BSN Sixth Form Choices

Welcome to the Sixth Form at The British School in The Netherlands

Studying with us in the Sixth Form at The British School in The Netherlands, you will find support and challenge in equal measure. We will respect you as an individual, giving you the responsibility to make your own choices, together with the support you need to excel both academically and personally. The Sixth Form at the BSN is a place where you will work hard and be pushed to achieve your very best. Our aim is for you to have an academic and personal experience that you will always remember with a smile.

Why Study at the BSN Sixth Form?

Academic Excellence

We provide a range of Pathways, so that each individual can succeed. We believe that every student should be challenged to achieve their very best, and to move on to their future aspirations. Our results are excellent and over 90% of our leavers head for their first or second choice of university, art college, drama or music school – wherever in the world that may be. Our dedicated Careers Department supports you with applications to future destinations. They are experienced in supporting applications to universities around the world.

Breadth of Experience

We have an expectation that all Sixth Formers engage in Service Learning and get involved in at least one Co-curricular Activity (CCA). We encourage you to identify positions of leadership and collaboration that you would like to develop during your time in Years 12 and 13. These positions include: helping to run clubs and activities for younger students; joining Sixth Form committees and councils; helping to organise charity activities; becoming a Subject Ambassador; and helping in House activities. In addition, in term two of Year 12, you will have the opportunity to apply to become a Student Leader. There are literally 100s of activities for you to get involved in.

Character and Community

We see our Sixth Form as a family, where we encourage you to develop your relationships with your own learning, peers and teachers. We are a diverse community and we want you to grow into confident students with a clear moral purpose, which will equip you for the road ahead. A close partnership with families is vital for helping our young people to develop into assured, independent adults, ready to meet the challenges of further study or working life. We will keep your parents up to date through reports, grade cards and parents’ evenings. Student progress is regularly monitored, and we will communicate with families if a problem arises. We also organise a Welcome Evening for parents and carers at the beginning of Year 12 and 13 to help them understand how they can help and support you.

Student Wellbeing & Pastoral Support

At the British School in The Netherlands your wellbeing is a priority. We have established a network of support, advice and care that will help you flourish emotionally and socially.

You will follow a programme of Personal, Social, Health & Economic education (PSHE) and be assigned a personal tutor who has the day-to-day responsibility for your pastoral care throughout Years 12 and 13. The relationship with your tutor is vital – they are the first point of contact and you see them every day. The rest of the Sixth Form Team are on hand to support you as well as our dedicated Health Team.

The aim of the PSHE programme is to equip you with the skills and knowledge that will be useful to you as you develop as young person and navigate the world around you. Each session will be about a topic or issue related to: Health & Wellbeing; Living in the Wider World; Relationships; and Study Skills.

When you complete your educational journey with us, it is our hope that you have a fully developed value system, are equipped to make healthy decisions, and play an informed role in society.

Curriculum Pathways - Refer to individual campus curriculum booklets for details

IB Diploma Programme Pathway

3 Higher Level subjects and 3 Standard Level subjects PLUS the Core programme, (TOK, CAS and EE)

The IBDP is an international qualification recognised around the world. It is based on the idea of studying a broader range of subjects. The Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core, comprising Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay (EE). The IBDP is an entire programme of study and, as such, is awarded as one certificate.

IB Career-related Programme Pathway

BTEC Business (equivalent to 2 A levels) and 2 Subjects drawn from the IB Diploma Programme PLUS the Core Programme

The IBCP is an international vocational qualification, recognised around the world. It combines a career-related focus alongside the academic rigour of the Diploma Programme. The IBCP is an entire programme of study and, as such, is awarded as one certificate.

SSV Only

A Levels Pathway

3 A Level subjects studied across Years 12 and 13

PLUS EPQ (Extended Project Qualification)

OR 1 subject to AS Level* (in Year 12)

A Levels (Advanced Levels)

A Levels are UK qualifications, recognised around the world. They are academic qualifications in individual subjects and are based on the idea of studying fewer subjects in greater depth over two years.

Core

● Sport

● Tutor Time/assembly

● PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)

● Careers

● Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

● Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

● Extended Essay (EE)

Core

● Sport

● Tutor Time/assembly

● PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)

● Careers

● Service Learning

● Personal and Professional Skills

● Reflective Project

● Language Development

AS Levels (Advanced Subsidiary Levels)

AS Levels are taken in Year 12 and are roughly equivalent to half an A Level.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

This UK AS qualification involves students undertaking an extended individual project and can be completed in Year 12. It offers excellent preparation for university and significantly supports university applications.

Core

● Sport

● Tutor Time/assembly

● PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)

● Lecture Programme

● Careers

● Supervised Study lessons

*AS Choices: Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Design Technology, German, French, Spanish, Music, Music Technology, PE, Physics, Art and Design, Photography, BTEC Certificate Choice: Hospitality.

Which Pathway should I choose?

I want to go to...

Choose: A Level Pathway or IBDP

Choose three A Levels from the Green list

Enrich with a fourth AS EPQ or subject from the AS list in Year 12

Choose an appropriate mix of HL and SL subjects in IBDP

Choose: A Level Pathway, IBDP or IBCP

Choose: Any Pathway with a variety of subjects from the A level Green, Purple and AS lists

Choose at least two A Levels from the Green list Check the destination

To make up to 3 full A levels, choose one other A level/BTEC from the Purple list and enrich with an AS EPQ or subject from the AS list in Year 12

Choose an appropriate mix of HL and SL subjects in IBDP

Choose: Any Pathway with an appropriate mix of subjects

Check the destination

NB You must check subject requirements for other countries.

More information about Research based Universities can be found here: www.studyinnl.org/dutch-education/ research-universities

Dutch Universities will list preferred subjects for their courses. Please check them carefully. As a guide, the Green list here largely represents preferred subjects.

More information about Applied Science Universities can be found here: www.vereniginghogescholen.nl/english A Level Green List

Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English Literature, Geography, Government & Politics, History, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, French, German, Spanish, Physics, Psychology

Check: Business, Computer Science

Next Steps

Art and Design, Photography, Music, Music Technology, Drama, PE, Design Technology, BTEC Hospitality, BTEC Creative Media

Biology, Chemistry, Design Technology, Physics, Mathematics, Music, Music Technology, Art and Design, Photography, PE, French, German, Spanish, BTEC Hospitality, EPQ

Options Evening – you have the opportunity to talk with departments.

Ensure you check out the link to more detailed curriculum booklets below.

Read the Guidance for Students booklet given to you by your tutor.

Attend information assemblies and lunchtime Q&A sessions.

Talk to your tutor. Each student will be invited for an individual advice meeting.

facebook.com/bsnetherlands

Research possible university courses.

Research subjects that you are thinking of studying and talk to teachers.

If you need further help, see the Sixth Form Office/Careers Department.

Deadline for your choices: date to be confirmed in January 2024

For further information on the curriculum, please visit: britsc.nl/SixthFormCurriculum