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Buxton Community School

Buxton Community School

Sixth Form Entry Requirements

Buxton Community School Sixth Form serves the community of Buxton and surrounding towns and villages. We welcome applications from all students in the local area.

We offer mainly A level courses, but we do have some Level 3 courses; please refer to our prospectus for full details.

Progression onto our Level 3 Post 16 courses will be dependent upon successful attainment at Level 2 (GCSE and BTEC). The demands of Level 3 study will increase significantly and some students may take time to adjust to what is required to be successful at A Level and BTEC Level 3. It is therefore important that prospective Sixth Formers perform well at Key Stage 4 and also appreciate the step up necessary to study at Key Stage 5.

Students are asked to choose three subjects to study for two years.  Most courses are assessed by terminal examinations at the end of the two year course.  In exceptional circumstances, we may allow a suitable candidate to study four subjects.

Entry Requirements

Entry into our Sixth Form is based upon gaining a minimum of 5 Grade 4  at GCSE including at least a grade 4 in English and/or maths.  These are the general entry requirements, please be aware subject specific entry requirements may also apply.  You will find additional information

In order to study a subject at A Level a minimum of a grade 4 at GCSE or Merit at BTEC (in Applied Science, a Distinction) would be required. Where a subject is being taken for the first time, consideration will be given to results in similar or like subjects. 

Where there are any doubts about the suitability of an applicant to study a subject, the Head of Department would be consulted and performance in Year 11 will be taken into account.

Any student joining the Sixth Form with a GCSE Grade 3 in English or Maths will be required to resit the qualification, and so will not be able to make any other choice of course from that option block.

Work in the Sixth Form is challenging and students must be aware of the demands it will make on each individual. Therefore, in addition to academic suitability, consideration will also be given to other factors which would form part of the entry criteria:

  • Attendance – over 90%.
  • Punctuality – regularly on time for school and lessons.
  • Attitude to Learning grades – grade A or B in all subjects 

Once a final application has been received all external students will be invited to attend a Sixth Form entry interview.  For current Buxton Community School students, where there are concerns regarding the entry criteria, they will also be required to attend an interview. If this is successful, the applicant will be offered a conditional place subject to achieving the appropriate grades and meeting other entry requirements.  All students with a conditional offer will be invited to attend a taster day in July, to get a feel for life in the Sixth Form.  Places will then be confirmed following the publication of exam results in August.

If you have any questions regarding admissions, please contact Ms Jackie Cruse, Head of Sixth Form at jackie.cruse@buxton.derbyshire.sch.uk