Choosing your courses
The most important part of A Level success is choosing the correct programme of study. For some this is easy, for others it is more challenging.
A good place to start is asking your current teachers about A Level study and looking at your career aspirations. Some careers and university courses require particular combinations of subjects studied at GCSE.
It’s a very good idea to look closely at your career aspirations before making any choices and research this fully.
If you are not sure what you want to do in the future, it’s often a good idea to select courses that you are good at and will enjoy; students who enjoy their studies are more likely to do well. Keeping your options open can also be a good idea.
Our courses in the large part are ‘facilitating subjects’. These are subjects identified by some universities as their preferred study options.
They are the most traditional academic subjects and offer the best basis for students looking to study a traditional academic degree, or at one of the most competitive universities.
As we are a smaller, school-based Sixth Form we cannot offer every combination of subjects. Most of our students study three A Levels, with some opting to take four. It is therefore important that students choose the best possible combination for them and put time into considering which subjects work well together. Students can choose from the range of subjects on offer in the prospectus and in order to support students in making good choices we ensure that sound combinations of subjects are available. Our blocking system is designed to support strong programmes of study. If the particular combination of subjects that you wish to study is not available please let us know. It is sometimes possible to move subjects or offer additional groups.
You can only select one subject from each column, and must study a minimum of three subjects.
Whilst we endeavour to ensure this information is as accurate as possible, we do on occasion make changes to our offer. Applicants will be notified in advance.
Subject Bandings
| Column A | Column B | Column C | Column D | Column E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Chemistry | Economics | Art & Design/Textiles | Model UN |
| Business | Computing | English Literature | Classics | Oracy |
| Health & Social Care | English Language | Physical Education | Further Maths | EPQ |
| History | French | Physics | Maths | Games |
| Maths | Geography | Sociology | Philosophy & Ethics | Chaplaincy |
| Product Design | Medical Science | Spanish | Psychology | |
| Human Biology | Government & Politics | Environmental Science |
All courses are at A level unless specified otherwise (*).
Subject Entry Requirements
Grade 4 in any English & Maths| Subject | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|
| Art & Design | Grade 5 in Art |
| Biology | Grade 6 in Biology or Grade 7-7 in Combined Science |
| Business | Grade 4 in any English and Maths |
| Chemistry | Grade 6 in Chemistry or Grade 7-7 in Combined Science, and a Grade 6 in Maths |
| Classical Civilisation | Grade 5 in a Humanities subject |
| Computer Science | Grade 6 in Computing |
| Economics | Grade 5 in any English and Maths |
| English Literature | Grade 6 in English Literature |
| English Language | Grade 5 in English Language |
| Environmental Science | Grade 5 in a Separate Science or 5-5 in Combined Science |
| French | Grade 5 in French |
| Geography | Grade 5 in Geography |
| Government and Politics | Grade 5 in a Humanities subject |
| Health and Social Care* | Maths |
| History | Grade 5 in History |
| Human Biology | Grade 5-5 in Combined Science or 5 in Biology |
| Maths | Grade 7 in Maths |
| Further Maths | Grade 8 in Maths |
| Medical Science* | Grade 5 in Biology or 5-5 in Combined Science |
| Philosophy & Ethics | Grade 5 in RE |
| Physics | Grade 6 in Physics or 7-7 in Combined Science and Grade 6 in Maths |
| Physical Education | Grade 5 in PE or 5-5 in Combined Science |
| Product Design | Grade 5 in Product Design |
| Psychology | Grade 6-6 in Combined Science or 6 in any Separate Science |
| Sociology | Grade 5 in any Humanities subject |
| Spanish |
Grade 5 in Spanish |
Students should look to study subjects where they have achieved well or there is a good indication from other studies that they are likely to be successful.
Prior attainment is a good indication of likely performance and therefore we provide entry requirements to support students in making choices that will ensure their success.
In order to study at Level 3 (A Levels and Level 3 Applied and Vocational courses) students should have at least 5 grade 4s and above, plus the requirements above to be considered for any of our courses. We will always consider each student on a case-by-case basis.