The Upper School – academic pathways at 16

• A-LEVELS / BTEC / PRE-U • IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

Oakham’s Upper School is an important and exciting time for our students, representing a period of transition towards university and post-education careers. The journey towards real independence picks up pace: we expect students to show a desire for self-motivated study and to take increased personal responsibility for their success. We work with them to build the skills to thrive as the challenge and expectations upon them increase. Intellectual curiosity and a willingness to engage with challenge are qualities hugely valued both at university and in business, and these are key characteristics that we seek to instil.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PATHWAY

Students choose either to study A-levels and equivalent standalone qualifications or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Few schools offer this choice and we are very proud of the results our students achieve when pursuing either route.

A-levels tend to suit students who are very certain of their strengths and wish to pursue them in greater depth. The IB Diploma Programme suits students who want to keep their options open as well as those who are keen to specialise but are reluctant to give up other subjects.

We help both parents and students to make an informed choice depending on aptitudes and future education and career plans.

A-LEVELS

A-levels and equivalent standalone qualifications, including Pre-U and BTEC, offer flexibility of choice and options can be tailored to the individual. Most students will study three subjects which they will pursue through to the end of Form 7; these will sit alongside innovative and impactful opportunities for academic enrichment and research within, across and beyond the curricular subjects.

A-LEVEL SUBJECT OPTIONS

• Art: Critical and

Contextual Studies • Art and Design • Biology • Business

(A-level and BTEC)

• Chemistry • Classical Civilisation • Computer Science • Design Technology • Drama and Theatre Studies • Economics • English Literature • French • Geography • German • Classical Greek • History • Latin • Mathematics • Further Mathematics • Music

(Cambridge Pre-U course)

• Philosophy • Physics • Politics • Psychology NEW IN 2021 • Religion and Philosophy • Spanish • Sport Science (A-level and BTEC)

IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

Oakham is recognised as one of the leading IB schools, both within and outside the UK. Our results are consistently excellent. The IB Diploma Programme is a prestigious international qualification, highly regarded by academic institutions and employers throughout the world. It marks a very high level of achievement.

The IB Diploma Programme offers a broad and challenging academic education, whilst encouraging pupils to be understanding and thoughtful global citizens. Students who gain the IB Diploma head out into the world as well-rounded individuals, as thinkers, as passionate, lifelong learners, and as participants.

IB SUBJECT OPTIONS

Students study six subjects, one from each of six subject groups. Three subjects are studied at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). Additionally, all students take the three Core Elements of the Diploma: Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and a programme of Creativity, Action and Service.

Group 1

Language

English A Literature (HL/SL)

Group 2 Group 3

Language (Other) Individuals and Societies

German A Language & Literature (HL) French B (HL/SL) German B (HL/SL) Spanish B (HL/SL) Italian ab initio (SL) Spanish ab initio (SL) Classical Greek (HL/SL) Business Management (HL) Economics (HL/SL) Geography (HL/SL) Global Politics (HL/SL) History (HL/SL) Philosophy (HL/SL) Psychology

(HL/SL) NEW IN 2021

Group 4

Sciences

Biology (HL/SL) Chemistry (SL) Computer Science

(SL) NEW IN 2021

Environmental Systems & Societies (SL) Physics (HL/SL) Sports, Exercise & Health Science (HL/SL) Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches (AA) (HL/SL) Mathematics: Applications & Interpretations (AI) (SL)

Group 5 Group 6

Mathematics Arts/Electives

Music+ (HL/SL) Theatre + (HL/SL) Visual Arts (HL/SL) French B (HL) Italian ab initio (SL) Latin (HL/SL) Economics (HL) Geography (HL/SL) History (HL/SL) Biology (HL) Chemistry (HL) Design Technology (HL/SL)