Cambridge Advanced post-16 options Peter Monteath Regional Director

Cambridge Advanced: post-16 options Peter Monteath Regional Director, UK and Ireland Peter Price Head of Geography, Charterhouse 9 April 2016

A level reform in England 4 The following are being redeveloped for first teaching in September 2015: 4 English Language and Literature, sciences, art and design, business, computer science, economics, history, sociology, psychology 4 Subjects for first teaching 2016: 4 Modern foreign languages, geography, dance, drama, music, P. E. and religious studies 4 Remainder will be reformed by 2017.

Where does Cambridge fit in?

Cambridge Advanced Cambridge Primary 5 to 11 years old* Cambridge Secondary 1 11 to 14 years old* Cambridge Secondary 2 14 to 16 years old* Cambridge Advanced 16 to 19 years old* Cambridge Primary Cambridge Secondary 1 Cambridge IGCSE Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Cambridge O Level Cambridge International AS and A Level Cambridge ICT Starters Cambridge ICE Cambridge Pre-U Cambridge ICT Starters Cambridge AICE

Cambridge International AS and A Level 4 Tens of thousands of learners use it every year to gain places at leading universities worldwide 4 Cambridge International AS and A Level options available 4 Over 55 subjects – specialise or retain breadth. 4 Schools can build an individualised curriculum 4 In UK, offered by independent sector schools only – not Ofqual regulated 4 International A Level, domestic A Level, Pre- U mix is not uncommon.

“Cambridge International A Levels are an excellent technical qualification. They provide really good core knowledge and help to build aptitude and they provide a really good bedrock for the move – the transition to university in the first year of study. ” Richard Partington, Senior Tutor, Churchill College, University of Cambridge “We think that Cambridge International qualifications are a really good preparation for university study. They allow students to specialise in particular subjects and to develop lots of other skills which are really useful for university study – things like communication skills, research skills and problem-solving skills” Roseanna Cross, Head of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Bristol

Assessment Structure

Scheme of Assessment (to 2017) 4 Paper 1 Core Geography (AS Level, 3 hours) 4 Paper 2 Advanced Physical Options 4 Paper 3 Advanced Human Options (Each 1 hour 30 minutes, forming A Level with Paper 1) Delivery can be staged or linear.

Scheme of assessment from 2018 Component Duration Weighting AS Level A Level 50% 25% Paper 1 Core Physical Geography Paper 2 Core Human Geography 1 hr 30 mins Paper 3 Advanced Physical Options 1 hr 30 mins - 25% Paper 4 Advanced Human Options 1 hr 30 mins - 25% Up to and including 2017, Papers 1 and 2 are combined

4 All four (three in 2017) components are externally assessed by Cambridge 4 No coursework 4 International qualification so compulsory fieldwork would have been difficult to assess. Fieldwork is actively encouraged but not directly assessed in components.

What is the content of the Core? Physical Core 1 Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology 2 Atmosphere and weather 3 Rocks and weathering Human Core 1 Population 2 Migration 3 Settlement dynamics

Advanced Options at a view (unchanged for 2018) Choose Two Advanced Physical Options from: 1 Tropical environments 2 Coastal environments 3 Hazardous environments 4 Arid and semi-arid environments Choose Two Advanced Human Options from: 1 Production, location and change 2 Environmental management 3 Global interdependence 4 Economic transition

Examination sessions 4 Two examination sessions 4 October/November 4 May/June 4 After AS Level, full A Level must be completed within 13 months 4 AS Level can be re-taken or full A Level can be re-taken 4 No unit re-takes.

In Summary 4 Well-established syllabus 4 Staged approach of AS contributing to full A Level grade is retained. It can also be taken in a ‘linearly’ 4 AS moves to a two paper examination in 2018 4 November examination series, if required 4 All components assessed by Cambridge 4 Support resources – especially past papers

2005/6: The initial steer 4 Approach from schools 4 Some discontent with current A Level provision 4 Issues around modularity: 4 Retake culture 4 Grade inflation 4 Lack of discrimination 4 Loss of teaching time

Advantages of assessment after two years 4 More time for learning 4 Time to ‘find voice’ in subjects 4 Time to make transition into Sixth Form life 4 Time to link ideas, concepts, themes 4 Less emphasis on examination culture 4 Freedom for teachers to build exciting, innovative study programmes

Grading D 1 Distinction D 2 D 3 A/B boundary M 1 Merit M 2 M 3 C/D boundary P 1 Pass P 2 P 3 E/U boundary Cambridge Pre-U exists in a defined relationship to A Level It is accessible to all who currently achieve pass at A Level

Universities Recognition, offers and destinations

Typical offers from selective universities Cambridge - History Standard A Level Offer: Mixed portfolio: Warwick – Chemistry Standard A Level Offer: Mixed portfolio: A*, A, A D 2, A, A Recognition and offers from top US universities A, A, B D 3, B Nottingham - Geography Standard A Level Offer: A, A, B Pre-U Offer D 3, M 1 Essex – Mathematics Standard A Level Offer: Mixed portfolio: Plus: B, B, B M 2, B, B We encourage schools to contact us early about non. UK applications so that we can liaise with the university.

So where does that leave us? 4 Cambridge – greater stability and continuity. Long established qualifications 4 Syllabus reviews driven by schools with university input on overarching aims 4 Offering real choice for decision-makers in schools.

Learn more! Getting in touch with Cambridge is easy Email us at info@cie. org. uk or telephone +44 (0) 1223 553554 www. cie. org. uk