Sixth Form Applying

St Margaret’s operates an open Sixth Form, whereby students are admitted without reference to sex or family religious commitment, but who have shown by their effort and application that they wish to continue their education in a Christian school.

It is expected that successful applicants will have fulfilled the General Conditions of Entry together with the Minimum Academic Requirements as agreed by the Faiths Partnership member schools.

General Conditions of Entry:

• The Sixth Form is able to provide a suitable course.
• The applicant has a satisfactory reference/Progress File from Year 11.
• The student declares that he/she has a serious sense of purpose and a genuine desire to improve upon present qualifications.
• The student and their parents are prepared to enter into the contractual arrangements as laid down in our Partnership Agreement.
• The student meets the minimum academic requirements and specific subject requirements as laid down.

The Application Procedure

All students interested in applying are welcome to attend the Sixth Form Open Evening, where they will be able to meet staff, collect subject details and book a consultation.

The consultation will be an opportunity for a prospective student to introduce him or herself and to discuss suitable courses. Students’ preferences and subject combinations are taken into account when timetabling for the next academic year. Should courses be oversubscribed, a waiting list will be established.

Successful applicants are made a provisional offer, which lays down the conditions, which have to be met for entry. Once results are known, applicants should telephone the school and a second consultation will be arranged. Those students who have met the subject requirements will have their provisional offer confirmed.

Some students may wish to renegotiate courses they wish to study. Once this second consultation has been successfully concluded, the student prepares for Enrolment which takes place on the first day of the autumn term. This ensures a prompt start to the student’s Induction Course.

Level 3 Courses - Advanced Level Courses

For entry to AS courses, students will be required to fulfil the minimum academic requirements as laid down by the departments. Admission to A2 courses will be dependant on successful completion of AS courses in Year 12 and a consultation with academic staff.

All students will undertake a minimum of 4 Advanced subjects, including General Studies, in the Lower Sixth. Some may study 5 Advanced subjects, including General Studies.

Entry to the Sixth Form involves a process of negotiation on the part of the student. The baseline is 5 A-Cs at GCSE for Level 3 Advanced courses and 4 passes at E/D or above for Level 2 courses; thereafter students will have to take the advice laid down in the subject information and meet the specific requirements of that subject.

Some subjects will require special aptitudes or skills which will be reflected in a higher GCSE requirement. Students should be prepared to accept the advice offered, as this is based on teachers’ experience and will have a direct bearing on the grades achieved.

Level 2 Courses

Prospective students are required to meet all of the following requirements for entry to the course.

• An interest and serious commitment to the chosen vocational area and associate professions.
• A good record of attendance and punctuality.
• To have completed and met all deadlines for course work in Year 11.
• GCSE Examination results which indicate potential for success on a course leading to a qualification equivalent to FOUR GCSEs at grades A-C.
• A minimum of four grades at E/D or above at GCSE.
• Students should consult the subject details with regard to general grade requirements for each vocational course.

Level 1 Courses

No academic requirements are needed but students must fulfil the general conditions of entry on page 13.

Who May Apply?

Each year, up to 140 students in total are admitted to Year 12 at the age of 16, of whom we welcome up to 40 external applicants. All candidates are treated equally and are offered a consultation to ensure that they are matched to the courses that will most likely lead to their future success. Admission requirements for each course at either Level 2 or Level 3 are to be found in the subject details published by each department. Where a course is oversubscribed GCSE results will be used and students with the best GCSE results, most appropriate to the course will be admitted.

Students from schools not associated with St Margaret’s are therefore welcome to apply. There has been a deliberate policy of encouraging girls to apply in an effort to create a mixed intake, thereby moving towards an environment which mirrors that of the general community.