Accounting

Accounting

A LEVEL

Money makes the world go round. That’s why Accounting adds up to being a great A Level.

Accountants tell the story of how a business succeeds through numbers.

Accounting keeps track of finances. On this accounting course you’ll learn how to interpret raw financial data, from transactions to taxes, using a fascinating array of tools and techniques to analyse an organisation’s financial health.

To get the most from this course you’ll be a whizz at maths, and love solving problems.

Every business needs ace accountants and financial experts. And there’s a good amount of job security in this world – because it’s on you to make sure books are balanced and everyone gets paid.

While you’ll be spending a lot of your time reporting on financial activity, accounting also requires creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Stick with accounting as a career and in a few years’ time you could be:

  • Working in one of the world’s great financial markets or institutions – from New York to Tokyo
  • Leading mergers and acquisitions
  • Evaluating expansion into new markets
  • Launching new products
  • Safeguarding against unprofitable business moves
  • Finding creative ways to reduce waste and unnecessary spending

LESSON TIME!

Miss Reding will explain the statement of financial position – which leans heavily on the accounting equation formula (or the balance sheet equation): Assets = Capital + Liabilities.

In this Accounting crash course we’ll learn how all these items come together on the statement:

  • Non-current assets
  • Current assets
  • Capital
  • Non-current liabilities
  • Current liabilities

The purpose of this statement of financial position is to show all assets are equal to capital plus liabilities – to help investors see what a business is worth.

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What’s next?

Accordion Content

As you’d expect, if you look after money, money will look after you.

Jobs in finance typically offer above-average salaries compared to roles elsewhere demanding similar levels of education.

Rise up the ranks to become a chartered accountant and you’re looking at an average annual salary of £84,500, with yearly bonuses of around £17,300* .

Accounting also gives you the analytical skills perfect for STEM-related roles, including data scientist and engineer.

* figures from prospects.ac.uk – https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/chartered-accountant 

It would be highly unlikely you didn’t want to consider a finance-related degree. Many of our alumni become business, maths and marketing undergraduates.

But options beyond this course are vast.

Financial literacy is one of the most in-demand skills across every industry. We’ve even had some Accounting students go on to do drama at uni.

Whatever you fancy, your teacher, Pastoral Manager or our Careers Team is here to talk things through with you.

Component 1:

Financial accounting

Component 2:

Accounting for analysis and decision-making

Component 3:

Recording accurate financial transactions

Component 4:

Preparing financial statements

Component 5:

Monitoring business performance

Entry requirements:

Six good passes at GCSE including two at grade 6 or above

Course specific entry requirements:

Grade 6 from Maths

Course duration:

2 years

Assessment methods:

2 final 3hr exams

Course type:

Linear A-level

Exam board:

AQA

As we learn many new techniques, classroom focus, allied to strong attendance and punctuality, is essential. You will learn through the repetition of questions from texts and past papers. The secret of success lies in the continual practise of these questions.

I had always wanted to study at Xaverian since Year 9 because I loved the vibe and buildings. Being here has fulfilled my expectations and I feel I am now achieving the grades I am capable of. The Teachers encourage you to work hard to ensure you succeed.

Britney Dias, Accounting

RELATED COURSES

If you’re considering ACCOUNTING you might also want to check out:

COMPLEMENTARY COURSES

YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING COURSES ALONGSIDE ACCOUNTING:

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Ancient History

Ancient History

A LEVEL

Xaverian and Ancient history. We go way back.

This is a history course like no other.

They say truth is often stranger than fiction. You’d have no reason to disagree after spending a couple of years on this course unearthing the faintly believable, bloodthirsty world of the first five Roman emperors.

If there wasn’t documented evidence of it happening, you’d be inclined towards scepticism about the brutal, often-terrifying goings-on of ancient Rome.

It’s a real life story of good versus evil. Or is it? Who’s really good and who’s evil?

Taught by incredibly passionate historians, laced with loads of fun, exciting projects, workshops and packed with movies that bring these very-olden days to life, Ancient History will be a treat for any student fascinated by culture, gaudy costumes and living tanks of bronze, spears and human muscle.

You’ll be analysing texts, evaluating evidence and gaining confidence in expressing a considered opinion. Ancient History will help you understand different cultures without judging them. You’ll also do a lot of reading outside class.

There is a surprising amount of modern life that owes its existence to ancient Greece and Rome. Much of our language, clean water, sewerage and baths are the stuff of Ancient History. And let’s not forget the democratic world. Athens’ citizens were the first people to choose their rulers. We can trace the roots of Western democracy back there.

LESSON TIME!

Buckle up. We’re hitting rewind in a big way. How’s 2,500 years for you? In this Ancient History lesson we’re heading to Greece, where we’ll quickly discover that truth is definitely stranger than fiction.

We’ll start our adventure in 492 BC, as yet another Asia Minor squabble is about to kick off, initiated as ever by Persia’s grumpy, power-hungry King Darius I.

We then whizz forward a few hundred years to not-so bella Italia where we’ll see what it was like to kick around under a procession of predictably angry Roman emperors. Politics, street gangs and civil war.

Fascinating facts:

  • In ancient times, Greeks didn’t wear trousers.
  • Sparta was all about its warriors and a relentless commitment to being battle-ready.
  • At seven, kids were taken to a military bootcamp and belonged to the state. Underfed, their ‘stealthiness’ was tested as they stole food to survive.
  • At 12, they got a red cloak.
  • At 18 they were initiated into adulthood through a gruesome challenge when they’d kill big slaves. And these single-minded warriors kept fighting until 60.
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What’s next?

Accordion Content

Humanities courses are great all-rounders in giving you skills that endure in any career you choose.

Ancient History students have gone on to work in the media, such as the BBC, and even found work in other countries. Other popular jobs include:

  • Academic researcher
  • Archivist
  • Archaeologist
  • Museum curator or exhibitions officer
  • Teacher

History students are held in high regard by universities due to the courses’ academic nature. A lot of Xaverian students become history, politics, law or teaching undergraduates.

Greek period study: 

Relations between Greek and non-Greek states, 492–404 BC (25%)

Greek Depth study: 

The Politics and Society of Sparta, 478–404 BC (25%)

Roman period study: 

The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC – AD 68 (25%)

Roman Depth study: 

The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88–31 BC (25%)

Entry requirements:

Six good passes at GCSE including two at grade 6 or above

Course specific entry requirements:

Grade 5 from English
(4 will be considered)

Course duration:

2 years

Assessment methods:

3 final exams

Course type:

Linear A-level

Exam board:

OCR

If you have done GCSE History, we will be building on the foundations of your skills of evaluation and source work. Nevertheless, we assume students know nothing about the Ancient World so we start from scratch and are open to all; all we ask is an open mind and a willingness to read and work hard.

The major difference with Modern History courses is the deeper focus and reliance on the original sources, whether it be contemporary historians, archaeology, biographies or poetry. You will also learn to reference ancient and modern secondary scholars in essays, preparing you well for further study at university.

There is lots of discussion in the classroom, and we believe that extra-curricular experiences and visits are particularly advantageous in opening your eyes to topics we study: we hope you will take advantage of our trips to ancient sites and the British Museum as well as our links with Manchester University.

I chose Xaverian because of the combination of courses, the location and the Campus. Everyone seemed really friendly and it is fun to be here. My courses ar really interesting and, when we are together in a group, we have interesting chats about the subjects for hours.

Oscar Standidge, Ancient History

RELATED COURSES

If you’re considering ANCIENT HISTORY you might also want to check out:

COMPLEMENTARY COURSES

YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING COURSES ALONGSIDE ANCIENT HISTORY:

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Biology

BIOLOGY

A LEVEL

You’re remarkable. Now find out why and how with Biology - the study of life.

We’re all simply a collection of organic compounds, converting energy to growth, change, and reproduction.

Yet every day we make life-changing discoveries. Biologists have helped us develop better medicines and treatments for diseases, understand how a changing environment might affect plants and animals, grow enough food for everyone and predict how sticking to an exercise regime could change our bodies.

This is a spectacular science. It’s built on chemistry, which is built on physics, on maths. 

Choose Biology and you’re getting an access-all-areas pass to not only who we are, but how we got here.

Biologists know why we are not so different to trees and bees. The secrets of DNA – and why it’s our operating manual. And how viruses hijack cells, take them hostage and force them to make new viruses.

As a community of practice we’re only just beginning to understand biology at the molecular level. There’s never been a better time to study this A-level.

You’re literally learning about how life happens. And through constant experimentation and research. If you’re constantly curious and always seeking solutions and answers to big questions, Biology is where you need to be. 

How do we start with inanimate molecules and atoms, ending up with complex living things? Join us on this amazing course as we discover the story of life.

LESSON TIME!

Mrs Andrews and Mr Simpson are going to teach us all about lactose intolerance – a condition that affects up to 70% of the world’s population, including cats.

Lactose is a molecule. And unless it gets hydrolysed (broken down) by the lactase enzyme, bacteria ferment it and cause symptoms of intolerance.

In today’s lesson we’ll show through a fascinating experiment how biologists in a lab setting can force lactose in milk to be broken down making it safe to drink for those who are lactose intolerant.

Fascinating facts:

  • In Greek, bio means life and logos means study.
  • Molecular biologists discovered the COVID-19 vaccine, a single-stranded molecule of RNA (mRNA) corresponding to the genetic sequence of a gene that’s read by a ribosome during a process known as protein synthesis.
  • Lactose is broken down by an enzyme into the galactose and glucose monosaccharides.
Play Video

What’s next?

Accordion Content

Your future may be in any field – but one thing’s for sure: study biology and you’ll be entering it with your eyes wide open.

There are lots more ideas at prospects.ac.uk

Specialise in a single organism type – perhaps through Zoology, the study of animals, botany (plants), or Microbiology (really tiny things called microorganisms). 

Combine subjects such as bioengineering, and research artificial organs or imaging the body using technology like MRI scanning. or astrobiology – and join the hunt for ET! Physiology is all about how living things work. Biochemistry looks at how medicines affect the body, while ecology looks at how organisms interact with their environment – such as how bees aren’t so happy with us humans right now because of all the pollution and agricultural challenges of overpopulation.

Component 1:

Biological molecules

Component 2:

Cells

Component 3:

Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

Component 4:

Organisms exchange substances with their environment

Component 5:

Energy transfers in and between organisms

Component 6:

Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments

Component 7:

Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems

Component 8:

The control of gene expression

Entry requirements:

Six good passes at GCSE including two at grade 6 or above

Course specific entry requirements:

Grade 6, 6, 6  from 2 Sciences and Maths

If you wish to take two Science A-levels, you need Grade 7,6,6 from two Sciences and Maths

Course duration:

2 years

Assessment methods:

3 final exams

Course type:

Linear A-level

Exam board:

AQA

All students are provided with carefully prepared booklets of notes and past exam questions specific to the units being studied. Regular homeworks and tests are used to assess your progress and develop your interpretation of exam questions.

All the Biology staff are enthusiastic, experienced teachers and use a variety of learning resources including powerpoints, on-line activities, DVD’s, animations and practical investigations. There are also fieldwork activities, lectures at Universities and visits to Chester zoo and research institutes.

Getting an offer to study Medicine at Oxford was an extremely proud moment for me and my family. Xaverian has served as a basis for allowing me to propel forward towards achieving my dreams. They have supported me along my journey towards applying to medical school and helped me reach my goals.

Tawfik Al-Terawi, Biology

North West Science Network

Fancy the chance to experience life at the University of Oxford?

Xaverian College offers Year 12 science students the chance to take part in a week-long Corpus Christi summer school, a highlight of the North West Science Network’s packed calendar of events.

We’re the Greater Manchester hub for the NWSN, which also features lectures by celebrated scientists, regional laboratory visits, and a Maths Study Day – featuring lectures and interactive workshops exploring diverse topics from cancer research to jet engine propulsion.

RELATED COURSES

If you’re considering BIOLOGY you might also want to check out:

COMPLEMENTARY COURSES

Did you know that you don’t have to study all three sciences to get into Medicine at university? Your final A Level can be in any subject that you enjoy, as long as you achieve the grade your chosen university requires. Why not consider one of the following:

English Language/Literature

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Business

BUSINESS

A-LEVEL

BUILD the foundations for a successful business.

Want your own start-up and thirsty for success? Wake up every day with product ideas and want to develop a team to get them on the market?

On the Business A Level you’ll learn the formula to building winning enterprises.

You’ll need a creative mind, one that’s focused both on the little details and the bigger picture.

Modern businesses have a greater challenge than ever. It’s no longer enough to find the right product or service. Your customers are more environmentally aware and cost conscious than ever. Finding a balance is your challenge as an entrepreneur. 

Making things that are both appealing and good, and providing meaningful work to your employees, are the hallmarks of a successful 21st century enterprise.

Business is ever changing, but the basics stay the same. You need to be quick but methodical in problem solving and making decisions. 

On this course we’ll teach you lots of practical tricks and tips to make the right calls while applying critical analysis to every situation.

LESSON TIME!

Shares are a robust indicator of business health. They’re sold by the business to raise money. Shareholders make money either through dividends or an increase in the value of their stocks. But there’s no guarantee profitable businesses will pay dividends.

There are many external and internal factors influencing share price, from political climate and the economy to the company’s management and reputation.

What makes a great investment? We’ll compare the share prices of car firm Tesla and cinema chain Cineworld and go behind the scenes to understand why one boomed and the other plummeted.

We also review the fortunes and otherwise of online food delivery company Just Eat and online fashion retailer Boohoo as they either enjoyed or endured operating during a time of national lockdown.

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What’s next?

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During your Business A-level you’ll be doing a lot of work around analysis, marketing and researching. You’ll be fascinated by data and people, and also the workings of commerce – both at the start-up level, and also more established organisations. Law, retail and HR may be sectors that interest you.

You’ll be ready to expand your knowledge in many different areas. Most of our students go on to study business management, administration, accountancy and finance, HR, marketing and retail management degrees.

Component 1

Business Opportunities and Functions

Component 2

Business Analysis and Strategy

Component 3

Business in a Changing World

Entry requirements:

Six good passes at GCSE including two at grade 6 or above

Course specific entry requirements:

Grade 5 from Maths, Grade 5 from English

Course duration:

2 years

Assessment methods:

3 final 2hr15 exams

Course type:

Linear A-Level

Exam board:

Eduqas

We make sure you’re ready for the final exam through regular class assessment. This includes online quizzes, in class assessment, formal end of unit assessments and mock exams.

Xaverian was the only College that had the courses I wanted to study. I’ve really enjoyed my subjects and feel that I have learned a lot of interesting things about how the world works and the history behind it. Xaverian has also helped me to learn about the next steps I need to take in my life when I go to university.

Joseph Shem, Business

RELATED COURSES

If you’re considering BUSINESS you might also want to check out:

COMPLEMENTARY COURSES

YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING COURSES ALONGSIDE BUSINESS:

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Chemistry

CHEMISTRY

A LEVEL

Study Chemistry at Xaverian. You’ll be in your element.

What is pollination? How do we hear, taste, or feel touch? What’s lighter, a kilogram of stones or a kilogram of feathers?

Everything we do is a chemical reaction. A transformation, of matter – anything that takes up space and has mass. 

Chemists need to know what makes up matter and why and how it is transformed.

Chemistry helps us understand, and make predictions about, our reality.

Anyone curious about the world around us and how it works will be in their element on this Chemistry course.

LESSON TIME!

How does temperature affect the rate of reaction?

We’re going to react sodium sulphate with methanal at different temperatures and you’ll be amazed at what happens when we lower and raise the mercury.

This experiment clearly demonstrates how the state of matter can be transformed through changing environmental conditions – a cornerstone of Chemistry.

Fascinating facts:

  • One million carbon atoms strung together comprise the width of a human hair.
  • Chalk is made of trillions of microscopic skeleton fossils of plankton.
  • Lemons have more sugar than strawberries.
  • An ice cube takes up almost 9% more volume than the water used to make it.
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Accordion Content

Careers for the scientifically minded span the range of industries and job types.

You could find yourself in a chemistry-related role:

  • Analytical chemist
  • Chemical engineer
  • Chemistry teacher
  • Development chemist
  • Laboratory technician
  • Research analyst
  • Toxicologist

Or you could decide that your experience lends itself to work in an associated field:

  • Forensic examiner or researcher
  • Police officer
  • Project engineer
  • Technical associate
  • Accountant
  • Applied chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Environmental science
  • Forensic science.
Physical Chemistry

Atomic Structure, Amount of Substance, Bonding, Energetics, Equilibria, Thermodynamics, Kinetics, Electrode Potentials, Electrochemical Cells and Acids and Bases

Inorganic Chemistry

Periodicity, Group 2, Group 7, Period 3, Transition Metals, Ions in Aqueous Solution

Organic Chemistry

Nomenclature, Reaction Mechanisms, Isomerism, Alkanes, Halogenoalkanes, Alkenes, Alcohols, Aldehydes & Ketones, Carboxylic Acids, Aromatic Chemistry, Amines, Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins, DNA, Synthesis, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Chromatography

Experiments are used through this course to support the learning and to help students enhance their experience with laboratory equipment.

 
Entry requirements:

Six good passes at GCSE including two at grade 6 or above

Course specific entry requirements:

Grade 6, 6, 6, from 2 Sciences and Maths

If you wish to take two Science A-levels, you need Grade 7,6,6 from two Sciences and Maths

Course duration:

2 years

Assessment methods:

3 final exams

Course type:

Linear A-level

Exam board:

AQA

All the Chemistry teachers are experienced and enthusiastic, and use a range of teaching methods to ensure that each individual student has the very best chance of achieving their potential.

came to one of the Open Days and I thought the College looked good and I liked the courses. I particularly enjoyed Chemistry as the lessons were interesting and I enjoyed doing the practical experiments. I also represent the College at local climbing competitions and this has helped me become more confident and independent.

Rhiannon Sellers, Chemistry

North West Science Network

Fancy the chance to experience life at the University of Oxford?

Xaverian College offers Year 12 science students the chance to take part in a week-long Corpus Christi summer school, a highlight of the North West Science Network’s packed calendar of events.

We’re the Greater Manchester hub for the NWSN, which also features lectures by celebrated scientists, regional laboratory visits, and a Maths Study Day – featuring lectures and interactive workshops exploring diverse topics from cancer research to jet engine propulsion.

RELATED COURSES

If you’re considering CHEMISTRY you might also want to check out:

COMPLEMENTARY COURSES

Did you know that you don’t have to study all three sciences to get into Medicine at university? Your final A level can be in any subject that you enjoy, as long as you achieve the grade your chosen university requires. Why not consider one of the following:

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Classical Civilisation

Classical Civilisation

A LEVEL

Welcome to Classics - a study of ancient life through poems, philosophy, art, architecture and much more…

What entertained, inspired and laid foundations for society as we know it? If you love thinking deeply about the world around us and how it came to be, you’ll have an absolute ball on this Classical Civilisation A Level course.

What’s surprising is how many of the issues affecting today’s society have been around and debated for more than 2,000 years. We’ll discuss many of them on this course – from democracy to drama.

There’s a lot of debate and discussion in this course. You’ll be reading plenty, analysing texts and interpretations with your classmates and teachers, for example:

  • Great battles with heroes, witches, and giants in Homer’s Odyssey
  • One of history’s greatest piece of theatre – packed with prophecy and deadly secrets in Sophocles’ Oedipus
  • A journey through life with arguably the greatest-ever philosopher, Socrates, as we go deep on beauty, the god of love and pursuit of wisdom.

This is a course that’s recommended if you’re seeking to hone your critical thinking – and highly rated by higher education institutions. An increasing number of Classical Civilisation students apply successfully to Oxbridge and other Russell Group universities.

Classical Civilisation is an odyssey in itself. Storytelling, song, love, literature, art, archaeology, and the obligatory tales of woe and war. We can’t wait for you to join us and put this world to rights.

LESSON TIME!

We’re shooting ourselves back almost 2,500 years to study the Ancient Greek tragedy, Hippolytus. Which as a word, loosely translated, means ‘destroyed by horses’.

Our playwright is Euripides and he’s going all-in on love and despair. This is a properly dark text. There’s unrequited love, death by chariot, and all kinds of other shenanigans that quite frankly make Game of Thrones look tame.

Play Video

What’s next?

Accordion Content

If you choose to pursue a degree related to the Classics, you may consider a career in one of the following rewarding roles:

  • Archivist
  • Barrister
  • Editorial assistant
  • Heritage manager
  • Teacher or lecturer
  • Researcher
  • Museum curator

Many Classical Civilisation students develop a real passion for Greek and Roman mythology. 

This course is packed with art, literature, history, and comedy intertwined with politics. That means there are plenty of aligned degree courses to consider – depending on how you wish to branch out.

You’ll already be fascinated by society, culture and democracy, and how life has evolved through the ages – so you might also consider your university future in courses such as philosophy, sociology and law.

Component 1:

The World of the Hero: Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid – 40%

Component 2:

Greek Theatre – 30%

Component 3:

Beliefs and Ideas: Love and Relationships – 30%

Entry requirements:

Six good passes at GCSE including two at grade 6 or above

Course specific entry requirements:

Grade 5 from English (4 will be considered)

Course duration:

2 years

Assessment methods:

2 final exams

Course type:

Linear A-level

Exam board:

OCR

We do not expect any knowledge of the subject, and will spend time building up your knowledge. You will develop skills in critical analysis, presenting rigorous arguments, oral and written, and learn how to discuss a topic with clarity, patience and sensitivity to the views of others. You will also learn to reference ancient and modern secondary scholars in essays, preparing you well for further study at university.

There is lots of discussion in the classroom, and we believe that extra-curricular experiences and visits are particularly advantageous in opening your eyes to topics we study: we hope you will take advantage of our trips to ancient sites and the British Museum as well as our links with Manchester University; a number of our students this year relished the chance to study an ancient language at a summer school or spent a week studying Classics related subjects at colleges in Oxford.

Classics is my favourite subject and is something I had never done before I started here. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I have decided it is what I want to take at university. The subject itself is fun and the lessons promote discussion and engagement with the course materials. The teachers are also great!

Jessica Scanlon, Classical Civilisation

RELATED COURSES

If you’re considering BUSINESS you might also want to check out:

COMPLEMENTARY COURSES

YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING COURSES ALONGSIDE BUSINESS:

Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

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Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

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Mathematics students multiply Results Day celebrations with impressive grades

Results Day at Xaverian College was filled with excitement and pride as students studying A Level Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics showcased their exceptional achievements in …

Find out more

Results Day yields impressive academic victories

Eight students from Xaverian College secured places at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and more are off to study medicine in …

Find out more

Xaverian College students gain first-choice destinations with excellent results

Staff and students at Xaverian College are celebrating today as the College enjoys yet another year of excellent A Level and BTEC results. A Level …

Find out more

Computer Science

COMPUTER SCIENCE

A LEVEL

They say in life, most decisions are not binary. But in computers, everything is.

There are few guarantees. But when it comes to secure and rewarding careers, getting smart in Computer Science is the closest you can get to one.

It’s a rare thing these days that’s unaffected by technology. Data is the new oil, algorithms control everything from farming to fast food, and artificial intelligence is one of the fastest growing sectors. 

You can quickly grasp the importance of Computer Science in society.

On this course you’ll first learn how computers work, including the language they speak and the components from which they’re made. We’ll discover how they’re connected to form networks – including the most famous network of all, the Internet – and how you can code pretty much anything on basic frameworks.

We’ll start simple, looking at problems, breaking them down, and writing code to solve them.

By the time you’ve completed this course you’ll be knowledgeable in coding and ninja-like in networking.

The world will be at your feet. Technology is only becoming more important in all our lives – and you’ll be ready to play a big part in the future of our world.

It doesn’t matter whether or not you have any experience coding. We’ll start, as you’d hope, at the very beginning. But we move fast.

While every course at Xaverian is designed to provide skills readying you for the world of work – from problem solving to critical thinking – Computer Science is all about the practical application of lessons learned so you’ll feel super confident when it’s time to hit the world of work.

You’ll need to be methodical, focused and considered in how you approach solving problems. Getting in flow is a huge part of being a winning programmer.

Coders are patient, but equally work fast. You’ll enjoy working both on your own – there’s lots of independent study and analysis expected on this course as you progress towards coding mastery – and as part of a team.

In return, you’ll enjoy a course that’s as inspiring as it is insightful, learning from a team of teachers who are passionate about how technology is transforming our world. And showing you step-by-step that transformation is taking place.

LESSON TIME!

Mrs Graham is here to lead us through a fascinating session all about encryption, followed by a programming challenge in C# to figure out the Fibonacci sequence.

If you want to write your own language, encryption could be just what you need. In today’s lesson you’ll learn how to use a cipher – like the Caesar cipher, commonly known as a ‘shift’ cipher.

Then we get on to our favourite number series – the Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc). Your challenge is to write a program that reveals the first 10 Fibonacci numbers.

This lesson gives you a great glimpse into life as a Computer Science student.

Incidentally, the Fibonacci sequence was actually created by Leonardo of Pisa when he needed to work out how many rabbits would be bred in a year.

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