Sixth Form Subject Forum

The Edexcel A level course in Art and Design consists of two components, both teacher assessed and externally moderated by Edexcel. 

The aim of this qualification is to augment pupil skills and understanding in the subject. It assesses the knowledge, skills and understanding that will be needed by pupils planning to progress to undergraduate study at higher education institutions, particularly (although not only) in the same subject area.

If you have any further questions please contact Mr Robson - Head of Art

Six modules which are covered throughout the two year course. These are as follows:-

Module 1 - Development of practical skills in biology. 

Module 2 - Foundations in biology. Cell structure. Biological molecules. Nucleotides and nucleic acids. Enzymes. Biological membranes. Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation.

Module 3 - Exchange and transport. Exchange surfaces. Transport in animals. Transport in plants.

Module 4 - Biodiversity, evolution and disease. Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system. Biodiversity. Classification and evolution.

Module 5 - Communication, homeostasis and energy. Excretion as an example of homeostatic control. Neuronal communication. Hormonal communication. Plant and animal responses. Photosynthesis. Respiration.

Module 6 - Genetics, evolution and ecosystems. Cellular control. Patterns of inheritance. Manipulating genomes. Cloning and biotechnology. Ecosystems. Populations and sustainability 

If you have any further questions please contact Miss Burgess - Head of Biology

The A level specification guides an enthusiastic pupil through the initial challenges of the subject by concentrating on establishing the strong foundations of theoretical and practical skills that form the backbone of Chemistry. 

The first year builds on knowledge acquired at GCSE and in the second year the development of a greater depth of understanding is expected. Emphasis is placed on experiments throughout the course, as all Chemical knowledge is derived from direct observation of the world around us. Chemistry is often referred to as ‘the central science’ as it intersects with so many other fields, meaning that it can be paired with many other A level subjects.

Most of the materials used in modern life are the result of chemical research, as are the development of new drugs and polymers and advances in genetics and medicine. Chemistry is not only useful but interesting. The world is made of atoms, as are human beings. It is what atoms do to each other that keeps us going and leads to these new materials and medicines upon which modern civilisation depends.

If you have any further questions please contact Mr Mitchell - Head of Chemistry

We study aspects of life, literature and thought from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. We read two works of literature in translation, considering not only their literary merit but also the social, cultural and historical context of each of them. The work from Greek civilisation is Homer’s Odyssey, perhaps the first work of literature in Western civilisation. It tells the story of the homecoming of the Greek hero, Odysseus, from the Trojan War. Not only is this a rattling good tale but it poses questions of heroism, justice, fate and free-will. The Roman text is the Aeneid of Virgil. This masterpiece was written in creative imitation of Homer’s works and tells the story of the founding of the Roman race by the Trojan refugee, Aeneas. It was written while Augustus was the de facto first emperor of Rome. While it can be seen as a work in praise of Augustus and Rome, a deeper reading will see that it poses questions about the price of gaining and holding power.

We also make a study of Greek theatre. This originated in Fifth Century Athens as part of the worship of Dionysus, the god of wine. We read examples of tragedy and comedy, as well as considering the social, cultural and historical context. The work with Greek theatre is complemented by our study of Greek religion. We consider Ancient Greek use of mythology and the ways in which their rituals and practices showed how they made sense of the world around them. 

If you have any further questions please contact Mr Janssens - Head of Classics

A Level Computer Science teaches pupils to develop logical, practical and creative skills in one of the most cutting-edge and relevant areas of technology. The course is split into two complementary sections, programming and theory. On the programming side of the course, pupils learn a main programming language (Java), and four complementary languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript and SQL). Pupils will cover the fundamentals of programming, data structures, algorithms, and object-orientated programme design.

The theory side of computer science teaches about the internal workings of a computer, right down to the basics of how all data is stored using binary, whether that data consists of numbers, text, pictures or even music. It goes on from there to cover aspects of computer architecture, showing exactly how data is accessed from main memory using assembly language instructions and the fetch-execute cycle. Moving wider afield, the course delves into networking and database theory. It also covers higher level concepts such as the social and legal impact of computers, and how to go about breaking down a big problem into individual programmable steps.

It is a demanding but very rewarding course that enables entry to some of the best university courses and degree apprenticeships. Computer Science and the problem solving and IT skills it develops will be useful in many different careers such as information technology and information management, engineering and manufacturing, construction, broadcast media and performing arts, management, journalism and publishing, and medical technology.

If you have any further questions please contact Mr Coetzee - Head of Computer Science

Throughout the A Level course, students will study:

1: Materials
2: Performance characteristics of materials
3: Processes and techniques
4: Digital technologies
5: Factors influencing the development of products
6: Effects of technological developments
7: Potential hazards and risk assessment
8: Features of manufacturing industries
9: Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment
10: Current legislation
11: Information handling, Modelling and forward planning
12: Further processes and techniques.

If you have any further questions please contact Mr Johnson - Head of Design & Technology

Plays and performance have long been part of human culture. The theatre is a unique space in which the world, society and the human condition can be explored. It is a public place where the voices of ordinary people can be heard raising questions about the forces that shape our lives. It is furthermore an exciting place. The playwright invites the audience to observe the action whilst asking for their intellectual participation.

In the Drama and Theatre Studies A Level you will take a close and critical look at the playwright’s art. You will consider how different styles and social contexts can shape the interpretation of a script, influence a rehearsal and achieve a successful performance. You will learn how to look at a play from different angles: as a spectator, as an actor, as a designer and as a director. The course will enable you to develop a deep appreciation of what is involved in a successful piece of theatre.

You will find Drama and Theatre A Level is a practical, engaging and creative course where you will examine the work of drama practitioners, explore a range of drama as a practical art form, and work independently to create your own performances.

You will be given a thorough grounding on the basics of performing and experience the innovative styles of playwrights, directors, actors and companies. You will develop and demonstrate a range of theatre making skills and experience a range of opportunities to create theatre, both published text based and devised work.

If you have any further questions please contact Miss Hebden - Head of Drama

Economics is the study of scarcity and the acknowledgement that there are insufficient resources to provide for everyone’s wants and needs. 

This necessitates choice; what to produce, how to produce it and to whom the finished goods and services should be allocated. We do this at the micro level (individuals and businesses) and the macro (national and international).

Many of the topics that are studied correspond to those on the Economics A course, the difference occurs in the treatment of them, with the Economics B course always focussing on how any given economic issue affects the entrepreneur running their business in the real world on a day to day basis.

If you have any further questions please contact Mr White - Head of Economics

Our A Level in English Literature encourages pupils to develop their interest in, and their enjoyment of, literature and literary studies. The course promotes a logical, stimulating and challenging transition from GCSE. Pupils will study a broad range of prose, poetry and drama texts from different periods and genre, helping them to gain insights into literature traditions, as well as enabling them to develop their writing and analytical skills.

For the ‘Drama and Poetry pre-1900’ paper, pupils study a Shakespearean play, to demonstrate close-reading skills, and an awareness of how texts may be interpreted. They will study one other drama text alongside a poetry text, focusing on context and also, the connections between them.

‘Comparative Literature’ is always a firm favourite, as we focus on Dystopian fiction. Pupils are introduced to a range of texts, identifying features of the genre and considering the contexts in which they are written and received.

Finally, for coursework, pupils produce two essays in response to their study of modern poetry, prose and drama texts.

Pupils will develop their understanding and key skills using a variety of methods including: close-reading, research, critical essays, group discussions, as well as using film and stage adaptations. 

If you have any further questions please contact Mrs McCarthy - Head of English

Imagine you could spend time at school studying something that you alone are interested in and which would give you a great advantage in university preparation. You have just imagined the Extended Project Qualification.

The project can take the form of an extended essay, artefact or a science project – the choice is yours. You will learn advanced research and study skills, have an individual Supervisor to guide and support you, and you will make a special presentation to an invited audience.

You will gain breadth and depth in a self-motivated study, which will greatly improve your opportunities with the better universities. Secondly you will study independently, a key requirement for university life. It shows you are organised and motivated and that you have not just memorised your teacher’s notes! 

The EPQ is worth half the points of an A level and it is possible to achieve an A*. It is, in effect, your fourth subject, spread over four terms.

If you have any further questions please contact Mrs Gould - EPQ Co-ordinator

The A Level French course at King’s is designed to enhance student’s linguistic skills and promote their capacity for critical thinking on the basis of their knowledge and understanding of the language, politics, culture, heritage, identity and society of the countries where French is spoken. 

They will develop control of the language to convey meaning, using spoken and written skills, including an extended range of vocabulary to become increasingly confident, accurate and independent users of French.

If you have any further questions please contact Mme Warne - Head of French

The Geography A-Level course follows the AQA syllabus and covers a wide range of both Physical and Human Geography topics, which complement eachother well. Pupils will be taught by Human and Physical Geography Specialists; splitting their lessons across 2 teachers.

In addition to the theory studied in the classroom, there is also an opportunity for L6 and U6 pupils to attend a variety of fieldtrips (non-compulsory) to support their geographical studies. Recent destinations have included: Iceland, China, South Africa and Costa Rica. All trips will take place during the October half-term or occasionally the February half-term.

If you have any further questions please contact Miss Costelloe - Head of Geography

The A-level course in German focuses on language, culture and society and builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at the previously completed International GCSE course. Alongside the topic-specific and general vocabulary and grammar, the A-level course teaches the pupils about German-speaking society, how it has been shaped socially and culturally and how it continues to change.

As listed in the topic overview below, pupils initially learn about society in German-speaking Europe as well the artistic life of these countries. In the second year, further aspects of the social background are covered alongside the political landscape in Germany, both in relation to Germany itself and its place in Europe. Pupils are taught about the reunification and its consequences as an example of how Germany’s past influenced its present state.

A film and a book are discussed and analysed to complement the topic areas.

A-level German combines the learning of a language and societies in those European countries where German is spoken with the acquisition of important transferable skills, i.e. communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity.

If you have any further questions please contact Frau Waizenegger - Head of German

Government & Politics as an A level allows pupils to develop an awareness and understanding of the United States political system and, in the Upper Sixth, an awareness of how this system compares and interacts with our own system in the United Kingdom.

Each exam board offers a broadly similar course but we follow the Edexcel Politics A-Level. In the Lower Sixth pupils will study the political systems of the USA, both in terms of political processes (parties, elections, participation etc) and in terms of the mechanisms of government (the role of the President, the Supreme Court, Congress etc). 

In the Upper Sixth pupils will study the political systems and government of the United Kingdom, enabling a deeper comparison between the two. In the second half of the Lower Sixth we also study three core Political Ideologies (Conservatism, Liberalism and Socialism) and one optional Political ideology, which pupils get some say in choosing but past examples we have studied are Nationalism and Feminism.

If you have any further questions please contact Mr Fish - Head of History

Students will follow a Modern and Early Modern course from OCR History A-Level consisting of the following areas:

• Britain 1930 - 1997

• France 1814 - 1870

• Tudor Foreign Policy 1485 - 1603

• Topic-based essay (3,000 - 4,000 words)

Unit 1 is a British unit that explores the career of Winston Churchill from his days as a rowdy back-bencher in the 1930s to his wartime career as Prime-Minister. The second part of this course looks at the development of Britain from 1951, tracing the political and social changes of different governments until the landslide victory of Labour in 1997.

Unit 2 is a non-British period study that explores France from the end of Napoleon’s reign through the trials of different types of ruling to the turbulence of the Franco-Prussian war.

Unit 3 is a thematic study of Tudor foreign policy, studying the peaceful aims of Henry VII through the reformation under Henry VIII to Elizabeth I and the beginnings of what would become the British Empire.

Unit 4 is a 3,000 - 4,000 word essay on a topic of the pupil’s choice or within a set topic provided by the department. Current choices are: The Russian Revolution, The Holocaust and the American Civil Rights Movement.
 

If you have any further questions please contact Mr Fish - Head of History

The A Level Latin course builds on the GCSE course in developing a deeper understanding of Latin language. This will enable pupils by the end of the course to read unseen passages of unadapted prose and verse passages. 

We also read two set texts, one verse and one prose. The prose author is Cicero and the text is his Philippics in which he attacks Mark Antony, vitriolically and colourfully. The verse text is a selection from Book 11 of the Aeneid; this was written by Virgil, a lord of language, one of the greatest poets of Western civilisation. The passages include the heart-wrenching episode of the funeral of the youthful prince, Pallas.

 In addition we read of the fearsome and rather unconventional warrior Camilla. In reading these texts we also explore the social and historical setting of each of them.

If you have any further questions please contact Mr Jansens - Head of Classics

A level mathematics is advanced level mathematics. The exam board used is Pearson/Edexcel code 9MA0. 

It is studied closely following 4 digital text books over the two years. Solution banks are available to enhance proper solution writing. 

A level mathematics is studied in year 1, and A level mathematics examinations sat at the end of year 1. A level further mathematics is studied in year 2 and examined at the end of year 2. 

This course is two A levels and so has 20 periods across the two week timetable.

If you have any further questions please contact Mr Stevens - Head of Mathematics

The study of Music in the Sixth Form requires a great deal of independent endeavour and suits those who gain an excellent grade at GCSE and are at least a good Grade Six on their main instrument. 

The course is rigorous and requires pupils to be curious about a wide range of music and to develop independent research skills similar to what is required of university students.

If you have any further questions please contact Mr Mountford - Director of Music

A Level Physical Education allows pupils who enjoy sport and sporting activities to develop their all-round knowledge of the subject whilst pursuing an academic course to which they can relate and enjoy. 

The emphasis throughout the course is on the development of your knowledge, competence and confidence in a wide variety of skills that will enable you to confidently move forward in life. You will learn how Physical Education affects and contributes to society and also how to apply your knowledge from this course to any number of different practical situations or career choices. 

The course is primarily theoretical, but at all times relates to the practical situation. There is an opportunity for students to pursue their chosen sporting activity whilst being assessed.

If you have any further questions please contact Mrs Richter - Head of Physical Education

Physicists explore the fundamental nature of almost everything we know of. They probe the furthest reaches of the earth to study the smallest pieces of matter. Join them to enter a world deep beneath the surface of normal human experience.

You will already be familiar with many of the topics that you will study, including forces, waves, radioactivity, electricity and magnetism. At A-level, you’ll look at these areas in more detail and find out how they are interconnected. You will also learn how to apply maths to real-world problems and explore new areas such as particle physics, cosmology and medical physics.

Perhaps more importantly, you will develop skills that can be transferred to just about any other area of work, from setting up a business to saving the planet. Even if you don’t go on to become a physicist, learning to think like one will help you get to the root of any problem and draw connections that aren’t obvious to others. Physics won’t give you all the answers, but it will teach you how to ask the right questions. 

If you have any further questions please contact Mrs Parren - Head of Physics

The modules and their weightings are:

 Philosophy of religion     
 Religion and ethics     
 Developments in religious thought (Christianity)

If you have any further questions please contact Mrs Rogers - Head of Religious Studies

The A-level course in Russian focuses on language, culture and society and builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at the previously completed GCSE course. Alongside the topic-specific and general vocabulary and grammar, the A-level course teaches the pupils about Russian-speaking society, how it has been shaped socially and culturally and how it continues to change.

As listed in the topic overview below, pupils initially learn about society in Russia as well the artistic life of the country. In the second year, further aspects of the social background are covered alongside the political landscape in Russia, both in relation to Russia itself and its place in the world. Pupils are taught about the events of 1991and its consequences and also focuses on modern day Russia where pupils are required to engage in a study of either Moscow or St Petersburg.

Two books are discussed and analysed to complement the topic areas.

A-level Russian combines the learning of the language and of societies where Russian is spoken with the acquisition of important transferable skills, i.e. communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity.

If you have any further questions please contact Mr Richter - Head of Russian

The aim of the A-level Spanish course is to help you to develop an interest in speaking the language, to gain awareness of the need to speak foreign languages, to appreciate the nature and diversity of different hispanic cultures and people and to acquire knowledge, skills and understanding for practical use, further study and employment.

The AQA A-level specification builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE and  has been designed to be studied over two years. Its  approach is a focus on how Spanish-speaking society has been shaped socially and culturally and how it continues to change: In the first year, aspects of the social context are studied, together with aspects of the artistic life of Spanish-speaking countries. 

In the second year further aspects of the social background are covered, this time focusing on matters associated with multiculturalism. Students also study aspects of the political landscape including the future of political life in the Hispanic world by focusing on young people and their political engagement.

If you have any further questions please contact Mrs Wiltshire - Head of Spanish

A: We would recommend that you complete the online registration form and our Registrar will then contact you. You can also email our admissions team on admissions@kings-rochester.co.uk

To view our Admissions section - please click here

A: To be sure of a place, we recommend that you register as soon as you have decided that King’s Rochester is the school for your child. Your child will then be reserved a placed or, if the year group is full, added to the waiting list.

A: Yes, we offer a range of Scholarships for pupils entering Years 7, Remove (Year 9) and Lower Sixth Form. Entrance assessments are held in the January preceding the September of entry.

• Academic 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry

• Music 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry

• Sport 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry

• Art 13+ and 16+ entry

• Drama 13+ and 16+ entry

The following Scholarships are also available offering varying generous fee remission:

• Cathedral Choristership for boys aged 8 and girls aged 10

• Dame Susan Morden Cathedral Choristership for boys aged 9+ and girls aged 11+

• Chesterfield Organ Scholarships for 13+ and 16+ entry only

• The Peter Rogers’ Music Scholarship for Senior School pupils

Financial assistance is also available.

To view our Scholarships & Bursaries section - please click here

A: Class sizes are kept small with a maximum of 20. The average class size is 16. 

When older pupils are taught in subject groups, these vary but are usually between 6 and 12 depending on the GCSE or A level subject chosen.

A: We offer a wide range of after school activities including basketball, ballet, cricket, swimming, minecraft, computing, science, rugby and chess.

To see our Co-Curricular section - please click here

A: Yes. We offer extensive school transport throughout Kent.

To see our School Transport section - please click here

A: We are one of a small number of schools which offer Army, Navy and the Royal Air Force as part of our CCF.  We also run the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.

A: We teach German from the age of 3 in our Nursery and this continues into our Prep School where we also offer Latin, Spanish and French. These languages continue to be offered in our Senior School together with Ancient Greek and Russian.

A: No, there is no longer Saturday school at King’s.

A: We were last inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in January 2020 and received a first-rate report. The whole school was deemed “excellent” in all areas.

To view the latest report online - please click here

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