We are proud to offer a range of courses of study within the Sixth Form, with the majority of these being GCE A Levels. Some of these are in traditional academic disciplines - the subjects you might have studied at GCSE - English Literature or History, for example; others are non-traditional or vocational subjects such as Criminology, Media Studies or Tourism. Some courses are wholly assessed through examination; many offer some practical or coursework assessment.

Level 3 Study

Level 3 courses provide the opportunity to secure in-depth knowledge and skills in a particular subject and are highly valuable for students looking at going on to university, training or employment. Within the current Sixth Form curriculum, these courses comprise A Levels, BTEC's and Cambridge Technical qualifications.

A Levels (GCE Advanced Levels)

A Levels are a more traditional route into higher education or university. They can be in familiar, academic subjects such as Mathematics and History or in non-traditional and vocational areas such as Business Studies or Media Studies. A Levels are two-year courses, and most assessments contributing to your awarded grade are completed at the end of the two-year course. A Levels are mostly assessed through examination; only a few of them have coursework elements, and these ordinarily carry fewer marks than the examination components. With few exceptions, coursework elements are undertaken in the second year of the programme. 

BTECs, CTECs, Diplomas and AAQ Courses

These are vocational or work-related qualifications. Like A Levels, they are Level 3 courses, but provide a more practical and vocational approach to learning. They can provide an ideal next step if you have taken similar courses in Year 11. Like A Levels, these qualifications have undergone significant reform in recent years. They still benefit from significant coursework components, but are increasingly using examinations as a significant, additional form of assessment. They're not easy options. Changes to how BTECs are assessed mean that you must pass all assessments within the time provided or you will be unable to complete the course. 

Changes to Entry Criteria (effective October 2025)

We have taken the decision to lower the grade requirements for students wishing to study one or more science subjects from September 2026. This decision has been made to ensure wider access to science qualifications within the Sixth Form. As a result, applicants are advised that the Academy is very unlikely to exercise flexibility of the entry criteria where these (minimum) grades are not met.