Course Entry Requirements
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
Art and Design
It is desirable to have 5 at GCSE.
Biology
Desirable: Grade 7 in GCSE Biology and one other GCSE science and Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 7-7 in Science(Trilogy) and Grade 7 at GCSE Mathematics
Essential: 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 Language GCSE Grade 6 and Mathematics GCSE Grade 5
Chemistry
Desirable: Grade 7 in GCSE Chemistry and Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 7-7 in Science(Trilogy) and Grade 7 at GCSE Mathematics
Essential: Grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Science(Trilogy) and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics
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 and a grade 5 in both English and Mathematics.
History
Grade 6 in GCSE History and GCSE English Language
Mathematics
Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics is desirable and grade 6 is essential
Further Mathematics
Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics
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, Grade 5 in GCSE English Language
Photography
No formal requirements
Physics
Desirable: Grade 7 in GCSE Physics and Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 7-7 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 7 at GCSE Mathematics
Essential: Grade 6 in GCSE Physics and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Science (Trilogy) and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics
Politics
Grade 6 in GCSE English Language
Psychology
Grade 6 in GCSE English Language, Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics and Grade 5 in any GCSE Science
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
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 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
Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT
Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above. A qualification in IT would be advantageous but not required.
GCSE
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.