THE SIXTH FORM - Abingdon School September 2023 - Sixth Form Curriculum

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Maeve

Sixth Form September 2023 booklet explaining how Abingdon School structures the 16–18 curriculum for students entering the sixth form in September 2023. It sets entry requirements for beginning A Level courses, including overall average targets and specific conditions for Further Maths, and outlines processes for interview, scholarships, and bursaries. It also describes subject choices, the enrichment programme, post-18 education and training, learning support, career guidance, and detailed subject information across academic disciplines.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Qualification for the Sixth Form

New Sixth Form Entrants

Sixth Form Scholarships

Abingdon School Policy on 16-18 Curriculum

The Sixth Form Curriculum in Outline

Subject Preferences

Enrichment Programme

Post-18 Education and Training

Career Guidance

Learning Support

Subject Information

Exam Boards and Specifications

Ancient History

Art

Biology

Business

Chemistry

Classical Languages: Latin and Greek

Computer Science

Design and Technology

Drama and Theatre

Economics

English Literature

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Geography

History

Mathematics

Further Maths

Modern Languages: French, German and Spanish

Music

Physics

Philosophy

Politics

Psychology

Religious Studies: Philosophy and Ethics

THE SIXTH FORM September 2023 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 2 2. QUALIFICATION FOR THE SIXTH FORM 2 3. NEW SIXTH FORM ENTRANTS 2 4. SIXTH FORM SCHOLARSHIPS 2 5. ABINGDON SCHOOL POLICY ON 16-18 CURRICULUM 3 6. THE SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM IN OUTLINE 3 7. SUBJECT PREFERENCES 3 8. ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME 4 9. POST-18 EDUCATION AND TRAINING 4 10. CAREER GUIDANCE 5 11. LEARNING SUPPORT 6 12. SUBJECT INFORMATION 7 EXAM BOARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS 7 ANCIENT HISTORY 8 ART 8 BIOLOGY 9 BUSINESS 9 CHEMISTRY 10 CLASSICAL LANGUAGES: Latin and Greek 11 COMPUTER SCIENCE 11 DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY 12 DRAMA AND THEATRE 12 ECONOMICS 13 ENGLISH LITERATURE 13 EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATION (EPQ) 14 GEOGRAPHY 15 HISTORY 15 MATHEMATICS 16 Further Maths 16 MODERN LANGUAGES: French, German and Spanish 17 MUSIC 18 PHYSICS 19 PHILOSOPHY 19 POLITICS 20 PSYCHOLOGY 21 RELIGIOUS STUDIES: Philosophy and Ethics 21 The Sixth Form, September 2023 Page 1 of 21 1. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this booklet is to explain the sixth form curriculum at Abingdon School for those entering the sixth form in September 2023. It contains general advice as well as speciﬁc information for each subject. 2. QUALIFICATION FOR THE SIXTH FORM You will require an overall average of a 6 and a minimum of a 7 to begin A Level courses in that subject (with an 8 in Maths required for those wishing to start with Further Maths A Level) . With a GCSE 7-9 percentage consistently in the 80s, it should be remembered that the vast majority of Abingdonians sail comfortably over the bar. The required average of a 6 will present few, if any, with a problem especially as a less than ‘6’ performance in one subject can be compensated for by a ‘7+’ achievement in another. Pupils who do not reach this level and who wish to be considered for a sixth form place, will be interviewed by the head shortly after the GCSE results are published. You should plan your holiday arrangements accordingly. It remains our strong recommendation that you should see a GCSE 7 as a minimum for beginning an A Level course in that subject, but there is room for negotiation on this if you have a 6 and wish to continue with that subject. 3. NEW SIXTH FORM ENTRANTS Applicants for the Abingdon School sixth form from other schools will be asked at interview about the A level subjects they wish to study. See [http://www.abingdon.org.uk/sixth_form_admission/](http://www.abingdon.org.uk/sixth_form_admission/) Bursaries which provide ﬁnancial assistance, are available to those boys whose parents could not otherwise aﬀord the fees. For further information please see [http://www.abingdon.org.uk/bursaries](http://www.abingdon.org.uk/bursaries/ or contact)[/](http://www.abingdon.org.uk/bursaries/ or contact)[ or contact](http://www.abingdon.org.uk/bursaries/ or contact) the Admissions department. New sixth form entrants must, please, inform the Admissions department of their GCSE results as soon as they are known, in late August (telephone 01235 849041 or email: [admissions@abingdon.org.uk](admissions@abingdon.org.uk)). 4. SIXTH FORM SCHOLARSHIPS Academic scholarships are available on entry to the sixth form from other schools. Boys already at Abingdon will be automatically considered for a sixth-form academic scholarship on the basis of their performance in middle school and at GCSE: there is no need to submit an application. In addition Art, Design Technology, Drama, Music and Sports scholarships may be awarded on entry to the Sixth form. More information regarding these scholarships is available from the School website [http://www.abingdon.org.uk/sixth_form_scholarships/](http://www.abingdon.org.uk/sixth_form_scholarships/ or)[ or](http://www.abingdon.org.uk/sixth_form_scholarships/ or) from the Admissions department. Arkwright scholarships could be available for pupils who are considering a career in the ﬁeld of Product Design or E

FAQs

What grades are required to start A Level courses at Abingdon School?

Students need an overall average of a 6 and a minimum of a 7 to begin A Level courses in that subject. For those wishing to start with Further Maths A Level, an 8 in Maths is required.

What happens if a student does not meet the required level for sixth form entry?

Students who do not reach the level and wish to be considered for a sixth form place will be interviewed by the head shortly after the GCSE results are published, so holiday plans should be arranged accordingly.

Are scholarships and bursaries available for sixth form students?

Academic scholarships may be available on entry for students from other schools, and students already at Abingdon are automatically considered. In addition, bursaries can provide financial assistance, and other scholarships may be awarded in areas such as Art, Design Technology, Drama, Music, Sports, and Arkwright for eligible subject-focused candidates.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Maeve