Subject Preparation work

The minimum entry requirement for Tewkesbury School Sixth Form is 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above with English or Maths at Grade 4 or above.  Students are expected to demonstrate evidence of a positive, self motivated approach to their learning. Certain subjects have their own subject specific entrance criteria and advise a 5 or a 6 in that subject to continue it to A Level.  We always consider entry on a student by student basis.

Students with lower than a grade 4 in English OR Maths must attend lessons in these subjects to enable them to improve their grades in these GCSEs, as these are essential qualifications in many careers and further education courses.

Course of study: Two years, studying three or four subjects depending on future plans.

What is an A Level?

In Year 12 students can choose to take three or four A Levels. Each course is taught for 5 lessons per week.  Each A Level comprises of a number of units (usually 3-4) that are assessed through examinations, coursework or a combination of the two.  Assessments take place at the end of Year 13 in May / June.  In all A Level courses A* to E grades represent a pass.

What is a BTEC / applied course?

BTEC stands for the Business and Technology Education Council. BTECs are specialist work-related qualifications. They combine practical learning with subject and theory content. They have a higher content of coursework than most A Levels, although, like A Levels there is an examined component.