Sixth Form Entry Requirements

For September 2025

The school sets what it believes to be the minimum entry requirement for students to access and succeed in the Sixth Form courses offered. Our Sixth Form offers mainly A Level courses, however we are developing non-A-Level courses to extend our Post-16 offer.

The entry requirement, to secure a place in the Sixth Form, is based on the final grades achieved in GCSE (or equivalent) examinations. All GCSEs will have grades given as numbers [1 – 9] with points score equivalent to the grade, so a 5 in English Language will carry 5 points.

Students would normally study three subject courses and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Students wishing to study 4 A Level subjects should have demonstrated a particular talent in one or more subject areas, as well as the potential to cope with the additional workload. They should exceed the minimum basic entry requirement for the Sixth Form and exceed the minimum grade-based entry for the subjects that they wish to study. If studying 4 A Levels, participation in the EPQ will not be compulsory, however if a student drops down to 3 A Levels, they will then be expected to pick up an EPQ qualification.

The minimum entry requirements for entry into our Sixth Form will be 5 GCSE (or equivalent) passes (Grade 4 or above), as well as the subject-specific requirements as listed below.

It is possible to study some subjects that you may not have studied at GCSE.

Subject	Minimum Subject Specific Entry Criteria - (in addition to a minimum standard of 5 GCSE passes):
Art	GCSE Grade 5 in Art or in a related subject
Biology	GCSE Grade 6 in single science Biology OR a Grade 6-5 in Combined Science, with 6 being in Biology
Business Studies	GCSE Grade 5 in Business Studies OR L2M in CNAT Enterprise and Marketing AND a Grade 5 at GCSE Maths If not studied, then a Grade 5 in a related subject
Chemistry	GCSE Grade 6 in single science Chemistry OR a Grade 6-5 in Combined Science, with 6 being in Chemistry
Computer Science	GCSE Grade 5 in Computer Science AND Grade 5 in either Maths or Physics
Design Engineering	GCSE Grade 6 in a D&T subject OR Grade 5 in a D&T subject AND a Grade 6 in Maths or Physics
Drama and Theatre Studies	GCSE Grade 5 in Drama or English Literature
English Language and Literature	GCSE Grade 6 in an English GCSE OR a Grade 5 in BOTH English Language and English Literature
English Literature	GCSE Grade 6 in an English GCSE OR a Grade 5 in BOTH English Language and English Literature
Film Studies	GCSE Grade 6 in an English GCSE OR a Grade 5 in BOTH English Language and English Literature
French	GCSE Grade 5 in French
Further Mathematics	GCSE Grade 7 in Maths
Geography	GCSE Grade 5 in Geography If Geography not studied, then a Grade 5 in a related subject
Graphic Communication	GCSE Grade 5 in D&T or a related subject
History	GCSE Grade 5 in History If History not studied, then a Grade 5 in a related subject
Mathematics	GCSE Grade 6 in Mathematics
Music	GCSE Grade 5 in Music OR Grade V theory AND Grade VI on their main instrument (or performing at that level)
Photography	GCSE Grade 5 in Photography or in a related subject
Physical Education	GCSE Grade 5 in GCSE PE OR L2M in CNAT Sports Studies If not studied, then Grade 5 in a science GCSE
Physics	GCSE Grade 6 in single science Physics OR a Grade 6-5 in Combined Science, with 6 being in Physics
Politics	GCSE Grade 5 in a Humanity subject
Product Design	GCSE Grade 5 in D&T or a related subject AND a Grade 5 in Maths
Psychology	GCSE Grade 5 in Religious Studies, or in a related subject
Religious Studies	GCSE Grade 5 in Religious Studies, or in a related subject
Sociology	GCSE Grade 5 in Religious Studies, or in a related subject
Spanish	GCSE Grade 5 in Spanish

A related subject is determined at the discretion of the school.

Entry to Vocational Courses - course-specific, but a minimum standard of 5 GCSE passes and a Grade 4 in the subject to study or in a related subject.