Welcome
Contact DetailsChoosing Your Course
Every Sixth Former at Baysgarth follows an individual timetable. We have already stressed that your course will be tailored, as far as possible, to your own needs. (Our school timetable is designed so that you can, if you wish, combine together very wide-ranging courses and qualifications.) We shall ask you to make some preliminary choices when you apply to join the Sixth Form. No final decisions need to be made until next September, when you know your summer examination results. Time will be set aside at the beginning of term for you to discuss your programme with your own tutor and with Mrs Sarah Valentine, Head of Sixth Form.In the meantime you should think about:
1. What you need for your possible future career.
Remember your career ideas may change at any time in the future, so keep as many options open as possible. Do not be afraid to talk to our team of Sixth Form staff about entrance and career requirements - and about what your course might exclude you from.
2. What you enjoy and what your interests are.
Perhaps this should be number one! Liking a subject (the subject, remember, not just your teacher) is the best reason for choosing it. If you do choose it, you are going to spend a lot of time studying it.
3. How good you are at particular subjects.
To aim for your own peak, you have to try and assess where that peak is. Your examination results this year will help you resolve this. Do not underestimate yourself. (On the other hand, do not imagine Grade A at GCSE automatically means a Grade A at A level!)
4. How long you intend to stay in full-time education
If you hope to go to a University or College, you will have at least five more years in full-time education. A-level, GCE & VCE at advanced level courses run for two years, most other Sixth Form courses for one year.
Do not start on courses that you do not expect to complete, but remember the advice to aim for the top. You will get little satisfaction - even if you are successful - if you know in the end that you should have aimed higher. Remember, learning at your age is a lot easier than learning later in life. Therefore, don't take short cuts thinking you will make up the ground late on; you probably will not.
5. What results you expect to get this year
Entry to the Baysgarth Sixth Form does not depend on your results. The choice of courses you can take when you arrive here depends on your results. See the answer to the question "Can anyone who joins the Sixth Form take A Levels?" This is in the Frequently Asked Questions later in the prospectus.
If you wish to talk about any of these issues and the way they affect you, even if you are not yet at Baysgarth, please ask to see Mrs. Collingwood, Head of Sixth Form. We are delighted to meet parents and students at any time: please ring us at Baysgarth (01652 632576) to make an appointment.