Sixth Form

At Sacred Heart Catholic Academy Sixth Form, academic excellence and Catholic faith go hand in hand. Our Sixth Form is dedicated to fostering both academic ambition and the holistic development of every student. All students are expected to engage in the Catholic life of the school and attend a weekly core Religious Education (RE) lesson. We embrace the values of love, service, ambition, and respect in every aspect of school life. Our commitment to these values is reflected in our curriculum and daily practices, guiding students to become compassionate and responsible individuals.

16 to 19 attainment - Gov.UK

Our Courses

All of our 16 to 19 study programmes are designed to provide students with a structured and challenging learning programme that supports their development and progression in line with their career plans.  

A Levels 

We offer a wide range of academic A Level courses. These subjects are linear, which means that the qualifications are awarded following examinations only.

These examinations take place at the end of Year 13.

Vocational Courses

We also offer a number of vocational courses at the College (Applied General in Business, Criminology, Digital Media, Health and Social Care, Information Technology and Physical Education).

All of our vocational courses provide important UCAS points to access university and are assessed throughout the two year programme through examinations and coursework. Students can opt to take vocational courses alongside academic A Level subjects.

English and Maths 

The College provides re-sit opportunities, if required, in English Language and Mathematics GCSEs. These external examinations take place in November and June.

Sixth Form Destinations 2021-2022

Useful links

Our Approach

Our study programmes are individually tailored, and typically combine the elements below:

• Substantial qualifications that stretch students and prepare them for education at the next level or for employment
• English and maths, where students have not yet achieved a GCSE grade 4,
• Work experience to give students the opportunity to develop their career choices and to apply their skills in real working conditions, and
• Other non-qualification activity to develop students’ character, broader skills, attitudes and confidence, and support progression

Study programmes are designed to be full-time with a minimum of 580 planned hours per academic year.

Students with SEND are given the support they need to access their study programme. We take particular care to tailor study programmes to the individual aspirations and needs of students with SEND, in discussion with the student. Where students have an EHC plan, we also involve the local authority SEN team where appropriate.

All students aged 16 to 19 studying 150 hours or more who do not hold at least a GCSE grade 4 are required to study English and maths as part of their study programme in each academic year.

To ensure students are fully engaged and supported with their learning, it is expected that the significant majority of planned hours of all 16 to 19 study programmes are delivered face to face, with students attending on-site every week during term time

All students are expected to take part in other meaningful non-qualification activity alongside work experience. This should take account of their needs and career plans, as well as preparation for adult life more generally.

For example:

• activities to develop confidence, character and resilience, group work to develop team working, communications skills, leadership and problem solving – skills that employers often say are lacking in school and college leavers.
• tutorials and seminars, including careers education, and life skills, such as travelling independently, cooking and eating healthily, staying safe, making sustainable choices, managing personal finances, and preparing for adult or university life.

1. A Level students are expected to follow a minimum of three A levels, or the equivalent, which count as substantial qualifications

2. Applied General qualifications – level 3 qualifications that allow students to develop transferable knowledge and skills. They are for post-16 students who want to continue their education through applied learning and fulfil entry requirements for a range of HE courses, either by meeting the entry requirements in their own right or being accepted alongside and adding value to other qualifications at level 3 such as A levels.

3. Tech Level qualifications – level 3 technical qualifications on a par with A levels that are recognised by employers. They are for post-16 students wishing to specialise in a specific industry, occupation or technical role. They equip a student with specialist knowledge and skills, enabling entry to an apprenticeship or other employment, or progression to a related higher education course.

4. Technical Certificates – level 2 qualifications for post-16 students wishing to specialise in a specific industry, occupation or technical role where employers recognise entry at level 2. Technical Certificates also provide access to Tech Levels or an apprenticeship. In some cases, a Technical Certificate can provide a ‘licence to practise’ or exemption from professional examinations.

How do we meet the requirements of the 16 – 19 study programme?

All ESFA funded education for 16 to 19 year olds should be delivered as a study programme which combines qualifications and other activities, and which is tailored to each student’s prior attainment and career goals.

• Every study programme must have a core aim. For the majority of students, this will be either the study of substantial technical, applied or academic qualification(s) or preparation for employment

Sacred Heart Catholic Academy Sixth Form programme consists of a Level 3 programme. The Level 3 programme is composed mostly of academic qualifications and many students study facilitating subjects. 

• Young people who do not hold a GCSE grade 4  in maths and/or English are required to continue these subjects as part of their study programme

In the Sacred Heart Catholic Academy Sixth Form, all students who do not hold a grade 4 in maths and/or English are provided with time on their programme to retake these subjects.

• All study programmes should include work experience and non-qualification activities which complement the other elements of the programme and support the student to progress to further or higher education or to employment. The non-qualification activity should develop students’ character, skills, attitudes and confidence.

Students in our Sixth Form are expected to take part in a number of activities which provide them with opportunity to develop a range of “soft skills”.

• Mentor time is used effectively to discuss a range of important issues and develop key skills;
• Drop down days provide opportunities to cover life skills and visits to higher education providers;
• All students receive careers and future planning support;
• Students in Year 12 gain valuable employment experience y taking part in guided work experience activities.

Further information about the 16-19 Study Programme can be found on the gov.uk website, by clicking here.

Sixth Form Bursary

The purpose of the Sixth Form Bursary is to provide financial support to help disadvantaged students overcome specific barriers to participation so that they can remain in education. Payment is provided directly to students.

There are two types of 16 to 19 bursaries:

•  Bursaries of up to £1,200 a year for students who are: in care, care leavers, receiving Income Support (IS) or Universal Credit (UC) in place of Income Support in their own right, receiving Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments in their own right.
• Discretionary bursaries that the College awards to meet individual needs such as transport and equipment. Students falling into one of the following criteria may be eligible to apply for this fund: Eligibility to Free School Meals in Year 11, young carer not in receipt of a carers allowance, parental receipt of benefits, household income falling below the threshold of £20,000 or other exceptional circumstances where hardship can be evidenced.

To apply for the 16-19 Bursary Fund, students should complete the application form below.

Sixth Form Bursary Application Form

Uniform and Dress Code

All College rules are applied sensitively and with regard to the circumstances of individual pupils. Parents wishing to discuss any aspect of uniform policy should raise the matter with the relevant Head of School in the first instance.

The final decision of what is acceptable and appropriate remains, as always, with the Headteacher.