The school’s policy is to encourage as much breadth as possible in Year 12, with the great majority of pupils either opting to take four subjects or three subjects plus an EPQ.

Most pupils then opt to continue with three subjects in Year 13.

The results which may appear in the reference are GCSE/IGCSE Grades achieved and where relevant an EPQ grade. Predicted A Level grades are made by subject heads of department, taking into account reports of Year 12 subject teachers, all common internal assessments and the results of internal exams normally formally undertaken in June of Year 12.  For pupils making a post A/Pre-U Level application, we include all final grades achieved.

Note about English Language GCSE qualification

The vast majority of our pupils have taken the CAIE First Language English IGCSE course specification 0990, which no longer contains any compulsory speaking and listening components. The 0990 course holds significant advantages in including a series of writing tasks in different genres, which offer excellent training in reading and writing skills that will be directly relevant to their future careers.

All our pupils including medical applicants are articulate, fluent native speakers of English or advanced bilingual learners with the same level of fluency as a native speaker – even those who join us from overseas at the start of Year 12. In addition, we recognise that those applying as international students will still have to meet the IELTS requirement. We trust that you will accept this statement as supporting evidence of the excellent speaking and listening skills of all of our applicants.

Becky McGreevy

Director of Careers and Universities