTECs include both an examined element and (normally) a controlled assessment that is marked externally. The “scenarios” for these controlled assessments are normally provided somewhere between a week to three weeks in advance of the controlled assessment.
  • In addition, BTECs all have a minimum of 50% internally assessed coursework. For BTEC subjects worth two or more A-levels (called Diplomas or Extended Diplomas), the ratio of internally marked coursework is higher than for BTECs worth 1 A-level (known as Extended Certificates.
  • Diplomas are the equivalent of two A Levels. All other subjects on offer in this category are the equivalent of one A Level.

 

Level 2

 

  • If a student has not achieved grade 9-4 in English (either Language or Literature) and/or Mathematics, they must study these courses post-16 – a decision made by the government in the wake of the Raising Participation Age to 18. This means they will attend a re-sit class for English and/or Maths and be entered to take their exams again in either November or June. A grade 4 must be achieved in English and Maths in order to progress to Level 3 courses.

Our Mission and Values

We value each individual as a person made, known and loved by God

We value the whole person, spiritual, physical and intellectual

We value forgiveness and reconciliation

We value justice, equal opportunities and fairness

We value faith development as individuals and as part of communities

We value learning, growth and achievement

We value serving others and caring for those in need

Read Our Values & Ethos Statement

Trust Information

Ursuline College is an academy, and part of the Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership. The Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership is an exempt charity and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under company registration number 08176019 at registered address: Barham Court, Teston, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 5BZ. St Edmund's Catholic School is a business name of Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership.

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