Sixth Form Curriculum at RMS

At RMS, we are delighted to be able to offer an extensive range of qualifications designed to allow your daughter to devise her personalised curriculum in the Sixth Form which will equip her with the knowledge and skills to enable her to achieve highly in her adult life.

Academic achievement is excellent at RMS and we are proud to be within the top ten percent of schools nationally for value added. Our broad curriculum, the quality of teaching and availability of resources are just a few of the factors that enable the excellent progress that students at RMS make. More significantly, we believe this sustained achievement is due to the generous time that is made available by staff and to the supportive environment in which students find themselves. We encourage students to add value to themselves and embrace RMS life by engaging with the vast array of co-curricular activities that are available beyond the core curriculum. RMSEdge embodies this philosophy and we are confident that your daughter will have the range of opportunities and advice that will build the confidence, resilience and drive that she will need to achieve her potential.

Students start with four subjects in Year 12 and at the end of the first half term may choose to drop to three examined subjects and pick up areas of broader study. Alternatively, it is an option to continue with all four and opt-in to some elements of the ‘breadth’ curriculum on offer.

A levels

Since 2015 A level qualifications have undergone change and now the A level is decoupled from the AS level. At RMS all of our courses are offered at A level. Where appropriate an AS level is also offered for students who may be interested in studying a fourth subject to a higher level than GCSE but who wish to then focus on their three full A levels in Year 13. The list of subjects that offer this qualification is listed on the RMS courses list on page 11.

Cambridge Pre-U (Principal Subject)

We offer this qualification in Mandarin. This is an alternative post-16 qualification that prepares students with the skills and knowledge needed at university. It is designed to promote independent and self-directed learning in preparation for higher education. Students will be awarded distinction (D1, D2, D3), merit (M1, M2, M3) or pass (P1, P2, P3), which have equivalent UCAS points as outlined on page 10.

BTECs and Applied Level 3 Award Courses

Following the national reforms in education, we have had the opportunity to broaden the range of qualifications on offer to include BTECs and Applied Advanced courses as a valuable alternative. These courses are highly suitable for those who have a preference for continuous assessment and coursework rather than terminal examinations. They provide a good alternative to traditional A levels in facilitating students’ entry into universities as they accrue UCAS points in the same way as AS and A levels. The vast majority of universities, including leading Russell Group universities, welcome BTEC courses. The vocational nature of these courses makes them an excellent preparation for the world of work. They develop notable organisational and extended writing abilities and develop work related skills such as problem solving, meeting deadlines, collaborative working and effective communication.

The grading system is different: rather than A – E grades, students will be awarded distinction*, distinction, merit or pass. Students can undertake half of their examined units in Year 12 and half in Year 13.

The RMS Process

Your daughter will receive plenty of support to help her choose suitable A level subjects. Student counselling with Form Tutors will take place and there will also be input from subject staff and members of the Senior Leadership Team. Miss Kim Cook (Head of Year 11), Mrs Clare Freeman (Head of Hind House) and Miss Liz Pickford (Head of Careers) are also available to offer support and guidance. You will also be able to discuss your daughter’s progress and suitability for subjects at the Parents’ Evening in February 2022.

We look forward to continuing to support your daughter in her studies at RMS. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries.

Sophia Hardy Deputy Head Academic

shardy@rmsforgirls.com