We have a culture of high expectations, creating an environment in which A-Level learners can thrive.
Key facts
- Full-time (3-5 days) studied over two years
- Up to four A-Level subjects can be studied as a cluster
- Academic and pastoral support to reach your full potential
- Level 3 qualifications
- Progression to university, apprenticeships or employment
Our YouTube playlist
Hear from our students, tutors & alumni on our A-Levels playlist.
Navigate through the films by clicking on the top right icon.
Photo gallery
Our teachers work with our students in a mature learning environment to coach, support and challenge them to meet the ambitious targets they will be set.
We are very proud of the learning culture at the college, and visitors often comment on the positive atmosphere, which is fostered by excellent relationships between students and staff. Our learners receive first-grade academic and pastoral support, so when challenges arise, they stay on target.
A-Level or ‘Advanced Level’ is one of the qualifications after the GCSE level and is typically studied for over two years. Throughout the UK, A-Levels are highly recognised by universities and colleges when assessing a student’s eligibility for degree-level study.
A-Level students typically choose three subjects, and those with high entry qualifications may apply to study four. An Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) may be undertaken as part of your A-Level studies to help showcase your academic skills for university applications. Our students have progressed on to a variety of Russell Group Universities, full-time employment and higher-level apprenticeships.
We also have experience preparing students for Oxbridge applications. Recent A-Level students have gone on to study Law at Lancaster University, Physics at Leeds University, Teacher Training at the University of Cumbria and Chemical Engineering at Manchester University.
AAQs
Alternative Academic Qualifications are Level 3 qualifications equivalent to one A-Level. The list of AAQs below can be studied alongside two other A-Level subjects. This programme enables learners to study two academic subjects, maths and biology, alongside a sector-specific AAQ, including health and social care, engineering, and construction.
Additional options
- Level 3 'Core' Maths (particularly useful if you wish to study a degree programme with mathematical elements, e.g. Science, Economics, Psychology, business, etc.)
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which enhances any university application
Meet your tutors
Rachel Kaplan
After working in retail management for several years, I decided to further my education. I completed a BA in Business and Finance in 2008 and followed this with a PGCE to move into post-16 teaching, and I have taught ever since. My passion is education and lifelong learning, promoting and taking part, and I am currently studying for a Master's in Education through Northumbria University. Kendal College is a fantastic place to work and study, and I feel privileged to watch the growth of our students as they journey toward further education.
Meet your tutors
Catherine Whetton
I am the Curriculum Lead and Psychology lecturer at Kendal College and have taught here for six years. I am incredibly enthusiastic about psychology, specifically social psychology, which was the basis of my dissertation. Kendal College is a fantastic place to learn, as the adult environment and knowledgeable staff support students in being engaged in their subjects and prepare them well for their next steps. It also means that we can visit the other departments to test psychological theories, such as exploring techniques to overcome phobias in the Animal Rescue Centre and using the science labs to test forensic profiling procedures.
Meet your tutors
Alex Sibley
After graduating with a degree in Politics and Philosophy and completing a master’s in Philosophy, I trained as a teacher. I have taught in Adult Education for nearly 20 years, mainly teaching Maths and English in inner-city Leeds and prisons to improve their opportunities in life. I bring this passion to help students progress into various fields and specialisms.
Meet your tutors
Kevin Mottram
I graduated from the University of York and took a BA Hons. degree in Politics 1981-84. In 1987, I completed a Social Sciences PGCE at the University of Birmingham and began my teaching career at a secondary school in Coventry. I was Head of History for 12 years at a comprehensive school in Halifax. From 2014 to 2019, I taught at the British School of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. I started teaching A-Level History at Kendal College in 2021, specialising in the history of the Cold War and the British Empire.
Meet your tutors
Peter Reynolds
Before I joined Kendal College as an A-Level lecturer in Geography, I worked in outdoor education, leading multi-day treks and rock climbing in the UK and overseas. I then completed a BA (Hons) and PhD, before working in academia in Iceland, Norway, and Australia. My research focused on how volcanoes erupt and their impact on petroleum systems. On my return to the UK, I completed a PGCE in Geography. One of my favourite things about Kendal College is the availability of fantastic field locations on our doorstep.
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Toni Searles
I graduated with a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University. I joined the Access to HE and A-Level team to teach biology at Kendal College in 2023, which is a joy and a privilege. Studying biology at Kendal College will equip and inspire you to reach your full potential. It will equip you with a wide range of skills for further study and give you a brilliant scientific knowledge base for life. Biology is a beautiful subject, and that’s because the human body is both complex and fascinating.
Meet your tutors
Kate Birchall
My role as an academic mentor allows me to combine my English Literature & Creative Writing degree from Lancaster University with previous work in learning support and rugby coaching. As a Kendal College alumnus, I'm very aware of the freedom that studying here can offer, and I'm delighted to help students along this journey!
Meet your tutors
Keenan Wright
My teaching across the college is diverse. I teach Engineering, A-Levels, and Access to HE (Science). My master’s degree in Astrophysics & Cosmology is handy as we work through all things physics and maths! In a strong community, Kendal College is a great place to develop academic and personal skills.
View our courses
The AAQ in Health & Social Care will allow you to study the sectors current demands of a fast paced environment. You will develop your knowledge of industry practices and build skills that are required for a related career progression.
English Literature offers students the opportunity to critically discuss and analyse some of the most important literary works throughout history. The course provides scope to investigate the way literature has been shaped by elements of theory, context and criticism, including Feminism, Marxism and Post-colonialism.
A-Level Politics will appeal to those who are interested in current affairs and who like to express and discuss opinions on political ideas and power. You will learn about the political systems of the UK and USA, gaining skills in how to analyse, evaluate and compare the concepts and structures that underpin these systems.
Philosophy is the study of knowledge. A-Level Philosophy is an introduction to philosophical thinking and the subject matter of philosophy. It is designed to give you a thorough grounding in the fundamental concepts and methods of philosophy and introduce you to the fascinating study of thought itself.
Studying Environmental Science will give you a clear understanding of how closely our human systems are linked with Earth's natural cycles. You will use this knowledge to come up with ways of developing sustainable lifestyles that are in harmony with the natural world. If we want to live happily on the Earth, we need to change the way we do things!
This AAQ in Early Childhood Development focuses on the children's care and education sector. It reflects the current environment and practices in industry and supports you to develop the skills required in the workplace alongside theory to improve your knowledge development.
The AAQ in Engineering focuses on the current demands and trends within the engineering sector. You will also develop knowledge and skills in project management and engineering design as part of this course.
Further Maths is an intense course designed to challenge outstanding Mathematicians and gives students wishing to progress to studying Maths, Physics, Statistics or Engineering at degree level a definite advantage.
