Our Curriculum

Entry Requirements Overview

Student entry into our Sixth Form requires 5 grade 4 or about GCSEs including English and Maths. However, there are some subjects that do ask for a slightly higher grade (such as Maths and Physics) and entry onto these courses will be at the discretion of the Curriculum Leader. You will be able to see detailed entry requirements and expected prior study on our individual subject pages.

Additionally, we offer Curriculum Pathways that allow students to tailor their studies based on their future career aspirations and the GCSE attainment.

Curriculum Pathways

Extended Pathway

We are very pleased to be offering an Extended Pathway for our most highly achieving students. This specifically tailored programme will cater for those students who gain an average GCSE grade of 6 and above, including English and Mathematics.

Students will undertake either four full academic A Levels or three academic A Levels with an Extended Project Qualification, in a range of disciplines, including the key facilitating subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Maths, History, Geography).

This pathway will prepare students for study beyond school. At university level, it is essential that our young people are able to think independently and creatively, to articulate their views confidently, to write academically and critically, to read incisively and to debate passionately. We envisage that this route through Post-16 will prepare them sufficiently for the demands of Higher Education.

Academic/Applied Pathway

We believe that all students in our Sixth Form should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and as a result, we are pleased to be able to offer this route through Post-16 education, aimed towards those students who are keen to undertake a combination of the more traditional A Level courses, alongside an Applied General qualification. This pathway is most suitable for a student considering higher education, employment or an apprenticeship after Sixth Form, with an average GCSE grade of 4/5. Students will be able to opt for:

• One A Level and a double Applied General qualification

• One A Level and two single Applied General qualifications

• Two A Levels and a single Applied General qualification

This pathway will prepare students for further study beyond school. It is important that our young people are able to develop skills of independence, creative thinking and resilience. At the end of their Post-16 experience, we want students to be able to speak confidently, to discuss thoughtfully, and to write fluently and in a knowledgeable way . We foresee that this route through Post-16 will prepare them appropriately for the demands of their future study.

• Team Building and Leadership – a dedicated package of tailored work experience

• Careers Guidance – a coherent system of support through the process of applying for an apprenticeship or university, as well as individual impartial careers guidance.

• ICT and Study Support – all students following this pathway will have access to dedicated study skills sessions.

• Maths and English Re-sits – all students who have not yet achieved a GCSE grade 4 in Maths or English will be required to follow a re-sit programme.

Students who opt for this pathway will be expected to have excellent attendance, attitudes and high levels of independence. They will be encouraged to take ownership of their own studies, fostering a desire to learn, and making good use of the support available to them from their teachers. They should actively seek opportunities to take an active role in the school community. 

Applied Pathway

We are extremely excited to offer our students the opportunity to focus their career toward the Health & Social Care Sector.  Students will develop the right blend of technical and academic skills in order to become the highly skilled, work-ready individuals employers and universities look for.  BTEC Level 3 Nationals are vocational qualifications designed to help students succeed whether they intend to progress to higher education, employment or apprenticeships.

The skills to succeed – the confidence to progress

These qualifications take a unit-by-unit approach and provide students with practical, work-related courses. They offer: 

• Combination of assessment styles Learners can demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding through work-related contexts.

• Large foundations of mandatory units Universities and employers have evidence of a consistent level of core knowledge and skills. 

• Comprehensive support that guides students through each unit allowing them to act on feedback to achieve the highest possible grades.

This course would suit students who have a real passion for the subject area, can work independently, have good research and analysis skills and prefer a more hands on approach to learning.

Students following this pathway would only solely study Health & Social Care and have an average of grade 4 at GCSE. Students who have not achieved a grade 4 in English or Maths will also be expected to undertake GCSE retakes in this block.

For further information, please contact the Sixth Form.

Mel Kersey - Head of Sixth Form

Graham Parker - Deputy Headteacher