SUBJECTS AND COURSES
CHOOSING YOUR SUBJECTS
Your Course A typical first year student will complete up to 21 hours ‘classroom study’ per week, plus additional work at home. In the second or third year this will reduce in preparation for examinations. Although timetables will vary, you will get a general idea of what is required from the following typical course combinations:
• four AS levels in year one leading to three A2s in the second year
• the International Baccalaureate which is a full-time programme lasting two years
• Level 3 BTEC Extended Diplomas with or without additional AS/A2s or GCSEs, lasting two years
• Business Technology courses offer:
• ILEX Legal Secretaries course plus one or two A-levels/GCSEs
• Single subject, one block courses that may be combined with AS/A2 subjects, Level 3 BTEC Extended Diplomas or Level 3 BTEC Diploma courses
• Level 2 BTEC Diplomas plus up to two GCSEs
• Level 1 BTEC Certificate a one year course
What is important is that you line up your course choice with your likely results. See page 19 for full details before you complete the application form.
Partner Schools Priority is given to all pupils attending one of our eleven partner schools and/or live in the borough. These are:
Chafford Hundred Campus Gable Hall School Grays Convent High School Grays School Media Arts College Hassenbrook School Ormiston Park Academy St Clere’s School The Gateway Academy
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The Ockendon School William Edwards School & Sports College Woodlands School
Out of Area Schools We have a number of places available for pupils from out of area schools at Level 3. We work very closely with all our schools to help students choose the right course for them at the right level. Last year, students enrolled onto Level 3 courses from various out of area schools including De La Salle, Brittons, James Hornsby, Gaynes, Chafford, Rainham, to name a few.
After Applying You will have an interview in the Spring term to discuss your initial course choice. This will be followed by an interview in July with your tutor. We also have information on what will happen after you have applied in the school leavers' section on the website.
Choosing your courses can be difficult and we understand that you may change your mind. This is not a problem as long as you have thought through your reasons. No courses are settled until September when you have your GCSE results. Once you have started your courses, however, we expect you to see them through to the end.
Getting your Results If you have been offered a definite place at Palmer’s College then it will still be open to you even if your results do not come up to expectations. Your courses can be adjusted according to your grades when you come to Palmer’s College in September. Your tutor will help you make this decision when the time comes.
Some of you may have to stay an extra year to accomplish the goals you have set yourselves. Many students take this option and go on to make a successful entry into university or employment.
Course Index There are over eighty different courses that can be combined in a variety of ways to suit your strengths and preferences. We are constantly adding to and updating our courses and this prospectus contains the latest information available at the time of publication. A full list of those courses presently running is provided in the course index on page 20.
All students will be expected to follow a full programme of study that combines
examination subjects with a tutorial and careers programme.
Many students will not have decided on a particular career or Higher Education route to follow beyond their course at Palmer’s College.
Do not worry if you are in a similar position. With the help of tutors and specialist advice from the Careers Department, you will be able to select a broad base of subjects that will enable you to make the most of the following factors:
• your talents and abilities • your subject strengths and interests • your likely GCSE results • the new subjects available to you • your thoughts about your future.
PALMER’S COLLEGE PROSPECTUS
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