Years 12 – 13
Our aim is to craft a lasting legacy that enriches future generations, locally and globally. This encompasses a spectrum of contributions, from pioneering innovations and architectural marvels to nurturing enduring friendships and fostering lucrative business prospects.
17 A Level Courses
5 BTEC Vocational Courses
Purpose Built Sixth Form Centre
Student Conference Room
Opportunity for Blended Learning Journeys
Purpose built A-Level Science Laboratories
Outstanding Wellbeing provision
At Safa British School there is a wide range of options available with three academic pathways on offer to our sixth form students:
Students can choose to study three A Level subjects and will undertake all units listed for the stand-alone A Level qualification at the end of Year 13. Students who wish to study more than three subjects will need to have this agreed with the Head of Sixth form.
NB. AS level exams do not count towards the final A Level grade, they are a stand-alone qualification.
Students can choose to study three BTEC courses. For this academic year we are looking to expand our offer of BTEC courses with the potential introduction of Art & Design (Graphic Design) and IT to run alongside our existing BTEC offer of Double Award Business (worth two BTEC), Single Award Business, Travel and Tourism and Sport.
The BTEC programme provides a specialist work related programme of study that covers the key knowledge and practical skills required. It offers flexibility and a choice of emphasis through the specialist units. The qualifications offer an engaging programme for those who are clear about the area of employment that they wish to enter. The courses are practical and vocational and are closely linked to the world of work.
Our option blocks are designed so that students may study a combination of A Level and BTEC courses. Students can select two A Levels and one BTEC or one A Level and two BTEC subjects.
All of the above courses allow access to universities in the UK, USA, Canada and many other worldwide destinations, however students are well advised to ensure their exit qualifications will satisfy higher education requirements for their desired destination.
At Safa British School we offer flexibility for Sixth Form pathways where students can choose a combination of A Levels and BTECs. It is expected that the majority of students will complete the equivalent of three A Levels.
In line with other International and Independent Schools, subjects will only run with viable student numbers. The Head of Sixth Form and the Sixth Form Team will do their utmost to ensure that students are supported with their first-choice options.
Entry onto Sixth Form study is conditional and therefore dependent upon students obtaining the (I)GCSE grade requirement for that individual subject and the general requirements for A Level courses.
Students will choose three subjects from the five option blocks: Students wishing to study a combination of four subjects from the blocks below must arrange a meeting with Mr Horwell.
Please note that although we aim to provide students with their first choice of course, we cannot guarantee that all classes/subjects will run and that students will automatically get their first choice of course. It is for this reason that we ask for your reserve course/subject to be identified when submitting your option form.
*Arabic is only available to “Arabic A” students and is a compulsory choice in either Block D or E. This is a statutory requirement linked to the KHDA curriculum.
French and Spanish, will be ‘floating’ subjects. The subjects will not be fixed into an option block at this point.
In addition to academic subjects, all students within the Sixth Form will follow our ‘Achieves’ programme. This is a programme designed to provide to develop the key competencies which will help our students be successful across Year 12 and 13 study.
The programme runs weekly through both form time and assembly topics, implemented by the sixth form pastoral team. There will also be one period per week and is led by the Sixth Form Team for university applications, in addition to supporting students developing the knowledge and skills required to move from sixth form into university life and/or the world of work.
The Sixth Form and Careers Team work to provide a structure that ensures students are prepared for application deadlines to institutions of higher education world-wide. Students will be invited to a host of University talks, in addition to being provided with regular target setting with a careers focus.
To achieve your full potential at Key Stage 5, you must have the right vision, effort, systems, practice and attitude. The VESPA model develops these characteristics in order for students to be successful.
Students will have access to the VESPA Academy Portal, which will be incorporated into the pastoral programme. The portal is a tool which will maximise student independence and develop a growth mindset. This will be a continuation of the VESPA programme, currently used in Year 11.
Identify any questions from this week to discuss with peers or ask in class next lesson (short term goals)
Read ahead for next class including key learning terms
Update your file with notes, handouts, homework etc. Are you organised?
Complete a summary of the previous lesson and take your next class. Complete an exam question,
Show a positive interest in your subject - watch or read the news and bring a story/fact to class for discussion.
The National is a vocational course that is the equivalent of up to 3 A levels. It provides a specialist work-related programme of study that covers the key knowledge and practical skills. It offers flexibility and a choice of emphasis through the specialist units.
Students will choose three subjects from the five option blocks: Students wishing to study a combination of four subjects from the blocks below must arrange a meeting with Mr Horwell.
The Sixth Form at Safa British School is open to all who are qualified by ability and attitude. Generally, those who are admitted to the Sixth Form will have a range of examination success at (I)GCSE Level and will be capable of moving on to more advanced study. It may, however, be necessary to advise students who have a record of poor attendance or attitude to study that they are unlikely to benefit from a Sixth Form course.
Historically in choosing A Level courses, students would concentrate on either three Arts / Humanities subjects or three Science subjects. However, mixed A Levels have become more common.
In UK universities, the majority of Science degrees require two Science (inc Maths) A Levels in Year 13 and so two Sciences along with an Art / Humanity is a good combination for the Science-oriented student. Similarly, one Science taken along with two Arts / Humanities is a solid foundation for many Arts / Humanities degrees.
There are, of course, some UK degree courses which demand specific A Levels. For instance, those wishing to take English, History, Geography, Mathematics or a language will be expected to take it at full A-Level.
Slightly less obvious areas to be aware of are:
Biochemical courses ask for Chemistry and at least one other Science; Neuroscience type degrees often also treat Psychology or Biology as key.
Engineering courses ask for Mathematics and Physics.
Many Economics degrees ask for at least an AS Level in Mathematics.
There are many degree courses such as Business Studies or new Media degree specialisms that accept virtually any combination of A Levels or BTEC courses. Many admissions tutors and, for that matter, many employers are more interested in a student’s level of success post 16 than the subjects taken. We all know that we tend to succeed in something which we enjoy, and which suits our skills and abilities. Therefore, while bearing in mind any possible career implications, students should be primarily guided by the two criteria of aptitude and interest that determined their earlier choice at GCSE.
If you do wish to aim for the very top universities, you should seek the advice of the Head of Careers early in the process.
Certain A Levels are regarded by universities as creative: these include Art, Drama and Media Studies. Universities generally recommend that students should not do two out of their three final A Levels in such subjects if they wish to pursue an academic degree course. These subjects have their own strengths, so do not be put off by this if you have a genuine interest in them. If you wish to pursue Art and Design at college, you need a portfolio and it is advantageous to take A Level Art.
Most of the advice above applies equally to students planning to further their education in the USA. However, it is not essential for these students to have their subject choices as finely-tuned as UK bound students. This is because American degree courses take four years of study; the first two years are broad and generalised and provide a breathing space in which students can decide the area in which they wish to major. Whereas a UK student hoping to study Medicine would certainly have to choose Chemistry at A Level, this would not be so urgent in the US where Medicine is a postgraduate course, as is Law. Most universities offer credit for A Levels which can allow students to graduate in three rather than four years. Students should note that the same credit is not offered for AS Levels. The chance to study 4 AS courses in Year 12 can provide the breadth that US universities are looking for.
American colleges recognise A Levels as a worthwhile and demanding qualification and students are in no way disadvantaged by remaining in our senior school. Indeed, the better US colleges are making it increasingly clear that they expect students to complete their A Levels and some, such as the University of California, are now stipulating the grades they expect. Similarly, the school expects students who enter Advanced level courses to show a determination to complete them successfully.
Students heading for the USA should realise that, besides the heavy A Level workload, the college application process is demanding in terms of time and effort. You may have to sit the SAT or ACT.
A Levels are a recognised global qualification and you can apply to the countries above with a combination of both AS and A Level. Higher education courses in these countries may ask for specific subjects at A Level but they may refer to them as prerequisites or assumed knowledge.
Where students know their higher education plans, they should investigate such requirements but be careful not to confuse a requirement for English ‘proficiency’ with a demand for English A Level.
If you would like more specific advice in this area, then please contact Mr Horwell.
The choices you make, about what and where to study in the Sixth Form, will have a significant bearing on your future life and career. The qualifications you acquire, the personal qualities and life skills that you develop and the friendships you forge will all be crucial in determining how you cope with the transition from school to adult life, and your success in an increasingly competitive world.
Students are fully supported in their studies to be as successful as they can be in A Level; as part of this, we regularly monitor student performance and attitude, and where appropriate, will discuss with parents the options ahead for their exam entries, trigger points for concern are;
A potential outcome would be that students are advised to drop an exam subject, and increase their focus on their remaining subjects, to improve the likelihood of exam success in these. Students/parents may choose to continue with all their subjects, and the school will support this in facilitating a private entry into the exam. This discussion will happen in conjunction with the Head of Sixth Form and the Head of School.
A Level
Parents should note that fees for external A Level examinations are the responsibility of the parent. Parents will receive an invoice for each examination cycle the student is entered for, including resits.
BTEC
Registration fees for the BTEC courses are paid in full at the beginning of Year 12 for the full duration of the 2-year course. The fee charged will cover the entry fees for the course as well moderator visits from the UK for each subject. Any resit of units within the course does not incur additional charges over and above the original fee paid.
Other costs
Students that require additional access arrangements during examinations, for example the use of a reader or a scribe, will incur additional costs for invigilation.
Results may be withheld if examination fees /text books are outstanding and not cleared.
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