Sixth formers have a free choice of A levels, choosing three, four or five subjects. Guidance will be given on subject combinations and the number of courses to follow. The timetable will be written to accommodate students' individual choices with the proviso that uncommon and unusual choices may occasionally not be possible. For some, specialisation will have great appeal whilst others will prefer to combine a mixture of types of subjects in order to preserve breadth. The norm will be four A level subjects, but those taking Further Mathematics and those with an advantage in a particular language may take five and some, especially those with a heavy commitment in other school activities, for example music, may find three more manageable.
All sixth formers will attend a general studies course covering a range of topical issues, personal social and health education, entrepreneurship and business informatics. They will also receive careful guidance and preparation for their university applications. The completeness of a POWIIS sixth form education will come from continued participation in the range of sporting, cultural, social and intellectual activities on offer.
Although this list is not absolutely fixed, the eventual list of A level subjects is likely to include:
Mathematics *
Further Mathematics *
Physics *
Chemistry *
Biology *
Design Technology
Information Technology
Psychology *
|
English Literature *
History *
Geography
Law
Economics *
Economics and Business
Government and Politics
Thinking Skills (AS only)
|
Drama
Music
Art *
Mandarin *
French
German
Spanish
|
Sixth Form candidates are encouraged to indicate their preferred subjects at the time of application, making a free choice from the complete list. They are welcome to discuss their choices with POWIIS staff either at interview or before. We shall do out best to provide each individual's subject and combination choice, but this may not be possible in rare cases of low demand for a subject or an unusual combination. The courses marked * will definitely be available in September 2011 and will also have a post SPM entry point in January 2012.
The Examination Boards
IGCSE (International General Certificate of Education) and A level courses and examinations are operated in Malaysia from the UK by two boards, CIE (Cambridge International Exams) and Edexcel, originally known as the London Examination Board. Further information and links to their syllabuses can be found at
http://www.cie.org.uk and
http://www.edexcel.com. The choice between the two exam boards will be made for each subject by the School. The standards and qualifications are exactly comparable.