Electives

Arts Award Gold

An official external qualifications which will gain you extra UCAS points as such it will take the duration of Y12 to complete. 

There are two units: Unit 1 encourages you to develop as an "artsist" (this can be in any art form, such as Music, Theatre, Art, Photography, Film and Dance). Unit 2 allows you to develop and run an artistic project and create a portfolio which outlines the projects whole process and its success.  

Taking part in First Bow for this aspect of the project is strongly encouraged for those persuing the performing arts specialisms.

Band Project

Are you a musician with a passion for performing? 

Band Project is a dynamic and practical elective for students who want to experience what it’s really like to be in a band. Whether you sing, play an instrument, or write music, this course brings like-minded musicians together to form groups and work towards real musical goals.

You’ll be mentored by experienced music staff who will guide you through the essentials of rehearsal etiquette, stagecraft, band dynamics, and how to secure and prepare for live gigs. You'll develop the skills needed to thrive as a performer: from setting up a setlist to navigating the challenges of collaboration and time management.

Bar Mock Trail

Step straight into the courtroom with the exciting Bar Mock Trial elective at NHGS! This hands-on enrichment opportunity lets you dive into the legal world by dissecting real cases, analysing evidence, and building powerful arguments. Beyond learning the law, you will develop bulletproof public speaking, persuasion, and quick-thinking skills as you learn to command a room under pressure. The elective is highly collaborative and performance-driven, giving you the chance to take on active roles—whether as a sharp-witted barrister cross-examining witnesses or a key witness holding up under pressure. It’s the ultimate way to build massive confidence, work as a team, and stand out on future applications.

British Politics

The history of British politics dives into exploring how the country shifted from an absolute monarchy to a modern parliamentary democracy which led to the creation of the welfare state.

Classics

It's all Greek to me... Come and find out about the classical world and its influence. We'll look at the history of democracy and the contrasts between Athenian and modern democracy, as well as the law, religion and theatre of Ancient Greece. We'll also explore key genres such as epic, tragedy, comedy, satire, lyric and myth and their influence on writers right up to the modern day.

Digital Media

Digital Media offers an exciting introduction to the creative and technical aspects of modern media production.

Students will explore areas such as graphic design, video editing, animation, and interactive content, using a variety of software and tools. Throughout the course, there will be a focus on creativity, problem-solving, and visual storytelling.

As part of the elective, students will create a mini project that showcases their skills and ideas - an opportunity to bring their own concepts to life and gain a taste of what working in the digital media industry is really like.

DIY & Making: Practical Life Skills

A hands-on elective designed to give students practical skills and confidence for everyday life. Students will learn a range of useful DIY and making skills, such as using basic hand tools safely, measuring and fixing, simple household repairs, assembling and maintaining everyday items, and basic electrical skills such as wiring a plug.

The sessions will focus on practical, transferable skills that students can use when living independently, at university or later in life. No previous experience is needed – just a willingness to have a go!

Finance Qualifiaction

Approved qualification run over 2 terms.

The qualification is graded as follows;  Distinction (D), Merit (M), Pass (P).  Max 36 pints for UCAS.

Food Skills

The Year 12 Food Elective introduces students to practical cooking skills with a focus on budget-friendly, nutritious meals—preparing them for independent living and healthy eating at university and beyond.

Graphics: The Character Forge - Character Design

This elective introduces students to character design for games, animation and graphic narratives. Students explore how to build compelling characters through visual storytelling, experimenting with shape language, digital illustration, colour theory and personality development. Throughout the unit, students develop a fully realised character sheet including expressions, poses and costume variations. The elective culminates in a final showcase piece, where students produce a polished hero shot illustration that presents their character as if ready for industry use.

History - The Crusades

An ideal as a standalone elective or as companion to doing A Level History.  We will explore what the crusades were and why they still matter today. Why did thousands of medieval Europeans undertake perilous journeys into the unknown? Were the crusades an inevitable clash of religions and civilizations? Or were they actually more about politics and wealth? And ultimately what can this tell us about our lives today?

History of Art

An academic study into art through human history. 

Focusing on the analysis of context, examination of form and meaning and provenance. 

History of Music

What does music tell us about our history? 1969 Beatles' final rooftop performance and Hendrix at Woodstock; late 70s and 80s punks embracing reggae and ska but fighting disco and Thatcher; 80s police shutting down illegal raves, Smalltown Boy and gay pride; 90s Spice Girls, Blur vs Oasis.... and hopefully more!

Sustainability

We will spend a few weeks exploring the theory of different aspects of sustainability; global warming, biodiversity & habit loss, and models for action such as "People, Planet, Profit" and the sustainable development goals. After this students will research a particular area of interest and take action in the local community.

Literacy in Education

Discover how literacy shapes learning, achievement and life chances. Explore reading cultures, literacy across different subjects, barriers to engagement, and strategies that support young people’s learning in secondary schools. Perfect for students interested in education, youth work or child development.

Marketing

This 11-week introductory course offers a solid foundation in marketing principles, covering key topics such as the marketing mix, branding and basic strategies. It also introduces students to both traditional and digital marketing methods

Music Appreciation

In this elective you will explore a range of musical genres and gain an understanding of how society has influenced composers and had an impact on composition.

You will be guided through several musical genres whilst being given the opportunity to listen and discuss the music in a subjective way.

Philosophy

An overview of philosophy including Plato and Aristotle's views of reality and ways of reasoning.

We will be asking questions like: What is real? What is good? How do we live a good life?

Philosophy teaches reasoning methods, and problem-solving strategies that work in all sorts of contexts, including new and unfamiliar ones. It allows for you to think creatively and to ask questions, seeking new and deeper answers.

This course enriches your communication by enhancing your critical thinking, evaluative and rhetorical abilities.

The techniques that philosophy teaches have far-reaching benefits and can be applied to practical questions and real-world problems as well as the more abstract, ultimate questions in life.

Sewing & Mending: An Introduction

Teaching students the basics of sewing and mending. If students have some experience sewing they are still welcome to expand their skills.

Theatre Design - The Scenographic Scene

Understanding how depth form and light create emotion on stage. Students will study pioneers of theatrical design and scenography. Students will work in scale to produce 3D forms that portray different emotion and meaning through light and shadow.