Which Course?

A Levels are open to students with at least four or five GCSEs at grades A*-C. If you don’t have these, you can study for OCR National Certificate Level 2 for one year, which is the equivalent of four GCSEs. This can also be combined with GCSE Maths and English. If you pass this with Merit or Distinction you can study Advanced Levels for the following two years. Many students do this each year.

A Levels can be chosen more freely than you might think. You do need good GCSEs in Maths, English, Languages and Science to continue these subjects at A Level. Most other subjects don’t require any particular GCSEs: good news if you’ve changed your mind since choosing options for GCSE. A few careers such as medicine and architecture require specific A Levels, but most don’t - including law, teaching, business and media. Therefore you should choose subjects you enjoy and will get high grades in.

Traditionally, Sixth Formers choose three A Levels. The government is now encouraging students to take up to five in the first year (Lower Sixth or Year 12) leading to the AS Level exams. You might then continue three of these through to A Level at the end of the second year (Upper Sixth or Year 13). A good compromise might be to choose three traditional subjects and one or two of the ‘Additional’ subjects which are less demanding in terms of attending classes and learning, because they can be linked to your other courses.

Vocational courses can be mixed with traditional A Levels. They are more coursework or practically  based and introduce you to an area of employment. They include work placements. 

The full prospectus will help you choose, followed by Open Evening in October. Interviews with the Head of Centre in November and December provide a chance to talk in detail. You can attend a class if you wish. There is an Introductory Day in late June after GCSEs. In September 2008, you will have your GCSE results and make your final decision on courses with your new Sixth Form Tutor.See you soon!