About the Sixth Form Our Sixth Form curriculum has evolved in recent years to reflect the changing nature of the qualifications on offer and to increase the chances of success for our pupils as they apply for places at university or enter the competitive world of employment. The Sixth Form subject choices now available at Shiplake are even more bespoke and can be tailored to suit individual pupils’ interests, aptitudes and aspirations. A wide range of subjects (both A Level and technical) are available from September 2021 and full details can be found in this booklet. Pupils’ three subject choices will be complemented by a choice of compulsory qualifications within our Personal Understanding, Learning Skills and Enrichment programme. The PULSE programme facilitates the development of key academic skills including the Shiplake Seven, all highly valued by both universities and employers. The PULSE programme also provides the opportunity for pupils to explore areas of personal interest that they may not be able to pursue within the core subjects on offer. Our Sixth Form curriculum is designed to stimulate and challenge our pupils as they enter an exciting time in their education, helping them work hard to develop existing aptitudes and to discover new ones. Number of Subjects All pupils will be expected to pursue three academic subjects, drawn from the wide variety of A Level and technical options on offer. Universities make offers based on three subjects and we believe that focusing greater attention on fewer subjects is likely to lead to improved grades. The wide range of options means that every pupil in our Sixth Form will find their studies accessible, providing that pupils display a mature attitude to learning and their choices fit within our option blocks. Structure of Courses All A Level subjects are now fully linear in structure, meaning the absence of externally assessed AS examinations at the end of Year 12. Following the A Level reforms of recent years, pupils will now only sit their external examinations in the summer of Year 13. We have decided not to opt for the new standalone AS Level qualifications. Instead, our pupils will sit rigorous internal examinations at the end of Year 12 for the purpose of tracking progress and informing UCAS predicted grades. This will also allow increased teaching time in the summer term of Year 12 which will be used to continue to strive for success in Year 13.
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