Entry Requirements
Grade 6 in GCSE German
Exam Board
Pearson (Edexcel)
Why Choose German?
Our A-level German course provides an engaging and exciting opportunity for you to build on your previous study of German. Choosing an A-level in German offers you a fascinating subject with a range of career possibilities and is a lot of fun along the way.
Through social, intellectual, historical, political and cultural themes you will be able to develop your linguistic knowledge and understanding of the countries/communities where the language is spoken. An opportunity to study literature and film will allow you to undertake a deeper analysis of language structures and increase your cultural awareness as part of an integrated approach to language learning. A strong focus is placed on building your confidence and fluency in spoken German using relevant and topical themes. The requirement to research an area of personal interest related to the country/communities where German is spoken will enhance your cultural appreciation and enable you to gain a greater awareness of intercultural differences.
What is Involved?
We will build upon the knowledge you gained while studying German in Key Stage 4. In the induction period we will introduce you to new ways of working and studying in a small group of students, particularly in listening to others and using German increasingly in your spoken language. We will use authentic spoken and written sources from a variety of different contexts and genres, including online media, as stimulus material for the study of the themes and, concurrently, for language development.
The course rewards creativity, spontaneity and gives you the language to persuade and analyse and give critical response in your writing and speaking.
Themes 1 (Social issues and trends) and 2 (Political and artistic culture through media) will be covered in Year 12 in readiness for a stand alone AS qualification. In Year 13 themes 3 (Immigration and the multicultural society in Germany) and 4 (Reunification and Germany’s political culture) will be covered.
The A-level is assessed at the end of Year 13. One speaking test at the end of the course, involving conversation, ideas and opinions. One written exam at the end of the course, involving listening, reading and writing. Students who only wish to gain an AS qualification can take exams at the end of Year 12, which will involve a speaking test, a listening, reading and writing test.
examination results 2024
of A-level students achieved grades A*-B
of A-level students achieved grades A*-C
what we've been up to...
Northwest ESAA Track and Field
This week saw some of our Year 9 and 10 athletics’ stars head to the Northwest ESAA Track and Field Championships in Manchester. An extremely successful outing means they are now off to the National Finals in Essex. Well done girls we are very proud of you all.
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Trial Expedition 2023
86 WKGS students spent the weekend in Wales completing their trial expedition for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award. With such beautiful weather a good time was had by all learning essential skills for survival in the open air!
Spanish Exchange
The Spanish Department resumed 2019’s successful student exchange with our partner secondary school, IES Garcilaso de la Vega a mixed secondary school located in Torrelavega, a town in Cantabria in northern Spain: The Spanish Exchange presents students with a unique opportunity to improve their spoken Spanish and see Spanish daily life at first hand. Students from Calday Grammar School collaborated with us and students were accompanied by teaching staff from West Kirby Grammar School and Calday Grange Grammar School. The Spanish students hosted their English partners and a programme of events was organised during the school day for the visiting students. The students visited Santander, experienced a day at the Altamira Museum, an exact replica of the Altamira Caves with Palaeolithic cave paintings. They took part in a workshop in which they learned how to make and throw spears to hunt deer and bison. This was followed by a visit to Santillana del Mar. During their visit they also visited El Soplao, a site of great geographical importance, and the beautiful Santillana del Mar and the Parque Naturaleza de Carbaceno.
Year 12 North West Regional Forum European Youth Parliament at L
The North West European Forum 2023 is one of the fourteen regional EYP forums which take place in the UK, with many more taking place in other countries. There were a number of debates throughout the day. The forum gave students an opportunity to debate a range of topics affecting young people across Europe. Two schools were selected at this regional forum and to also send a team of eight students over the age of sixteen to either the Summer or Autumn National Selection Conference, held at Liverpool Hope University for a long weekend in July 2023. Big well done to both of our EYP teams who performed at a consistently high standard throughout the debates. Special congratulations to our 2nd team who made it through to the national finals in July!
With one more week to go, we are really looking forward to our first #WKGS PTA Quiz / Fish & Chips Night. Tickets are still available from: ticketsource.co.uk/west-kirby-gra… https://t.co/bsxLFRr7Ko
We are very proud of Mia, Grace, Peggy and Hannah (#WKGSY12) who have made the finals of the Samsung 'Solve for Tomorrow' competition. They have made the last 5 in their age group. We wish them the best of luck for their final pitch which takes place next month. https://t.co/LIrkB9eLik
We are very proud of Mia, Grace, Peggy and Hannah (#WKGSY12) who have made the finals of the Samsung 'Solve for Tomorrow' competition. They have made the last 5 in their age group. We wish them the best of luck for their final pitch which takes place next month. https://t.co/5OJXnqatwU
A photo stop on the Great Wall of China, July 2015 for this week's #ThrowbackThursday https://t.co/Wp4YLzTHlA
We are delighted to announce the release of the second episode of our WKGS Student Podcast. Episode 2 will be live on Friday 28th April and will feature local artist (and former #WKGS student) Michael Aldag. Subscribe to our Student Podcast now at: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ogLOQbBw7yb https://t.co/u2O0Brp90O
Congratulations to Mia (#WKGSY12) and her horse MS Mastro who competed in the National Schools Equestrian Association dressage at Kelsall Hill. Mia won her Novice class and has qualified for the National Championships at Hickstead in May. We wish Mia every success. https://t.co/qiK2vL2FmG
Congratulations to Mia (#WKGSY12) and her horse MS Mastro who competed in the National Schools Equestrian Association dressage at Kelsall Hill. Mia won her Novice class and has qualified for the National Championships at Hickstead in May. We wish Mia every success. https://t.co/r3ADJ8ZnP4
A walk to Hilbre Island with German Exchange partners (around 1994) for this week's #ThrowbackThursday https://t.co/dYjHAwt6TU
It's back to 2018 for this week's #ThrowbackThursday for a Student Fashion Show.... https://t.co/uiNwudPObr
Drama visit to Paris
Students from our GCSE Drama group visited Paris to see a theatre production and take part in a Drama workshop. They also had the fantastic opportunity to experience a guided backstage tour of the Opera Garnier, the inspiration for Phantom of the Oprea. The visit included a guided tour of Paris exploring the sights and shops; they saw a production of the Lion King – The Musical at Théâtre Mogador and enjoyed a day in Disneyland Paris.
Wishing our students and staff a happy Easter break. All year groups will return on Monday 17th April which will be a Week A. https://t.co/IbnomcGX4a