CURRICULUM
Students in Sixth Form have the opportunity to follow one of four pathways. These are outlined in the Curriculum Overview. Typically, students will follow a three course pathway (A Level, Level 3 vocational or a combination of both). Those who have very high attainment at GCSE and who demonstrate their academic potential and capacity to cope with a more academically demanding curriculum will be able to select four A Level courses and will study all four subjects during Years 12 and 13.
In addition to meeting the minimum entry requirements for the chosen pathway, students must fulfil the entry requirements for each subject they intend to study. Where exceptional circumstances exist, a student may be accepted onto a pathway without having fully met the entry requirements (and these will be considered on a case by case basis). Please click here to view the Entry Requirements by Subject.
A wide range of A Level and Level 3 vocational courses are offered to students, all taught by experienced subject specialists. All courses will last two years in duration with examinations taken at the end of Year 13.
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A Level Qualifications (September 2021)
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Level 3 Qualifications (September 2021)
In the event of insufficient numbers of students (fewer than five) electing to take a subject, the subject will not be offered and the school will inform individuals affected before the start of the course.
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GCSE English and Mathematics
Any student who joins Sixth Form without having previously attained a grade 4 in GCSE English Language and / or Mathematics will retake the GCSE during Year 12. They receive additional teaching and resit the examination(s) when their teachers feel they are ready to do so.
The Wider Curriculum
In addition to the academic curriculum all students have the opportunity to participate in an enrichment activity, providing breadth to their study and the opportunity to follow an accredited programme. For more information about the Sixth Form Enrichment Programme, please click on this link. Furthermore, students are prepared well for life in modern Britain and supported in their readiness for life beyond school through following a planned Personal Development programme that is delivered to Year 12 and Year 13 students in small groups by a designated tutor and covers a broad range of relevant and topical issues.
Progression from Year 12 to Year 13
Progression into Year 13 will depend on students maintaining a minimum of three viable subjects in September of that year.
Considerations on progression will take into account a number of factors. Where a student is making good progress in all three courses, demonstrates a positive attitude to learning and has a good attendance and behaviour record during Year 12, s/he will be allowed to progress to Year 13.
Where there is clear evidence at the end of Year 12, based on internal assessment and tracking data, that a student is not meeting the standards required for the course, he or she will be offered guidance on alternative pathways. Similarly, issues such as poor punctuality and attendance at lessons along with concerns over attitude to learning would result in students not being allowed to progress to Year 13. In such circumstances, it may be appropriate to offer the student the opportunity to re-sit Year 12 at the school or pursue other options. In cases where a student is repeatedly failing to follow the academic instruction of his/her teachers or the Sixth Form team, s/he will be asked to withdraw from the course. Finally, the school reserves the right to remove a student from Sixth Form in the cases of serious breaches of the school’s Behaviour Policy.
Students who take Level 3 vocational courses must be aware that a failure to attain at least a pass grade in controlled and external assessments completed during Year 12 or Year 13 will be subject to a stringent review where a decision on continuing the course will be made based on the additional evidence outlined above.
Where there are concerns, the school is always prepared to take into account genuine mitigating factors, such as long term health problems, when considering progression into Year 13.
Sixth Form @FHS
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Key Contacts
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Mrs A Harrison-Forsyth
Assistant Headteacher (Director of Learning Years 11-13)
Mrs K Fitzgibbon
Sixth Form Achievement Leader
Mr D Rigby
Sixth Form Achievement Leader
Mrs B Halton
Student Development Leader
Mrs A MacDunne
Careers Coordinator
Career North
Sixth Form Careers Advisors
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Contact Us
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Useful Resources
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