Sixth Form College Solihull: Top Post-16 Education with State-of-the-Art Facilities

2. Who are we? The Sixth Form College, Solihull is one of the top post-16 education institutions in the country, with excellent achievement levels. Our purpose is to provide sixth form education for young people in Solihull and the surrounding area. The College boasts state-of- the-art facilities and first class teaching. We offer a wide choice of A level and advanced BTEC diploma courses.

3. College Mission

4. Courses are Changing! Changes are happening nationwide. A levels are becoming 2-year linear courses. This means you need to study for the full 2 years to get the qualification, with exams in year 2. Coursework is disappearing from most A level courses. BTECs will have more rigorous assessment with fewer resubmissions and more external assessment.

5. A levels Ancient History Health & Social Care* Media Studies Biology History Music Business Information Technology* Music Technology Chemistry Law Physical Education Classical Civilisation Maths courses: Physics Computer Science Mathematics Politics Dance Further Mathematics Psychology Drama & Theatre Statistics Religious Studies Economics Modern Languages: Sociology English Language French Visual Arts courses: English Literature German Fine Art Film Studies Russian Graphics Geography Spanish Photography * These courses are 6-unit BTEC Extended Certificates, but are equivalent to one A level and can be studied as part of an A level programme. Our Courses

6. Our Courses BTEC Extended Diplomas: Each of these courses are equivalent to studying 3 A levels. They contain a higher element of coursework, with less formal assessment than A levels and are highly regarded by employers and universities. Applied Science Health & Social Care Art & Design IT Business Sport Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare & Education (comparable with BTEC Childcare) BTECs are changing too as assessment is becoming more rigorous!

7. Your Choices! A levels or a BTEC? You choose EITHER: OR: 3 A level subjects 1 BTEC / Diploma You can’t combine A levels with BTEC Extended Diplomas or the Technical Level 3 Diploma as the BTEC/Diploma courses are equivalent to studying 3 A levels on their own! Our most able and ambitious of students (usually with at least five A/A* grades at GCSE) may wish to study 4 subjects at A Level, but 3 subjects is sufficient for a university/training offer.

8. Entry Requirements • Standard 3 A level Programme: • At least two B grades or grade 6s at GCSE • At least a further three C grades or grade 4s at GCSE • You should have at least a grade 4 or C grade in GCSE English Language or Mathematics, with at least a grade 3 or D grade in the other one. If you do have a grade 3 or D in one of these key subjects, you will be required to re-take this GCSE in addition to your A level studies. • 4 A level Programme: • At least 5 A/A* grades or grade 7’s at GCSE • You should have at least a grade 4 or C grade in GCSE English Language and Mathematics. • Students picking Mathematics and Further Mathematics will need to get at least a grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics. Please note that there may be additional entry requirements specific to particular courses - please check each course listing on our website carefully to ensure you understand these entry requirements.

9. Entry Requirements • BTEC Extended Diploma/Technical Level 3 Diploma : • At least two B grades or grade 6s at GCSE or merit on an equivalent course • At least a further three C grades or grade 4s at GCSE or equivalent • You should have at least a grade 4 or C grade in GCSE English Language or Mathematics, with at least a grade 3 or D grade in the other one. If you do have a grade 3 or D in one of these two key subjects, you will be required to re-take this GCSE in addition to your BTEC/Technical Level 3 Diploma. Please note that while most GCSE courses are grades A*-G, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature will be graded 9-1 (grade 9 being the top grade) from 2017 onwards. This is due to reforms being introduced nationwide by the Department of Education. All GCSE courses will be graded by the new system in coming years, but for 2017, it will only be Mathematics and English that adopt this new grading system. If you sat your English and/or Maths exams before 2017, you will still be graded A*-G. Grade 4 is roughly equivalent to a C grade in the old system.

10. Outstanding Achievement 2016 Results: • 100% pass rate in 27 advanced level courses • 514 students achieved all higher grades (A*-C at A level or Merit/Distinction in BTEC courses) • 143 students obtained all A*/A grades at A level or distinction/distinction* on BTEC courses • 310 starred grades (A* at A level & Distinction* at BTEC) • 848 students applied to university. Others applied for sponsored degree programmes, apprenticeships and other training opportunities. • More than 100 students have progressed to Oxbridge/medical courses in the last 10 years

11. Why choose us? • dedicated 16-19 college • excellent academic achievement levels with high pass rates • outstanding teachers with expert knowledge • outstanding support for progression to university or employment • a huge variety of subjects available (37 at A level and 7 BTEC Extended / Level 3 Diplomas) • great flexibility of A level subjects • superb facilities and specialist resources • outstanding support from student welfare to financial advice • academic coaches for all students • a broad enrichment programme, enabling students to have a rounded learning experience • careers readiness preparation

12. Enrichment Enrichment activities include: • Team sports • Dance, Drama and Music activities • Student-led activities like Health Ambassadors, Student Reps, Charity Fund Raising and Faith Groups • Special events like the Model United Nations and study visits to Europe and America • Voluntary work • Extra courses like the Extended Project Qualification • Specialist enrichments like the Shakespeare Academy, Pre-Medical School, Engineering Academy and many more.

13. Specialist Academies Students wishing to bolster their chances of a top university offer in a competitive course are advised to consider a Specialist Academy, with links to universities. These include: • Pre-Medical School & Wider Medical Careers Academy • Engineering Academy • Law Academy • European Languages Centre • Psychology Research School • Chemistry Nottingham Project • Teaching Academy • Accounting & Finance Academy & Business Academy • Humanities Academy & Social Sciences Academies

14. Our Timetable

15. Case Study Gabriella Kelly Archbishop Ilsley Technology College Success: Biology - A* Chemistry - A Mathematics - A AS Further Maths - B Progression: Medicine degree at Hertford College, at the University of Oxford

16. Case Study Asad Butt CTC KingshurstAcademy Success: Chemistry - A* Biology - A* Statistics - A* AS Psychology - A Progression: Dentistry degree at Kings College London

17. Case Study Sarah Richings Lode Heath School Success: English Literature - A German - B Italian - C AS Ancient History - A Extended Project - A Progression: English & German Literature degree at the University of Warwick

18. Case Study Alexander Conway Lode Heath School Success: Graphics - A Mathematics - A* Photography - B AS Chemistry - B Progression: Graphic and Communication Design degree at the University of Leeds

19. Case Study Anisa Ali Lode Heath School Success: BTEC Applied Science - D*D*D* (D* = Distinction*) Progression: Audiology degree at the DeMontford University

20. Case Study Samantha Butterworth Lode Heath School Success: BTEC Health & Social Care - D*D*D* (D* = Distinction*) Progression: Adult Nursing degree at Birmingham City University

21. Case Study George Rees Langley School Success: BTEC Sport – Triple Distinction* Progression: Physical Education and School Sport degree at Sheffield Hallam University

22. Key dates Open DaySaturday 8 October 2016 9.30am – 3.30pm – Last entry 2.30pm. Open EveningThursday 10 November 2016 5.00pm – 8.00pm – Last entry 7.30pm. Information EveningThursday 2 March 2017 4.30pm – 7.00pm – Last entry 6.30pm. In all cases, all students should be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

23. Applying Read about our courses at www.solihullsfc.ac.uk. Apply online at tyber.co.uk by 31 March. We will get a reference from your school. We will invite you for an interview. We will make you an offer and invite you to Welcome to College Day in June. We will enrol you in August/September.