Sixth Form Curriculum

To enter the sixth form, pupils are expected to achieve at least six GCSE passes at grade C, including passes in English Language and Mathematics, and three passes at grade B or higher. Most students will achieve rather higher grades than this requirement. Full details are given in the Sixth Form Entry Policies for UK and International Students.

Pupils may opt to follow an AS/A-level programme or the International Baccalaureate.

The AS and A-Level Programme:

In the Lower Sixth most pupils follow four subjects to AS level, although some pupils may feel more suited to a choice of just three. The subjects offered are:

The AS examination is taken at the end of the Lower Sixth.

Most international students also follow a course in English as an Additional Language (EAL) leading to the IELTS qualification. International students who need a good level of support in English are advised to follow three AS subjects to allow sufficient time for EAL.

In addition to the AS programme, students also have a weekly games afternoon and take part in the wide-ranging activities programme.

Most students will follow just three subjects to full A-level in the Upper Sixth. The curriculum is also structured so that the possibility of starting a new AS subject is also available in the Upper Sixth. Students continue with the weekly games lesson and follow a General Studies programme, options here include preparation for the General Studies AS/A-level, Critical Thinking and the Diploma in Financial Studies (A-level equivalent). The activities programme does not continue into the Upper Sixth, the extra time available being used for academic study.

Some students may wish to re-sit AS units to help to improve their final A-level grade. Support lessons are planned in most of the major subjects to aid preparation for these papers.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Course

Plymouth College is an IB World School and as such is accredited to teach the International Baccalaureate.  

The IB course is quite challenging; it is not only for the academically gifted but it is suited to students who are motivated and organised.

The IB Diploma is a globally recognised qualification, involving a broader course than at A-level but at the same time the grading system recognises levels of achievement beyond 4 A-grades at A-level.

An outline of the IB Diploma course is given below. Students who follow the IB course take six academic subjects, one from each row in the following table:

  Subject Area Typical Subjects
1 Language A1 (The student's own language) English, German for European Students
2 A Second Language French, German or Spanish Ab Initio
3 Individuals and Society Economics, Geography, History, Philosophy
4 An Experimental Science Biology, Chemistry, Physics
5 Mathematics (or computing) Mathematics or Mathematical Studies
6 A creative arts subject or an additional subject from rows 1 to 5 Creative subjects include Visual Art, Music and Theatre Arts

Three subjects are to be taken at Standard Level (4 periods per week) and three subjects are to be taken at Higher Level (6 periods a week). 

Students do need a broad range of skills to follow the IB Diploma programme but degrees of specialisation are also available. It is quite possible to follow two science subjects, if a creative subject is not taken. Also, those students who feel uneasy about studying a foreign language may find the beginner's course in Spanish to their liking. Three levels of mathematics courses are available to cope with a wide range of abilities in this area: namely Mathematical Studies (standard level, aimed at those who would not have considered A-level), Mathematics (standard level) and Mathematics (higher level) for the most able.

In addition to the six subjects given above, there are three other requirements:

Theory of Knowledge (ToK):

This is designed to provide coherence by exploring the nature of knowledge across disciplines, encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives. This is taught both within each subject and in a dedicated time of about 2 periods per week.

Creativity, action, service (CAS):

Participation in the school's CAS programme encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service work, thus fostering students' awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena. This has been likened to an extended Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme.

Extended Essay:

The extended essay has a prescribed limit of 4,000 words. It offers the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest, and acquaints students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university.

The main examinations for IB are taken in May at the end of the Upper Sixth Course.

Option Systems and Subject Choices

The options systems in Years 10 and 11 and the Sixth Form do not consist of fixed blocks of subjects. These systems are re-designed each year to accommodate all pupils' preferred choices as far as is possible. Pupils are asked to select their choice of subjects by February in each year and advice to help make them to their choices is carefully planned. The option blocks are then constructed from these choices. Sixth Form students are not required to make their final choice of AS subjects until after the GCSE results are published. The exact range of subjects to be offered in the IB Diploma programme is also constructed from pupils' choices.

Activities

All pupils are able to take part in the lunchtime and after school programme of clubs and activities. In addition, on Friday afternoon, pupils in Years 10, 11 and the Lower Sixth take part in the senior activities programme. This includes:

  • Art
  • Combined Cadet Force
  • Community Service Volunteers
  • Duke Of Edinburgh's Award Scheme (Bronze, Silver and Gold)
  • Financial Studies Certificate (AS level equivalent)
  • International Computer Driving Licence
  • Junior Sports Leader Award
  • Photography
  • Textiles