Sixth Form
Head of year 12 Jason Henham
Head of year 13 David Reynolds
Since September 2000 Sixth Form students have been studying under the system of AS and A levels. AS levels (short for Advanced Subsidiary) are the easier first half of the A level course which are studied in the Lower Sixth. Students may take exams in their AS subjects at the end of the Lower Sixth to qualify for an AS award. The second year of the A level course is referred to as the A2 and is taught in the Upper Sixth. It cannot be taken without first studying the AS level course. Students also have the option of studying for an Applied A level in some subjects. They are vocational courses, and a summary of the courses in Art and Design, Business Studies and The Performing Arts can be found in the Sixth Form curriculum booklet. We also offer vocational BTEC qualifications in Sport and Music. The Cambridge Pre-U is a new course which is, in many ways, like an old -fashioned A Level: there are no exams at the end of the Lower 6th year, but rather all exams and coursework are completed at the end of the course. The content of the courses is, possibly, a little bit more stretching than that of the standard A Level. We currently offer the Pre-U in English Literature and Politics.
The Sixth Form curriculum is divided into four groups of subjects (blocks). A student takes one subject from each block. Each of these subjects may be examined at the end of the Lower Sixth for an AS level and may be continued into the Upper Sixth for a full A level. Alternatively, it is possible to stop studying a subject after the AS examinations at the end of the Lower Sixth year. Students may alternatively select an Applied A level or BTEC course in place of one or two A levels. In addition to their AS/A level courses, all students can take part in a varied General Studies programme, Careers advice and enrol in Key Skills and Information Technology courses.
Choosing the right course
The overriding considerations are that students should choose subjects which they will enjoy and which will help them gain access to courses in Higher Education or jobs which interest them. For the many students who do not have a clear picture of what they want to do next, the accent should be on enjoyment and keeping their options open.
The majority of our students will take 4 AS levels in the Lower Sixth, reducing to 3 A levels in the Upper Sixth. If this is not the best programme of study, we will create an appropriate programme on an individual basis. Flexibility exists to enable exceptionally able students to study additional AS and A levels.
University Entrance Consideration
- Most universities will continue to make offers based on 3 A levels. This is because they want students to achieve the intellectual standard of A level.
- Some universities have indicated that they wish students to broaden their 3 A levels by taking a contrasting fourth AS or A level. This should be taken into account when making selections.
- Universities will continue to require 2 A levels as the minimum requirement for a degree course.
- Many universities use AS level results as a screening device, alongside GCSEs .
Costs
In the Sixth Form, all text books and musical scores are charged to students’ accounts. This allows them to annotate their texts as they wish.
Many courses have associated costs. These may include field courses, visits, equipment or materials. In each case we have given a guide to the extra cost likely to be associated with this particular course in the booklet.
Please click here to download the Sixth Form curriculum booklet.
