Business Studies

Leadership and Management Styles      In this session you will take part in a leadership style activity where students will compete in teams to design, manufacture and present a pitch for a product in order to  investigate different leadership styles.

Chemistry

Making use of Chemistry  This session will explore some of the analytical and forensic approaches which rely on Chemistry.  Activities will be practical in nature.  The session will be aimed at students who are seriously considering continuing with Science after GCSE level.

Classical Civilisation

Through the eyes of Greeks and Romans  From classical mythology to philosophy to art - you will discover how the world of the ancient Greeks and Romans continues to speak to us. People grappled with issues we well recognize: life, death, fate, sex, love, family, the nature of the world, our origins, money, health, status, other cultures, friendship, power, politics, law, justice, empire, war. What has changed? What has stayed? What does this tell us about our own world? 

Computer Science & IT

An introduction to Encryption Ever wanted to hide a message so that no one else can read it? In this session we will explore encryption and consider why it is necessary. You will compare different techniques and look at what happens in the real-world and on the internet. You will then program your own encryption algorithm and create small text files containing our secret messages!  

Criminology

What makes certain individuals

commit crime?  How can we bring about change? In this session you will look at different types of crime and the various factors that may contribute to criminality. You will use case studies to explore a range of psychological, biological and sociological reasons for crime. Also, how can campaigns be used to elicit changes such as raising awareness of different crimes.

Dance

Learn the repertoire from Breaking Boundaries!  A practical and physical lesson, which will include a warm up followed by the opportunity to learn repertoire/choreography from our most recent Breaking Boundaries performance. You will then get the oppportunity to choreograph a in small groups within the style of this work. 

PLEASE NOTE: You must either have some dance experience or real enthusiasm for dance.  You should also wear appropriate clothing (ie leggings/t.shirt/ tracksuit etc) & be expected to work in bare feet. 

Drama, Theatre and Performance

Practical Performance Workshop This will be a practical workshop. Starting with dynamic warm up exercises and interactive group games, you will then build on these activities to explore dramatic themes and ideas through script and improvisation for performance.

Economics

Taxation An exciting exploration of its types and uses. 

• How much tax do people pay? 

• What is its purpose? 

• Is it fair?

Engineering

Engineering Challenge - Can you successfully complete a challenge with limited resources? This will be a practical session and teams will work to complete two ‘projects’ that meet the specifications on time and within budget. You will need teamwork, imagination and attention to detail to be successful. There will be (small!) prizes for the team that performs best overall.

English Language/Literature

Power and Gender in Language 

and in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ We will start by exploring how power & gender affects our language-use & the stereotypes around male & female speech. We will link this understanding to an analysis of a notorious scene from one of the most celebrated plays of the Twentieth Century, ‘A Streetcar named Desire’. This bitesize introduction will enable you to grasp the key differences between the English Language, Literature & Lang/Lit courses at Varndean, as well as some of the key issues &  texts we examine. Come prepared to discuss, read, write and watch.

Environmental Science

Can wind turbines save the planet?

We will conduct a scientific experiment on the power of wind to help understand the role of renewable energy and how this can combat climate change by helping to rebalance the carbon cycle.

Film Production

Film Careers: From Ideas to Industry

Discover how creative ideas become real films and explore the jobs and careers in Film, TV and Commercial Production. As a working production company with real clients, our department gives students hands-on industry experience - your first step towards a future in filmmaking.

Film Studies

Quiz and Create

A fun session testing your current knowledge of cinema with a team quiz followed by activities that allow you to come up with ideas for a short film.

Games Development

How do you build a game? This workshop will explore level design suing a game called Construct 3. You will be given parts of a game and assemble them to make a challenging fun game level.

Geography

The stories behind the headlines Could Trump buy Greenland? How is climate change already affecting people and the planet? What happens when places run out of water? How does conflict in the Middle East affect the war in Ukraine? We will explore a range of current news stories and discover how Geography can help us understand what is happening in the world. 

Graphic Design 

In this practical session you will develop a range of exciting ideas using typography, colour and illustration to produce a final finished outcome.

Health & Social Care and Childcare

Do you like a challenge?  Are you a caring person?  Like to help others? If you are thinking about working in Health & Social Care, Early Years or Primary Education, come and experience a taste of the courses on offer at Varndean College.  During the session you will be able to test out your observation skills and see how affected you are by nature and/or nurture. Find what really goes on in a care environment, have you got the skills to become a nurse for example?

History - Modern & Early Modern

Investigate different revolutions from World History This session introduces you to A Level History debate, detail & analysis by exploring the following questions:

• How do we define what makes something a ‘revolution’? 

• What are the roles of leadership & popular support in revolutions? 

• Do all revolutions have the same characteristics? 

• Why do historians have different arguments?

You will work together to discuss these questions & have your own say on the issues.

History of Art

The History of Art A Level offers a fascinating journey through the world of visual culture, from the art of ancient civilisations to contemporary movements. This course allows students to explore key artistic movements, significant works, and the historical, social, and cultural contexts in which they were created. You will engage in detailed analysis of both art and architecture, gaining a deeper understanding of how art reflects and shapes society. Learn to analyse paintings and understand our culture. 

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Come along and find out more about the IB Diploma, an alternative to A Levels. The IB prepares you for university, both in the UK and throughout the world.  If you are interested in carrying on with a broad range of subjects at college, keeping your options open and developing your international mindset, then this could be the course for you. During the sesion we will unpick some the choices within the Diploma that allow you to pursue your interests without narrowing your options, how universities view the programme and its three core components. We will explore some BIG questions as well as some problem solving activities to help you better understand what IB lessons are like and giive you some resources to explore with your parents and carers over the summer. 

Law

What needs to be proved for a criminal offence to be committed? We will look at the two elements of an offence - the actus reus (guilty act) and the mens rea (guilty mind) and discuss  whether these have been proven in real life cases before the verdicts are revealed. We will also discuss other topics covered alongside Crime in A Level Law, such as Tort (personal injury cases), Human Rights, Contract and how law links to morality, justice and society. This will be an extremely interesting session for anyone interested in how the law operates.

Mathematics

How the Quadratic Formula Is constructed and what studying Maths would feel like at Varndean We'll start with the familiar i.e. solving quadratics via factorising, which will then get progressively more challenging. We'll then investigate how to complete the square and why, and how we can use that to build the quadratic formula from scratch, which you probably have not seen before. This session will give you an accurate sense of what it feels like to study Maths at our flagship department. 

PLEASE NOTE: You should be studying Higher Tier GCSE Maths to attend this subject session. 

Media Studies

Magazine Covers

In this session you will analyse different magazine covers and then design one of your own.

Modern Foreign Languages

Come and find out what it is like to learn a foreign language at Advanced Level.  See how different it is to GCSE. We offer A Levels in French, German and Spanish.

French: In this session you will engage in a range of fun activities that explore French speaking countries, French films, famous French people and French cultural affairs.

German : In this session we will explore what you already know about Germany and the German speaking world. We will look at famous German speakers from around the world and German media (film and TV) as well as doing a short quiz finding out some facts about Germany, Austria and Switzerland 

Spanish: An interactive session where you will be using first MAPS and then a KAHOOT quiz. Finally you will be speaking in Spanish while learning where and by whom the language is spoken around the world.

PLEASE NOTE: You should already be studying your foreign language at GCSE.

Music Production

Creating a Track Using Samples and Virtual Instruments

An introduction to production using Logic Pro X. This session will provide a practical overview of the ideas & processes behind sample-based remixing. You will be able to manipulate & edit drum samples, layer loops and virtual instrument tracks, arrange the track into sections and export a bounce of your work to take home.

PLEASE NOTE:  You will not need to bring a musical instrument. It would be useful if you have some experience of computer sequencing programmes like Logic or Ableton, but this is not essential.

Philosophy

Ever get the feeling that none of this is real?  Are you dreaming?  Are your senses deceiving you? What is consciousness anyway? Which consciousness knows the most? Does my cat have beliefs? Does my dog have moral beliefs? This session will introduce you to philosophical thinking by exploring philosophical themes about knowledge, perception and morality. We will discuss some cutting edge arguments about consciousness. What if I could show you that your brain has been deceiving you? Would you want to know?

Photography

Students will be shown examples of current A Level Photography students’ work and undertake a practical session in the darkroom. Come and find out more what it is like to study Photography at Varndean College.

Physical Education, Sport and  Fitness

Interested in Health, Fitness and Sporting Performance? This session gives you an insight into the world of sport.  You will learn how to develop as a performer and the different avenues you can take for a successful career in the sport and fitness sector.  You will explore health and fitness through practical activities and group discussion and leave with goals for your own development.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to bring with you the appropriate clothing and trainers to take part in practical sport sessions.   

Physics

Construction Challenge In teams you will have to design, build & test solutions to a challenge with limited resources, both time & materials. As well as a good design, teamwork & attention to detail are needed. Put your Physics knowledge and skills into practice!

Politics

Democracy and protest From blocking the M25 to save the planet to Black Lives Matter, we will explore the right to protest in the UK and beyond. Should individuals be free to protest in any way they choose? Can Government limits on protests ever be justified? Come and join the argument and have your say.

Protective (Public) Services

Are you interested in a career in Protective (Public) Services?  Are you a team-player, who’s energetic and loves to help people?  Want to know more about the roles in the Police, Fire & Rescue, Army and other services that you can go into from this BTEC course?  

Psychology

This workshop is designed to link into the components of the A Level Psychology course.  Notions of mental illness will be explored in a dynamic way, raising the question of whether we can ever tell the sane from the insane. Links with criminality will be explored.

Sociology

Introducing Sociology What do Sociologists study? How does society influence and control us?  How do our social characteristics affect our lives? This interactive session will try to address some of these sociological questions and give you an insight into this subject at A level. 

Textiles

In this session you will have the opportunity to learn some new, fun and colourful textiles printing techniques, including transferring artwork onto fabric. You will be able to take your creative experiments home with you to keep or to use in your art sketchbooks. 

Travel & Tourism

Travel and Tourism jobs are very varied and account for nearly 10% of jobs in the UK. We will take a look at careers and the skills required and investigate the impact of Tourism and how to be sustainable.  You then look at different seaside destinations in the UK and what they offer for different visitors.