The BSA Guide to Boarding Schools

Page 158

Sixth-form programmes – the choice Students entering the sixth form have a range of options as shown below. Most schools offer a combination. The Cambridge Pre-U is being withdrawn. The last entry is 2021 with last examinations in 2023 (last resit June 2024). We have therefore removed this qualification from the table. A level

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

BTEC

AQA Baccalaureate

Who is it for?

16 to 19 year olds

16 to 19 year olds

16 to 19 year olds

16 to 19 year olds

What can you study?

Most students study three or four A levels.

Six subjects (three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level). All students must study literature, a foreign language, a humanities subject, a natural science and mathematics.

Level 3 qualifications, Extended Certificate equivalent to 1 A level, Diploma to 2 A levels and Extended Diploma to 3 A levels. Certificate is equivalent to 1 AS level.

Three A-level subjects in any academic discipline.

How does it work?

The linear A level was introduced with first examination in 2017. Students can take a freestanding AS level but it no longer forms part of the A level. The A level is assessed after two years of study.

Over two years, in addition to their six subjects, students complete a 4,000-word Extended Essay and a Theory of Knowledge course, and participate in the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme. All exams are taken at the end of the second year of study, there are no modules. Conceived as a holistic integral programme bound by a clear philosophy.

BTECS are offered across 16 sectors and comprise core and optional units. The courses are assessed internally and externally and some modules can be retaken. Assignments can include exams, essays, research and investigative projects, and experiments and fieldwork.

In addition to their three A levels, students complete an Extended Project Qualification that aims to make them responsible for their own learning; achieve breadth through an AS level in Critical Thinking, Citizenship, General Studies, Science in society or World development; and undertake enrichment activities outside the curriculum such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

What is it worth?

The table below shows the UCAS tariff points awarded for linear A levels.

The table below shows the UCAS tariff points awarded for the IB Certificate in Higher Level. Certificates in Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge also attract UCAS tariff points when the certificates have been taken individually.

95% of universities accept BTECs, but acceptance may be course-dependent. Grading is from Distinction*, Distinction, Merit, Pass. UCAS points for double grades for Diplomas (and triple grades for Extended Diplomas) are calculated from the points for single grades.

Maximum 216 UCAS tariff points for three A* A levels, grade A* Extended Project (28 points) and a standalone AS level at grade A (20 points).

Grade

Tariff points

A*

56

A

48

B

40

C

32

D

24

E

16

Grade

Tariff points

Extended Certificate

Tariff Diploma points

Tariff points

Extended Diploma

Tariff points

D*

56

D

48

D*D*

112

D*D*D*

168

D*D

104

D*D*D

M

160

32

DD

96

D*DD

P

152

16

DM

80

DDD

144

MM

64

DDM

128

H7

56

MP

48

DMM

112

H6

48

PP

32

MMM

96

H5

32

H4

24

MPP

64

H3

12

PPP

48

H2

0

H1

0

MMP

80

Where can you study it?

Schools and FE colleges.

115 schools and colleges in the UK offer the IB Diploma.

Schools and colleges – some students study across two institutions or alongside employment or an apprenticeship.

UK schools which believe A levels are not, in themselves, sufficient preparation for university.

Comment

Still the best-known sixthform qualification in the UK, and taken by the largest number of students as their means of entry into higher education. Some schools offer the Extended Project Qualification in addition to A levels.

Internationally recognised and valued. Heavier class-based workload than A levels and more independent learning. The percentage of candidates achieving the different grades has remained constant over the years.

BTECS are highly regarded, offering a well-proven route into employment, training and university. Modular assessment, focus on skills and opportunities for work experience make them an attractive complement to A levels as well as a very useful standalone qualification. They are becoming more popular in schools, usually alongside one or two A levels. Sports Science and Business Studies are popular.

AQA Baccalaureate is derived in large part from the spirit of the IB Diploma Programme: depth, some breadth, thinking and research skills, and co-curricular experience.

To find out more, go to www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/ucas-undergraduate-getting-started


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Articles inside

Fees – finding them

8min
pages 159-160

BSA schools members

10min
pages 164-166

Fees – where do they go?

4min
pages 161-162

Sixth-form programmes – the choice

3min
page 158

Sixth form – future ready, set, go

4min
pages 156-157

Educational provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities

10min
pages 148-149

Girls and STEAM subjects

6min
pages 140-141

The importance of a creative education

4min
pages 130-131

Preparing pupils for the transition to senior schools

4min
pages 128-129

What does a bespoke education actually mean?

4min
pages 134-137

The benefits of boys-only boarding

4min
pages 132-133

Promoting good mental health in boarding schools

5min
pages 138-139

King’s is more than Christmas

3min
pages 126-127

The benefits of prep school boarding

3min
pages 112-113

BSA Certified Agent and Guardian schemes

4min
pages 106-107

The importance of pastoral care

3min
pages 100-101

Boarding at sixth-form colleges

4min
pages 104-105

Recognising the physical and mental value of sport

3min
pages 98-99

Teaching empathy

3min
pages 96-97

The importance of creativity

4min
pages 94-95

How boarding benefits the wellbeing of pupils

3min
pages 72-73

Schools together in partnership

5min
pages 68-71

Life at a state boarding school

4min
pages 56-57

State boarding schools

2min
page 53

Choosing state boarding

5min
pages 50-52

Faith in our schools

3min
page 42

School visits: questions and answers

13min
pages 36-41

Schools with a military history

4min
pages 44-45

The benefits of state boarding

3min
pages 46-47

What about boarding schools?

5min
pages 18-19

Turning minimum standards into excellence

5min
pages 34-35

Inspections of accredited independent boarding schools

8min
pages 24-27

What makes a good boarding school?

4min
pages 20-23
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