How to choose your Sixth Form Course

Begin by reading the notes on the subjects in which you are most interested. Read the notes on the other subjects too; it does not take long and you may be surprised at how interesting a subject which you have not thought of doing sounds.

You may wish to continue with subjects you studied at GCSE Level, or you may want to start a new subject that can only be studied at AS/A2 Level. You may want to pick a mix of academic and vocational (applied) courses. You will have the opportunity to do all this at Congleton High School Sixth Form.

If you expect to perform well at GCSE we recommend that you choose up to four Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Levels in Year 12 (see diagram of Individual Learning Pathways). You will continue to study three of these in Year 13 to complete the Advanced (A or A2) Level part of the qualification. Hence, after two years of study, you will leave with three A Levels and one AS Level. However, the facility is also available for you to take up a new AS Level in Year 13, either replacing one of your A Levels or in addition to your three A Levels.

If you are unlikely to achieve five passes at GCSE at grade C or above, you should take a look at the range of Intermediate courses that we offer. You should take the opportunity to discuss your needs and interests with us as we aim to tailor the course to suit you.

Before making a decision, ask yourself these questions.

1. Am I interested enough in this subject to study it for so many periods a week for the next year or two years? Nine hours a fortnight plus homework is a long time to be spending on a subject in which you personally may have little real interest.
2. Do I know enough about what the subject involves? Staff have written about their subjects but cannot say everything in one article. Talk to them at the Congleton High School Post 16 Opportunities Evening or at school and ask any questions that you have. Ask them for any further information you may want. The contact details for each subject are enclosed.
3. Have I got the ability to make a success of the subject? Prior qualifications recommended for each subject are given. Talk to staff who know you well about your chances of succeeding in their subject.
4. Is my combination of subjects sensible? There is more to choosing a Sixth Form course than just looking to see which subjects you fancy. The subjects must be compatible with each other; they must, in other words, add up to a combination which is recognised as a sound basis for a job or further study. Here is where the expert advice of a Careers specialist is useful: we are talking about your future. You are urged to make an appointment to discuss your plans with the Connexions adviser. Alternatively, take time to have a look at the Fast Tomato web-site to help you to research your future plans.