Here at Kendal College, 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, or one A-Level could be combined with a Professional & Technical course.
- 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 next grades of qualification after GCSE level and is typically studied 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 very 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.
An A-Level can also be combined with a level 3 professional & technical course, e.g. engineering with A-Level maths (equivalent to four A-Levels). 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.
Additional options
- Level 3 'Core' Maths (particularly useful if you wish to study a degree programme with mathematical elements eg Science, Economics, Psychology, business etc)
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which enhances any university application
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.
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Peter Reynolds
Before I joined Kendal College as a Geography Lecturer, I worked as an academic in outdoor education, conducting research in the UK, Iceland, Norway, and Australia, leading multi-day treks and rock climbing activities. My research focused on how volcanoes erupted and their impact on hydrocarbon basins and petroleum systems. 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.
View our courses
A-Level Sociology develops knowledge and understanding of how contemporary society works. To understand this, you will look at aspects of society from different points of view and develop an awareness of how society evolves. Sociology encourages independent thinking and fosters a lifelong interest in social issues.
This course provides a thorough grounding in the mathematical tools and techniques often needed in the workplace. The logic and reasoning skills developed by studying A-Level Maths make sure the qualification is widely respected even in non-mathematical arenas.
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.
Physics is a fascinating subject that seeks to explain the universe in the simplest possible terms. As such, it touches on every aspect of the world around us, from electrons to galactic superclusters. It appeals to students with a persistent curiosity about the physical world around them and is much more satisfying than GCSE as it provides deeper answers.
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.
Psychology is a complex and academic subject which studies how the mind works and how it affects human behaviour, mental processes, human interactions and the unconscious mind. Why do people think, act and feel the way they do?
Art & Design at A-Level provides students with the opportunity to learn and develop a range of skills in relation to drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media. This is taught initially through a six-week induction period at the beginning of the first year, and then through personal responses to unit themes and externally set assignments provided by the exam board.
This qualification can only be studied alongside A-Levels.
The course is designed to support learners progressing to university. It has been designed to offer exciting and engaging experiences that focus learning through applied learning, i.e., acquiring knowledge and understanding in purposeful contexts linked to the criminal justice system.
