Sixth Form
Pathways
• A Levels • Woldingham Business Diploma • Elite Performance
Courage. Confidence. Compassion.
Three pathways. One purpose. From September 2027, Woldingham will offer students the choice of three different pathways for their Sixth Form journey: A Levels, the Woldingham Business Diploma or our Elite Performance pathway for talented sportswomen and performing artists. While Woldingham students continue to achieve outstanding A Level results, we know that the traditional pathway through A Levels to university is not the best fit for every student. Therefore, we have evolved our Sixth Form curriculum to offer three different pathways, each of which provides an individualised, academically robust foundation for future success. In Woldingham’s dynamic and thriving Sixth Form, students are known and nurtured, and given the tools they need to succeed, not just academically but also in their personal and professional lives. Our purpose-built Sixth Form Centre in the heart of the school’s campus provides the perfect setting for our senior girls to develop intellectual curiosity, be stretched and challenged and flourish as individuals. With day, flexi, weekly and boarding options in Sixth Form, there is opportunity for students to focus on their academic study, develop their passions, take part in sport and the performing arts as well as the vast array of clubs and societies available to them. Boarding is also a great introduction to living independently whether that be at university or away from home for their future career.
Choose your pathway
Woldingham Business Diploma
A Levels
The Woldingham Business Diploma pathway offers a unique opportunity for Sixth Form students to specialise in business as an alternative to the traditional A Level programme of study.
Woldingham students enjoy outstanding success through the traditional Sixth Form A Level pathway, which leads to top UK and international universities and opens doors to exciting careers. Most students study three A Level subjects, from a choice of 26, alongside our additional curriculum, which comprises FutureProof sessions including networking opportunities with business leaders, interview training, public speaking workshops and inter and intra-school competitions. Our unique Horizon programme explores philosophy and develops critical thinking skills through university-style seminar sessions, encouraging intellectual curiosity and debate. Our A Level students secure places on a very wide range of courses, with a spread across science, arts and humanities, social science and business-related courses, reflecting their diverse achievements and interests and the breadth of education offered at Woldingham through the A Level pathway. Who and why? Woldingham’s A Level pathway offers limitless ambition for students wanting to follow the traditional route to university and beyond. This means facilitating the academic success that will open doors to the most competitive courses and universities in the UK and overseas. Alongside this, our sector-leading programme supports our students in developing a skillset that is futureproof: creativity, communication and critical thinking, persuasion and negotiation, as well as resilience, initiative and problem-solving.
In a world of AI, it has never been more important for students to develop the uniquely human skills that will differentiate them and maintain value in the workplace. This programme, offering mentoring by business leaders and meaningful work placements alongside study, will empower young women with the knowledge, confidence and character to make their mark in the world of business. Working closely with our corporate partners and business leaders, the Woldingham Business Diploma blends both business theory and its practical application, enabling students to develop work-ready skills and gain real business and leadership experience that will differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive labour market. Who and why? The Woldingham Business Diploma pathway is particularly well-suited to students with a keen interest in business who may be interested in entering the workforce at 18, whether through starting their own business or applying for an apprenticeship. However, the Diploma also provides a pathway to university entrance through UCAS points earned throughout the two-year course. The Diploma offers different options all comprising the Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business (equivalent of pursuing two A Levels) combined with the IBM ‘SkillsBuild’ AI and digital data foundation course. In addition, the elective options within the Diploma pathway enable students to take a qualification in accounting or marketing, an A Level and / or an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) as part of their overall Diploma.
Elite Performance pathway The Elite Performance pathway offers the choice of either the Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business (equivalent of pursuing two A Levels) or two A Levels with the option of adding one of the electives on offer for the Woldingham Business Diploma, depending on the student’s commitments. Each student’s timetable is designed to allow her capacity to develop her talent and manage her training or rehearsal schedule alongside her academic studies. This pathway enables students to achieve academic results whilst pursuing their passion in an environment where excellence and strengths beyond the classroom are recognised and valued. Who and why? This unique Sixth Form pathway has been developed to support those students who demonstrate exceptional commitment, ability and ambition in sport, drama, dance or performing arts. These students are often challenged to balance significant commitments alongside their academic studies.
Additional Curriculum and Electives Developing a FutureProof skillset The Sacred Heart goals underpin everything we do at Woldingham and, whichever pathway your daughter chooses for Sixth Form, our dynamic and forward-thinking co-curricular programme is embedded in each one. All students will receive support from a personal tutor as well as our dedicated Sixth Form pastoral and wellbeing team throughout their Sixth Form journey. Looking ahead, through the Woldingham NEXT programme, they will receive guidance to make informed decisions for their future from our expert higher education and careers team. We take students’ personal growth journey as seriously as their academic pathway and they will be invited to join our Leadership Programme, which is accredited by the Institute of Leadership, and in Lower Sixth they will follow the Graydin Coaching certificate programme which trains our senior students as ‘coaches’ - a life skill they can use with great impact in the workplace.
Each student will have a personal tutor from the PE or Performing Arts department to support her Sixth Form journey on the Elite Performance pathway, as well as a female business leader as a mentor if she takes the BTEC in Business course.
Woldingham strives to be at the forefront of girls’ education and has done so for nearly 185 years. Our pathway approach will ensure that girls can pursue Sixth Form studies and prepare for adult life in a way which suits them the best. Sue Baillie, Head
Business & Enterprise pathway
A Level pathway A traditional route with flexibility and choice
Our signature pathway:
Three A Levels
BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business
WOLDINGHAM BUSINESS DIPLOMA
Choose from 26 different subjects
Gain practical, real-world business knowledge
+
+
Additional curriculum
AAT Diploma in Accounting Level 2 or Level 3
EPQ (Extended Project Qualification), Core Maths, DELE / DELF
CIM Level 3 Foundation Certificate in Professional & Digital Marketing
or
3
3
Academic excellence
Enterprise & innovation
Challenging curriculum taught by expert subject specialists
Develop ideas, solve problems, create impact
3 Future focused Preparation for university, apprenticeships and beyond
Foundation for success - embedded in all pathways
3
3
3
3
3
Sacred Heart goals
Pastoral care
SkillsBuild
Careers & future guidance
Leadership Programme
Expert higher education and careers advice for informed decisions
(Accredited by the Institute of Leadership) and Sports Leaders programme
Courage, confidence and compassion in action
Personalised support AI & digital for every student foundation course
3 Graydin Coaching certificate
3 Co-curricular PE & games
3
3
3
Wellbeing
Horizon programme
Extra-curricular Nurturing mental clubs & activities and physical wellbeing
Philosophy, Ethics, Critical Thinking
Elite Performance pathway For ambitious athletes and performers
Academic balance Choose two A Levels or BTEC in Business with timetables to balance training, performance and academic success
3
Elite training and development
or
One A Level (subject to timetabling)
or
Tailored performance coaching and tuition with specialist support
EPQ (Extended Project Qualification)
3
Independent research project to extend learning and stand out
Performance pathways Progress to national/international level or combine with future careers in sport, performing arts or related fields
3
3
Work experience & industry connections
Leadership & personal growth Build confidence, communication and leadership skills
Real insights, real networks and real opportunities
Your future, your choice
3
3
3
3
3
University
Higher Apprenticeships
Employment
Entrepreneurship
Global opportunities
Outcomes and opportunities
University
Higher Apprenticeships
Employment Entrepreneurship
Global opportunities
Our Sixth Form pathways, in particular A Levels and the Woldingham Business Diploma, enable students to make competitive university applications. Both offer the opportunity to achieve the academic grades recognised by top universities in the UK and overseas. All three pathways open doors to apprenticeships and, for some, much coveted degree apprenticeships. Students following the Woldingham Business Diploma, for example, don’t just learn business theory, they regularly apply it to real or realistic business situations, so apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships are a great opportunity for graduates of this pathway. The Woldingham Business Diploma and the Elite Performance pathways are great options for students who learn best by ‘doing’. It’s about thinking like a businessperson, managing your time effectively and nurturing your passions to achieve your potential and pave the way to a successful future. Through our Futureproof programme, students on all pathways develop skills such as researching, analysis, problem-solving and presenting, great attributes for the workplaces and for aspiring entrepreneurs on the Woldingham Business Diploma and Elite Performance pathways. Woldingham students gain a truly global outlook and each of our Sixth Form pathways offers opportunity and relevant skills to access study or work overseas, as well as in the UK.
The World Economic Forum have identified the dramatic changes to the future jobs market from technological change, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts and green transition. AI is already proving transformative and driving greater demand for school-leavers and graduates with technology-related skills. However, alongside this is an increase in demand for those uniquely human skills that AI cannot replicate: leadership, curiosity and creativity, initiative, resilience, flexibility, analytical thinking, problem solving, presentation and persuasion. The Woldingham Business Diploma has these skills at its core. Phil Abbott Assistant Head Head of Sixth Form
How to apply With day, flexi, weekly and full boarding options, all three Sixth Form pathways are accessible to UK and international students. Entry requirements The expected entry criterion for our Sixth Form is a minimum of eight GCSEs / IGCSEs, with an average of grade 5.5 across all subjects taken. Students choosing the A Level pathway may be asked to also sit a subject paper. Assessment Online assessment for English, Maths and General Paper (in either Science or Humanities) + interview. Join Woldingham’s dynamic Sixth Form, where students are known and nurtured, have opportunities to grow and be challenged, and are supported and given the tools to succeed, not just in public examinations, but also in their personal and professional lives.
To find out more about the Sixth Form pathways at Woldingham School, please contact our Admissions Team at registrar@woldinghamschool.co.uk. Click the links to hear from the Head, Mrs Sue Baillie and Assistant Head, Head of Sixth Form, Mr Phil Abbott.
Marden Park, Woldingham, Surrey, CR3 7YA
(for satellite navigation please use postcode CR3 7LR)
01883 654206 registrar@woldinghamschool.co.uk
woldinghamschool.co.uk