Please watch the video below to view some of the more frequently asked questions about these subjects, then scroll down to the forum below to submit any of your own questions.
Thank you for watching. If your question was not covered in the video, then please use the "add comment" button below to ask one of our teachers for help. Staff will be live on the forum from 6pm to 8pm on Friday 16th October and will then be checking for questions throughout the weekend (although response times will not be as quick). The forum will close at 4pm on Monday 19th October, after which you can email any questions to admissions@kesbath.com
For General Enquiries: The forum below is intended for subject-specific questions. If your query is more general, then please post it on the Admissions and General Enquiries forum and one of our admissions team or senior teachers will get back to you.
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Comments
Hello, I am Mark Buswell, Head of RS and Philosophy. I will be here from 6pm this evening to take questions from you on our two A Levels: EdExcel Religious Studies and AQA Philosophy.
Posted by Mr M Buswell, 16/10/2020 at 15:18
Good evening Mr Buswell, what grades in which subjects will I need to study Philosophy? Harry
Posted by GuestK734, 16/10/2020 at 17:54
So long as your performance in English and Maths is to an acceptable standard (about 6 or above), I see no problem in you accessing the subject. Be aware that the subject does involve a lot of reading, however.
Posted by Mr M Buswell, 16/10/2020 at 17:58
Good evening, do you need to have studied GCSE RS to take A-Level?
Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 17:32
Whilst some topics studied at A Level (notably Ethics) have been studied within GCSE, the approach within both A Levels is sufficiently different to ensure that you will not be disadvantaged if you have not taken the RS GCSE. Every year, we have pupils joining both A Level Religious Studies and A Level Philosophy with no GCSE background. This does not appear to affect their outcomes.
Posted by Mr M Buswell, 16/10/2020 at 17:46
How does the school feel about two new subjects for Alevel?
Posted by GuestK734, 16/10/2020 at 17:57
Provided the subjects chosen fit the skills and interests of the pupil, this is not a problem.
Posted by Mr M Buswell, 16/10/2020 at 17:59
Good evening. I'm Steve Lomon, Head of History and Politics. I am online and ready to take your questions on A Level, the upcoming election, and any other topics of interest that I might reasonably comment on.
Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:34348, 16/10/2020 at 18:05
What period of the British Empire do you cover and do you cover this in YR12 at all?
Posted by GuestK654, 16/10/2020 at 18:08
We cover the British Empire between 1763 and 1914. This part of the course (1/4 of the whole) is taught in Y13.
Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:34348, 16/10/2020 at 18:10
Good evening, if I were to take both politcs and history, would I have the same teachers for both courses?
Posted by GuestK703, 16/10/2020 at 18:19
Typically at A Level you have two teachers per subject. (This is true of almost every subject). If you chose History and Politics you would have two teachers for each and most likely you would get 4 different teachers, but it is possible you would have 2 or 3 covering both depending on how we end up timetabling. The pairings are typically one male, one female teacher per subject.
Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:34348, 16/10/2020 at 18:27
Hello, who teaches politics at a level? also which might be a better a level for journalism? thanks
Posted by GuestK757, 16/10/2020 at 18:59
All the History Dept. make up the Politics Dept. except Mr Burroughs. Are you asking whether History or Politics is better for journalism? Both require you to write argumentatively, think flexibly and substantiate your views with evidence. History includes coursework which is, perhaps, better preparation for independent research and long form writing. That said, if you're into political journalism, Politics would bring you up to speed.
Both would certainly be relevant to applying for a journalism course, as would any essay based subject.
Posted by DB:Cloud:DB:SIMSemp:34348, 16/10/2020 at 19:09
Good evening, I am Dr Knight, the Head of Geography. I am available to answer any questions you might have about A level Geography at KES.
Posted by Dr J Knight, 16/10/2020 at 18:05
Good evening Dr Knight, how does the style and topics of A-level differ from GCSE. Thanks
Posted by GuestK713, 16/10/2020 at 18:07
I don't think my previous answer was sent! My apologies. Some of the similar topics include Coasts (if you have opted for these at GCSE), some aspects of urban, migration, tectonics and hydrology. Other topics are very different, such as space and place, geography of disease, the carbon cycle and human rights. The skills will build on those already developed at GCSE and will extend these and many of these are brought together in the coursework that is part of the A level. I hope this answers you question but please do let me know if you need any further details. Dr Knight
Posted by Dr J Knight, 16/10/2020 at 18:20
Do you do philosophy as a stand alone subject or is it R&P?
Posted by Guest349, 16/10/2020 at 18:27
We run two separate A Levels:
EdExcel Religious Studies and AQA Philosophy
Pupils can study either or both
Posted by Mr M Buswell, 16/10/2020 at 18:28
The philosophy a level content sounds quite like R&P GCSE content
how does it differ?
Posted by Guest349, 16/10/2020 at 18:34
There is some overlap but some significant difference.
Within both A Levels, Moral Philosophy (Ethics) and Philosophy of Religion are studied. Philosophy also uniquely contains Epistemology and Philosophy of Mind and Religious Studies uniquely contains New Testament Theology.
Posted by Mr M Buswell, 16/10/2020 at 18:37
Difference to GCSE content depends on course studied. At KES, the only overlap would be Ethics.
Posted by Mr M Buswell, 16/10/2020 at 18:40
To reconfirm, you do not need to study GCSE RS to do either A Level Philosophy or A Level Religious Studies.
Posted by Mr M Buswell, 16/10/2020 at 19:00
In the light of Covid and travel restrictions, will there be fewer field trips in Geography and if so, what will replace them?
Posted by Open Day guest, 16/10/2020 at 19:04
Our plan is to delay some fieldwork and when restrictions are lifted we will conduct fieldwork. So, our day trip to Cardiff Bay is postponed but we have tentatively pencilled in our fieldtrip to South Wales in April. Year 13s are still able to collect data for their coursework. We are developing many more visual resources and have some more practical lessons in school.
Posted by Dr J Knight, 16/10/2020 at 19:08
Similarly, our A Level Philosophy and Ethics conferences are currently on hold, but we hope to replace them with virtual lectures.
Posted by Mr M Buswell, 16/10/2020 at 19:29
Thank you for your questions this evening. Please leave any further questions on this page and they will be answered during the week.
Posted by Mr M Buswell, 16/10/2020 at 19:58
Thank you for your questions. Any further questions will be answered early next week.
Posted by Dr J Knight, 16/10/2020 at 20:00