Sixth form - Introduction

The Heartlands Academy Sixth Form is a learning environment where students strive to achieve academic distinction and personal growth. In the Sixth Form you will find a vibrant community of students who take a very active part in school life.

Broadening horizons

As well as academic study, Sixth Form life focuses on preparing you not just for university but for careers and life beyond formal education. Our enrichment programme, ‘Step Up’, is designed to stimulate intellectual discussion about both current and cultural affairs. A programme of expert speakers and visits introduce you to a diverse range of topics.

Preparing for university and beyond

The Head of Sixth Form Mr King, Mrs Richards, Ms Taylor and your tutor will personally support you in your academic work, career choices and university applications. They work closely with you (and your parents) to make sure you are aware of the courses and routes available and help you make the right decision for you. They are familiar with application process to university and the various tests required for some professions so you know you are in capable hands.

Opportunities and experiences

Our Sixth Formers are treated as young adults and take an active part in school life. There are lots of opportunities for you to get involved in, we hope you will!

Entry requirements

All students who apply to Heartlands Academy Sixth Form are invited to an interview with Mr King Head of Sixth Form. You will also have an opportunity to meet current Sixth Form students who will show you around the school and answer any questions you may have. Each course that you apply for will require a number of grades.

The links below provide some helpful information:

• www.cegnet.co.uk
• www.notgoingtouni.co.uk
• www.pwc.co.uk
• www.ucas.co.uk
• www.connexions-bs.co.uk
• www.birmingham.ac.uk
• www1.aston.ac.uk
• www.coventry.ac.uk
• www.lon.ac.uk

‘Step Up’ is the key word in the Sixth Form. No longer do you study subjects that you haven’t chosen to study. No longer do you have to study nine or ten subjects with little time for independent research in areas that interest you. In the Sixth Form you choose all the subjects you want to study. Usually this means you will study four subjects to AS Level which is examined at the end of Year 12. There is the possibility of continuing with five subjects although this means that most of your day will be devoted to attending lessons. You will have fewer opportunities to hone your independent study skills if you choose to extend the number of AS Levels you take up.

In Year 13 you once again choose whether to continue with all of the subjects you studied at AS Level or whether to drop a subject at A Level. Most students do choose to drop a subject, but a significant minority continue with all the subjects they chose in Year 12.

What we are attempting to do is to prepare students for university by gradually altering the balance between time spent in the classroom and time spent independently working on assignments set by teachers. At university, very little contact time with teachers is the norm. Without adequate preparation for independence this can be a huge shock for a student used to constant instruction.

AS Level and A Level examinations are modular – and you already have some experience of modular examinations at GCSE. Some subjects choose to tackle modules in January of Year 12 &13. Geography, maths, philosophy, religious studies and sociology are some of the subjects to which this practice applies. Other subjects follow a more traditional route where you are examined on the entire course at the end of the course in June. Remember that a modular examination system offers the possibility of resitting parts of the course at a later date to improve your grade in the subject.