Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School: Sixth Form Virtual Open Evening

Sixth Form Prospectus 2025-26

for Entry in September 2026

Welcome to Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School

'CHRIST AT THE CENTRE'

Welcome from the Head of Sixth Form

A very warm welcome to Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School Sixth Form and our online virtual event and prospectus. ‘Prospects’ comes from Latin origins literally meaning ‘distant view’ combined with ‘action’. A ‘looking forward’ to advancement and success. As you prepare to choose your options for A Level study and make the important decision for the next stage of advancement in with a view to what you may want to further study at University; experience as a Higher or apprentice; or your vocation in the world of work, we are confident that our school can help you to fulfil your expectations and achieve success in your chosen field of study and employment.

Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School has a growing and exceptionally successful Sixth Form admitting students across Years 12 and 13 from our existing Year 11 and from students within the Archdiocese of Cardiff and Bridgend County Borough.

We offer a breadth of choice of academic provision, in partnership with Bridgend College, and a range of collaborative courses with other Sixth Forms in the Bridgend area and Archdiocese.

We believe that this cooperative approach complimented by extracurricular opportunities to develop and champion employability, virtues and empowerment (EVE) and underpinned by excellent teaching, academic rigour, outstanding career undergraduate and apprenticeship advice, and first class pastoral care ensures that our students have every opportunity to develop their potential.

It is our goal that you should ‘have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10). At our school we believe we have a unique community where every student, unconditionally, is valued and understood. We provide a supportive and caring environment where you can explore, develop, grow in knowledge an understanding of yourself, and ultimately thrive. We treat every student as an individual and will do our utmost to assist you, whatever your aspirations, to reach your full academic potential and provide greater opportunity to progress to higher education or personal career choices.

We warmly welcome students from other schools into Year 12 who are willing to support and uphold our ethos and values and are ready to benefit from the expertise of highly qualified academic staff and a pastoral system which offers excellent care and individual guidance as you transition to adulthood and further lifelong learning.

Our Sixth Form is the ideal preparation for the independent learning and living that will be undertaken at university and in the world of work. Whether you are continuing your journey with us from Year 11, or are joining us in Year 12 from another school or college, we will ensure that you feel welcome, safe, and settle in quickly.

Archbishop McGrath will provide you with the careers support and expert advice and help you need to guide you on your journey.

Our expert knowledge about university and apprenticeship opportunities, and assistance with successfully securing places, is a particular strength of our school. Whatever educational pathway you choose, you will have access to high quality teachers in a culture of high expectations. Archbishop McGrath offers a unique opportunity for you to study both in school and in college, giving you a breath of opportunities. We are very proud that a vast majority of our students do fulfil their aspirations. Many Year 12 students take up the opportunity to study in Summer Schools in Oxbridge and other Russell Group universities.

In the latest published data by the University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) Archbishop McGrath Y13 students University acceptance rate on course they had applied for was 96% - 14% above the average of other Sixth Forms in Bridgend County Borough; and our offer rate for university courses received by our students after their applications had been accepted was also 96% - 2% higher than other Sixth Forms in BCBC.

All our Sixth Form students who were choosing an undergraduate routeway of HE were successful in securing full time places of study at universities in 2022 and 2023. Nearly all students who applied to Russell Group Universities as their firm choice achieved these offers.

In Sixth Form we believe that God has plan for every one of us 'a plan to prosper and not harm us, a plan to give us hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11) We seek to develop independent, autonomous learners who are diligent in their work and active in contributing to the Catholic life of the school. There is an excellent support structure in place where progress is monitored closely and supported by teachers and the Wellbeing Team, and we aim to ensure that every student can both develop their own spirituality and meet their full academic potential.

We are proud of our Sixth Form at Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School and we look forward to welcoming you to our community in September.

Mr McShane

Head of Sixth Form

Entry Requirements

All 6th form entrants must have passed GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics at grade 'C' or above.

It is possible for a student who has missed the 'C' grade to return to the sixth form. Students who have narrowly missed out on a 'C' grade and wish to return to the sixth form will need a meeting with the Deputy Head and Head of Sixth before a place is offered.

These students will be given the opportunity to resit Mathematics or English GCSE in the summer Year 12. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are fully prepared to resit these exams. The school will provide resit lessons prior to the exams. These lessons are compulsory and attendance to them is a condition of returning to Sixth form.

Some departments allow students to study a subject AS Level without having taken the subject at GCSE.

Students will need to speak to the relevant Head of Department in order to find out if you are eligible to study a subject if you have not done so at GCSE level.

The entry requirements for all subjects differ, please speak to the Head of Department if you are thinking of taking the subject. They will let you know any specific entry requirements.

Entry pathways to suit everyone

Pathway A:

· 7 GCSEs or equivalent at C or above, including English and Maths

· All students must select four subjects in Year 12

Pathway B:

· 5 GCSEs or equivalent at C of above, including English and Maths

· All students choose four or three subjects in Year 12 depending on what is most suitable for the learner

· Option choices must include the Level 3 Skills Challenge (Welsh Baccalaureate)

C grade or above at Level 2 National/Foundation Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted as one of the stipulated passes.
Pass or above in BTEC/non-GCSE qualifications will be accepted as one of the stipulated passes for Pathway A.

Certain subjects have additional entry requirements:

· Sciences A Level: B grade in the named Science at GCSE (Applied Science requires A/A or above) plus B grade in Mathematics

· Mathematics A Level: B or above in the Higher Tier Mathematics

· Music A Level: Instrument or voice equivalent to grade 5

It is highly recommended that all 6th form students choose the Level 3 Skills Challenge (Welsh Baccalaureate) as one of their subject choices.

To continue study from Year 12 to Year 13, students must achieve a minimum of an E grade (or equivalent) at AS Level in that subject.

A minimum of three A2 Levels OR two A2 Levels and Level 3 Skills Challenge (Welsh Baccalaureate) must be studied in Year 13.

Why Archbishop McGrath?

Ethos and Values

EVERYTHING WE DO IS UNDERPINNED BY CATHOLIC VIRTUES

Every student is seen as a whole person, unique and precious
Exceptional Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
Daily act of collective worship
Participating in the Church Liturgical Year
Weekly General RE: Global Issues as a global citizen
Welsh Baccalaureate: Community Challenge
Buddy Support/ Reading Buddies / Mentoring
Chaplaincy Group: Awareness raising, Charitable events and Fundraising
Student Leadership: School Parliament / Head Student Team/Prefects / House Captains
School Trips (post pandemic restrictions)
Primary School Partnerships

GENERAL RE

All students follow a General RE course of one hour per week which is not examined to explore spirituality and develop as a whole person. Successful completion of this course leads to a Certificate which is the equivalent of 6 UCAS tariff points

Pupil Destination and Support

In 2024 ALL students who applied for HE achieved their undergraduate course of choice at University.

In the latest UCAS data, Archbishop McGrath Y13 students University acceptance rate was 96% - 14% above the average of other Sixth Forms in BCBC; and our university offers rate was also 96% - 2% higher than other Sixth Forms in BCBC.

A portion of students also secured L3 and Degree Apprenticeships.

All students are given expert advice and support with applications.

Students visit UCAS exhibitions/invited currently to online events and webinars.

A strong work experience programme and extra activities to show students sustained motivation and commitment to achieving their aspirations in Higher Education and beyond.

Tailored Mock interviews and MMIs are offered especially for Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing (from Midwifery to Adult), Veterinary Practice, Dentistry, Physiotherapy and Teaching from Early Years to Secondary.

Strong links with Wellington College, Berkshire as part of our Seren Award programme for MAT students, with tailored support specifically for potential Oxbridge and Russel Group University candidates; and a wealth of university opportunities for taster courses and days, and admission to University Summer Schools.

https://www.wellingtoncollege.org.uk/

Page updated

Report abuse