The OCR Certificates in Business Language Competence are for students who would like to continue their language studies without the commitment on an AS. They are offered in both Spanish and French. At ENTRY LEVEL there are oral units such as dealing with visitors to a company, arriving at a hotel and travelling on business.

At levels 1, 2 and 3 you will learn to do business over the telephone, talk formally and informally to business colleagues and follow discussions in meetings and presentations. Previous knowledge of a language is required but you do not need to have studied the language up to GCSE.

Studying a language puts you ahead of the crowd. Studying a business language gives you a skill for the real world, and ideal preparation for life after the classroom.

 

Critical Thinking is an innovative subject. Unlike most A level subjects there is no large body of content to learn and be tested on. Instead the subject focuses on a range of skills, which increase your ability to think logically and analyse other people's arguments effectively.

The subject aims to develop skills of communication, problem solving, analyses and evaluation and to help students develop a framework for moral, social and ethical decision making. The skills required will enhance your achievement in other subject areas and subsequently at university and in the workplace.

The English Department believes that all education should be humane and humanising and that the study of English should be supremely so. She should be able to use language in speaking and listening, reading and writing effectively and with informed understanding.

By the study and enjoyment of literature a pupil should learn to know and understand their place in the world through other eyes than just her own.

If you want to go places, go there with geography at Priory School!
Geography is taught by enthusiastic and experienced geographers and is successful at all levels from KS 3 to A2, in 2005, 100% A grade at A2. The department gives insight and understanding about the world.

We want to see students who value their role and responsibility for environmental sustainability and who can give explanations for some of the big questions such as "Why did the Tsunami 26 12 04 kill so many people?" and "Is global warming anything to do with me?"

Continuing with Modern Foreign Languages at A-level is an opportunity to develop the highly prized skill of communication and to increase your individual study skills. You will continue to build on the familiar skill areas of listening, reading, writing and speaking and have access to a conversation class with a native speaker and authentic tapes and magazines. You will also improve the fluency with which you write and speak. The focus is on the ability to analyse, present arguments coherently and persuade others of your opinions.

Additionally, following the AS or A2 course in Modern Foreign Languages will give you access to Francophone and Hispanic cultures and you will have the time to critically analyse the differences and similarities with your own culture. You can also opt to study literature in the Target Language.

Further qualifications in Modern Foreign Languages are valuable to employers and nearly every application form you might fill in asks you if you can speak other languages. Students of Modern Foreign Languages go on to study many subjects in university either in single honours or as part of valuable combined degrees with other Arts subjects, Mathematics, Business Studies, Engineering, Law, Tourism or Computing. A foreign language is the passport to the international job market and could be your unique selling point in an interview situation.

We believe history is a vital subject for all girls of all faiths.  History is a popular and successful subject and combines well not just with other subjects in the Humanities Faculty, but also with other areas of study. It is valued and highly regarded amongst prospective employers and university admissions tutors.

The Department encourages the development of student-centred learning and adopts a wide variety of teaching styles and approaches ranging from class discussions and debates to presentations, documentary work and research. Individual tutorials and advice sessions figure significantly as do audio-visual and presentational techniques.

The Department prides itself on making the subject come alive outside the classroom.  There have been almost 30 study visits outside the department in ther last 3 years.

Religious Studies gives you the opportunity to study some of the fundamental questions that people have always asked about life:

Why are we here? How do I decide about right and wrong? Does human society have a future? Does God exist? What happens to us when we die?

We may not be able to find complete answers to such questions, but these are the areas we explore, through moral, philosophical and theological investigation and discussion.

In AS/A2 Religious Studies, you will be asked to think about the issues involved and to consider the opinions of others, past and present.

You will be involved in a search, not so much for the right answers, but rather the right questions.

This syllabus is open to candidates of any religious belief. Keen interest, enthusiasm and a willingness to question preconceived ideas are required if a student is to gain maximum benefit from the course and learn to appreciate the complexity of nature and experience.