Entry requirements for post-16 courses vary depending on the course taken. Level 3 courses (A Levels) require five A*–C GCSE grades, and for the vocational BTEC courses four A*–C GCSE grades are required. To find out more about individual course requirements please visit the sixth form courses area of this website.
In addition to these GCSE requirements, we expect students to have minimum attendance levels of 90% in order to demonstrate commitment to continuing your studies at sixth form level.
Yes. Students who have not already achieved a grade 4 or above at GCSE in English and Maths will be expected to retake these GCSEs.
You can take up to three A Level courses. Post-16 course choices must be made from the option form with no more than one subject per block being selected.
Students are allowed to change their choice of subjects up until mid September in the first year of study. See Mrs Everitt-Smith if you are considering changing courses.
Yes. Induction days take place at the end of June/beginning of July. Also, at the start of the academic year, timed appointments are given to confirm your timetable choices during the enrolment day.
Target grades for A Level are calculated using ALPS
Student progress is monitored through regular assessments, by teaching staff.
There are no free periods in sixth form. All students are allocated private study sessions that are taken during the school day – one per subject.
These study periods might consist of:
Independent study sessions should also feature in a student’s own timetable. Students should also complete at least five hours of independent study per subject taken, per week, at home.
Yes. Tutorial is known as Next Steps, at 08:45, and Reflection at the end of the day, 14:50, in NEW6. These are timetabled lessons, where PSHE is delivered, covering many elements of progression and next steps, whilst reflecting on current progression.
All students are expected to attend assembly, lots of guest speakers will be in and you can support your fellow students who will also create and deliver some of the assemblies.
Yes. Students are allowed, and encouraged, to gain part-time employment alongside their studies. Part-time work can be a great way of learning new skills and gaining valuable employment experience as well as a source of income. However, part-time work should not interfere with a student’s studies.
We strongly recommend that students:
Four to five hours per subject, per week.
Sixth form students at the academy are expected to adhere to the following dress code:
Young men
Young women
The following are not considered acceptable
If you are going to be late or if you are ill, you (or someone on your behalf) must telephone school and choose the option for attendance to report this.
In order to attend an appointment during school hours you must fill in a yellow card and get it signed by the subject tutor of the lesson you are going to miss. You must agree to catch up on the work set. Give this card to Mrs Mason or the Attendance Officer, Mrs Sangwin prior to the appointment.
In one of your weekly Next Steps sessions the focus is on UCAS and your application to university. These sessions cover information about the application process including how to write a personal statement and issues relating to finance.
Yes. Students who are considering applying to university are encouraged to attend open days in order to help them to decide which course and which university they wish to attend. However, in order to avoid excessive disruption to their studies we advise that students should attend no more than three open days during school hours. Many university open days are on weekends and it is preferable that, when possible, students attend these open days instead.
Students are able to discuss career options with a Connexions personal advisor. To make an appointment contact Neil Selvey. His office is based in the Sixth Form Centre.
If the fire bell rings, leave the building through the nearest exit. Congregate on the concrete between Endeavour and Excellence Buildings next to the post-16 signs.
Yes. Please discuss with anyone in the Sixth Form team should you feel you need some extra support. If it is an academic issue we can arrange for some mentor support to overcome this. If it is support of a more personal or sensitive nature we can make a referral to the School Counsellor should you feel this is necessary.
Yes, once you have officially passed your test. Please provide a copy of your driver’s licence and car registration number to Mr A Davies via main reception. You may park on the main car park – please press the buzzer and explain to reception who you are.
There are a limited number of lockers available within the Sixth Form Centre. If available, a deposit of £5 is required, to be given to Mrs Belstone on the main reception in exchange for a key. Those students who are part of the Football Academy can be assigned a locker in the sports hall following a similar procedure; please discuss this with Mr Forsyth.
All Year 12 students are expected to organise and complete a work experience placement during the first week of July 2019. The purpose of this is to develop skills and gain experience in fields of employment that they may wish to pursue. University admissions departments and employers also wish to see evidence of this experience to support your application in that chosen area.
