Academic achievement is given high priority at Fettes College but we are not a hot-house. The curriculum is designed to ensure that our pupils leave with a well-rounded view of life and are fully prepared for entry into Universities and Colleges across the world. Pupils are presented for the GCSE in the Fifth Form, and for AS and A Levels and the International Baccalaureate in the Sixth Form. Candidates seeking entry to Oxford or Cambridge receive appropriate preparation.
Third Form (ages 13-14)
The Third Form curriculum is kept very broad, so that students are in the best position to make informed choices for GCSE at the end of the year. All Third Formers study English, Mathematics, Geography, History, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Business & ICT, Art, Music, Drama and Physical Education. ICT skills are also developed across key subjects through the permeation programme. All subjects are setted. Students choose two languages from French, German, Spanish, Mandarin and Classical Greek. Students requiring EFL or Support for Learning just choose one language. Students all choose either Latin or two of additional Art, Classical Civilisation, Drama, Music and PE. Further details and advice on GCSE options are given in the Spring Term.
Fourth and Fifth Forms (ages 14-16)
GCSE Courses
From September 2007 all students take English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and ICT. Students then choose four subjects from the following list: Art & Design, Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Classical Greek, Drama, Geography, German, History, Mandarin, Music, PE and Spanish.
Students must choose at least one modern foreign language.
The ICT course is the iAM qualification where students do a series of online pieces of work, submit five short pieces of course work and take an online exam. It is a one year course.
Sixth Form
Fettes offers a very broad range of subjects in the Sixth Form. Students choose to take either A Levels or the International Baccalaureate.
A Levels
Students choose a core of 4 AS Levels from columns A-E in the Lower Sixth Form, usually supplemented by a fifth subject, which may be another AS Level from columns A to E or a subject from column F. In the Upper Sixth Form, students focus on three (sometimes four) A Level subjects.
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
Bus. Studies |
French |
Geography |
Biology |
Art |
AS General Studies |
Chemistry |
Geography |
History |
Classical - |
English |
Beg. Mandarin |
Drama |
History |
Mathematics |
Civilisation |
Further Maths |
Higher English |
Economics |
Physics |
|
English |
German |
E.F.L. |
History of Art |
|
|
Govt & Politics |
P.E. |
|
Latin |
|
|
Greek |
Spanish |
|
|
|
|
Mathematics |
|
|
Music is available outside the columns.
International Baccalaureate
Students have to study six subjects for two years, one drawn from each group:
Group 1 (first language) English
Group 2 (second language) French, German, Spanish, Latin, Greek
Group 3 (individuals and societies) History, Geography, Business and Management, Economics
Group 4 (experimental sciences) Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Group 5 (mathematics) Mathematics
Group 6 (the arts) Visual Arts, Music, Theatre Arts
Students can substitute a second subject from groups 1-5 rather than take a subject from group 6. In addition, students have to study a theory of knowledge course, produce an extended essay on a subject of their choice and undertake a programme of creativity, action and service.
Students choose three higher level subjects and three standard level courses.
Further information regarding the IB is available here or from Mrs Harriet Marshall.