Curriculum

6th Form Curriculum

Introduction

Prospective students for these courses, and their parents, should be aware that study to Advanced Level standard involves a great deal of hard work over the normal two year period. Not only will regular homework be set, but background reading and individual study are essential in all subjects. Every student has a certain amount of time set aside for private study but will also need to spend a great deal of time working at home. As a guide, students should be prepared to spend at least five hours a week on course work outside of lessons on each Advanced Level subject.

Study Pathways

 

There are three distinct pathways available in the Sixth Form.

A Levels

Students who achieve at least 5 GCSEs, including English and maths, at Grade 6 or higher will be eligible for A Level or other Level 3 study which has A Level equivalence.

BTec Vocational

Students who achieve 5 GCSEs, including English and maths, at Grade 5 will be eligible for BTec courses which are full time and are equivalent to 3 A Levels.

Level 2 Courses

Students who achieve 5 Grade 4s at GCSE can take Level 2 courses to increase their GCSEs which will allow them access to Level 3 courses the following year.

 

The Advanced Level Qualification

AS and A Level will be separate linear qualifications; however, the content of AS can be a subset of the full A Level in order to allow the two qualifications to be taught together.

The separate structure means that if a student takes an AS examination on the way to completing an A Level the AS result will not contribute to the A Level grade. Therefore the concept of A2 disappears.
Key subjects

Students applying for Advanced Level courses will be asked to make an initial choice of 3 A Level subjects from the likely list below.

  • Applied Business
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Economics with Business
  • English
  • Geography
  • German
  • History
  • ICT
  • Mathematics
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • RS: Philosophy and Ethics
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Students may also choose from the following Level 3 courses:

  • Art & Design
  • Music Technology
  • Health and Social Care
  • Sport
  • Cambridge Technical Diploma in ICT (Double or Single Award)

Level 2 courses (for students who do not have sufficient GCSE grades to go straight to Level 3):

  • Art & Design – BTEC
  • National Certificate in Business – OCR
  • Construction – BTEC
  • DIDA – Edexcel
  • Engineering – BTEC

View our prospectus here

For further information about the curriculum we offer at Bishop Stopford’s School please contact
Mrs Robbins crobbins@bishopstopfords.enfield.sch.uk.