St Francis College Sixth Form Curriculum

Sixth Form Curriculum

Most students are encouraged to take three A Levels, which is in line with the updated expectations of university courses. It should be recognised that the new A Levels place a higher demand on students, and we monitor students carefully to ensure that you are not overloaded with everything else to do in Sixth Form.

You may, however, choose to stretch yourself by taking an additional AS course with an external examination at the end of Year 12 (it is expected that this route will only usually be taken by those targeting the most competitive courses at university, such as Medicine, Veterinary Science or those available at Oxford and Cambridge).

Additionally, you will take an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) during the summer between Years 12 and 13. The EPQ is an opportunity to develop your skills of independent research. With the help of your EPQ Supervisor (who can be anyone on the staff, not necessarily a specialist in your subject area) you will identify a topic you want to investigate further. Following sessions to teach you the key skills you need, you will be left to develop the project on your own and complete your project by the beginning of the Autumn Term of Year 13. Most students choose to present their findings as an essay, though other options are permitted. The EPQ is highly valued by universities as it demonstrates your ability to work independently and that you have the research skills required for many degree courses.

All students will also do:

PE (non-examined)
Personal Development (non-examined)
DREAMS values (non-examined)

In addition, many enrichment opportunities will be available to develop a wider range of skills and support your university application and prepare you for the world of work.