St Brendan's Access To Level 3 - Aug 2023

Programme guide Access To Level 3

A Fresh start...

If things didn’t quite go to plan at GCSE level and you need to build your skills and develop confidence before taking the next step, Access To Level 3 is for you.

ACCESS TO LEVEL 3 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

4 X Grade 3s at GCSE ( MINIMUM) Including at least: Grade 3 in English Language and a Grade 3 in Maths

The Access To Level 3 programme is for ambitious students who would like to study at Level 3 but haven’t quite met the entry requirements to do so. Designed with the future in mind, Access To Level 3 is a one year programme during which you’ll study a customised timetable equivalent to 4-6 GCSEs.

Alongside specialist subject teachers and fantastic facilities, you will also receive extensive support from our Progress Tutors and Inclusive Learning team. You will finish the year with a week’s work placementthe perfect opportunity to apply classroom learning to the world of work.

PLEASE NOTE: Some courses have specific entry requirements, please check the course pages for more info

After completing Access To Level 3, most students continue their studies at St Brendan’s for another 2 years on a Level 3 programme of A-levels and/or BTECs. If you decide not to continue at St Brendan’s, this programme also provides a fantastic stepping stone to a range of other training and educational opportunities, which we will support you in achieving.

building your timetable

We have four pathways on offer with a range of GCSE and Level 2 vocational subjects to choose from. Vocational qualifications provide more practical, project based learning.

You can select a mixture of courses to suit your personal ambitions and build a 4-6 GCSE equivalent programme. It is likely that you will be studying a full-time programme, 5 days a week for most of the year.

We will help you to choose a programme which you’ll enjoy and will set you on track to achieve your end goals, whether it’s going on to university, an apprenticeship or into the world of work.

Please read this guide to help you decide which of the four pathways you are most interested in. Our Access To Level 3 team will then work with you to create your personal programme.

student success RAVEN

After finishing the Access To Level 3 programme, Raven went onto study a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Performing Arts and A-Level English Language and Literature. Raven is now studying for a degree in Musical Theatre at Falmouth University,

“I chose Access To Level 3 after I had failed my Maths GCSE and wasn’t sure what to do next. I am proud of the progress I’ve made on the programme, which allowed me to move onto Level 3 study.”

SAM

After completing his Access To Level 3 programme, Sam went on to study Level 3 Business, IT, Media and an EPQ at St Brendan’s. He is now at university studying a Business Management and Economics degree.

“When I left school I was disappointed as I hadn’t achieved the grades I had wished for. I wanted to be doing A-levels and then moving onto higher education!

Thanks to St Brendan’s Access To Level 3 I was able to have a restart, which prepared me for my future A-level courses.

Without the support from St Brendan’s, I would not be in a position today to be preparing to move onto University.”

ABIGAIL

Abigail studied Business on her Access To Level 3 programme, and went on to study Business and Protective Services at Level 3. She is now an Business Apprentice.

“I was disheartened when I didn’t get the grades I needed for the A-Level courses I wanted. However, Access To Level 3 was very beneficial to me and helped me get back on track. I felt supported throughout my time at college especially by my tutor, and could get additional support when I needed it.

When I first joined St Brendan’s I did not know what courses I wanted to study, however, after completing Access To Level 3 and Level 3 at St Brendan’s I am committed to finding a career within Business. The programme pushed me to achieve my best and become committed to a subject I now want to pursue as a career.”

Choose your Pathway...

Start building your Access To Level 3 Programme by selecting one of these four courses to study - the choice is yours!

Business

From small start-ups to dominating giants, you will explore the world of business in its many forms. You will gain a thorough understanding of all aspects of business; from leadership and structure through to marketing, finance and HR. Through the BTEC Business course you will learn how businesses operate. You’ll have an excellent stepping stone to the Level 3 Business course or an apprenticeship.

Health & social care

Explore the diverse and complex nature of the sector through studying modules including Positive Relationships, Health Promotion, Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology. You will learn about Equality and Diversity; Caring for Adults and understand more about public health.

Many students progress onto an apprenticeship in the care sector or early years education or go onto Level 3 courses.

Public Services

Discover what it’s like to work in Uniformed Public Services, and be inspired first hand by those who give their lives to serve our country.

Through a mixture of residential trips, classroom scenarios and team building tasks, you’ll understand the shifting roles and responsibilities that come with a diverse range of public services jobs. You will also learn navigation skills which you will use on our Land Navigation trip. This course is ideal for those wanting a career in the Public Services or to progress to Level 3 study.

Sport

Be a part of the exciting world of Sport, Health and Fitness. Our Level 2 Sport courses offer exciting opportunities to take your first steps towards a career in the sports industry. You will develop your skills in analysing and evaluating performance and practical fitness.

We provide a challenging programme that is particularly suited to you if you have a keen interest to progress on to further study in the sports sector as well as giving you the skills and knowledge to succeed in future employment.

GCSE/BTEC COURSES

To complete your Access To Level 3 Programme, we’ll help you build your timetable with some of the courses below...

gcse english

The GCSE English course has been carefully created to help you to achieve a Grade 4 or above to progress to Level 3. We offer November and June entries and opportunities to retake the speaking and listening task. You’ll explore writers such as Andrea Levy (Small Island) and discuss the world of the future with novels such as ‘The Wall’ and ‘1984’

gcse mathS

From revisiting topics such fractions, decimals and percentages, you’ll learn key skills needed to achieve a Grade 4 or more. You’ll top up the gaps in your knowledge in a variety of ways: from practising exam questions and exciting group activities, live quizzes and games.

gcse BIOLOGY

Tackle a fast paced, intensive subject and gain a fascinating insight in to how the body works, how plants survive and how humans impact the world around them. GCSE Biology is best suited to those who wish to progress on to our A-level Science courses or are interested in pursuing a career in care, healthcare or teaching.

gcse Sociology

GRADE 4 IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIRED

Explore how our society works through the study of key social structures, processes, and issues such as families, education, crime and deviance and social stratification. This course is an ideal launching pad for many Level 3 subjects such as Sociology, Politics, Religious Studies, Media and Film Studies, and English.

Level 2 BTEC LAW

Get to grips with the English Legal System and understand why we live the way we do.

Level 2 BTEC Law is a 100% coursework based qualification and is designed to prepare you to study Level 3 Applied Law, however, if you don’t wish to continue at Level 3, this qualification will still give you a great foundation to the basics of the legal system, police powers and civil processes.

Timetable extras

Every student at St Brendan’s joins these weekly sessions to ensure they are challenged and supported.

When you enrol at St Brendan’s, you’ll be assigned a personal Progress Tutor who will support you throughout your Access To Level 3 journey and with your progression on to Level 3 or out into the world of work. Your Progress Tutor is there to ensure you settle in and is a central point of contact between you, your teachers and home life too.

You will meet with them officially once a week for 45 minutes in a tutorial but they do have a complete open door policy! In tutorials you’ll participate in group and individual activities to widen your knowledge of British values, employability and adulting skills.

Tutorial literacy & numeracy support

If you didn’t manage to achieve a Grade 4 in GCSE Maths or English the first time round, the Literacy and Numeracy team will help you identify the gaps in your knowledge. Through a personalised online learning programme, you will be able to improve your understanding and build up your skills so you can progress to Level 3 courses, an apprenticeship or into the world of work.

As a College, we’re religious in our tradition, but we would never impose set ideas or values on students. The Religion, Philosophy and Ethics programme is a compulsory course in which you’ll explore interesting and topical philosophical, religious and moral issues.

The lessons are 45 minutes each week and there’s no homework or exams involved, but you will have an opportunity to engage in debate and discussion.

LEONA

Leona secured an impressive Grade 6 in her English GCSE Resit Exam, just 3 months after starting the Access To Level Programme at St Brendan’s.

She is now focusing on completing the rest of her Access To Level 3 programme in Sociology and Business.

Leona plans to progress on to study A-levels in Psychology, Sociology and Criminology at St Brendan’s, with a view to on studying Psychology at University and forging a career as a Forensic Psychologist.

choose your pathway BUSINESs

We will build your programme with you by selecting courses from the boxes below PATHWAY

From small start-ups to dominating corporations, dive into the ever-changing world of business

LEVEL 2 BUSINESS COURSES (SELECT 1)

EXTENDED CERTIFICATE (WORTH 3GCSE s)

CERTIFICATE (WORTH 2GCSE s)

GCSE OPTIONS (UP TO A PROGRAMME MAXIMUM OF 5 GSCE s OR EQUIVALENT)

GCSE ENGLISH

GCSE MATHS

GCSE SOCIOLOGY

GCSE BIOLOGY

BTEC LAW

LEVEL 3 COURSES

Business

Sociology Law

Human Biology

Plus many more!

POSSIBLE CAREERS

Human Resources Officer

Web Developer

Events Manager

Business Development Manager

Information Systems Manager COULD LEAD TO...

PATHWAY 2

Health & Social Care

Start your journey into a rewarding career in improving people’s daily lives and making a difference

We will build your programme with you by selecting courses from the boxes below

LEVEL 2 HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE COURSES (SELECT 1)

DIPLOMA (WORTH 3GCSE s) CERTIFICATE (WORTH 2GCSE s)

GCSE OPTIONS (UP TO A PROGRAMME MAXIMUM OF 5 GSCE s OR EQUIVALENT)

GCSE ENGLISH

GCSE MATHS

GCSE SOCIOLOGY

GCSE BIOLOGY

BTEC LAW

COULD LEAD TO...

LEVEL 3 COURSES

Health and Social Care

Sociology

Law

Human Biology

Plus many more!

POSSIBLE CAREERS

Youth/Community Worker

Nursing

Health Care Worker

Early Years Education

LITERACY & NUMERACY SUPPORT COURSE COMBINATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO TIMETABLE BLOCK AVAILABILITY

Public ServiceS

We will build your programme with you by selecting courses from the boxes below PATHWAY 3

Take a step towards endless career possibilities - lead, make decisions, problem solve and save lives

LEVEL 2 PUBLIC SERVICES COURSES (SELECT 1)

EXTENDED CERTIFICATE (WORTH 3GCSE s) CERTIFICATE (WORTH 2GCSE s)

GCSE OPTIONS (UP TO A PROGRAMME MAXIMUM OF 5 GSCE s OR EQUIVALENT)

GCSE ENGLISH

GCSE MATHS

GCSE SOCIOLOGY

GCSE BIOLOGY

BTEC LAW

COULD LEAD TO...

LEVEL 3 COURSES

Protective Services

Sociology

Law

Human Biology

Plus many more!

POSSIBLE CAREERS

Retail Manager

Police Constable

Armed Forces

Prison Officer

COURSE COMBINATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO TIMETABLE BLOCK AVAILABILITY

SPORT

PATHWAY 4 Take a header into the exciting world of Sport, Health and Fitness; and its ever growing career pathways

We will build your programme with you by selecting courses from the boxes below

LEVEL 2 SPORT COURSES (SELECT 1)

EXTENDED CERTIFICATE (WORTH 3GCSE s) CERTIFICATE (WORTH 2GCSE s)

GCSE OPTIONS (UP TO A PROGRAMME MAXIMUM OF 5 GSCE s OR EQUIVALENT)

GCSE ENGLISH

GCSE MATHS

GCSE SOCIOLOGY

GCSE BIOLOGY

BTEC LAW

COULD LEAD TO...

LEVEL 3 COURSES

Sport

Sociology Law

Human Biology

Plus many more!

POSSIBLE CAREERS

Sports Management

Physiotherapist

Personal Trainer

Sports Coach

&

COURSE COMBINATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO TIMETABLE BLOCK AVAILABILITY

your programme

The Access To Level 3 Team will work with you to create your customised study programme.

If you have any questions about Access To Level 3 please email the Access To Level 3 Coordinator: ATL 3@stbrn.ac.uk

EXTENDED CERTIFICATE / DIPLOMA

(WORTH 3 GCSE s)

COULD LEAD TO....

LEVEL 3 COURSES

SINGLE GCSE s (OR EQUIVALENT)

CERTIFICATE (WORTH 2 GCSE s)

TIMETABLE EXTRAS

RPE

TUTORIAL

LITERACY & NUMERACY SUPPORT

POSSIBLE CAREERS