Entry Requirements for sixth form study

Our aim is to provide inclusive educational opportunities for all those who choose to continue their education. There are opportunities to create individual programmes of courses at Level 3.

Our Approach

We believe that you should start courses at King Edward VI Sixth Form with at least a reasonable chance of success. The vast majority of our students will need to focus on successful completion of the equivalent of three courses across two years. Our conditions of entry are detailed below.

As a general rule, students will be guided towards following course combinations dependent upon their GCSE results.

Note: Some departments have higher individual subject requirements, established in the light of experience. These are shown in the course descriptions and we would strongly encourage you to use the teachers’ experience and advice when deliberating over subject choices.

We are moving towards new attainment measures in line with national changes. For Sixth Form entry we will focus on attainment rather than achievement (Progress 8). The entry requirement for a programme of three A Level/L3 courses in the Sixth Form will be an Attainment 8 average points score of at least 5.0(C).

9   9  
8 A* 8 BTEC Distinction*
7 A 7 BTEC Distinction
6 B 6

NVQ/ICT Certificate

BTEC Merit
5 C 5 BTEC Level 2 Pass
4 D 4  
3 E 3  
2 F 2  
1 G 1  

How to calculate your points score

Assign each GCSE/Level 2 equivalent qualification

a score from 1(G) to 8 (A*), or for English and Mathematics 1 (1) to 9 (9)

Double the scores for English Language and Mathematics

Add the scores for the best 6 other grades and

Divide the total by ten

Examples of this can be seen by clicking here.

Student Sample Profiles

We have provided some scenarios to clarify how this might work in practice. Click the button to see some Student Sample Profiles with an explanation of what that means for entry to our sixth form.

See Sample Profiles

A student with an ‘Attainment 8’ average points score of 7.0 (Grade A) or higher may, if they wish, be able to study a fourth course at A Level / L3.

Access to an Extended Project Qualification for students would be assessed during the year. This would be based on interest, capacity and work ethic.

There are also your specific additional requirements for entry to particular courses as detailed in the courses booklet. We will also take into account the prospective student’s record of effort, attendance and conduct in school when agreeing a programme of study.

Progression from Year 12 into Year 13

All students starting Year 12 are required to sign a Code of Conduct linked to achievement, attendance and behaviour. Failure to follow this code can result in a place not being offered in Year 13.

When assessing a student’s ability to move into Year 13 the following will be taken into account:

  • Department tracking throughout the year
  • Attendance
  • Termly Reports
  •  Year 12 internal examinations
Conduct and Attitude

At King Edward VI Sixth Form, as well as academic requirements, we expect you to:

  • Work conscientiously and to make the best use of the opportunities offered
  • Accept responsibility and maintain standards of personal conduct worthy of an older student of the school
  • Abide by the dress and study regulations set out in this Prospectus
  • Honour the agreement with the school that you sign on entering the Sixth Form
Financial Considerations

Sixth Form education is considered a transitional stage between compulsory pre-16 education and higher education. It is the student’s own responsibility to provide writing materials and file paper. Whilst necessary text books can usually be supplied on loan, students will be encouraged to buy their own books to supplement them. A small number of subjects (eg Geography) offer field work opportunities, while exchange visits may be offered by others. In each of these cases the parent will be asked for a contribution to offset the cost.

Upon leaving school the student is subject to national regulations covering the payment of approved fees and maintenance for university study. Information about student loans can be supplied upon request.

Modular external examinations will allow re-sit opportunities. It is school policy that the first examination entry fee for a module is paid by the school. Subsequent entries are paid by the student.

16 – 19 Bursary Fund

The Government has withdrawn the Educational Maintenance Allowance and replaced it with a more limited 16 – 19 Bursary Fund. The fund is made available from the Government through its funding body, Young People’s Leaving Agency (YPLA) for 16 – 18 year olds, to provide assistance to students whose access to, or completion of, education is inhibited by financial constraints or barriers. Students can apply to access money from this fund at the start of the academic year by collecting an application form from the Head of Sixth Form.

Raising the Participation Age (RPA)

The Government is increasing the age to which all young people in England must continue in education or training, requiring them to continue until their eighteenth birthday from 2015.

Raising the participation age (RPA) does not mean young people must stay in school; they will be able to choose one of the following options post-16.

  • Full-time education, such as school, college or home education
  • An apprenticeship
  • Part-time education or training if they are employed, self-employed or volunteering full-time (which is defined as twenty hours or more a week).

We aim to ensure that all our students have a secure place in the Sixth Form, at college or in an apprenticeship once they complete Year 11. Students should be aiming to complete a two-year programme in the Sixth Form. However, where a transition is necessary at the end of Year 12, we will support students in their decisions.