The Sixth Form at Queens’ (Updated for 2011)
Many fantastic opportunities and wonderful life changing experiences happen in and out of the classroom in the Sixth Form, but these do not happen without careful planning and hard work from everyone involved.
With this in mind, it is very important that students know as much as possible about the sixth form. Therefore, the most important three pieces of advice that I would give to Year 11 students (and parents) would be ASK, ASK, ASK.
These webpages are an important step in ensuring that everyone involved in this process is as well informed as possible. If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to ask
Mr Taylor or Mr Rooney.
- In January, senior staff interview Year 11 students to help them decide if the sixth form is best for them and to discuss what courses they might be interested in studying.
- In February, students fill out their initial subject choices. Your choices let Mr Spikings decide which courses will run and help him to organise options blocks.
- In April, we will take in final applications for the sixth form.
- In June, you will sit most of your GCSE exams (so we will leave you alone!)
- In June/July, we run a Bridging Week so students can experience A Level lessons, pick up reading lists and summer work. If you are planning holidays please book them after this week.
- In August, you will receive your GCSE results.
- In September, every student is interviewed and enrolled individually to ensure that they have made the right choice for their package of sixth form subjects. Mathematics students will sit the Maths entry test on the day before term starts.
Entry requirements
In order to enter our Sixth Form students must achieve at least 5 passes at B grade in their GCSEs to study AS Levels in Year 12
Our excellent results could not have been achieved without close monitoring and very high expectations of Sixth Form behaviour and work ethic. For this reason, it is necessary to decline entry to those students who we do not feel would benefit the sixth form.
Although our entry requirements vary for different courses, all students must prove they will be hard working, self-motivated and an asset to the sixth form.
Each year it is necessary to refuse entry to a small number of Year 11s who do not fulfil the entry requirements. If you feel that your application may not be accepted, please remember that the only way to change this is to improve the way you are working.
Choosing a course package
When you choose your courses you are committing yourself to a package of subjects for the duration of the year and it is our policy NOT to allow students to drop or change subjects. It is therefore crucial that careful consideration is given to deciding on classes that suit the individual.
We offer the following packages of subjects:
1) A package of four AS Levels
2) Vocational courses combined with A Levels
3) A BTEC course in Sport
A package of four AS Levels
We enjoy fantastic success in our AS Levels but every year many students are surprised by the demands of this package of subjects. Students wishing to study AS Levels require ‘B’ grades or better in their chosen subject. In some cases, A grades are required, please study the table below carefully.
Where class sizes are large, GCSE grades and work effort in Year 11 will decide which students are accepted. These grades are minimum requirement and achievement does not guartantee acceptance, particularly in cases of oversubscription. The subjects listed are those currently available. Either a lack of demand or of available staff may lead to subjects not running in September.
Please note that some subjects have the following additional entry requirements.
All students wanting to study AS Levels must achieve at least 5 B grades at GCSE. The table below sets out additional criteria for individual subjects.
| Subject(click to see course description) | Entry criteria (in addition to GCSE grade ‘B’ ) |
| Accounting | B grade in Business Studies and/or B grades in Maths and C Grade in English Language |
| Art | B grade at GCSE |
| Biology | A grade in Aditional Science and an A in the Biology paper or an A grade in Biology GCSE |
| Business Studies | B grade in Business Studies and/or B grades in Maths and English Language |
| Chemistry | B in Additional Science and a A in the Chemistry paper or A grade in Chemistry GCSE plus B grades in English and Maths |
| Dance | B grade at GCSE or by agreement with HoD, all students will also have to pass an audition |
| Economics | A in Maths Higher Tier and A in English Lang |
| English Literature | A grade in English and B in English Literature |
| English Language and Literature | A grade in English and B in English Literature |
| Food Technology | B grade at GCSE |
| French | B grade at GCSE |
| Geography | B grade at GCSE, A grades in two other humanities subjects or Science if Geography not sat at GCSE |
| German | B grade at GCSE |
| Government & Politics (if not sat at GCSE) | A grades in two other humanities and subject to HoD’s approval |
| History | A grade at GCSE History |
| ICT | B grades in 5 GCSEs(GCSE in ICT or DiDA is required) |
| Mathematics | A grade at higher tier and a pass in the Maths entrance test (see Maths section) |
| Music | B grade at GCSE and grade 3 standard in musical performance and B in Maths + commitment to instrumental/vocal lessons. |
| Music Technology | Strong interest in music production, popular genres of music & understanding of music notation + interview |
| Photography | B grade at GCSE Art |
| Physics | A grade in Additional Science and A grade in the Physics paper. Must study AS Level Maths (Mechanics) |
| Physical Education | A at GCSE and B grades in Science including on the Biology paper |
| Psychology | Two B grades in English, B in Science and C in Mathematics. B grade in one social science or humanities subject. |
| Product Design | B in English, Science, Maths, DT and / or Art |
| Religious Studies | B grade in GCSE or B grade in GCSE English and one other humanity subject if not sat at GCSE. |
| Sociology | B grades in GCSE Sociology and HoD’s approval |
| Spanish | B grade at GCSE |
| Textiles | Strong pass in Science |
| Theatre Studies | B in GCSE Drama and GCSE English |
Advanced vocational courses:
- Students require 5 GCSEs at grades A* – C, including at least a C grade in Business Studies and/or C grade in Maths and English Language. Where demand is high for places, these are likely to be awarded to students with higher grades. Please note that the course is equivalent to 2 A levels but can only be taken with ONE other AS Level.
-Grade B in GCSE Additional Applied Science, Additional Science and any of the separate Science GCSEs plus Grade C in GCSE Mathematics and English.
BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sport (Sports Development, Coaching and Fitness)
-Students require 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C.
It is advantageous to have at least a ‘B’ grade in Maths and/or English.
This course is the equivalent of 3 A Levels and does not require involvement in the study of other AS subjects.
BTEC National Diploma in Sport (Sports Development, Coaching and Fitness)
-Students require 5 GCSEs at grades A* – C.
It is advantageous to have at least a ‘B’ grade in Maths and/or English.
This course is the equivalent of 2 A Levels and is studied in conjunction with at least two AS subjects.
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science
-Students require 5 GCSEs at least grade B.
It is advantageous to have at least a ‘B’ grade in Maths and/or English.
This course is the equivalent of 1 A Level and is studied in conjunction with at least three AS subjects.
Please note that whilst it is possible to be accepted onto a BTEC course without a ‘C’ grade in Maths or English, it is a requirement of the course that this standard is attained before entry into year 13 (second year) can be considered. This may mean undertaking a resit within these subjects.
Re-sitting GCSE Mathematics and English
Students who fall short of grade ‘C’ in GCSE Maths and English can re-take the exam in either November or June. However, this can only be for students who narrowly missed a pass grade.
In Mathematics this means only students who gained a ‘D’ grade can re-sit in the sixth form.
A final suggestion!
Few students go through Year 11 without changing their mind. We ask all Year 11 students to find out about their chosen courses and also to think of more than one package of courses.
- Plan ‘A’ – subjects you choose if your GCSEs equal or better your predicted grades.
- Plan ‘B’ – subjects you choose if your GCSEs fall below your predicted grades.
Please think carefully about staff predicted grades; they tend to be accurate!