Sixth Form Curriculum
Years 12 – 13
We aspire to create a meaningful legacy that will benefit generations to come, both locally and globally, spanning everything from innovations and architecture to friendships and business opportunities.
The Curriculum
At Safa Community School, it is our aim to provide our post 16 students with a stimulating and purposeful curriculum, leading to qualifications which are internationally recognised and accepted as entry requirements for Higher Education. We aim to offer students a broad and balanced curriculum combined with opportunities to develop into responsible members of the adult community.
With the ongoing changes to A Levels we have seen fundamental changes to the sixth form syllabus over the past few years. The standard offer is for students’ to begin with three subjects in Year 12, although some will take four, depending on student ability. Students wishing to sit four subjects will need a GCSE grade profile to reflect this, and therefore will be required to achieve six A*/8 or above at GCSE to begin four A Level courses. It is important to note that Universities ask for three grades as entry requirements and therefore this is in the best interest of most students. Only a select number of courses at certain Universities require more than three A Levels, for example a small number of courses require an AS qualification in Further Mathematics.
At Safa Community School we offer A Level, International A Level and BTEC. In line with other International and Independent Schools subjects will only run with viable course numbers. The Head of Sixth Form and Sixth Form Team will do their utmost to ensure that students are coursed for their first choices. Entry onto the A-Level programme is conditional and therefore dependent upon students obtaining the (I)GCSE grade requirement for that individual subject and the general requirements.
Students have to study a minimum of three A Levels (or that equate to three) to be registered with the SCS Sixth Form. Therefore there is no opportunity for a students on three subjects to drop one after AS Level. It is important to note that students are embarking on a two year course and as such the AS examinations aim to provide an external checkpoint, rather than a cash-in opportunity.
Year 12 Option Blocks 2024 - 2025
- Block A
- Block B
- Block C
- Block D
- Mathematics
- Politics
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Media Studies
- French
- BTEC Hospitality
- BTEC Applied Science
- Biology
- Further Mathematics
- Business
- English Literature
- Design Technology
- Drama
- BTEC Sport x1
- BTEC Travel and Tourism
- History
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Art
- Geography
- Spanish
- Arabic
- BTEC Business
- Physics
- Business
- Psychology
- Photography
- Economics
- German
- BTEC IT
- BTEC Sport x2
- PE
- AS/A-Level
- International BTEC
| Subject | Exam Board | Subject Specific GCSE Requirement | Opportunity at A-Level without GCSE in Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic | Edexcel | Grade 6 in Arabic | No |
| Art & Design | Edexcel | Grade 7 in Art or Portfolio | Yes |
| Biology | Oxford AQA | Grade 7 in Biology (8/7 Combined) | No |
| Business Studies | Edexcel | Grade 6 in Business | Discuss with HOD |
| Chemistry | Oxford AQA | Grade 7 in Chemistry (8/7 Combined) | No |
| Computer Science | AQA | Grade 7 in Computer Science | No |
| Design & Technology | Edexcel | Grade 6 in Design & Technology | Discuss with HOD |
| Drama & Theatre | Edexcel | Grade 6 in English | Yes |
| Economics | Edexcel | Grade 7 in Economics | Discuss with HOD |
| English Literature | Edexcel | Grade 7 in English Language | Yes |
| French | AQA | Grade 6 in French & HOD Approval | No |
| Further Maths | Edexcel | Grade 8 in Maths or Grade 7 in Further Maths | No |
| Geography | AQA | Grade 6 in Geography | No |
| German | Edexcel | Grade 6 in German & HOD Approval | No |
| History | Edexcel | Grade 6 in History & English Language | Discuss with HOD |
| Mathematics | Edexcel | Grade 7 in Maths & HOD Approval | No |
| Media Studies | AQA | Grade 6 in English | No |
| Photography | Edexcel | Grade 6 in Photography | Discuss with HOD |
| Physical Education | Edexcel | Grade 6 in PE | Yes |
| Physics | Oxford AQA | Grade 7 in Physics (8/7 Combined) | No |
| Politics | Edexcel | Grade 7 in English Literature or History/Geography | No |
| Psychology | AQA | Grade 6 in Psychology/Biology | Yes |
| Sociology | AQA | Grade 6 in Psychology, English and Maths | No |
| Spanish | AQA | Grade 6 in Spanish & HOD Approval | No |
| Subject | Exam Board | Subject Specific GCSE Requirement | Opportunity at A-Level without GCSE in Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Science | Pearson | 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 | Yes |
| Business | Pearson | 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 | Yes |
| Information Technology | Pearson | 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 | Yes |
| Hospitality | Pearson | 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 | Yes |
| Sport | Pearson | 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 | Yes |
| Travel & Tourism | Pearson | 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 | Yes |
*Those students wishing to study two separate A level science subjects will require an 8/8 in combined science
Seniors Handbook Sixth Form Options BookletSixth Form Options
- International A levels have been written to the highest standard, with the global learner in mind, and are recognised by universities across the world. They offer progression from our GCSEs or International GCSEs and can be taken alongside our International BTEC qualifications to give students a comprehensive choice of subjects. International Advanced Level qualifications are not available to UK schools.
- Please note that students completing BTEC courses in Sixth Form who intend to study at a UAE University should seek guidance from the Ministry of Education and University in terms of equivalency and entry requirements
- Economics
- English Literature
- French
- Further Mathematics
- German
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Photography
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Politics
- Psychology
- Spanish
- Sociology
Minimum Entry Requirements
- Path 1 - A Levels + International A Levels
- Path 2 - A Levels + BTEC Level 3
- Pathway 3 - BTEC Nationals
- International A-Level Courses can be taken alongside the UK A-Level courses. The International A-Level courses have the same credibility for entry to universities. However, unlike the UK A-Level courses some of the international courses are modular and therefore can write-off part of the course as they are moving through Year 12 and 13
- Please see entry criteria above
- Those students wishing to study four A Levels subjects will require at least six GCSE grades at A*/8 or above and approval from the academic team.
- A and AS levels can be combined with either one or two BTECs depending on student’s ability
- You will normally be expected to have gained at least a GCSE Grade B or 6 in the A level subjects you wish to study. However, some subjects have higher or additional requirements, therefore please refer to the grid below and the subject specific pages for exact entry criteria.
- Minimum entry requirement is at least 5 GCSE grades at Grade 5
International BTEC
The International BTEC is a vocational course that provides a specialist work related programme of study that covers the key knowledge and practical skills. It offers flexibility and a choice of emphasis through the specialist units.
- Applied Science
- Business
- Hospitality
- Information Technology
- Sport
- Travel & Tourism
Choosing Your Courses
- Which options do you qualify for?
- Look at Traditional & BTEC courses
- What are your academic interests & strengths?
- Implications of your subject choice for career options?
- What are the university courses you wish to pursue?
- Required/beneficial subjects for the career you with to pursue?
- Course specifications - are you able to engage with content?
- Speak to older students
- Analyse subjects' past success rates
- Talk to your teachers about your personal abilities, aptitudes & skills