
Course Activities for Year 11 Students
We know for those of you in year 11 this year, it has been nothing like what you thought it would be. To get you thinking about what sort of tasks you may be looking at on our A level courses we have come up with a task for some of our A level subjects that you can have a go at before you join us.
Select a subject below to get started
Graphics
Art Deco is a style of visual arts, architecture and design. Art Deco influenced the design of buildings, furniture, fashion, cars, movie theatres, trains, ocean liners, and everyday objects such as radios and vacuum cleaners.
It’s time to get creative. You should use formal elements to describe work, give examples and show a clear understanding of material, technique. Once you have completed this, you should produce a creative logo inspired by the period for the ultimate retail destination, Merry hill shopping centre.
English Language
What is English language at A level? As a course of study this A level is markedly different to studying the subject at GCSE. You will cover aspect of grammar, linguistic theory, language acquisition as well as detailed levels of textual representations. Learn more by reading the blog here: https://www.superprof.co.uk/blog/learn-english-language-a-level
English Literature
Do you want to focus on analysis, debate and critical theorising about a large number of published works?
If you’re a fan of English literature, we’d like you to write a review on a literary text of your choice, a book, poem or play and share it with us on social media.
Biology
Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the chemical processes within and related to living organisms. Starting with this, draw out the following structures to show the atoms and bonding:
- Alpha and beta glucose
- A triglyceride
- A phospholipid
- An amino acid
Then, explore and research eukaryotic organelle structures and functions as seen from under an electron microscope.
Law
The criminal legal system covers England and Wales and is one of the major public services in this country.
It’s time for you to be the Judge. You hear the case and you decide the sentence. Head over to ybtj.justice.gov.uk and be the judge of appeals in criminal matters.
Philosophy
Thinking philosophically requires rigour, precision and creativity. You’ll learn how to analyse and communicate ideas clearly and logically.
A career in philosophy provides opportunities in many areas like publishing, law, the media, government, journalism, bio-ethics, advertising and teaching, through to computing and IT.
Want a crash course in philosophy? Watch this:
Film Studies
Do you have determination and resilience to succeed in the competitive film industry? Are you interested in the theoretical, historical, and critical approaches to films?
As a film studies student, you join a student community fascinated by visual culture in all its forms and explore cinema’s rich scope and history, from silent classics and mainstream Hollywood to the avant-garde.
Discover more:
Media
Media is a highly popular field. Areas of work include television and radio, film and video, digital media, computer games, journalism, writing and publishing, PR and media practice.
If you have the ability to communicate information effectively and aspire to communicate information across different mediums, see the video below:
Maths
Are you a logical thinker, enjoy problem-solving and like to make decisions? A career in Maths is in demand and valued by employers across many job sectors.
As you wait to start your A-level in Maths, continue to practice your skills in algebra, solving equations, transposing formulas and using the quadratic formulas.
Economics
Develop analytical thinking skills alongside a strong understanding of current affairs and how society functions.
Economics isn’t just about money, it’s a social science. As a social science, it is primarily concerned with the behaviour and relationships of people and societies and economics is applied to the real world to study.
If you want to explore ways in which people produce, use and distribute resources, see the video below:
Business
Whether you’ve got dreams to become a manager, forge a career in consultancy or find a fast-paced role in business management, this sector is home to a variety of careers.
Business skills provide opportunities in many management and analysis roles with employers in the private, public and voluntary sectors.
To learn more about the qualification, see the video below:
History
Kick-start your knowledge by exploring the Holocaust. The MOOC course delves into the central subjects of Holocaust research, such as: Nazi ideology, democracy, totalitarianism, Ostracism and separation. You’ll understand the development of the “Final Solution” such as Jewish and non-Jewish responses to the Holocaust; and the final months of the war and its repercussions on the Holocaust of European Jews.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture that surrounds everyday life. Studying sociology opens up a wide range of careers in areas such as welfare, education, social research, and local and central government.
To get a crash course on Global Stratification & Poverty, watch this video:
Politics
Politics is about the world in which we live collectively and the ways in which it became what it is today and continues to change. It considers the choices that political actors – from governments to citizens to international institutions – make and the structures and constraints under which they make them.
Start your introduction to politics with the video below:
Psychology
Are you interested in the study of the human mind and behaviour? Psychologists study and design experiments to find out what is normal human behaviour and then carry out research into abnormal behaviour.
Head over to psychboost.com to gain a deeper understanding of A Level psychology.
Photography
Lockdown presents photographers with an opportunity to improve their understanding as well as document this very unprecedented time. Use the following videos to help you start to understand the various visual elements that photographers adopt in their work.
Using your phone or Camera, explore your surroundings and see how many of these techniques you can use.
Textiles
Research current fashion or interior trends and produce a short review with images or a visual moodboard. Use your research to produce designs for a room or outfit for a celebrity of your choosing.
Fine Art
The biggest difference between GCSE Art and A level Fine art is independent thinking. You are encouraged to think ‘outside the box’ and see art beyond initial appearances looking at artist’s inspiration. Within your own practical work, you are encouraged to look at materials and techniques in a variety of different ways, not always for their traditional use.
1.During lockdown access to materials is limited, I want you to look at familiar items as art equipment and items found in the kitchen as your media. Use these materials and items to produce a small range of work based on your observations of our now daily life (10 pieces/photos).
2. Find at least 5 artists that work in this way and use formal and visual analysis to analyse one piece by each.
Accounting
In Accounting, whether you are completing your own small business accounts or you are a financial director for a FTSE100 business, you will always use the same simple principles.
Here is a link to a series of Youtube videos which will introduce these principles along with some key terms and theory which will be covered within our course: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYJLdSmyKoXCbnd-pklMn5Q/featured
Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties, how and why substances combine or separate to form other substances, and how substances interact with energy.
Task 1. View the video on the history of the atom: https://youtu.be/-4Us5PTb4J8
Task 2. Write a summary of the history of the atom under the subheadings:
- i) Dalton
- ii) Thomson
- iii) Rutherford
- iv) Bohr
This will form part of the notes for the first chapter to be studied in Year 1.
Use no more than one side of A4 paper to do this.
French
Please write 250 – 400 words on “Ma vie” (my life) Please write about your past, present and future.
Exemple
Je m’appelle Christine.
Je suis professeur de français.
Je suis née à Walsall
J’ai fait des études à l’université de Warwick.
J’ai vécu en France. (lived)
Je vais voyager en France cet été
Useful verbs
Je suis ….. I am
J’ai ….. I have
Je vais ….. I go
J’adore ….. I love
J’aime ….. I like
Je déteste ….. I hate
J’ai fait ….. I did/have done
J’ai mangé ….. I ate/have eaten
Je suis allé(e) ….. I went/have gone
Je suis né(e) ….. I was born
J’ai joué ….. I played/have played
J’ai visité ….. I visited/have visited
Je vais aller ….. I am going to go
Je vais étudier ….. I am going to study
Je vais habiter ….. I am going to live
Je vais travailler ….. I am going to work
Je vais être ….. I am going to be
Je vais voyager ….. I am going to travel
Environmental Science
Please see the PDF here for tasks relating to Environmental Science.
Geography
Please see the PDF here for tasks relating to Geography.
Physics
Why Physics?
- Because it is concerned with fundamental laws which govern all natural phenomena, it pervades every part of the world of science and engineering.
- Its methods and insights are widely applicable and its practitioners are widely sought.
- Studying physics can help you fully develop your academic potential and provide you with a rewarding career.
What jobs can Physicists do?
- Experimental investigations and theoretical analysis.
- They use advanced computers to solve scientific and engineering problems.
- Their jobs extend into a wide range of research and development in many industries such as:
- Motor vehicle technology
- Materials and the environment
- Telecommunications
- Semiconductor technology
- Power generation
- Medical physicists (NHS)
- Computing
- Mechanical and Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Architecture
- Physics/Astrophysics/Geophysics, Diagnostic Radiology etc.
Start your introduction to Physics with the video below:
Product Design
We are all experiencing a part of history which will change the way we approach our day to day life. As potential designers it would be interesting to see your response in creating new concepts that will be relevant to the post- COVID world. This is an opportunity for ‘blue sky thinking’ without limits to your imagination. There are some existing ideas on the Guardian website: www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/mar/25/10-coronavirus-covid-busting-designs.
Design task: re-design or create new ideas for personal products, clothing, furniture, environments, transport systems to name a few. You will need to identify a user or user group and the location you choose could be your home, schools, hospitals or other situations.
Ideally please complete a 10 slide Powerpoint presentation. If this is not possible please attempt this project with the facilities available to you.
Investigation: 3 slides. Research and investigate the issues surrounding this subject:
Content- COVID facts and design issues. Existing products. Materials and Technology.
Select one of the products you identify to design and develop.
Design Brief: 1 slide. Answer the following- WHAT? WHO? WHY? WHERE?
Design: 2 slides. Sketch at 6 basic designs and develop as good quality colour design drawings.
Evaluate: 1 slide. Compare the 6 designs in terms of Function, Materials, Design, Comfort and Price.
Make: 2 slides- images. Use basic materials to create small scale models- card, plastic bottles, etc.
Evaluate: 1 slide. Consider the designs and comment on the positive and negative points.
Good luck with your design task!
Physical Education
Within A-level PE you will cover Anatomy and Physiology.
Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of the changes within the body systems prior to exercise, during exercise of differing intensities and during recovery.
Explore and research the following:
- Altitude training
- Cardiac conduction system
- High intensity interval training
- Plyometrics
- Redistribution of blood
- VO2 Max test
Select one of the concepts above and apply to a sport of your choice.



