What is the Nexus concept?
A sixth form education that looks beyond school, to ensure young people are ready for the challenges and opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We obviously want our students to get outstanding grades and go on to top global universities but we want more than that. We want them to develop the skills and attributes they will need in a world where many jobs will be automated and distinctly 'human' qualities - like creativity, collaboration, resilience – will be prized above all else.
Academic
We offer two routes for university entry qualifications: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and A levels (supplemented where necessary with Spanish qualifications.) Both are internationally recognised and respected by leading universities around the world but they are very different. By offering the two systems students can choose which route suits them best.
Working with Professor Guy Claxton, neuroscientist at King´s College London, we have developed a philosophy of teaching and learning that helps students both obtain excellent results and develop skills such as problem solving, curiosity, creativity and independence. Our students will be prepared with the tools they will need at university and beyond, not simply spoon-fed for exams
Academic
Sixth Form Programme
At Hastings Nexus we offer two world class qualifications – both of which allow students to gain access to top universities in the UK, Spain and around the world.
The IBDP
• Students choose six subjects and certain subjects, such as Mathematics, are compulsory.
• These subjects are offered at two different levels of difficulty:
Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL). Three must be taken
at HL and three at SL. Which HL courses students choose will be
important for future university applications.
• In addition to those six subjects, all IB students take the
following “core” courses:
- Theory of Knowledge – a philosophy of knowledge
course.
- Creativity, Activity and Service – students must do
something in each area outside the classroom.
- Extended Essay – a 4000 word piece of academic
writing which is fantastic preparation for university.
Students receive a broad education under the IB programme
which develops their character alongside their academic ability.
A levels
• Students choose three A levels and most at Hastings also
take Spanish as a fourth.
• There is no requirement to take any particular subject.
Within what is offered in the timetable students can choose
any three subjects. Maths, for example, is not compulsory.
• Alongside A levels, students may choose to take:
- The Extended Project Qualification (similar to the
“Extended Essay” element of the IB)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing
System)
- PCEs which are Spanish curriculum subjects that
can be needed for Spanish universities.
PCEs and Spanish Public Universities
PCE stands for Pruebas de Competencias Específicas - Spanish subjects taught in Spanish. Currently students taking A levels will need to take two PCEs in order to be able to obtain the maximum 14 points for Spanish public university entry.
Currently, IB students do not need to take these additional courses as the IB Programme on its own allows students to be awarded up to the maximum points for Spanish university entry.