A levels are not just higher education entrance examinations; they are intellectual disciplines in their own right, and therefore you should select these subjects carefully. There are increasing amounts of ‘self-propelled’ learning to carry out. This is because post-16 qualifications require it, and because it is good preparation for higher education. Your work will be monitored and you will have regular opportunities to discuss academic progress with your tutor. Organisation and time-management skills are needed in abundance, and you will be given help to develop the right working habits. Commonly asked questions when selecting a course are:
Do I meet the course entry requirements?
See each individual subject statement and/or discuss with teachers. Students are required to achieve at least a grade 6 at GCSE in the subjects they intend to study at A level, with a 7 or above at GCSE/IGCSE seen as particularly important for some subjects, notably Maths and sciences.
Do I have an aptitude for each of the subjects I hope to select?
Which subjects/courses are likely to suit your own skills and abilities? What are you good at? It is important to select subjects in which you have a realistic hope of gaining a good grade at the end of the two years. It is increasingly the case that lower A level grades in any subject are of limited use in the outside world generally, and certainly when competing for good university places. Choosing subjects that you are good at is therefore an important factor in academic success in the sixth form and beyond.
Do I have an interest in the subjects I hope to select?
Nearly five hours’ teaching time per subject plus much more private study time will be your minimum commitment. Pick subjects you are going to enjoy doing! Try to avoid choosing subjects simply because you feel they will ‘look good’ on future UCAS or work-related applications. Studying a subject that you don’t enjoy or you’re not interested in will soon become an uphill struggle at this level and may well ultimately lead to a disappointing final grade.
Does the combination of subjects I hope to choose appear sensible?
What subjects do you need in order to pursue a particular career or profession? Is this a good opportunity to broaden the range of what you study? Seek advice from your tutor and/ or the Heads of Higher Education and Careers where your likely university or careers plans have an impact on subject combinations.
Should I opt for one of the vocational (non-A Level) courses on offer at Denstone?
Sixth Formers can study the Cambridge Technical IT qualification and/or the BTEC Sport course alongside other A level subjects. These courses are vocational and assessed through the collection of evidence over the course of two years, rather than by terminal exam alone (although both subjects now also include an element of examined assessment). They are designed to appeal to more practical learners and carry equivalent UCAS points as A level qualifications in these subjects. For September 2024 we are again offering students the opportunity to study the BTEC National Diploma in Sport, which is equivalent to two A Level subjects, or the existing National Extended Certificate in Sport, equivalent to one A Level. Please also be aware that, at the time of writing, there is some uncertainty of the long term future of our CTEC ICT course, although we believe that this will be available to students for 2024 to 2026 completion (to be confirmed).
For further information on all our vocational options please refer to the subject entries in this booklet and speak to the relevant Heads of Department.