Applying to Sixth Form
Applications for entry to St Anthony’s and St Aidan’s Sixth Form are welcomed from Year 11 students from St Aidan’s, St Anthony’s or any other academy or school from the City of Sunderland and surrounding areas.
As part of the application process we will ask you to complete an on-line application form (see link below).
We will gather basic information about you, what you are currently studying and how you may have performed in your mock examinations.
We will also ask you to write a personal statement of not more than 300 words, telling us about yourself and anything you think we need to know that is relevant to you studying in the sixth form.
This could include such information as:
- love of a particular subject
- career aim
- relevant work placement
- enrichment activities you take part in both within and outside of school/academy
- opportunities you would like to experience.
Choosing your courses in Sixth Form
You are asked to choose at least 3 but up to 4 courses that you may be considering studying post-16.
We ask that you put these in rank order. We then build a timetable about the choices you want. By doing this we hope to give every student their first and second choices, and for the vast majority of students their third choice of subject.
Access to courses is subject to meeting the General Sixth Form Entry Requirements and Subject Specific Requirements that are listed below.
Deadline for Applications
The Deadline for Applications is Monday 14th February 2022.
Applications received after this date will be accepted but it cannot be guaranteed that a student’s choice of subjects can given after this date.
Applications will open on the Virtual Open Evening on 26th January 2022
On-line Application Form
On-line applications will open on Wednesday 26th January 2022 and will close on Monday 14th February 2022.
Please click on this link to access the on-line application form. This will become active at 5.30pm on Wednesday 26th January 2022.
Any student who has applied after the closure date or whom has not already applied but who wants to start Sixth Form in September 2022 should attend the Registration Day in August 2022. Please contact the school to confirm arrangements in light of COVID-19.
Post Application Procedures
Upon receipt of your application we will begin the process of considering your application. For those who are currently at St Anthony’s or St Aidan’s, we will ask your subject teachers about your suitability to studying the courses you have chosen. Those who are studying elsewhere, we will write to your academy or school asking for a reference, and we will also invite yourself and your parents/carers in have an informal meeting with a member of our sixth form team. This will give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have and for our staff to get to know you.
Letters offering a place in Sixth Form, subject to the General Sixth Form Entry Requirements and Subject Specific Requirements being satisfied, will be sent out in late Spring(March/April).
Sixth Form Enrolment Day
Enrolment day to the Sixth Form starts on Thursday 25th August 2022. Visit our enrolment page for more information.
This is GCSE results day and applicants should attend St Anthony’s site with a copy of their GCSEs, where a Senior Leader will take you through the enrolment process.
If you have not done as well as you expected, please still come along and talk to one of our team to see how we may be able to personalise your programme of study.
This may change in light of COVID-19. We will inform all applicants of any changes.
General Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements for Sixth Form to study 3 A-Level/BTEC courses are a minimum of 5 GCSEs including 3 at Grade 5 and 2 at Grade 4 or better.
Entry Requirements for Sixth Form to study 4 A-Level/BTEC courses are a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 7 or better.
Those students who have achieved between 5 GCSE Grades at 4 and the Standard Entry Requirement should talk to the Academy about individualised programmes of study based on a reduced list of options.
Specific Entry Requirements for Subjects
A Level
Course | Entry Requirement |
Art and Design | It is desirable but not essential to have 5 at GCSE. |
Biology | Grade 6 in GCSE Biology and one other GCSE science and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Science(Trilogy) and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics |
Business Studies | English GCSE Grade 6 and Mathematics GCSE Grade 5 |
Chemistry | Grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Science(Trilogy) and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics |
Classical Civilisation | Grade 5 in GCSE English Language |
Computer Science | Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics |
Economics | Grade 6 in GCSE English Language and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics |
English Language | Grade 6 in GCSE English Language |
English Literature | Grade 6 in both GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature |
French | Grade 6 in GCSE French |
Geography | Grade 6 in GCSE Geography |
Politics | Grade 6 in GCSE English Language |
History | Grade 6 in GCSE History and GCSE English Language |
Mathematics | Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics |
Further Mathematics | Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics but Grade 7 or better recommended |
Media Studies | Grade 6 in GCSE English Language |
Music | Grade 6 in GCSE Music or a BTEC Music at Level 2 Distinction and ABRSM Practical Exam Grade 5 and play a musical instrument |
Philosophy and Theology | GCSE Grade 6 in Religious Education |
Photography | No formal requirements |
Physics | Grade 6 in GCSE Physics and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Science(Trilogy) and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics |
Psychology | Grade 6 in GCSE English Language, Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics and Grade 5 in any GCSE Science |
Religious Education | No formal requirements |
Sociology | Grade 6 in GCSE English Language |
Spanish | Grade 6 in GCSE Spanish |
Textiles Design | Grade 5 in GCSE Textiles |
Three Dimensional Design | Grade 5 in GCSE Product Design |
Other Level 3 Courses
Course | Entry Requirement |
Core Mathematics – Level 3 Mathematical Studies | Students who have achieved a Grade 5 at GCSE Mathematics |
BTEC National Extended Certificate in Business Studies | Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above preferably including GCSE Mathematics, GCSE English Language |
BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development | Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above preferably including GCSE Mathematics, GCSE English Language and aGCSE Science |
BTEC National Extended Certificate in Engineering | Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 preferably including English Language, Mathematics and a Grade 5 in Product Design or related GCSE |
BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Science | Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 preferably including English Language and Grade 5 at GCSE Mathematics. Two Grade 5’s from GCSE Physics/GCSE Biology/GCSE Chemistry and Grade 5 at GCSE Mathematics or Grade 5-5 in Science(Trilogy) |
BTEC National Extended Certificate in PE & Sport | Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 preferably including English Language, Mathematics with a grade 5 in GCSE Biology or GCSE Science with evidence of commitment to school/club level sport. It is recommended that you have successfully studied GCSE or BTEC PE or equivalent in Key Stage 4. |
BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Law | Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 including English Language, Mathematics at a grade 4 |
Technical Diploma in IT | Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above. A qualification in IT would be advantageous but not required. |
GCSE
Course | Entry Requirement |
English | All students who have not achieved a Grade 4 at GCSE English must follow this course. Those students who have not yet achieved a Good Pass of a Grade 5 are advised to re-sit in November in an attempt to do so. |
Mathematics | All students who have not achieved a Grade 4 at GCSE Mathematics must follow this course. Those students who have not yet achieved a Good Pass of a Grade 5 are advised to re-sit in November in an attempt to do so. |