Choosing my courses

Step 2 - Choose one of the following 'Plus 1' options

• EPQ

• Core Maths

• Arts Award

• Elite Sport Programme

Our Plus 1 options give you the opportunity for academic stretch and breadth which will be hugely beneficial to you, be it for university, an apprenticeship or applying for jobs after Year 13. They will develop key skills outside of A level subjects with an opportunity to focus on an area of interest to you. In addition, EPQ, Core Maths and the Arts Award carry UCAS points and may be directly useful for university applications.
We believe that the vast majority of students would benefit from studying one of the 'Plus 1' qualifications above.

• A Fourth A-level Subject

Some students may wish to study a 4th A level subject instead of a '+1' listed above. However, it should be noted that in most cases you will only continue with four subjects for the duration of Year 12 and not receive a qualification. A small number of students do continue with 4 A levels into Year 13 - this is most common if you are studying Maths and Further Maths. 

Some students may wish to begin a 4th A-level subject in addition to an EPQ. We would advise that students should only do this if they have met one or more of the following criteria:

• you have achieved over 70 points at GCSE

• you wish to study Further Maths and potentially continue 4 A-levels into Year 13.