Choosing the Right Course
Choosing the right combination of courses is vitally important if you are to enjoy your time in the Sixth Form and achieve success.
May your choices reflect your HOPES, not your fears – Nelson Mandela
At TBSHS we allow you a free choice of subjects, rather than curtailing your options by providing option blocks. It is not uncommon for students to combine Sciences and Languages, or Mathematics and Humanities, for example.
Clearly, you need to choose a course that you will enjoy and one that will be useful to you in the future – some degree courses require certain A-Levels or BTEC courses. You may choose a subject that you have been good at in the past, or a new subject. You should consider where your strengths lie – which subjects you like, the skills you have and how you prefer to be assessed.
We are very pleased to be able to offer a range of subjects at Post-16 not available at GCSE. We suggest that you read through all the course details on the Sixth Form Options page – Sixth Form Options – The Bishop’s Stortford High School, before you make your provisional choice. If you would like any further guidance, please email admissions.sixthfor@tbshs.org.
Please note that A-Level courses are all linear and students will be expected to continue their chosen courses for two years, with final examinations taking place at the end of Year 13. Students will be assessed throughout their Sixth Form career to measure their progress and they are expected to achieve grades in line with their potential in the end of Year 12 internal examinations.
The two routes to success at The Bishop’s Stortford High School:
A-Level Pathway
Students study three linear A-Level subjects over their two years in the Sixth Form. Students with exceptional GCSE grades may study four linear A-Level subjects.
Entry Requirements
A total points score of at least 44 from your best eight GCSEs (and at least grade 5 in Mathematics and English Language or English Literature). You must also fulfil each chosen subject’s entry criteria.
At least 5 A*/grade 8s are expected for students wishing to study 4 A-Levels.
BTEC Sport + 1 A-Level Pathway
Students study either the Level 3 BTEC Sport Diploma in addition to one linear A-Level subject. The majority of the assessment on the BTEC route is via six internally assessed Units, however, 45% will be via three externally assessed units.
Entry Requirements
A total points score of at least 34 from your best eight GCSEs with at least grade 5 in Mathematics and English Language and a minimum of 5 GCSEs grades 4-9).
You must also fulfil the specific subject entrance criteria for your chosen BTEC and A-Level course.
Curriculum enhancement option
In addition to the pathway choice above, all students are expected to follow an additional qualification to acquire further skills and experiences that will serve them well in the future. Please see the Curriculum Enhancement section for further information about each course.
Extended Project – Core Mathematics – Duke of Edinburgh – Level 3 Qualification in Sports Leadership – Fundamentals of Finance
Please see the Curriculum Enhancements for further information about each course.
