Choosing the Right Course
Before embarking on your Sixth Form journey it is essential that you have researched your study choices thoroughly. This is an important decision as your future career could depend it. Generally we advise you to pick subjects based on need, strengths and enjoyment. Some occupations and specific degrees require you to complete certain subjects. If you already know the field of study or work that you want to enter then you should discuss this with teaching staff to ensure that you are taking the right combination of subjects before you complete your application. To support this you can access the UCAS or Informed Choices website. If at this stage you are unsure of career plans then it is recommended that you build some flexibility into your subject choices and should consider the subjects that you enjoy and are good at. Once you have started the courses and taken part in our careers based programmes of support there will be time to consider your future in more depth.
Alongside A Levels we also offer some vocational courses. These have exactly the same worth as A Level programmes and are accepted by Universities on the same grade and points basis. Some Universities, particularly Russell Group Universities however will not accept these. There is a considerable amount of coursework within the vocational qualifications and this may be more suitable to your style of learning.
Entry Requirements
To apply for Nether Stowe Sixth Form students require a Grade 4 or above in at least 5 GCSE’s or equivalent qualifications, including either English (Language or Literature) or Maths.
All of our A Level subjects require students to achieve a Grade 5 in that subject with some subjects, specifically Maths and Sciences advising at least a Grade 7. The majority of our vocational courses require students to achieve at least a Grade 4 at GCSE.
When comparing Level 2 BTEC grades a Pass is broadly equivalent to a grade 4/5, a Merit a grade 5/6 and a Distinction 7+.
A few subjects can be taken without previous study and some subjects will be new to all students.
When looking at subjects it is essential that you consider your current attainment level. If you are unsure on your suitability for a course then please liaise with the relevant Head of Department or contact us to discuss an application at office@netherstowe.com
Facilitating Subjects
Universities are eager to know that the students they accept have prepared themselves in the best way possible to cope with the demands of their chosen course. Therefore they may request specific subjects to be studied in order to access that course. Facilitating subjects are the most commonly required subjects preferred by universities to get on to a range of degree courses. They can help students keep their options open when choosing a degree and many universities will ask you to have at least one A Level in a facilitating subject when you apply.
Facilitating subjects are; Mathematics, English, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, History and Languages.
Curriculum Offer
Each year we review the subjects that we offer. Once applications are complete the school may have to remove qualifications that are not viable due to low student uptake. The decision to remove subjects from the curriculum offer will be made before offer letters are sent in the Spring term. Where this is the case, students that have opted for a qualification that will not be running will be contacted directly and offered an alternative. Additionally, there is a possibility that qualifications may still be removed from our curriculum offer after the final enrolment of students.
Final Advice
- Choose subjects you feel most enthusiastic and confident about.
- Check the requirements of any university and degree courses which you are interested in. This is vital as a number of the most popular and prestigious universities may declare preferences for particular subjects.
- Think about the assessment methods of the different types of courses. Students who find examinations particularly difficult might consider taking vocational courses where coursework is more heavily weighted.
- Consider which subjects go well together. By choosing ‘facilitating’ subjects at A level, a much wider range of options may be open to students at university and in employment.
- . Read the information about the courses we offer. Speak to members of staff and students who have taken the subjects at the Sixth Form or contact the school to find out more information.
