Hina Kapadia
Sixth Form
Curriculum Changes
September
2015
Everyone Matters
“Differentiation is simply attending
Do
we follow the same
to the learning needs of a
vigorous
recruitment
particular
student
or small group
of students,
than the
more
rubric rather
for Sixth
Form
typical pattern of teaching the
option
choices
as
we
do
class as though all individuals in it
for basically
Key Stage
were
alike.”4?
Carol Tomlinson
Scenario 1: Sara
Mummy wants me to study Biology,
Chemistry
and Physics.
Interest
WhatAbility
does
Sara History,
Daddy wants
me
to study
need
to
consider
Geography
and
Economics.
Career Options
making
I want before
to study
English
Literature,
Previous
Schoolher
option
choices?
Results
Mathematics
and Art.
Scenario 2: Isa
Isa has 3 A* - B GCSE passes (Maths,
Physics and
Statistics)
and wants to
Having
not passed
study
only
those
three
English
does
heto
have
Will
agreeing
his at
the ability
to prove
access the
request
A Level.
language
skills
needed
detrimental
in
the
long
Would you allow him into your Sixth
to answer
run? the
Form?
questions?
Scenario 3: Isla
In her GCSE’s Isla achieved A*’s in
Biology and Chemistry; B’s in History,
Geography,
Language
DoesEnglish
she have
the and
What
could
you
Literature;
C’s
in
Mathematics,
grades to compete Physics
andas
Psychology.
offer
alternative
with fellow
She wants to
pursue a career in
options?
applicants?
Medicine. Would you encourage this
decision? Why?
Pathways
A LEVELS
• University
A minimum of 5 A*-B • Self-employment
grades, including Maths • Employment with
and English Language
further training Higher
Apprenticeship
Are your
students aware
• University
COMBINATION OF A A minimum of 4 A*-B • Self-employment
this
LEVELS & BTEC
grades, of
including
Maths • Employment with
NATIONALS
and English Language
further training Higher
information?Apprenticeship
BTEC NATIONALS
(or equivalent)
• University
A minimum of 5 A*-C
• Self-employment
grades, including Maths
• Employment with
and English Language
further training Higher
Apprenticeship
Currently all A level subjects comprise of an AS qualification in
year one and an A2 qualification in year two with the AS grade
contributing to the overall A2 grade.
Principal changes:
• AS qualifications and A Levels are to be ‘decoupled’.
This means that the AS qualification will no longer
contribute
to
the
overall
A
Level
grade.
• A Levels will become a two year ‘linear’ course, with
exams
at
the
end
of
the
second
year.
• Most A Level subjects will be assessed through exams
only, except for subjects where required skills should be
demonstrated.
New format from September 2015:
English
Literature,
Language
Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Sociology
History
Psychology
Business Studies
Economics
Computer Science
Art and Design
and
combined
New format from September 2016:
Dance
Drama
Music
Geography
Modern Foreign Languages
Classical Languages
Physical Education
Religious Studies
New format from September 2017:
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
•
•
Maths
and
•
•
•
• Religious studies.
;
Further
Modern
maths;
(now
2017
foreign
updated
Classical
Physical
education;
December
Geography;
2014)
languages;
languages;
and
Some specific examples of the changes:
Science:
12 practical experiments in Chemistry, Biology and Physics.
More mathematical knowledge expected in Physics.
History:
Covering at least 200 years rather than 100 years at present.
Studying two different countries including Britain.
English
Literature:
‘Unseen Text’ to promote wider and more critical reading.
Economics: More mathematics
Role of central banks and financial regulation.
Computer
Science:
More focus on programming, algorithms and problem solving.
Courses
It is imperative that Sixth
Form schools and colleges
offer courses that are suitable
for the cohort of students they
are catering for.
Right Choice
In line with current national priorities, inspectors are paying
close attention to Post-16 students who are still WORKING
towards C grades in their English and Mathematics GCSE’s.
The days of after-school retake classes with no one checking
attendance or the quality of teaching are long gone. If you are
not monitoring progress in these classes with the same rigour
as you apply to Year 11, you need to start now.
Ofsted 2014: ‘Require students to work towards GCSE grades
A* to C in English and Mathematics – if they do not have this –
or other interim/stepping stone qualifications on the way
towards achieving these GCSE qualifications.’
Think carefully about allowing students who do not have GCSEs
in English and Mathematics to start A Level courses.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
A Levels: At least 5 GCSE’s at grade B, including English and
Mathematics.
BTECs and applied qualifications: At least 5 GCSEs at grade C,
including English and Mathematics.
Apprenticeships: At least 3 GCSES at grade C, including English and
Mathematics.
Three Year Sixth Form: At least 5 GCSEs at grade D, including English
and Mathematics.
Level 2 Programmes (vocational courses, Traineeships): Mainly
grades E-F.
Students without at least grade C in GCSE English and/or GCSE
Mathematics should be required to continue studying these subjects
in the Sixth Form.
Entry Requirements:
History
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Computing
ICT
Geography
Mathematics
Business Studies
English
Literature
Psychology
Level 3
Business Studies
BTEC Level 2
Science
BTEC level 3
Sport
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-C, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature and Grade B in
History Grade C in Mathematics.
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature, Grade B in
Mathematics, Grade B in Biology or Grade B in Science and Additional Science and preferably Grade
B in Chemistry.
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature, Grade B in
Mathematics and Grade B in Chemistry or Science & Additional Science.
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature, Grade B in
Mathematics and Grade B in Physics or Science & Additional Science.
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature and Grade B in
Mathematics. Grade B in Computer Studies is desirable but not essential.
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-C, including: Grade C in English Language and Grade C in Mathematics
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature and Grade C in
Maths.
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: AS and A Level Mathematics: Grade B in Maths (although
an A or A* is preferable) and Grade B in English Language or Literature.
A Level Further Mathematics: Grade A or A* in Maths (although an A* is preferable) and Grade B in
English Language or Literature.
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature and Grade C in
Mathematics.
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language, Grade B in English Literature
(if offered at GCSE) and Grade C in Maths.
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature and Grade C in
Mathematics.
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-C including: Grade C in English Language and Grade C in Mathematics.
At least 3 GCSE grades A*-C, including: Grade C in English Language, Grade C in Mathematics, and
Grade C in Core Science or Additional Science or at least Merit in Level 2 BTEC Science.
At least 5 GCSE grades A*-C including: Grade C in English Language and Grade C in Mathematics.
July 2013, chief regulator of Ofqual, Glenys
Stacey, explained that from September 2013:
... Students will no longer be
able to sit exams in January, in
either their first or second year
of A-level studies, because of
evidence that this has created a
‘resit culture’.
James Kewin, deputy chief executive of the SFCA, said:
“Our manifesto shows that
Sixth Form colleges are the
most effective and efficient
providers
of
sixth
form
education.”
Apply the Same Standards
All your school’s systems – training, monitoring,
literacy guidelines, marking policies, student voice,
performance MANAGEMENT must explicitly apply
to the Sixth Form, too. CPD sessions are often
followed up with monitoring visits to lessons for
Years 7-11 but why not beyond? Likewise, school
conduct rigorous checks of marking in Year 11
books but not Year 12 and 13. However, if you
exclude the Sixth Form, the message to staff is
clear:
‘expectations are not the same.’
Learning Styles
Unfortunately, there is a world of difference between the approaches to GCSE and A Level study but
learning styles don’t change. A mixture of VAK activities are essential if students are to succeed.
AS Level classes are smaller than those in lower down the school, and this places a much greater
emphasis on students being actively involved in lessons.
Ideally there should have two teachers for each A Level subject.
A Level subjects needs 6 hours of directed study in the classroom.
Students must arrive to each lesson prepared to be lively, interested and involved; reading ahead is of
course a precondition of active and informed contribution to classroom discussion. Through
differentiation, teachers must guide reading.
Teachers should not spoon-feed, but rather direct, advise, stimulate and encourage. Lessons should not
be confined to ‘teacher talk’; discussion and exchanging views should be promoted.
Students must quickly get into the habit of making their own notes in class, as new information and ideas
emerge in the course of discussion. Personal and intellectual motivation is needed throughout courses.
Students should become independent learners; this is the main feature of A Level
Right Choice
Close attention is being paid to Post-16 students who are still
WORKING towards C grades in their English and Mathematics
GCSE’s.
The days of after-school retake classes with no one checking
attendance or the quality of teaching are long gone. If you are
not monitoring progress in these classes with the same rigour
as you apply to Year 11, you need to start now.
Ofsted 2014: ‘Require students to work towards GCSE grades
A* to C in English and Mathematics – if they do not have this –
or other interim/stepping stone qualifications on the way
towards achieving these GCSE qualifications.’
Think carefully about allowing students who do not have GCSEs
in English and Mathematics to start A Level courses.
Balanced Curriculum
Sixth Form should not be all work and
no play. Through an extensive
enrichment programme schools should
help students become well-rounded
individuals and develop the experiences
and key skills looked for by the best
employers and universities.
An Outstanding Sixth Form
Students make excellent progress and most achieve their
A-Level qualifications and progress to university.
Teaching is energetic and inspirational.
Students’ confidence is built so they achieve their potential.
Lessons start promptly (attendance and punctuality are
excellent) with good pace that promotes a vibrant learning
environment and strong work ethic.
Students’ individual progress is monitored very closely; prompt
and effective action is taken to improve the performance of
individual students who are not achieving their high target
grades.
Assessment is outstanding; teachers provide very detailed
written feedback on marked work and give clear advice on how
to improve.
An Outstanding Sixth Form
Particular attention is given to improving the quality of students’
written work and their understanding of subject specialist
terminology. Teachers routinely correct students’ spelling and
punctuation errors.
Initial assessment is used effectively; provides highly
individualised and focused support.
Work outside lessons develops students’ independent learning
skills.
Students receive information, advice and guidance from personal
tutors to help them progress to higher education or an
apprenticeship.
Teachers use a wide range of interactive activities and skilful
questioning to engage and challenge students.