We are proud to offer a range of courses of study within the Sixth Form, with the majority of these being GCE A Levels. Some of these are in traditional academic disciplines - the subjects you might have studied at GCSE - English Literature or History, for example; others are non-traditional or vocational subjects such as Criminology, Media Studies or Tourism. Some courses are wholly assessed through examination; many offer some practical or coursework assessment.

Level 3 Study

Level 3 courses provide the opportunity to secure in-depth knowledge and skills in a particular subject and are highly valuable for students looking at going on to university, training or employment. Within the current Sixth Form curriculum, these courses comprise A Levels, BTEC's and Cambridge Technical qualifications.

A Levels (GCE Advanced Levels)

A Levels are a more traditional route into higher education or university. They can be in familiar, academic subjects such as Mathematics and History or in non-traditional and vocational areas such as Business Studies or Media Studies. A Levels are two-year courses, and most assessments contributing to your awarded grade are completed at the end of the two-year course. A Levels are mostly assessed through examination; only a few of them have coursework elements, and these ordinarily carry fewer marks than the examination components. With few exceptions, coursework elements are undertaken in the second year of the programme. 

BTEC National Courses

These are vocational or work-related qualifications. Like A Levels, they are Level 3 courses, but provide a more practical and vocational approach to learning. They can provide an ideal next step if you have taken BTEC courses in Year 11. Like A Levels, BTECs have undergone significant reform. They still benefit from significant coursework components, but are increasingly using examinations as a significant, additional form of assessment. They're not easy options. Changes to how BTECs are assessed mean that you must pass all assessments within the time provided or you will be unable to complete the course. 

Changes to Entry Criteria (effective June 2024)

We have taken the decision to lower the TPS for higher-tier A Levels from 36 points to 33. This is in advance of the proposed curricumlum changes announced for post 16 providers from 2025. The lowered TPS is expected to provide increased access to a broader A Level curriculum and is being applied with immediate effect. We have also taken the decision to lower the GCSE Mathematics grade requirements fot those subjects without significant mathematical content. These are amended in the revised entry criteria document below.