Entry requirements for courses beginning in September 2026
To study Level 3 courses (AS/A Level or equivalent vocational courses) students must:
- have a positive, self-motivated approach to learning
- achieve a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including grade 4 in either English Language or English Literature.
Each Sixth Form course also has its own entry criteria, which can be seen in the table below.
If a student is admitted to the Sixth Form with lower than grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics, they must attend GCSE Mathematics lessons in this subject to enable them to improve their grade, as this is essential for many careers and Further Education courses, and is a Department for Education requirement.
Please note that entry requirements can be discussed with the school, as we understand that exceptional circumstances may need to be considered.
Level 3 vocational qualifications:
| Subject | Minimum Entry Requirements |
|---|---|
| (in addition to the core requirement of 5 GCSE passes, incl. English) | |
| Business | At least one of these three requirements must be met: |
| (BTEC Level 3) | • Grade 5 in GCSE Business |
| • Grade 5 in GCSE English Language | |
| • Grade 5 in GCSE English Literature | |
| (Note: If a student has taken GCSE Business, they are expected to have achieved at least grade 4 in this qualification) | |
| Health & Social Care | No additional requirements |
| Level 3 Cambridge Technical | |
| Sport | At least one of these four requirements must be met: • Merit in Level 2 BTEC Sport |
| (BTEC Level 3) | • Grade 5 in GCSE P.E. |
| • Grade 5 in GCSE English Language | |
| • Grade 5 in GCSE English Literature | |
| (If a student has taken GCSE P.E. they are expected to have achieved at least grade 4 in this qualification) | |
| (If a student has taken Level 2 BTEC Sport they are expected to have achieved at least Level 2 Pass in this qualification) |
AS/A Level qualifications:
| Subject | Minimum Entry Requirements |
|---|---|
| (in addition to the core requirement of 5 GCSE passes, incl. English) | |
| Art & Design: Fine Art | Grade 6 in GCSE Fine Art |
| Art & Design: Textiles | Grade 6 in GCSE D&T (Textiles) or grade 6 in GCSE Art |
| Biology | Grades 6-6 in GCSE Combined Science or grade 6 in GCSE |
| Biology. Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics is also required. | |
| Business | Grade 6 in GCSE Business Studies or grade 6 in GCSE Maths and English |
| Chemistry | Grades 6-6 in GCSE Combined Science or grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry. |
| Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics is also required. | |
| Computer Science | Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics and grade 6 in GCSE Computer Science |
| D&T: | Grade 6 in GCSE Design & Technology or evidence of strong interest and ability shown through a portfolio of work. |
| Product Design | |
| Drama and Theatre | Grade 6 in GCSE Drama or grade 6 in GCSE English and proven participation in performing arts activities. |
| Economics | Grade 6 in GCSE English and grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics |
| English Language | Grade 6 in GCSE English Language |
| English Literature | Grade 6 in GCSE English Literature and grade 6 in GCSE English Language |
| French | Grade 7 in GCSE French |
| Further | Grade 8 in GCSE Mathematics. To study A level Further |
| Mathematics | Mathematics students must also be studying A level Mathematics. |
| German | Grade 7 in GCSE German |
| Geography | Grade 6 in GCSE Geography and grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics and grade 5 in GCSE English. |
| History | Grade 6 in GCSE History. If you have not studied GCSE History, a grade 6 in GCSE English and evidence of a strong interest in History is required. |
| Mathematics | Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics |
| Media Studies | Grade 6 in either GCSE English Language or GCSE English Literature |
| Music | Grade 7 in GCSE Music. Students must also have or be working towards grade 5 on at least one instrument (could include voice). |
| Physics | Grades 6-6 in GCSE Combined Science or grade 6 in GCSE Physics. Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics is also required. Students taking A Level Physics are strongly recommended to also take AS/A Level Mathematics. |
| Psychology | Grade 6-6 in GCSE Combined Science (or grade 6-6 in two single |
| Sciences) and grade 6 in GCSE English and grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics | |
| Religious Studies (Philosophy, Ethics and Religion) | Grade 6 in GCSE RS. If you have not studied GCSE RS, a grade 6 in GCSE English and evidence of a strong interest in Religious Studies is required. |
| Sociology | Grade 5 in GCSE English and grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics |
| Spanish | Grade 7 in GCSE Spanish |
(Note: Grades 7-9 in GCSE Combined Science/separate sciences are highly recommended to access A Levels in Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
