Sixth Form Entry Requirements
Our Post 16 curriculum is designed to give students the highest academic qualifications which will allow them to pursue university degree level study or higher level apprenticeship study. The process of careers information advice and guidance begins early and continues throughout Year 11 to help students understand the entry requirements for A Level study and to help them make informed choices.
Our minimum entry requirement is for a student to have at least 5 GCSE passes at Grade 5, or equivalent, including English and Mathematics at Grade 4. All students should have achieved at least Grade 4 in English (this can be Language or Literature) or Mathematics. However, for all our subjects, we do have specific entry requirements.
Students enter St Benedict’s Sixth Form at 16 and pursue a two year course leaving at 18. Progression onto A Level courses will depend on successful completion of Year 12 and will also take into account a student’s attitude to learning. However, any decisions are always made in consultation with subject teachers, students and parents/carers and on a case by case basis. In rare instances, a student with particular circumstances may be admitted to the sixth form at 17 to complete a 2 year course of study as long as all entry requirements are met. In such cases, decisions will be made on an individual basis.
To enrol as a full time student, applicants must enrol for study pathways which incorporate a minimum of 540 guided learning hours each year. Usually, this involves studying 3 or 4 A Levels in Year 12 or 3 A Levels combined with other qualifications, which may include resit GCSE Maths or English, Extended Project or Core Maths. In Year 13, most students continue with a minimum of 3 A Levels.
Any student who has an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP), which names St Benedict’s, will be admitted, provided they meet the minimum entry requirements outlined above.
Applications are welcomed for students from Year 11 in St Benedict’s, from St Joseph’s, our partner school in Workington, and from all other local schools. The planned admissions number for external candidates is 30.
On GCSE results day, a team of staff from St Benedict’s are available to provide guidance and to formalise entry into the Sixth Form if the entry requirements have been met.
| Subject | Entry Requirements | Other requirements/information |
| Applied Science | At least Grade 5-5 in two sciences | Students will need to be able to write lengthy written investigations and good Mathematics skills are also required |
| Art, Craft and Design | At least Grade 5 in GCSE Art | If not studied, students may need to attend an interview with portfolio |
| Biology | Grade 6 in GCSE Biology or at least Grade 6-6 in Combined Science with a Grade 6 in both Biology papers | We recommend that you aim for a Grade 5 in Mathematics |
| Business | At least Grade 5 in GCSE Business or a Merit grade if studied BTEC Business / Enterprise | If not studied, Grade 5 in either Maths or English/English Literature |
| Chemistry | Grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry or at least Grade 6-6 in Combined Science with a Grade 6 in both Chemistry papers | We recommend that you aim for a Grade 5 in Mathematics |
| Computer Science | Grade 6 in GCSE Computer Science | If not studied, Grade 6 in Mathematics |
| Design Technology (Product Design) | At least Grade 5 in GCSE Design Technology or a L2 Merit in Engineering | |
| English Language | At least Grade 5 in GCSE English Language | |
| English Literature | At least Grade 6 in GCSE English Literature | |
| French | At least Grade 6 in GCSE French | It is preferred that students have achieved a high Grade 6 |
| Geography | At least Grade 5 in GCSE Geography | A high Grade 5 is preferred, if not studied, at least a Grade 5 in another extended writing subject or science. We also recommend that you aim for a Grade 5 in Mathematics |
| German | At least Grade 6 in GCSE German | It is preferred that students have achieved a high Grade 6 |
| Health and Social Care | At least a L2 Pass Grade in GCSE Health and Social Care | If not studied, Grade 4 in at least 1 science |
| History | At least Grade 5 in GCSE History | If not studied, at least Grade 5 in another extended writing subject |
| Core Maths (Level 3 Certificate) | At least Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics | This subject must be taken alongside three other subjects |
| Mathematics | Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics | |
| Further Mathematics | At least Grade 7, or above, in GCSE Mathematics | Students taking Further Mathematics should also be studying Mathematics A Level |
| Performing Arts | At least a L2 Merit Grade in BTEC Performing Arts | |
| Physics | Grade 6 in GCSE Physics or at least Grade 6-6 in Combined Science, with a Grade 6 in both Physics papers | We recommend that you aim for a Grade 5 in Mathematics and (as per the Institute of Physics) recommend that you also take a Level 3 Maths qualification |
| Politics | At least Grade 5 in English Language or Literature | This is an essay based subject, students must be prepared for extended writing |
| Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics) | At least Grade 5 in GCSE Religious Studies | If not studied, at least Grade 5 in another extended writing subject |
| Sociology | At least Grade 5 in English Language or Literature | This is an essay based subject, students must be prepared for extended writing |
| Sports Science | At least a L2 Merit Grade in BTEC and a Grade 5 for GCSE PE | Play sport to a high level |