Critical Thinking

Introduction

Critical thinking is a new and challenging A Level subject. It aims to help students assess and develop their general thinking and reasoning skills, and as such should impact on performance in other A level subjects. Students learn to critically appraise the information and arguments of others’ in books, on the Internet, and in other media with regard to a wide range of topics. They then learn to reflect on the quality of their own written and spoken work.

Facilities

Essential Critical thinking texts are available within the Department and school library. Information packs and handouts are provided to support class exercises.

Curriculum

The OCR specification is followed. Unlike other A level subjects, there is no course content; rather a series of skills that need to be mastered.

At AS, the skills developed help students to carefully consider the credibility of evidence and learn basic skills in structuring and analysing persuasive arguments. In A2, more advanced argument skills are developed, and issues surrounding the moral arguments are explored.

Two external written papers are taken in Year 12, and there are two exams in Year 13. There is no coursework component.

General

Unless following the Business Studies route with a language, Critical thinking is taken in the Sixth Form as a subject in addition to a student’s options at AS level. At A2, it is an option choice. In each year there are two taught classes per week.

To succeed in Critical Thinking, students should get into the regular habit of applying the skills they learn in class to their other subjects, and in daily life e.g. when reading newspapers or magazines.

Staff