A-Levels

From September 2017 all A level courses will have undergone some significant changes to make them ‘linear’ i.e. exams taken at the end of the course.

An AS level will no longer count towards a final A level grade and there will be no options to re-sit modules as previously. Key features of new A levels:

They are intended to pose the same general standard of difficulty as current A levels

They will be linear i.e. the whole of the course content will be examined at the end of the course. Some colleges will examine students in the first year (AS year) but this will be for information purposes to give an indicator on current progress and as a basis for UCAS predicted grades

Exams will make greater use of ‘synoptic’ questions and there will be more variety to questions types (e.g. multiple choice)

Coursework will be reduced

It will be still be possible to complete an A level in one year as long as all assessments are completed at the end • Grading will remain as A*-E

All subjects will have moved to the new style of examination by June 2018

Where Can I do A-Levels?

In Salford we have two places which offer A levels:

Pendleton Centre (part of Salford City College)– A levels – require 3 B and 3 C grades (usually B’s in subjects wanted to be studied) Also BTEC Performing Arts, Art, Science due to specialist facilities available at this centre.

St Ambrose Barlow Sixth Form this is a school sixth form in Swinton, which has a variety of A levels on offer and some BTEC courses. Students who study here can mix A levels with shorter BTEC courses.

Other providers of A levels, include: Bolton sixth form College, Loreto College, Xaverian College, The Manchester College, Trafford College, Bury College

Information taken from:

Your guide to pathways and provision 2017/2018

A leaflet for the 2017/2018 academic year has been developed as part of Salford City Council’s continued support to teachers, governors, parents and carers to inform and raise awareness of the pathways available post-16 and where young people can choose to study from aged 14 (Key Stage 4).