Study Options
Our curriculum
At Hereford Sixth Form College our extensive range of subjects and enrichment opportunities ensure that programmes of study meet the individual needs of our students. It is our intent that all our students achieve outstanding academic outcomes and develop personal skills so that they are well equipped to progress to university, employment or an apprenticeship of their choice.
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Programme of Study
The Level 3 Programme of Study consists of three options. Some students may choose to take on four options. A Levels take up one option; vocational courses can take up one, two or three options, as shown in the guide to the right.
Students can combine these different elements to create their own individual programme of study. Options are incredibly flexible, with 99% of combinations possible. It is important that students choose what they enjoy as well as what will qualify them for any future career aim.
The Level 3 Programme of Study is supplemented with the Impact Programme and Certificate in Mathematical Studies.
In addition to academic subjects, students have compulsory, timetabled Impact sessions that provide valuable information and important advice about the College, personal safety, careers, and life skills. The Impact Programme forms part of the Programme of Study for all students and encourages students to participate in extension programmes and extra-curricular activities beyond their studies.
How many years will you spend at College?
Level 3 courses are the next step after GCSEs and include A Levels and Vocational courses. These courses should be viewed as two-year programmes.
The Level 2 programme is for one year with an aim to progress onto the Level 3 programme in the following year.
Curriculum Intent
The A Level and Vocational courses available are selected to offer a broad curriculum with excellent opportunity for progression. The College is dedicated to supporting students in choosing the courses best for them. During the interview process, staff will discuss course choices with applicants to ensure their selected programme of study is suitable and offers the best route for their chosen career path and future goals.
The Level 2 courses we offer are aimed at students who need another opportunity to gain qualifications and the curriculum is designed to ensure they achieve the grades required to secure progression onto the Level 3 courses.
Progression Opportunities
Successful completion of a Level 3 programme will enable you to progress to a wide range of employment and higher education opportunities.
You will enhance your chances of success considerably by showing evidence of the following:
- Wider reading and extension work, including Extended Projects
- Subject commitment, eg, attending lecture visits, theatre/museum visits, university tasters/summer schools
- Participation in extra-curricular activities, including Academies, Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, the Student Representative Council, the Debate Society, Upstage Productions and sports teams
Particular careers or higher education courses may require specific subjects. If you have clear ideas about a chosen progression route, please let us know via your application or interview so that we can advise you on the suitability of your subject and enrichment
choices.
Different subjects will develop certain skills which may be especially suitable for certain progression routes. It is worth remembering, though, that many progression routes do not require particular subjects to have been studied – the important thing is to do well at whatever you do.
Successful completion of the Level 2 Programme will enable you to progress to a Level 3 programme, either at the College or elsewhere.
Your programme of study
We offer the widest choice of academic courses in the region.
- More than 40 A Levels and Level 3 Applied General
- GCSEs and Level 2 Vocational courses
There is a programme to suit you, whether it is A Levels, Applied general courses or an opportunity to improve on those GCSE results.
Options are incredibly flexible and 99% of combinations work on our timetable system.
A typical Level 3 programme follows 3 subjects, alongside an Impact programme that supports students overall development and optional courses in Core Maths and Extended Project Qualification.
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Typical Programmes of Study for Level 3
A typical Programme of Study is split into thirds.
A Levels and most Applied General Courses will each occupy one third of the Programme of Study.
BTEC National Diploma’s will occupy the Programme of Study as two thirds.
The Programme of Study is supplemented with the Impact Programme and Certificate in Mathematical Studies.
Impact Programme
The Impact Programme is delivered through sessions that will provide you with valuable information and important advice about the College, studying, careers and life skills.
The topics covered in these sessions include:
• Internet Safety
• Alcohol & Drug Awareness
• Emotional Well-Being
• Sexual Health
• Exam Anxiety
• Healthy Living
• Study Skills
This is a compulsory programme for all students.
Enrichment Programme
The College has a reputation for its enrichment activities available to all students.
You will be encouraged to participate in the Impact programme which covers a variety of these, for example: the Debating Society, Drama, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award scheme, Music, Sports and Young Enterprise.
For more information please see the Enrichment area of the website.
GCSEs
If things go a bit wrong when you sit your GCSEs, it’s not the end of the world.
Our GCSE programme acts as a real opening to get a firm platform of good grades for the future.
English, Maths and Science are important for everyone, but our programme also offers new subjects to consider such as Psychology and Health & Social Care. These can be really interesting and give ideas for future careers.
Whatever you want to do, we will have a course to suit you.
Typical Programme of Study for Level 2
Level 2 courses include GCSEs. These are one year programmes with an aim to progress on to Level 3 in the following year.
The programme is especially designed to allow you to retake English and Mathematics if necessary but also to take new subjects to prepare you for future A Level or vocational courses.
A combination of 4 courses will be followed alongside the Impact programme and Tutorial programme.
Vocational Pathways
If you are confident about which career path you want to take, or looking for courses with less emphasis on exams, our Vocational Pathways may be the route for you. These Pathways are designed with a clear destination in mind and take advantage of the more flexible assessment practices offered by vocational qualifications.
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Hereford Sixth Form College is proud to have a ‘create your own’ approach to the Programme of Study, and these Vocational Pathways are no different. Each pathway will have suggestions for courses to choose from whilst being centred around a particular vocation.
Academic Pathways
This booklet is designed to inform potential students on academic based pathways, for those wishing to follow an A level only programme of study. This approach is important for students who are academically gifted and/or with a future career aim or university course in mind.
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Hereford Sixth Form College is proud to have a ‘create your own’ approach to the Programme of Study, and these Academic Pathways are no different. Students can create their own individual programme of study, consisting of three options and in some cases, four options.