Curriculum Provision

This is a very important decision; indeed, it could be the most important you have yet made. Research course options carefully and take the opportunities offered by the school to find out more. Your GCSE results and other Level 2 results will determine which of the following qualifications you can choose to take. There are three types of qualification offered at Gosforth Academy Sixth Form.

The vast majority of students studying with us in Sixth Form will study three main subjects. We believe in offering a wide range of course options to allow students to design a study programme that matches their interests, talents and preferred progression route. Our breadth of choice is vital in allowing students to achieve highly during their time with us. Whether it is a purely academic programme, one with a vocational emphasis or a blended programme with both academic and vocational options, we will offer the advice that is necessary to make the right choice.

Beginning with Progression Interviews in Year 11, this advice and your own research is key to making the correct decision. Our Bridging Programme will support you by offering the chance to experience Level 3 work prior to your selection and clearly your GCSE grades will influence which choices are possible and most suitable for you to take. We are keen to discuss what we offer and your specific position with students in person at our Enrolment Day(s) in August each year.

The links below outline our curriculum provision, and please use the Prospectus to find out more about course content and specific entry requirements.

Academic

We offer over 30 different A Level options that can be taken as an extension of your study at GCSE or, in some cases, as a completely new subject. Most focus on examinations at the end of the qualification as the main assessment method but some also require the completion of non-examination assessments (NEAs). We also offer the opportunity for those studying Further Maths to complete AS exams at the end of Year 12. Students in this position can then choose to continue their study or to focus on their other choices.

You need at least four GCSE passes at grade 4 – 9 to study at this level.

• Check individual course entry requirements carefully, as your GCSE grades will determine the courses you may select.
• If you are on a Level 3 programme and have not passed GCSE English and/or GCSE Mathematics with at least a grade 4, then you need to re-sit these qualifications. They are vital for entry to university and employment.
• Most A Level courses are delivered during 13 lessons per fortnight. This has recently been increased to allow a greater contact time with teachers.
• You will normally study three A Level subjects in Sixth Form at Gosforth Academy.
• If you have a chosen career, or a degree you wish to take, please check that your A Level choices are appropriate for entry.
• They can be combined with vocational choices if you have met the entry requirements for these courses.

Vocational

You need at least four GCSE passes at grade 4 - 9 to study at this level.

• Our seven vocational subjects have been very successful in offering direct progression from GCSE study for those who are suited to qualifications where coursework accounts for a greater proportion of the assessment. This is the case at Level 3 as well making this the main difference between these qualifications and our academic courses. They provide the same UCAS points as A Levels across the available grades, and can be used by students to spread the workload across the study programme rather than being focused on the final exam period only. All vocational qualifications include a mix of examination and non-examination assessments (coursework) that are completed throughout the two year courses.

  You need at least four GCSE passes at grade 4 – 9 to study at this level.

• They give you UCAS tariff points for many university courses in the same way as A Levels.

• They can be combined with A Level choices if you have met the entry requirements for these courses.

Access for A Level

This is a unique one year programme offered at Gosforth Academy for those students who have had some success at Level 2, but have not gained sufficient grades to access a full Level 3 Programme. Where students are successful on this course, they may wish to apply to complete a full Level 3 Programme over the following two years. Alternatively, you may look to move into an apprenticeship or into employment after this year.