What do I need to achieve at GCSE? Eastbourne College has a general expectation that all its sixth form pupils will have achieved an average GCSE score of 6 or above (the equivalent of a good B grade average under the former grading scheme). This is colloquially known as ‘the hurdle’ and is a prompt for evaluation of the overall progress of pupils. We review individual circumstances to ensure that pupils are carefully guided on a course that will enable them to achieve success in the next stage. Thus, if a pupil falls short of this standard, their suitability for A-level study will be assessed under three headings: effort, ability and academic progress to date; interest in and access to appropriate A-levels and a positive attitude; good disciplinary record and appropriate engagement with the co-curricular and social aspects of College life. Some subjects do not require previous study at GCSE. Business, classical civilisation, economics, politics, philosophy & religious studies and photography are good examples of this. For many subjects, however, you will find that a grade 7 or above is a reasonable basis from which to start an A-level course, though some subjects may require a higher GCSE grade in order to begin. It will be sensible for you to discuss this individually with the relevant head of department.
Further information about the Extended Project Qualification, Arts Gold Award, ECDL and LAPD are available in the subject pages of this booklet. Fourth Block options will be confirmed in September at the start of the Lower Sixth, but if you are particularly interested in any of the options mentioned, then it is useful to flag this alongside your subject choices. If there are subjects or qualifications for the Fourth Block not catered for in this list then please feel free to contact Mr P J Canning, Assistant Head (Curriculum). Eastbourne College Medics Programme Candidates hoping to apply to medicine (or veterinary science, dentistry and allied health courses) will be invited to join the medics programme at the start of the Michaelmas term of Lower Sixth. Alongside mentoring from Dr E B Miller, a former doctor, pupils will receive coaching on undertaking appropriate work experience, preparation for the UCAT and BMAT tests and hear from a range of speakers from across the spectrum of medical and associated professions. Pupils will work together with Dr Miller to prepare for the rigorous mini multiple interviews which university applicants to medicine, veterinary science, allied health courses and dentistry undertake. Preparation session may be one-on-one, in small groups, with pupils from other schools or with support of colleagues from universities like the Brighton Sussex Medical School. Pupils will be expected to allocate around an hour each week to undertake personal research, reading and writing to produce written work for review on a range of topics, developing their own knowledge and experience in preparation for interview and assessment. Medicine and associated courses are highly competitive, and this programme is designed to ensure our pupils are as well prepared and confident as possible. For further advice on medicine or associated applications, please contact Miss S J Gordon (Head of Futures) or Dr E B Miller (i/c Medics Programme). The STEM Programme The programme consists of activities designed to extend scientific knowledge and develop the skills needed for science courses at the most competitive universities, and will also include talks and trips to further inspire and educate. In addition, pupils will be expected to spend time on their own research, extending their personal areas of interest and presenting this work to the group. Pupils commit 1 hour per week to this programme, although additional opportunities are offered throughout the year. They may additionally opt to participate in the Oxbridge and Medics programmes. A STEM extended project, or a design EPQ, might also be of interest.
Should I be thinking about university and careers?
You may already have clear ideas about what you want to do after you leave the College. If you do, then you should take those ideas into account when you make your choices. Many university courses do not require particular A-level choices, but some do. If in doubt, you should take advice. In general, language, maths and science courses require you to have studied particular subjects; some courses may require you to have achieved specific GCSE grades. Some courses may also require specific English language qualifications if English is not your mother tongue. Alternatively, you may have no clear views about what you wish to do after A-levels; at this stage there is no reason why you should and it is perfectly understandable. As a member of the sixth form, you will receive both advice and support that will enable you to make the right choice about your university application. Your A-level choices should be based on which subjects you have the potential to secure top marks in. Regardless of whether you know what you wish to do after you leave school or not, the better your A-level grades, the better the opportunities available to you. Some universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, are becoming more prescriptive in the subject combinations they prefer applicants to hold. If you are thinking of applying for a popular course at a leading UK university, you should be careful to ensure that your subject choices will be appropriate for entry. Your hsm, Miss S J Gordon (Head of Futures) or Mr Canning can give you more advice about this. The Russell Group of universities, representing the UK’s leading 24 universities publishes a website called Informed Choices which can help with decision making. It can be accessed online at https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/
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