- To give students the opportunity to widen their education beyond their chosen A level courses. The needs and preferences of all students are, hopefully, catered for in the General Studies programme, which offers a variety of academic and non-academic courses. Students will have the opportunity to develop a new or existing skill or interest, including keeping up with a language. They might also examine subjects which are not normally available at A level, but which they might be interested in studying in higher education e.g. philosophy or psychology.
- To raise awareness about contemporary developments and issues in science, society, the arts and popular culture.
- To develop skills in communication across a wide range of subjects.
- To facilitate the exchange of views and experiences between pupils from different subject backgrounds who might not otherwise have the opportunity to work together on a post -16 course; for example, General Studies provides an opportunity for science students to share classes with those studying humanities.
- To encourage debate and the exchange of ideas among students at an important stage in their personal and educational development.
- To promote respect for the values of tolerance, free speech and open-mindedness.
- To provide additional practice in key study skills such as essay writing, analysis, research and comprehension and to prepare students for the AQA A level General Studies exam.
- To help students to develop the general knowledge and wide-ranging interests which
are likely to prove beneficial in interviews.
