Sixth Form

Sixth Form Work Experience

Category: Sixth Form

work experience 04 In the sixth form, we place such a strong focus on academic attainment that sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of the next steps after education. Most students go on to higher education or further training after sixth form, some will enter the workplace but all should be striving to develop the soft skills that future employers require.

To support students’ ability to achieve well in the work place we organise many career-related events and presentations, provide careers guidance and strongly promote work experience for all students.

To this end the final week of the summer term is an opportunity for all year 12 students to undertake work experience. We will not usually authorise work experience at any other time of the year but will support students to get placements during this week.

work experience 03 Most of our students arrange their own work experience and it is often very high quality. Family and friends can often provide suitable placements but direct application to specific institutions also works. The process of applying for work experience is often a valuable one in its own right. Making ‘phone calls and writing professional letters are skills worth practising.

Some subjects, particularly the vocational courses, require work experience as part of the programme of study. We organise and provide these opportunities but many students choose to undertake their own in addition. We strongly encourage this.

Every half term there are several opportunities for students to have meaningful engagements with employers both in and outside school. Many of these are linked to specific curriculum areas but we offer many that are designed to broaden students’ choices and understanding of the changing workplace.

Progression Programme

Category: Sixth Form

Welcome to the Progression Webpage – the events and courses listed here are intended to support your application to university and extend your learning beyond the classroom. Please remember, however, that there will be courses at other universities available, particularly outside of London. If you have any questions regarding the courses listed here, please e-mail Mr. Short

Public Lectures

These are held in a variety of locations throughout London and are an excellent way of engaging in your chosen degree subject. They are normally free but you may have to book in advance:

London School of Economics – normally held on weekday evenings, they are even available through podcasts if you are unable to attend. Most relevant for anyone considering Economics, Maths, Law, Philosophy, History, Politics or Sociology:
http://www.lse.ac.uk/Events

Gresham College - located in the centre of London they offer an impressive array of lectures covering a wide range of different subjects; please note that some lectures are held at other venues throughout the city. Recordings of past lectures you may have missed are also available through this website. Most relevant for anyone considering Art, Literature, Classics, History, Politics, Law, Maths, Medicine, Music, Philosophy, Religion, Sociology and Science
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/attend/

Royal Society – Science-based lectures delivered by leading experts in their field on subjects ranging from ‘Could an algorithm ever write music to rival Bach?’ to ‘Decoding the Mysteries of Neurodegeneration.’
https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/

Royal Institution – Science and technology based lectures held every week on subjects ranging from ‘How the Earth drives our evolution’ to ‘Making a material difference to green energy’.
http://www.rigb.org/whats-on

University College, London Lecture Series – their wide range of lectures and podcasts (including those delivered by the Bartlett school of Architecture) covering every subject area can be found here:
http://events.ucl.ac.uk/calendar/

Geological Society – their lectures are held twice on the same day, at 3pm and 6pm. Their extensive range of lectures can be found below:

https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/gslpubliclectures19

University Events

There are a wide variety of universities who offer events aimed at prospective undergraduates, and these take place either during the day or during the evening. This list is extensive but there may be others held at other institutions not listed here which you may wish to attend, so remember to research thoroughly.

Highgate School Preparation Courses – If you are considering applying for Maths, Physics or Economics to a competitive university which requires you to sit an admissions examination, you should consider attending these afternoon sessions at Highgate school. Please see Mr Short for further details.
https://www.highgateschool.org.uk/support/chrysalis-partnership-teaching-support

Cambridge University Subject Masterclasses – These events, aimed at academically able students, include two lectures by leading academics to give you a taste of the challenging curriculum offered by this institution. Early booking is essential and may cost up to £20 (please see Mr Short if you wish to attend but currently receive the 16-19 bursary)
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/events/masterclasses

King’s College, London Medicine in Action Lectures - Sixth-form students from non-selective state schools can register to attend these lectures given by clinicians and KCL scientists, giving them the opportunity to talk to experts and encouraging them to broaden their knowledge of science and medicine.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/lsm/study/outreach/ks5/actionlecture.aspx

University College, London Taster Days - UCL Taster Days are 1 or 2-day events which are all subject-specific and are designed to give a "taste" of what it will be like studying your chosen subject at UCL. In 2019, UCL will be putting on Taster Days in the following subjects: Ancient World, Medical Sciences, Pharmacology, Management, & Security and Crime Science
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/widening-participation/learners/year-12-and-13/taster-days

Queen Mary University, London – This university hosts a wide range of courses available throughout the year, covering programmes aimed at the following subjects: Law, Medicine and STEM. This webpage is updated throughout the year so ensure that you visit it each month to gain access to their latest programmes.
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/teachers/wp/post-gcse/#d.en.399304

UCL Summer Challenge - Focuses upon offering evening programmes to students throughout June and July.
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/widening-participation/learners/year-12-and-13/year-12-summer-challenge

University Activities Aimed at Students from Lower Income Families

University College, London Masterclasses – These are entertaining, hands-on sessions run by UCL academics and PhD students. You will get the chance to look around UCL, and you’ll meet current UCL students and other young people from across London. They will be held during the week of April 8^th– 12^th2019.
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/widening-participation/learners/year-12-and-13/masterclasses

LSE Choice - An outstanding summer school programmeaimed at Year 12 students who meet the eligibility criteria,followed by a series of Saturday lectures throughout Year 13. This programme covers History, Law, Maths, Sociology and Politics. Applications for 2019 entry open on January 21^stand you should ensure that Mr Short advises you on your application before it is sent off
http://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/widening-participation/Sixth-form-college/lse-choice-years-12-13

University College, London Target Medicine – This is UCL Medical School’s widening participation initiative aimed at raising the attainment and aspirations of young people from backgrounds underrepresented in higher education and medical school.
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medical-school/partnerships-and-consultancy/target-medicine/mentoring-scheme

The Sutton Trust Pathways Programmes help young people from low or middle incomes to access careers in the leading professions. Each pathway offers a programme of support that may include careers events, mentoring, work experience placements and excursions. Particularly useful for students who are the first in their family to go to university. Currently there are exciting opportunities available in the following areas: Law, Coding, Medicine, Banking & STEM
https://www.suttontrust.com/browse-programmes/?wpv_view_count=9447-TCPID9823&wpv-programme-type=post-16-programmes&wpv-yearg-roup=0&wpv-programme-subject=0&wpv-programme-location=0&wpv-university=0&wpv_filter_submit=Search

Nuffield Research Placements - This programme providesover 1,100 students each year with the opportunity to work alongside professional scientists (including quantitative social scientists), technologists, engineers and mathematicians
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/nuffield-research-placements

Lloyds Scholars - A full package of support for students from low income families who have accepted offers from one of the scheme’s nine partner universities (Bath, Queens Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, UCL, Oxford, Sheffield and Warwick)
https://www.lloyds-scholars.com/

Social Mobility Foundation - APP City supports high achieving students from low income backgrounds across the UK from Year 12 into competitive universities, and the top professions. It is open to ambitious students from less privileged backgrounds in London.
http://www.socialmobility.org.uk/programmes/app-city/

University Summer Schools

University College, London Summer Schools - Every year, UCL runs a number of non-residential summer schools for Year 12 students attending state schools. They aim to give students a taste of university life and the degree programmes they offer. Applications will open in January 2019, and are open to those students who meet the eligibility criteria .
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/widening-participation/learners/year-12-and-13/non-residential-summer-schools

Sutton Trust Summer Schools – These take place at one of thirteen leading universities for students who meet the eligibility criteria. You will experience lectures and workshops with leading academics in this programme; all costs involved are met by the Sutton Trust. Applications will open in January 2019.
https://summerschools.suttontrust.com/

Oxford UNIQ Spring & Summer Schools – A highly regarded programme which allows over 1350 potential Oxbridge students to experience learning opportunities in a wide variety of courses at this university. Applications for 2019 entry open shortly and you should ensure that Mr Short advises you on your application before it is sent off.
http://www.uniq.ox.ac.uk/courses

Cambridge University Summer Schools – These are delivered through the Sutton Trustand will introduce you to the depth and breadth of a Cambridge undergraduate course. The subject timetables are varied: you might undertake your own research project, participate in seminars, laboratory sessions or fieldwork, go behind-the-scenes at museums or test out Cambridge’s supervisions (specialised, small-group teaching).
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/events/summer-schools

Some Oxford and Cambridge colleges offer their own outreach summer programmes. Look for these via individual colleges, searching for ‘outreach’ or ‘widening participation’. Please check their websites regularly! Recently our students attended the Classics Summer School at Wadham College, Oxford as well as numerous other programmes at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.

Imperial College London’s Global Summer School is an intensive two-week residential programme for the highest achieving students from across the world. Applications can be made from January 9^thfor this inspiring programme
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/be-inspired/global-summer-school/

King’s College London Summer Schools – These summer schools are open to all students although they often charge a fee for you attending. It involves a week long programme of inspiring lectures and targeted advice. The full programme will be available shortly and the application deadline is normally in May.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/summer/summer-schools/pre-university/pre-university-summer-school.aspx

University College, London Architecture Summer Schools
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/architecture/programmes/short-courses/bartlett-summer-school-2019

London Metropolitan University Summer Schools – their full programme for 2019 will shortly be available, and the link below will give you a taste of the types of programmes offered in previous years
https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/about/school-programmes-and-outreach/summer-school/

Super Curriculum Learning

Leading universities will expect you to have extended your knowledge considerably beyond the remits of the A level syllabus. Here are a few suggestions of how you can make this happen:

My HE Plus - an excellent site where you can explore your subject beyond the A level syllabus – each different subject area has been designed by postgrad students and academics at Cambridge
http://www.myheplus.com/

Staircase 12 - a website dedicated to help you ‘read around’ your subject and thus demonstrate your ability to extend your knowledge beyond the A level syllabus – there are different recommendations depending upon subject
http://staircase12.univ.ox.ac.uk/

Hodder A level Review Magazines – this wide variety of publications covers the following areas and are available in the Hudson Library: Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English, Geography, History, Politics, Law, Physics, Psychology, Sociology

Isaac Physics - a great website for helping you to solve Physics-related problems
https://isaacphysics.org/alevel

Why Not Chem Eng - a highly informative website for those students interested in applying for Chemical Engineering
https://www.icheme.org/education/whynotchemeng/

Clever Podcast- inspiring interviews with contemporary designers and architects
http://www.cleverpodcast.com/

Alexandra Park Sixth Form Application

Category: Sixth Form

Applications for entry into our sixth form in September 2019 will open on 8^th November 2018 and close on 31^st January 2019

Sixth Form Course Entry Requirements

Category: Sixth Form

Updated 11^th November 2015

Subject	Specific Entry Requirements	Note
Art & Design	B in Art preferable, C required. Anyone studying BTEC Art should be directed towards Photography.	Can be accepted on to the course with a portfolio of work if not previously studied.
Biology	Separate Science preferred with a minimum of a B grade in all GCSE Biology units required. Minimum of B in Maths and C in English required. Students without Separate Science must have A grades in both Core and Additional Biology units.
Business	Students should have achieved a Grade C or above in GCSE English and GCSE Maths. Students who have previously studied Business Studies should have achieved at least a grade B or above at GCSE level or a Distinction or above on a BTEC Level 2 course.
Business Studies BTEC	C grades in English and Maths + 3 other Cs at GCSE. C in Bus GCSE or if BTEC prefer Distinction (may accept merit).	BTEC – can be 1 or 2 year course (as AS/A2). NB RG universities prefer Economics.
Chemistry	Separate Science preferred with a minimum of a B grade in all GCSE Chemistry units required. Minimum of B in Maths and C in English required. Students without Separate Science must have A grades in both Core and Additional Chemistry units.
Computer Science	Minimum of five GCSEs above grade C; there is a requirement for Mathematics at grade A, and, if studied previously, Computer Science GCSE at grade B or above	Good knowledge and understanding of Maths is essential
Classics	Minimum of C grade in both English Language and Literature	Prefer B in English
Drama & Theatre Studies	Minimum of C in English. C in at least one Arts subject (not humanities)
Economics	Preference for B grades in English, Maths and (if taken) Business Studies, as well as grade C or above in at least three other subjects.	Harder than Business Studies
English Literature	Must have CC in English / Literature, although B grades are preferred. Can’t do with Single English.
Geography	C in Geography at GCSE. It Geography not taken at GCSE then preference for 5 grades at B or better.	Compulsory trip c£260 (Bursary may be available)
Government & Politics	A-C passes in English and relevant humanities if taken.
Health & Social Care BTEC	Students who have studied 21st century Science should have a minimum of grade C in both GCSE Core Science and GCSE Additional Science (or equivalent if students have studied other GCSE courses). Students who study BTEC Level 2 Science will need to have achieved a Merit. A minimum of C grade in Maths GCSE and a C grade in English GCSE are also expected.
History	C in History if taken. It History not taken at GCSE then preference for 5 grades at B or better.
ICT – BTEC	Minimum of 5 grades at C or above including Maths or English Language. Must also have passed CIDA Level 2 with at least a merit, or GCSE ICT with a C or above.
Mathematics	A*/A required.
Maths Further	A/A required, as well as 5 A-C grades in other subjects.	A* is recommended for anyone considering this course.
Media Studies	C or above required in English and Media Studies (if taken).	Online learning module must be completed over the summer if not studied before
MFL - French	B in French.
MFL - Spanish	B in Spanish.
MFL - Turkish	C or above in GCSE Turkish.	Must be taken as a fourth or fifth AS.
Music	C in Music or Grade 5 in instrument or voice and ability to read musical notation.
Music BTEC courses	Have previously studied music (at GCSE or BTEC) and have strong performance / music technology skills.	Performance and Technology can be taken as single qualifications or together. Can be 1 year or 2.
Photography	Prefer B in Art or DT at GCSE. C required.	Can be accepted on to the course with a portfolio of work if not prev studied.
Physical Education BTEC	Cs in all Sciences studied, English and Maths essential. Preferable to have studied PE at KS4, and gained either a C at GCSE or Merit at Btec Level 2.	Strong science skills needed.
Physics	Separate Science preferred with a minimum of a B grade in all GCSE Physics units required. Minimum of B in Maths and C in English required. Students without Separate Science must have A grades in both Core and Additional Physics units.	Recommended that students have A grades in both Maths and Physics GCSE
Product Design – 3D Design	Prefer B / require C in Product Design, textiles, graphics or Resistant materials.	Written skills important
Product Design- Textiles	Prefer B / require C in Textiles and / or Art. Minimum of C grade in Art or Design Technology is required of all students.	Written skills important
Psychology	5 A*-C grades including English and Maths. Students must have at least 2 B grades in recognised Sciences.
Religious Studies	Minimum of C in English, although B or above strongly preferred. Minimum of C in RS if taken.
Sociology	5 A*-C grades including English and a humanities subject.	Written skills important
Science (Applied) BTEC	C grades in both GCSE Core and Additional Science (or equivalents). Students who have studied BTEC level 2 Science will need to have achieved at least a Merit. Minimum of Cs in Maths and English are also expected.	Can be 1 year or 2.

This is a brief summary - more detailed entry requirements can be found on the course descriptions page here.

Careers Guidance

Category: Sixth Form

The vast majority of our students apply to university and enter Higher Education after completing A levels. All students are encouraged to consider their future career choices carefully and some students decide to move directly to employment or to take up training opportunities after completing A level studies.

The enrichment programme includes activities to aid completion of a CV, guidance for students wishing to apply for work experience (which students are strongly encouraged to pursue during school holidays) and aims to ensure all students give careful consideration to their future career options including particular entry requirements.

Independent Careers Information, Advice and Guidance is available to all students in Years 12 and 13. Certain groups of students are targeted at specific times in the year. Any student wishing to book an appointment with an Advisor should ask the Sixth Form Office for details of the process for booking an appointment.

Students are also encouraged to make use of the resources in the Careers Library located within the Study Centre.

There are a very large number of websites offering careers advice, which vary significantly in quality and often offer advice which appears to be contradictory. The following resources are recommended for use by students when considering their career options:

General careers advice including support for choosing a career, writing a CV and completing job applications

https://www.mykindafuture.com/
http://www.prospects.ac.uk
http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

For information on Higher Education click here.

Independent Study Guides

Category: Sixth Form

All Sixth Form students should complete independent work on a regular basis. Including homework each student should complete four to five hours of work for each of their subjects every week. This work should be completed in school when students are not in lessons and also outside of school hours. Below are guides to independent study for each A level subject, including details of exam syllabi and suggested resources to use for independent work.

Course Descriptions

Category: Sixth Form

Please find below a list of subjects which may be studied at APS Sixth Form. Click on any of the icons to read more information on the subject, including entry requirements, exam board and syllabus codes.