Curriculum in Sixth Form
Please see below for details of the courses we offer at A-level and BTEC Level 3. All courses are offered subject to sufficient demand and may be withdrawn in the event of insufficient student numbers.
Option blocks
Courses are arranged in option blocks. Here are the option blocks for the academic year starting in September 2025:
All courses offered are subject to change, depending on the numbers of students who apply, and the availability of teaching staff.
16 – 19 study programme
The government’s 16 to 19 study programmes are designed to provide students with a structured and challenging learning programme that supports their development and progression in line with their future career plans. Each study programme will have a core aim. The principles of these study programmes are met in full at Silverdale Sixth Form where students’ pathways:
- Include one or more academic or vocational qualification that stretches the student and links clearly to training, employment or higher education. To reflect the greater demand of the new academic and vocational specifications, the majority of students study three A Level or equivalent subjects. However, four subject pathways are available for our most able students to facilitate their career aspirations.
- Allow for meaningful work experience and/or other non-qualification enrichment activities such as Duke of Edinburgh Award, MOOCs, volunteering and other activities to develop students’ character, attitude, skills, confidence and/or prepare them for employment, training or higher education. Core Maths and EPQ qualifications are offered. The sixth form has a student leadership team (Head Team).
- Include form-time with the tutor to deliver a tutorial programme, promote discussion, develop key skills and have one-to-one meetings with the tutor to support academic achievement and post-18 progression. Silverdale Sixth Form has strong links with universities and employers.
- Provide a lesson for personal development (tutorial) to deliver the post-16 personal development curriculum covering health and wellbeing, finance, careers education, rights, responsibilities and values, staying safe and being successful academically. All sixth form students have access to a dedicated careers adviser in school.