Frequently Asked Questions

Entry Requirements & Qualification Pathways

What are the general entry requirements for Sixth Form?
You need a minimum of 5 GCSE passes at Grade 4 or above. Crucially, every student must achieve at least a Grade 4 in both English Language and Mathematics; if you do not achieve a Grade 4 in either, you will be required to retake them alongside your studies on our Level 2 pathway. Please check the entry requirements carefully when choosing courses.

Do individual subjects have their own entry criteria?
Yes. Each subject or pathway has specific course requirements detailed in our Course Guide (typically a Grade 5 or 6 in that subject or related GCSEs, or a Grade 6 in Maths for subjects like Sciences, Psychology, or Business). Be sure to check the specific requirements for the courses you wish to combine.

What is the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 pathways?
Level 3 Courses (2 Year Programmes): Advanced qualifications including A-Levels, BTECs/CTECs, and T-Levels that prepare you directly for university, higher apprenticeships, or skilled employment.
Level 2 Programme ( 1 Year Pathway): Designed for students who need to strengthen their GCSE profile before stepping up to Level 3 or pursuing further study elsewhere. This pathway focuses on achieving essential Grade 4s in GCSE English Language and Maths alongside vocational qualifications.

What are the specific entry requirements for Level 3 pathways?
A-Level Pathway: Requires an average profile of at least 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 or above, including English Language and Maths, plus specific subject prerequisites.
BTEC / Applied Vocational Pathway: Requires at least 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English Language and Maths.
T-Level Pathway: Requires an average profile of at least 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 or above, including English Language and Maths.

What are the entry requirements for the Level 2 pathway?
Admission to our Level 2 programme requires 5 GCSEs at Grade 2 or above. This pathway is ideal if you just missed out on your Grade 4s and need a dedicated year to retake core subjects while gaining additional Level 2 qualifications.

Can I combine academic A-Levels with Level 3 Vocational courses?
Yes. You can follow a purely academic pathway (3 A-Levels), a purely vocational pathway (Level 3 BTECs/CTECs), or a blended pathway combining A-Levels with vocational options to suit your learning style.

How many subjects do I take, and can I change my choices after applying?
Most students choose 3 subjects to study over the two years. While your initial choices help us plan our timetable options, you can request course changes up until enrolment day in August, provided there are places available, and you meet the individual subject entry requirements.

Application Process & Key Deadlines

How do I apply to the Sixth Form?
Applications are made digitally via Kent Choices. The portal opens in November, and we encourage all applicants (both internal and external) to submit their choices promptly to secure their place.

What happens after I apply?
Internal Students: Progress Meetings take place from December onwards for all Year 11 students to review your predictions, subject choices, and pathway options, regardless of your application status.
External Applicants: Once your application is submitted, you will be invited to a Progress Meeting alongside a guided school tour led by our current students.
Later in the year, both internal and external applicants will be invited to our Sixth Form Taster Day, giving you the opportunity to try out your chosen subjects in real lessons, meet your teachers, and get a true feel for Sixth Form life before making your final decision.

Can students from other schools apply?
Absolutely. We welcome applications from external students across Swale and Kent. You will follow the exact same process via Kent Choices, attend a Progress Meeting from December, and will be invited to join us for our Taster Days. To help you settle in, we also run a Sixth Form Buddy Scheme that pairs external students with current Sixth Formers.

Student Life, Expectations & Support

What is the Sixth Form dress code?
We follow a  professional business dress code. It gives you the freedom of moving away from lower-school uniform while maintaining a professional standard suitable for a Sixth Form learning environment.

Are students allowed to leave the school site during the day?
Yes. Sixth Form students are allowed off-site during break and lunchtimes. Additionally, if you have no scheduled lessons or guided study periods in the afternoon, you are permitted to study off-site.

What rewards or privileges are available for hard work and good attendance?
We operate a Flexipass scheme to reward students who consistently maintain excellent attendance, meet coursework deadlines, and demonstrate strong effort. Earning a Flexipass gives you greater flexibility with your study periods and off-site privileges.
 

How does Sixth Form study differ from Year 11?
Alongside your taught lessons, your timetable includes dedicated Independent Study periods. You will have access to exclusive Sixth Form study areas and social spaces, giving you the environment needed to manage assignments, wider reading, and independent revision effectively.

What pastoral and academic support is available if I get behind?
Every student has a dedicated Form Tutor and full access to our Sixth Form Pastoral Team. We provide tailored academic catch-up plans, 1-to-1 mentoring, wellbeing support, and financial signposting through 16–19 Bursary funding for eligible students.

 

Destinations & Future Pathways

How do you prepare students for life after Sixth Form?
Whether your goal is a top-tier university, a higher/degree apprenticeship, or entering the workforce, we provide comprehensive guidance tailored to your ambitions. This includes step-by-step UCAS support, personal statement workshops, mock interviews, and specialist early-applicant preparation for Oxbridge and Russell Group universities. We also benefit from strong links with local institutions like the University of Kent, alongside structured Work Experience (WEX) placements and a robust wider enrichment programme—including employer spotlight events, degree apprenticeship webinars, and super-curricular opportunities that ensure you build a standout 
profile.

 

What enrichment and super curricular opportunities are on offer?
We offer a rich variety of wider enrichment and leadership roles designed to broaden your horizons, build confidence, and strengthen your applications. You can undertake the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) to earn additional UCAS points, step up as a Sixth Form Subject Ambassador, run for election on the Student Leadership Team, or mentor lower-school students.
Every single course we offer embeds dedicated super-curricular opportunities, guaranteeing at least one subject-specific trip and one specialist guest speaker per course during your time with us. Beyond the classroom, you can participate in structured work experience (WEX) placements, university masterclasses, and trust-wide enrichment events.
 

 

Key Terms & Glossary

Term	What it Means
A-Levels	Traditional, exam-based academic qualifications studied over two years, typically requiring higher GCSE entry grades.
BTEC/AAQ/V-Level	Applied vocational qualifications combining practical, continuous assessment/coursework with exam modules. Equivalent in value to A-Levels.
EPQ (Extended Project)	An independent research project equivalent to half an A-Level, highly valued by top universities for developing university-level research and writing skills.
Flexipass	Our Sixth Form privilege system rewarding students who maintain high attendance and meet work deadlines with flexible off-site study permissions.
Independent Study	Dedicated, non-contact timetable periods spent in exclusive Sixth Form study areas working on assignments, research, and wider reading.
Kent Choices	The official online application portal used across Kent for applying to post-16 school sixth forms and colleges.
Level 2 Pathway	A 1-year progression programme for students building their GCSE profile, focusing on retaking GCSE English and/or Maths alongside vocational qualifications.
Level 3 Pathway	Advanced 2-year post-16 qualifications (including A-Levels, BTECs, CTECs, and T-Levels) designed to lead directly to university, higher apprenticeships, or employment.
Progress Meeting	A short, supportive discussion held from December onwards between an applicant and a member of the Sixth Form team to review predicted grades and finalise course options.
Russell Group	A collective of 24 research-intensive, world-class UK universities (including Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Leeds, and Imperial).
Super-Curricular	Activities that take your subject learning beyond the exam specification—such as subject trips, guest speaker lectures, and specialised workshops.
T-Levels	2-year technical qualifications equivalent to 3 A-Levels, combining classroom study with a substantial industry placement (minimum 45 days).
UCAS	The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service; the centralised system used to apply for undergraduate degrees across the UK.
WEX (Work Experience)	Structured placement opportunities allowing students to gain real-world industry experience during their time in Sixth Form.