Information Booklet

6 th

Contents

Welcome from the Principal, Dr Ingate

Student Support

Supporting University Applications

Sixth Form Admissions and Pathways

Courses and Entry Requirements

Welcome to Birchwood Sixth Form Dear Year 11 Students, Parents and Carers We are very proud of our excellent Sixth Form where we balance academic excellence with a wide range of student leadership opportunities and an outstanding enrichment programme that allows Birchwood students to stand apart from their peers. The majority of our Year 11 students continue into our Sixth Form to follow a predominantly A-Level curriculum, although a range of vocational opportunities do exist. The curriculum is designed to support students as they step into Higher Education, University, High Level Apprenticeships or more aspirational employment. We currently have 270 Sixth Form students (144 in Year 12 / 136 in Year 13). Over the last three years, 71% of students have gone to University, 22% to employment and 7% have taken a ‘gap year’. You may have noticed from the local newspapers this summer that we now have a Sixth Form with A Level results that are well above the national. Consequently, of those students that opted for University, 99% took up a place. Those who opted for apprenticeships, gap years and employment have started very successfully.

There are benchmarks for progressing from GCSE to A-Level. The entry requirements are in place to support students as it is important to note that a strong foundation at GCSE is a pre-requisite for successful A Level study. As you will read, we plan distinct Post 16 pathways according to students’ abilities and learning preferences. For example, students who want to study four AS levels (the preferred choice for most students) will require a ‘best eight’ GCSE average point score of 43 points which is an average B/C grade profile at GCSE as well as a B grade at least in the subject they intend to continue with at A-Level. Students in the past who have entered with such a profile have done exceptionally well and coped with the demands placed upon them. Whilst we believe we will have the capacity to meet the demand from current Year 11 students, as well as those in Year 12 as they move into Year 13, numbers will be tight. We will, of course, give priority to our own students but, undoubtedly, there will be interest from external students as well. It is really important, therefore, if you are intending to enrol into Birchwood High School’s Sixth Form, that you complete your application form and return it to the school by Monday 14 December. Dr Chris Ingate, Principal

2015 results

Birchwood A Level Results

National A Level Average

% A/A* 30% 22%

% A*/B pass rate 61% 48%

% A-E pass rate 99.7% 97%

Average point score 230 198

% Students securing first choice university place 82% 66%

% Students going to Russell Group universities 34%

Sixth Form Admissions and Pathways Birchwood Sixth Form currently has 270 students on roll. With a large and potentially very successful year group, we are expecting numbers to remain at this level. In order to provide objective admission criteria, as well as ensure that the right students embark on the right courses, the following will apply:

2016 Entry Requirements for the Birchwood Sixth Form To help you make the best possible choice for Sixth Form we, at Birchwood, follow a process which gives you information, advice and guidance about the best options for you. This starts with choosing a Pathway which is based on the Average Points Score (APS) that you achieve at GCSE (Level 2). You do this by taking your best 8 subjects and converting them to a points score.

Grade Points Score Equivalence

A* 58

A 52

B 46

C 40

D 34

E 28

F 22

G 16

U 0

Your Pathway will help you decide how many Level 3 courses (these are A Level or BTEC) you want to take. Once you have done this you can then choose what subjects you would like to study.

Pathway 1 For admission onto Pathway 1 to study 5/4 Level 3 courses, students should have a minimum APS of 49 (A/B grade average) and the specific subject requirement.

Pathway 2 For admission onto Pathway 2 to study 4/3 Level 3 courses students should have a minimum APS of 43 (B/C grade average) and the specific subject requirement.

Pathway 3

For admission onto Pathway 3 to study 1 BTEC Level 3 course and 1 Level 3 course students should have a minimum APS of 40 (C grade average) and the specific subject requirement.

Example: English B 46 English A 52 Maths B 46 History C 40 =362/8 PE A 52 APS 45.25 Science C 40 Science C 40 Media B 46

Progression from Year 12 into Year 13 Progression to Year 13 is subject to students demonstrating the capacity to benefit from a course which is more demanding than the Year 12 programme. This will normally mean that the target grade or above is achieved in Year 12. Students who achieve a grade below their target in Year 12 may be considered but this will have to be negotiated between the student, the parents and the school. Those students who achieve a U grade in Year 12 will not be allowed to continue on the course. Students who gain two or more U grades in Year 12 and/or whose attendance or attitude to work has been poor during the year, may not be invited to return. Students achieving a D or E grade in Year 12 and intending to follow the subject into A2 will need to negotiate access onto the course with the Head of Sixth Form. If students drop two courses then the Head of Sixth Form will discuss future options with the student.

Applications Priority will be given to Birchwood students in Year 11 wishing to stay on into the Sixth Form. Places for external applicants will also be considered. In the case of over subscription we will consider the number of places available in the courses chosen and also on the basis of academic ability in the courses chosen. It is essential that applications are received by the deadline of Monday 14 December. Applications received after this date may not be considered.

Courses and Entry Requirements The information that is below lets you see what courses are available to you and what the Entry Requirements are for the course. If you are unsure please ask.

Subject Entry Requirement

Art and Design Grade B in GCSE Art or Graphics

Biology 2 Grade B’s in GCSE Double Science or Triple Science including Biology

Business (BTEC Diploma) APS 40

Chemistry 2 Grade B’s in GCSE Double Science or Triple Science including Chemistry

Design and Technology – Graphics Grade B GCSE in any Design and Technology subject or Art

Design and Technology – Resistant Materials

Grade B GCSE in Graphics, RM, Textiles or Art

Drama and Theatre Studies Grade B in GCSE Drama, English Language or Literature.

(If GCSE Drama has not been taken it is a requirement to have Grade B in either English Language or English Literature)

English Language Grade B in GCSE English Language

English Literature Grade B in GCSE English Literature and English Language

Extended Project Qualification EPQ does not count as one of the option choices but is an additional subject that can be picked up during the year

Film Studies Grade B in GCSE English Language or Literature

Financial Studies (IFS Level 3 Diploma) APS 40

Football Academy (BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport)

APS 40

French Grade B in GCSE French or the ability to speak French to the equivalent level

Geography Grade B in Geography (Non-Geographers will need a B grade in a Science GCSE)

German Grade B in GCSE German or the ability to speak German to the equivalent level

Government & Politics Grade B in GCSE History or English Literature

Health & Social Care (BTEC Diploma) APS 40

History Grade B in GCSE History (Non-Historians will need B grade in GCSE English Language)

Hospitality (BTEC Subsidiary Diploma) APS 40

IT: Creative Computing (BTEC Diploma) APS 40

Mathematics Grade B in GCSE Mathematics

Mathematics Further Grade A* in GCSE Mathematics

Media Studies Grade B in GCSE English Language or Literature

Music Grade B in GCSE Music or grade 5 in an instrument/voice if GCSE Music has not been taken

Physical Education Grade B GCSE in PE or Grade B in Triple Science

including Biology

Physics 2 Grade B’s in GCSE Double Science or Triple Science including Physics

Psychology Grade B in GCSE English Language or Literature

Grade B in GCSE Double Science or Triple Science

RS: Philosophy and Ethics Grade B in GCSE RS or Grade B in GCSE English Language or Literature

Spanish Grade B in GCSE Spanish or the ability to speak Spanish to the equivalent level

Sport (BTEC Diploma) APS 40

If for whatever reason you miss any of these requirements we will recall your exam result and talk with you about your options. Full details of all subjects being offered can be found on the school website www.birchwoodonline.co.uk. Some courses are yet to be accredited so where there are no details these will be added as accreditation is granted and decisions are made.

Course Descriptions