COURSE CHOICES

• A LEVEL COURSES: the majority• LEVEL 3 VOCATIONAL: Music, Travel &

Tourism• APPLIED A LEVEL: ICT & SCIENCE

www.thepolesworthschoolsixthform.com

Our students are expected to be:

• Full-time students• Committed, active & engaged learners• Ambitious, enthusiastic and autonomous students• Role models• Students who develop a wide range of skills through

opportunities beyond the classroom• Well organised students who take on the responsibility of

private study commitments & meet deadlines• Determined to achieve their best, responding positively

to assessment, feedback & target grades• Courteous, tolerant and respectful of others.

STUDY COMMITMENTS

• 9 lessons per fortnight for each main subject• 4 lessons a fortnight for General Studies/Further

Maths/GCSE re-sit in Maths or English• Private study time: in Y12 - 3 or 4 hours per

subject per week; increases in Y13 – as a guide, every hour spent in the classroom should be matched by an hour of independent study!

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs - or their equivalent - at Grade C+, including English or Maths and also in any subject to be taken on to A Level in order to join the Sixth Form

• GCSE grades converted to a points score used to determine course: 3 or 4 subjects + additional study

• Take your best 5 GCSE grades/equivalents & score them: A* = 8 points, A = 7 points, B = 6 points, C = 5 points, D = 4 points, E = 3 points, F = 2 points, G = 1 point

ENTRY CRITERIA

Use your total points score to make your course choice as follows:

30 – 40 points 4 subjects + General Studies (or even Further Maths)

27 – 29 points 3 or 4 subjects + General Studies

25 – 26 points 3 subjects + General Studies

A LEVEL COURSES

2 year courses – very flexible

YEAR 12 – AS Level: 2/3 modules per subject with examination slots January & May; results

August. Re-sits possible. Year 13 courses begin in the

May following AS exams.

A LEVEL COURSES

YEAR 13 – A2 Level: Specialise in 3 subjects from September following AS

results(plus General Studies or Further Maths).

2/3 more modules per subject with examination slots January & June.

Results in August.

WHY STUDY A FOURTH SUBJECT AT AS?

• Stretch and challenge• Breadth or a chance to take up a new

subject • Another qualification• Personal interest• Preparation for university – top universities

expect it & it provides extra points• More choice at A2.

• Career & university plans – take advice or check out www.ucas.com

• Subject interest• Subject strength• Talk to your teachers.

Remember that for most employers & university courses it’s the qualification that counts!

CHOOSING YOUR A LEVELS

• Research university entry requirements if you have a particular course, career path or area of study in mind

• Use the UCAS website• There may be both GCSE & A Level requirements• No two universities are exactly the same.

AIMING FOR UNIVERSITY?MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE (1)

• Facilitating subjects: English, History, Geography, Languages, Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology – at least 2 for entry to some of the most competitive universities

• Traditional A Levels providing a strong foundation for Higher Education

• If you are unsure about career direction, choose 2 to keep your options open

• The Russell Group guide for parents and students: INFORMED CHOICES – information about how to access the guide given out with programme.

AIMING FOR UNIVERSITY?MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE (2)

• General Studies at both AS & A2; 2 lessons per fortnight

• Further Mathematics at AS• Re-sit English and/or Mathematics GCSE• Enrichment, work experience, voluntary

work, sport, PSHE days, trips & visits

ACHIEVING BREADTH – or those little extras!

• Application forms available on the website; we can provide paper copies if necessary

• No option boxes

• Choose 5 subjects & list them in order of preference; 5th choice = reserve choice

• Personal statement

THE APPLICATIONS PROCESS

• Complete form, print out & hand in to your tutor/Main School Office

• Email form to Mrs. Munn : l.munn@thepolesworthschool.com

• Post form (external applicants)

• FRIDAY 9th March – for the initial round of applications

• Vital to secure subject choices & for timetabling• BUT: we continue to accept applications right up

to the end of the academic year; course choices & places may be restricted.

DEADLINES!

• INTERVIEWS – Spring Term• OFFERS• INDUCTION DAY – TUESDAY 17TH JULY• REGISTRATION – GCSE Results Day in

August; course choices confirmed or amended

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I’VE APPLIED?

VISIT DEPARTMENTS

www.thepolesworthschoolsixthform.com