Skip to content ↓

Sixth Form Open Evening and Applications

Applications for September 2024 are now closed as of 9am Monday 8th January 2024.

Please contact sixthform.admin@furzeplatt.net with any enquiries. 

Please click here to see our Sixth Form Prospectus.

Click on the links below to view for entry to September 2024

If you wish to discuss an application please contact sixthform.admin@furzeplatt.net or call the Sixth Form Administrator in school hours on 01628 625308 ext 604.

 


Subject Entry Requirements

Furze Platt offers an exceptional range of A-Level subjects and Level 3 applied courses. These are divided into five pathways – Applied, Applied+, Academic, Extended and Extended+.

All students studying at FPSS Sixth Form enrol with a core aim that is personally tailored to their individual needs.  Students may choose to study a combination of A-Levels, WJEC Diplomas, BTEC Extended Certificates or Cambridge Technical qualifications.

Applied Pathway Qualifications

These qualifications are also available to the Applied + Pathway, Academic Pathway & Extended Pathway.

Single qualification equivalent to one A-Level and Double qualification equivalent to two A-levels.

Pathway Entry Requirements: An average point score of between 3.5 and 4.29 will be required, along with a grade 4 in both English and Maths. This will enable students to join the Applied Pathway and to study at least one BTEC and two further applied subjects.  

 

Subject (Qualification)

Subject Entry Requirements

Subject Overview

Applied Human Biology

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate 

 At least a grade 4 in GCSE Maths and at least a grade 4 in GCSE Biology (if doing separate sciences) or at least a grade 4/4 in Combined Science.  For further information please click

Art, Craft and Design

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE Art & Design or equivalent. Students will be expected to have a tool kit with basic art media, details for this will be provided on induction day.

For further information please click

Business (Single)

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (Single)

At least a grade 4 in GCSE Maths and English. Please note Economics cannot be chosen with either Business BTEC or A-Level. 

For further information please click

Criminology

WJEC Level 3 Diploma 

At least a grade 4 in GCSE English Language and a grade 4 in GCSE Biology, or grade 4/4 in Combined Science, or distinction in BTEC Science. We do not combine Psychology and Criminology as some elements of the courses can overlap. 

For further information please click

Digital Media 

Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Certificate 

At least a grade 4 in GCSE English Language.

For further information please click

Fashion and Textiles 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in Technology , Art or Photography GCSE.

For further information please click

Photography

(A-Level)

At least a grade 4 in GCSE Art & Design or a grade 4 in a Technology subject or Media studies. All students must have a digital camera prior to beginning the course, details for this will be provided on induction day. A good working knowledge of Photoshop is required if you have not studied Art at GCSE.

For further information please click

Product Design

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in Technology , Art or Photography GCSE.

For further information please click

Sport

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate 

At least a grade 4 in GCSE P.E. or if not taken a grade 4 in GCSE Biology, or a grade 4/4 in Combined Science, or distinction in BTEC Science.

For further information please click

Applied + Pathway Qualifications

Pathway Entry Requirements: An average point score of between 4.3 and 4.69 in their GCSE subjects, along with at least a grade 4 in both English and Maths. 

Students must pick 2 subjects from the Applied Pathway Qualifications above, with at least 1 of these being a BTEC subject. A maximum of 1 additional option may be selected from our Academic Qualifications below. Alternatively, students may select all 3 subjects from the Applied Pathway Qualifications listed above.

Academic Pathway Qualifications

These qualifications are also available to the Extended Pathway.

Pathway Entry Requirements: An average point score of between 4.7 and 6.19 in their GCSE subjects, along with at least a grade 5 in both English and Maths. This will enable students to study three linear A-Level qualifications, or any subjects from the Applied or Applied+ Pathway. 

Subject (Qualification) Subject Entry Requirements Course Details

Biology

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE Maths and at least a grade 5 in GCSE Biology, (if doing separate sciences) or at least a grade 5/5 in Combined Science.

For further information please click

Business

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in Business Studies GCSE, a 5 in GCSE Maths and a 5 in GCSE English. Please note that Business cannot be chosen with Economics.

For further information please click

Chemistry 

(A-Level)

 At least a grade 5 in GCSE Maths and grade 5 in GCSE Chemistry, (if doing separate sciences) or at least a grade 5/5 in Combined Science.

For further information please click

Computer Science 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE Computer Science / Computing or a grade 5 in GCSE Maths.

For further information please click

Drama

 (A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE Drama and if not taken at GCSE, successfully passing an audition / interview.

For further information please click

Economics 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE Maths and a 5 in GCSE English.  Please note that Business BTEC or A-Level cannot be chosen with Economics.

For further information please click

English Literature 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE English Language and grade 5 in English Literature.

For further information please click

French 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE French.

For further information please click

Further Maths 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 7 in GCSE Maths.

For further information please click

Geography 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE Geography and a grade 5 in English Language.

For further information please click

German 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE German.

For further information please click

History 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE History and a grade 5 in English Literature.

For further information please click

Maths 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 6 in GCSE Maths.

For further information please click

Music 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE Music and working  at equivalent to a Grade 5 level at the beginning of the course . Grade 5 theory is strongly recommended.

For further information please click

Physical Education

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE P.E. or if not taken a grade 5 in GCSE Biology, or a grade 5/5 in Combined Science. For further information please click

Physics 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE Physics (if doing separate sciences) or at least a grade 5/5 in Combined Science and at least a grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics. A combination with Maths A-Level is strongly recommended.

For further information please click

Psychology 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in English Language.  A grade 5 in Biology or 5/5 in Combined Science is strongly recommended. We do not combine Psychology and Criminology as some elements of the courses can overlap. 

For further information please click

Politics

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE English Literature. A grade 5 in GCSE History or Geography is strongly recommended.

For further information please click

Religious Studies

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE Philosophy & Religion (PR) or a grade 5 in GCSE English Language or Literature if PR not taken.

For further information please click

Spanish 

(A-Level)

At least a grade 5 in GCSE Spanish.

For further information please click

Extended Pathway Qualifications

Choose 1 in addition to 3 A-Levels from the Applied/Academic Pathway/s.

Pathway Entry Requirements: An average point score of between 6.2 and 7.24 in their GCSE subjects, along with at least a grade 5 in both English and Maths. 

Subject (Qualification) Subject Entry Requirements Course Details

Extended Project Qualification

At least a grade 6 in GCSE English and a grade 6 in GCSE Maths.

For further information please click

Maths 

(AS-Level)

At least a grade 6 in GCSE Maths.

For further information please click

Further Maths 

(AS-Level)

At least a grade 7 in GCSE Maths.

For further information please click

Extended Plus Pathway 

Choose 4 A-Levels from the Academic or Applied Pathway.

Pathway Entry Requirements: An average point score of 7.25 or above in their GCSE subjects, along with at least a grade 5 in both English and Maths. 
 

Please note: 

It is strongly recommended that students studying academic pathway subjects should hold at least a grade 5 in English and Maths.

  • Some subjects may be taught at another Maidenhead Consortium school.
  • Subjects can be withdrawn if there are insufficient numbers wanting to take the course.


Student Destinations

 


Transition Statement Guidelines

FPSS Sixth Form Application - Transition Statement

This is your opportunity to convince us that you will be a brilliant student for our Sixth Form.

It is essential to make this as good as possible to make the right impression about your approach to tasks. So the content, layout, spelling, punctuation and grammar all need to be perfect.  Write a draft in Word, get someone (parent, friend, teacher who agrees to do so, etc) to check it and when it is as good as you can make it, copy and paste it into your application. The standard and the effort you have made with it will say a lot about you.

1. Start off by saying what you are applying for, for instance: 

   “I would like to apply for the applied/academic/extended pathway, taking these subjects... my reserve subjects are...”

2. For each subject that you want to take, explain why they are good choices for you.  For each subject, include:

  • Why the subject interests you.  Convince us that you will love studying the subject. Mention aspects of the subject that you have read about in the prospectus (to prove that you have actually read it!).
  • How your GCSE subjects have prepared you for this course. So, if you are taking that subject at GCSE, how well are you doing? Grade? Attitude to learning? How much does it interest you?  Why do you want to study it at a higher level? If the Sixth Form subject is one that you are not doing at GCSE, you will need to mention GCSE subjects that you think are relevant to the subject.
  • What skills and qualities you have that suit you to the course and the way you will be learning the subject in the Sixth Form.  E.g. Do you enjoy extended writing? Are you good at independent study? Are you creative? Are you good at practical work? Give examples of how you have demonstrated these strengths. Any interests/activities in or out of school that demonstrate your interest in this subject?

Make sure you have done the above for each subject.

3. Say a little about your plans for the future and how your chosen courses will help you achieve this. You may have a particular career in mind, in which case say why these subjects are important to you. You may have no idea at the moment, in which you could say something like, “At the moment I am undecided about the future. After Sixth Form I hope to go to university/find an apprenticeship/find a job and so I want to get the best possible A-Level results to maximise my chances.”

4. Say why you will be an asset to the Sixth Form. Tell us about what you have been like so far at school – e.g. excellent attendance, punctuality, approach to learning (don’t forget we have a record of all this!). Tell us about how you have got involved in various aspects of school life and any positions of responsibility you have held.  What can you offer the Sixth Form? What extra-curricular activities would you like to do?


Making Your Subject Choices

There are many different options open to you as you come to the end of Year 11. The decisions that you make now will affect the opportunities which are open to you for the rest of your life. It’s important to get it right. We hope that you will find courses at Furze Platt Senior School Sixth Form which are right for you. We also hope that our Sixth Form is a place where you feel you can settle and enjoy your studies for the next two years. Our examination results over the years show that Furze Platt Sixth Formers are successful; that should be an important consideration for you.

Before you make your choices you need to ask some key questions:

  • How well will I do in my GCSE examinations?
  • Which are my favourite subjects?
  • Which subjects am I best at?
  • Choose at least 3 first choice subjects and 2 back-up choices to give you the most flexibility.
  • Am I aiming for Higher Education or training at the age of 18? (The UCAS website will tell you if you need particular qualifications to get access to Higher Education courses at 18.)
  • What sort of career am I likely to be interested in when I start looking for work? You may be aiming to carry on with subjects that you have studied at GCSE but there are some post-16 courses of which you will have no experience.
  • Find out as much as you can about the content of the courses you are interested in.
  • Talk to teachers and students who have experience of the courses.
  • Read the details in the prospectus.
  • Visit the examination board web sites to find out more.
  • Check out our Sixth Form Virtual Open Evening link where you can find out more about Sixth Form opportunities.
  • Make sure you take advantage of additional opportunities in lessons, assemblies and after school meetings to find out about Sixth Form courses.
  • Talk to teachers who are closely involved with the work of the Sixth Form.                           

 

 


 Sixth Form Contact Information

Mr Ging - Assistant Head - Head of Sixth Form - peter.ging@furzeplatt.net

Mrs Kalinowski - Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Head of Progress (Year 12) - kate.kalinowski@furzeplatt.net

Mr Colmer - Head of History and Politics - Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Head of Progress (Year 13) - andrew.colmer@furzeplatt.net

Mrs Pasa - Sixth Form Manager - mary.pasa@furzeplatt.net

Mrs Wilson - Sixth Form Administrator

For further assistance with Sixth Form admissions please contact Mrs Wilson on 01628 625308 ext. 604 or email sixthform.admin@furzeplatt.net during term time.

Address: Furze Platt Sixth Form, Furze Platt Senior School, Furze Platt Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 7NQ


Subject Presentations for September 2024