Pre-A Level Programme Brochure

Pre-A Level Programme

About Sherfield School

Leading co-educational independent day and boarding school for children aged 3 months to 18 years

Sherfield School is a K-12 co-educational day and boarding school set in 76 acres of exquisite park and woodland in Hampshire, offering GCSEs and A level curricula to pupils from the UK and around the world. Sherfield aims to be an outstanding, all-round academic, active and creative school where pupils are challenged, inspired, and supported. With core values of confidence, creativity, and connection, Sherfield is an inclusive community, celebrating diversity with a wide range of abilities, talents and nationalities.

Lessons take place in modern classroom facilities and Sherfield’s lake and gardens provide opportunities for outdoor pursuits, al fresco theatre and music. Sherfield boasts a wide range of extra curricular activities and a high- quality enrichment programme that broadens and deepens the curriculum. Pupils volunteer and support in the community, gain further qualifications, fundraise and develop their environmental awareness and much more.

The Sherfield Experience

Ad vitam paramus

At Sherfield, we provide an environment where pupils flourish and develop their talents throughout their individual learning journeys. We create strong partnerships with parents to ensure every child is supported, inspired and challenged to reach their true potential. At the very heart of the Sherfield School experience are our core values:

Confidence

Pupils are ready for the challenges and opportunities life presents them. They grow strong, self-assured and motivated by each Sherfield experience. Through academic rigour and a supportive environment, our pupils become resilient and creative problem-solvers who believe they can and will achieve what they set out to do.

Creativity

Together our Sherfield community builds a powerful culture of creativity that is without boundaries. We are critical thinkers who challenge ideas, pave new paths and encourage inventiveness whenever possible.

Connection

As a close-knit community, we know and care for each other. We foster an environment where pupils and staff feel supported while building strong and ambitious futures.

The Pre-A Level Programme

Sherfield offers a unique and stimulating Pre-A Level Programme that not only develops the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for our pupils to thrive in their future academic studies but also provides them with exciting opportunities for personal growth and exploration.

The Pre-A Level Programme is designed to be a pathway that leads to A-Level study, culminating in a Sherfield Diploma in Year 12. By successfully completing the Pre-A Level year academically, each pupil is presented with a certification that can support their journey to the Sherfield Diploma.

At Sherfield, we believe in Making a Difference. Our pupils will be able to engage in service-learning projects, giving back to the community and fostering a sense of responsibility. Environmental stewardship, a key focus, encompasses diverse actions aimed at conserving, protecting, and creating a more sustainable environment. Pupils will have the opportunity to visit our sister school in the Alps to see and learn about the impact of climate change.

Features of the Programme

Our intensive one-year pre–Year 12 course is designed to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to study A Levels and beyond.

The programme will feature the following:

• One academic year with a focus on language acquisition – small group and individual lessons

• 10 lessons of intensive English

• 5 lessons of Maths

• 5 lessons of an academic option such as Sciences or the Arts

• Co-curricular activities and sport

• Opportunity to study towards a first language qualification (e.g. Chinese, Arabic, Russian)

• Integration into the Year 12 tutor group

• Year 12 University Counselling and preparation for university life

• Micro-credential learning opportunities to strengthen university applications

• Passion project – a sustainability-focused research project

• Boarding House living and cultural immersion (independent learning)

The following skills and competencies will be developed:

• Independent Learning

• Critical thinking and Problem-solving

• Creativity and Innovation

• Research Skills

• Digital Literacy

• Leadership Competencies

• Communication and Collaboration

• Time Management

Academics of the Programme

Curriculum Subject A Level Pathway Description

Core Curriculum English*

Allows access to the A level curriculum across all subject areas

10 hours of intensive English per week that will cover language teaching, English for academic purposes and IELTS examination preparation

5 hours of Maths per week in preparationfor acquiring a Maths GCSE, required for entry to higher education in the UK.

This course can lead to studying Physics and Chemistry or Chemistry and Biology at A-Level

Specialised Curriculum**

Strength & Conditioning

This course has an emphasis on the science of sport and can lead to studying BTEC sport. Arts in Motion**

This course can lead to studying Art, Media Studies or Music A-Levels.

Personalised Curriculum Microcredentials**

• LAMDA Public Speaking Level 3

• Amplify Me Financial Services Level 4 Diploma

• Environmental Leadership Level 3 Award

• Design, Engineer, Construct Project

Certified micro credentials that will dramatically strengthen any Higher Educationapplication.

A research project to developuniversity ready study skills and demonstrate a consolidationof learning

A bespoke course to prepare pupils for applications to desirable higher educationand employment pathways

* English will cover language teaching and well as English for Academic purposes

** Choose one option

Intensive English Programme

The purpose of the Intensive English Programme is to strengthen pupils' language competencies to excel in A Level study and beyond.

The programme follows a four-tier structure, tailored for Pre-A Level pupils which consists of:

• Language For Academic Purposes

• Enhanced Language Acquisition

• IELTS Preparation

• Language and Literature

Importance of English Enhancement:

• Aligns with the Common European Framework (CEFR)

• Targeted skills development for A Level so subjects can be accessed

• Preparation for university entrance exams including IELTS

• Further develops conversational English to support integration into wider school life

The English Enhancement Programme is designed for pupils at a mid B1 to low B2 CEFR level, equivalent to a minimum of 4.5 IELTS, and focuses on language acquisition for accessing A Level content. This includes a comprehensive focus on the four essential language skills: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.

The programme gradually builds up language proficiency to meet the expectations of A Level, utilizing CEFR scores from testing to align pupils based on skills. It integrates Achieve 3000 or CEFR guided readers to enhance reading ability and analysis, and incorporates specialized lessons based on supplementary texts to strengthen English skills.

Holistic Approach

Co-Curricular Programme

There is overwhelming evidence that pupils involved in co-curricular activities excel academically. We want our pupils to try new things, discover and nurture talent, and challenge themselves to surpass their expectations.

Senior pupils are meticulously guided to develop a well-rounded programme that supports their personal development and academic studies and hones their leadership skills, ensuring a comprehensive growth trajectory.

The wide variety of Clubs and Societies in Charity and Service, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and maths (STEAM), Music and media, Dance and drama, Skills, Sport and well-being, and Academic Enrichment provide plenty of opportunities to get involved and gain incredible experiences.

Roadmap to University Success

Summer Term 2025

May-July

• Complete passion projects that will contribute heavily to competitive higher education applications

Autumn Term 2025

October - December

• Explore pathways

• Explore courses

• Explore universities

• Build plan for competitive application

Spring Term 2025

January – April

• Meet with counsellors and university admissions teams to start to narrow down pathways and selectthe correct A-Level subjects

Spring Term 2026

January - April

• MOOCs, super curricular reading, podcasts, taster lectures, volunteering, essay competitions

• Apply for relevant WEX / internships for summer 2025 Apply for summer schools Complete ‘above and beyond’ projects - US applicants

May - July

• Attend University Open Days application on ucas.com and details

• Admissions test preparation preparation starts (MDV applicants

Autumn Term 2026

November

• Sherfield School deadline for all UK university applications to be submitted via UCAS Mid November

October

• Early Action deadlines for US college applications

• Launch of Independent Research Projects

• Year 12 Summer Exams

Autumn Term / Spring 2027 Term

Dec-Jan

• Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary Science Interviews

• Interview Preparation

• Deadline for submission Oxbridge and Veterinary Science UCAS October - December

Spring 2027 Term

Early/Mid January

• Regular Decision application deadlines for US college applications

Autumn Term 2024 Summer Holidays 2024

September – December

• An Introduction to Higher Education in the UK and around the world including the North America, Asia and Australasia.

Days Create UCAS and enter all personal preparation starts MMI applicants only)

Summer Term 2026

Early May

• Launch of Independent Research Projects

• Year 12 Summer Exams

June - August

• Apply for Sherfield’s Pre-A Level Programme

Early September

• UCAS applications can be submitted form this date onwards submission of all and Medicine, Dentistry & Science applications via

June

• WEX Week & Independent Research Project presentation day

• Deadline for declaring chosen HE pathway(s), courses and universities/ colleges/ apprenticeships to ARB

End June

• Deadline for submitting first draft of UCAS personal statements and college essays

Summer Holidays 2026

July - August

• Complete further WEX or internships Attend summer schools UCAS references, counsellor and teacher recommendations completed by staff

• Admissions test preparation Sit some admissions tests, eg: UCAT and LNAT

Term Summer Term 2027

January UCAS deadline for submission of all remaining applications

April/May

June (TBC)

• Deadline for Student Finance Applications

• Deadline for selecting ‘Firm’ and ‘Insurance’ choice universities for UK applications

Boarding –Preparing for the Future

The new purpose-built boarding house, Archer's Lodge, has 60 en-suite rooms for boarders from Year 5 upwards. The hotel-style rooms include internet access, a study area, a comfortable bed or bunks, a bedside cabinet/chest of drawers, a wardrobe, and a spacious en-suite bathroom.

For enhanced privacy, the boys' and girls' bedrooms and bathrooms are located in separate wings of Archer's Lodge.

Boarders have a resident House Master, a House Parent and other live-in tutors. Further boarding tutors live on the school site. The House Master is responsible for the health, safety and welfare of boarders.

Generously sized common rooms with living, dining, and kitchen facilities are available on each floor with comfortable seating, video and digital TV, board games, and books. The terrace is well-used with shaded tables and seating when the sun is out. We encourage a home-from-home atmosphere so boarders mix and feel part of a family. In the evenings and at weekends, a varied and fun schedule of trips and activities is organised so boarders can make the most of school facilities and the location - set in beautiful countryside, close to London and the coast.

Each pupil will be closely supervised by a dedicated and experienced tutor. Timetabled and supervised study periods help pupils make excellent academic progress.

Cultural Experiences

Cultural experiences are an integral part of the Sherfield Pre-A Level Programme, deepening pupils’ understanding of diverse perspectives and enhancing their global awareness. There is a cultural trip during every halfterm for Pre-A Level pupils, where they are able to visit some of Britain’s most awe-inspiring, thought-provoking, and historically important sites.

Within easy access of London, boarders will be able to see and experience different aspects of British culture. At weekends, the boarders visit museums, the theatre, castles and theme parks, all of which give an insight into British culture.

Applying for the Pre-A Level Programme

To apply for this course, pupils must be at a mid B1 to low B2 CEFR level, equivalent to a minimum of 4.5 IELTS.

Applications should be made to the Admissions Office at Sherfield School. The school will require a report from the pupil’s current school, and the applicant will be asked to complete entry tests in mathematics, English, and verbal reasoning. An online interview with the Head of Sixth Form will also take place.

Tests can be organised at one of the EiM schools in Asia, or online under supervision from one of our Admissions team.

Once the school is satisfied with the suitability of an applicant, an offer of a place will be made. The payment of a deposit of one term’s fees will secure the place. Please bear in mind that places are limited.