Spanish, A Level

Applications Open: - 14th November 2025

Applications Close: - 30th April 2026

Entry Requirements: -We cater to the individual needs of each student, creating a program of study that meets their unique requirements. We offer a wide range of Level 3 qualifications, including A levels, allowing students to combine their interests with relevant courses for their future pathways. Each subject has specific entry requirements in addition to those set out below, and all students must receive a positive reference and maintain an end-of-year attendance record of 95% or higher to be offered a place in The Marsh Academy Sixth Form.

It is important to understand that all students are expected to attain a minimum of GCSE grade 4 in Mathematics and English by the time they leave school or college. Therefore, if a student has not achieved these grades, they are legally required to retake these subjects until they achieve the grade 4 or above or until they complete their programme of study.

For students unable to undertake a full Level 3 program, we offer a combination of qualifications across Level 3 and Level 2, depending on the qualifications gained in Year 11.

For students who achieve:

7+ GCSEs at grade 7+ can study four Level 3 courses.

5+ GCSEs at grade 5+ can study three Level 3 courses.

4 +GCSEs at grade 5+ can study two Level 3 courses and two Level 2 courses.

Level 3 Vocational Courses

5+ GCSEs at grade 4+ in English and maths GCSE to study three Level 3 vocation courses However, it is important to note that some Level 3 courses will have specific requirements in addition to those set out here.

This year, subjects have not been placed into fixed option blocks. Instead, they have been grouped by subject area to allow students greater flexibility in selecting the courses that best suit their interests and future goals. Once we have received students’ subject choices, we will create option blocks based on demand and subject compatibility. It is important to note that while The Marsh Academy aims to offer all courses listed in the prospectus, we do reserve the right to withdraw any course that does not attract sufficient interest. This approach ensures that our curriculum remains responsive, student-focused, and sustainable.

The Marsh Academy reserves the right to review student course offers on an individual basis.

How to apply:

Students who wish to apply for a place at the Marsh Academy Sixth Form and are currently a student at another school or college in Kent or East Sussex, must apply via the Kent Choices website application process (www.kentprospectus.co.uk). External applicants must ensure that the application is completely correctly by completing all sections of the application form in full for the application to be considered:

If you are applying from outside of Kent and are unable to register for Kent Choices, please use the external student application form which is available on the Sixth Form page of the Marsh Academy website.

Once the application has been made, we will contact you to discuss your application and invite you for interview. After the interview, conditional offers will made pending examination results. We ensure that students are kept up do date with events regarding Sixth Form during the remainder of the academic year.

On GCSE result day, students should contact the Marsh Academy with a record of GCSE results so that courses can be confirmed or adapted in line with the achieved results. Students will then attend a registration day early in September to process the required documentation.

Students will study technological and social change, looking at the multicultural nature of Hispanic society. They will study highlights of Hispanic artistic culture, including a focus on Spanish regional identity and the cultural heritage of past civilisations. They will learn about aspects of the diverse political landscape of the Hispanic world.

Students will explore the influence of the past on present-day Hispanic communities. Throughout their studies, they learn the language in the context of Hispanic countries and issues and influences which have shaped them. Students will study texts and film and will have the opportunity to carry out independent research on an area of their choice.

The A-level builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills gained at GCSE. It constitutes an integrated study with a focus on language, culture and society. It fosters a range of transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, research skills and creativity, which are valuable to the individual and society.

The approach is a focus on how Spanish-speaking society has been shaped socially and culturally and how it continues to change. In the first year, aspects of the social context are studied, together with aspects of the artistic life of Spanish-speaking countries. In the second year further aspects of the social background are covered, this time focusing on matters associated with multiculturalism. Students also study aspects of the political landscape including the future of political life in the Hispanic world by focusing on young people and their political engagement.

Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of themes relating to the culture and society of countries where Spanish is spoken, and their language skills. They will do this by using authentic spoken and written sources in Spanish.

The choice of works (literary texts and films) offers opportunities to link with the themes so that, for example, the play La casa de Bernarda Alba could be linked to the sub-theme Modern and traditional values while the film Volver could be connected to the sub-theme Equal rights.

• Students will develop their language knowledge, understanding and skills through:
• using language spontaneously to initiate communication; ask and answer questions; express thoughts and feelings; present viewpoints; develop arguments; persuade; and analyse and evaluate in speech and writing, including interaction with speakers of Spanish
• applying knowledge of pronunciation, morphology and syntax, vocabulary and idiom to communicate accurately and coherently, using a range of expression – including the list of grammar in this specification
• using language - learning skills and strategies, including communication strategies such as adjusting the message, circumlocution, self-correction and repair strategies
• listening and responding to spoken passages including some extended passages from a range of different contexts and sources, adapted as necessary, covering different registers and types, including authentic communication involving one or more speakers
• reading and responding to a variety of texts including some extended texts written for different purposes and audiences drawn from a range of authentic sources, including contemporary, historical and literary, fiction and non-fiction texts, adapted as necessary
• understanding the main points, gist and detail from spoken and written material
• inferring meaning from complex spoken and written material, including factual and abstract content
• assimilating and using information from spoken and written sources, including material from online media
• summarising information from spoken and written sources, reporting key points and subject matter in speech and writing
• translating an unseen passage from Spanish into English
• translating an unseen passage from English into Spanish.

Students must also study either one book and one film or two books from the lists in this specification. They must appreciate, analyse and be able to respond critically in writing in Spanish to the work they have studied. Their understanding of the work must include a critical appreciation of the concepts and issues covered and a critical and analytical response to features such as the form and the technique of presentation as appropriate to the work studied (eg the effect of narrative voice in a prose text or camera - work in a film).

In addition, students following this specification will:

• develop research skills in Spanish , demonstrating the ability to initiate and conduct individual research on a subject of personal interest, relating to the country or countries where Spanish is spoken
• identify a key question or subject of interest and select relevant information in Spanish from a range of authentic sources, including the internet
• use information to illustrate knowledge and understanding of the research subject
• analyse and summarise research findings, elaborating on key points of interest, as appropriate, through oral presentation and discussion.

This course is examined with three terminal examinations at the end of the course.

Paper 1:Listening, reading and writing Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes;

Paper 2: Writing Duration: 2 hours;

Paper 3: Speaking Duration: 21–23 minutes (including 5 minutes supervised preparation time)

AO1: Understand and respond:

in speech to spoken language including face-to-face interaction

in writing to spoken language drawn from a variety of sources.

AO2: Understand and respond:

in speech to written language drawn from a variety of sources

in writing to written language drawn from a variety of sources.

AO3: Manipulate the language accurately, in spoken and written forms, using a range of lexis and structure.

AO4: Show knowledge and understanding of, and respond critically and analytically to, different aspects of the culture and society of countries/communities where the language is spoken

A minimum grade 6 in Spanish GCSE in addition to the published entry requirements.

A Spanish A Level can unlock a world of opportunities. Join the ranks of over 460 million Spanish speakers worldwide and open doors to travel, work, and academic success. Whether you dream of exploring new cultures, pursuing a career in an international setting, or studying subjects like literature and history, Spanish is your key to success.

In this course, you'll develop strong communication skills in Spanish, gaining fluency and confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Spanish-speaking countries, discovering their rich history and heritage. From literature to music, cinema to art, you'll explore the fascinating world of Spanish arts and humanities.

The course can lead onto studying for a degree in Spanish which can lead to a range of careers including Broadcast journalists research, investigate and present news and content for TV, radio and online. This career could see you travelling the world to cover the latest stories. Being able to speak Spanish, which is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, is a big advantage. It allows you to cover international stories and work with a wider pool of broadcast agencies.

As an international development worker, you will be based in developing countries, addressing humanitarian issues ranging from education to sanitation. It also sometimes involves responding to emergencies such as natural disasters. The ability to speak the local language - such as speaking Spanish - is often crucial. It allows you to communicate with locals, building rapport and their trust., over exploring new cultures?

As a tour manager you could be based in the most beautiful spots on Earth. Your responsibility is to ensure travel arrangements for holidaymakers run as smoothly as possible, so being on the ground, close to the action is essential. Using local language skills, such as Spanish, can ensure you can keep things running smoothly.

As a diplomatic service officer you work to protect your country's interests abroad, as well as provide assistance to citizens living abroad. Your tasks can range from liaising with embassies and high commissions to dealing with queries from the public. The job usually requires you to be able to speak in the local language of the country you will be based in. For this reason, learning Spanish is very useful as there are 20 Spanish speaking countries in the world.

If you love languages and communication, then this could be the career for you. Your job responsibility would be to convert one language into another. You could be working in a variety of settings from business functions to court hearings. To be an interpreter you need to have a high level of language knowledge. A-level Spanish is a good foundation but you may also require further qualifications.