Curriculum Overview

Choose from three different academic pathways to suit your aspirations, abilities and preferred style of learning. 

Designed to suit you

We want to support you in achieving your goals and as such we offer a huge range of subjects and subject combinations.  We offer around 30 different A Level courses plus a broad range of vocational qualifications.  From this wealth of choices, you can tailor a course portfolio that is perfect for you as an individual.  We will help you select the right combination and give you the flexibility to mix and match different typs of course, or, if necessary, to adjust your course as your needs change.

Pathway 1: Full A Level Route

We offer around 30 different A Level courses for you to choose from.  The majority of students on this pathway study three A Levels over two years.  A very small number of students study four subjects. As well as all of the usual choices, we offer less traditional courses such as Classical Civilisation, Fashion and Textiles and Product Design.  A Levels are assessed with final exams in the summer term of Year 13.

Entry Requirements for this pathway: Minimum of five Grade 5 GCSEs including English Language and Maths.  Each subject has its own additional entry requirements which you will find on the Subject Information page.

Pathway 2: Combination of A Level and Vocational Subjects

It is possible for you to combine A Level and vocational courses.  For example, our BTEC courses can be taken as a Diploma (worth the equivalent of 2 A Levels) alongside an additional A Level subject.  Or you could combine the RSL Performing Arts course (worth the equivalent of 1.5 A Levels) with two additional A Level subjects.

Entry Requirements for this pathway: Minimum of five Grade 4 GCSEs including English Language and Maths.  Each subject has its own additional entry requirements which you will find on the Subject Information page.

Pathway 3: Fully Vocational Route

Our vocational BTEC courses can all be taken as an Extended Diploma qualification, worth the equivalent of 3 A Levels.  Vocational courses are assessed throughout the two year course and are less exam-heavy than A Levels.

Entry Requirements for this pathway:  Minimum of five Grade 4 GCSEs, with at least a Grade 3 in English Language and Maths.  Students who achieve a Grade 3 in English or Maths will be required to resit these exams and will be supported to do so.  Each subject has its own additional entry requirements which you will find on the Subject Information page.

The aim is ‘success’ – how you get there is up to you. 

SUBJECT INFORMATION

F.A.Q.

What is the difference between A Levels and Vocational Courses?

A Levels are more classroom and theory-based, exam-heavy qualifications, whilst vocational courses are more practical, and career focused, assessed mainly through coursework, making them ideal if you have a specific career path in mind or struggle with traditional exams.

Do universities accept Level 3 BTEC and other vocational qualifications?

Yes they do!  The majority of our vocational students progress to university, just as they do with A Levels.  UCAS points are awarded to vocational grades just as they are for A Levels.  A D*D*D* in a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma is worth the same UCAS points as three A*s at A Level.  Examples of progression routes for our BTEC students include degrees in Speech and Language Therapy and Nursing for our BTEC Health & Social Care students, degrees in Marketing, Accounting & Finance, and International Business for our BTEC Business Studies students, degrees in Biomedical Science, Psychology, and Environmental Science for our BTEC Applied Science students, and degrees in Acting at top Drama schools for our RSL Performing Arts students.  Transferable skills learnt on our vocational courses have also led to students diversifying into other subjects at university.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

All students have the opportunity to take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in addition to their chosen subjects.  This is an optional qualification that you take in your free time.  Supervisors of the EQP adopt a supportive but hands-off approach in order to best support your transition to undergraduate study.  The qualification enables you to develop skills in independent working, time management, project development and academic writing in a subject of your choice. Some universities offer reduced entry requirements if students achieve well in their EPQ.

Ambition.

Inspiration.

Community.