Sixth Form courses last for two years and involve greater specialisation – fewer subjects are studied than at GCSE but to a greater depth. Strathallan offers courses that lead to certification at GCE AS and A level, or SQA Higher grade.
A Levels
All courses are divided into two: an AS level which most pupils will take in the Lower Sixth, and an A2 level to be taken in the Upper Sixth, which completes the A level. The two levels provide an opportunity to increase the breadth of a Sixth Former’s studies, and possibly to delay final specialisation. We expect that pupils will take four subjects at AS level in the Lower Sixth, but some pupils will wish to study five. In the Upper Sixth year, pupils may discontinue one subject; they may however choose to continue with four. It should be noted that it is not possible to take up a new subject in the upper Sixth: the A2 course does not lead to a qualification except as a continuation of the AS course.
Highers
Pupils taking Highers in the Sixth Form are expected to take five subjects. The courses are divided into units, and for most subjects there is a test at the end of each unit which a candidate must pass in order to qualify for the award of a grade at the end of the course.
Some departments offer the Intermediate 2 level course in the Lower Sixth year, which allows pupils to take a national qualification on their way to a full Higher.
The subjects available at A level and Higher are listed below.
|
A Level |
Higher |
|
Art |
Art (A Level) |
|
Biology |
Biology |
|
Business Studies |
Business Management |
|
Chemistry |
Chemistry |
|
Classical Civilisation |
Computing |
|
Computing |
Craft and Design |
|
Design and Technology |
Economics (subject to demand) |
|
Economics |
English |
|
English |
French |
|
French |
Geography |
|
Geography |
German |
|
German |
History |
|
History |
Maths |
|
Latin |
Music (MIDI Sequencing) |
|
Maths |
Philosophy (Two year Higher course) |
|
Further Maths |
Physical Education |
|
Music |
Physics |
|
Philosophy (One-year Higher course) |
Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies |
|
Physics |
Spanish |
|
Spanish |
|
For more information about each subject, and for further advice about the Careers and Higher Education implications of subject choices, please click here to download a copy of the Sixth Form Courses booklet.
