Our Post 16 curriculum is designed to give students the highest academic qualifications, which will allow them to pursue university, degree level study or higher-level apprenticeship study. The process of careers information, advice and guidance begins early and continues throughout Year 11 to help students understand the entry requirements for A Level study and to help them make informed choices.

Our minimum entry requirement is for a student to have at least five GCSE passes at Grade 4 or equivalent, including English and Mathematics at Grade 4.  All students should have achieved at least Grade 4 in English (this can be Language or Literature) or Mathematics.  However, for all our subjects, we do have specific entry requirements. 

Students enter St Benedict’s Sixth Form at 16 and pursue a two-year course leaving at 18. Progression onto A Level courses will depend on successful completion of Year 12 and will take into account a student’s attitude to learning.  However, any decisions are always made in consultation with subject teachers, students and parents/carers and on a case-by-case basis. In rare instances, a student with particular circumstances may be admitted to the Sixth Form at 17, to complete a two-year course of study, as long as all entry requirements are met.  In such cases, decisions will be made on an individual basis.

To enrol as a full time student, applicants must enrol for study pathways which incorporate a minimum of 540 guided learning hours each year.  Usually, this involves studying four A Levels in Year 12 or 3 A Levels, combined with other qualifications, which may include resit GCSE Maths or English, Extended Project or Core Maths.  In Year 13, most students continue with a minimum of three A Levels.

Any student who has an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP), which names St Benedict’s, will be admitted, provided they meet the minimum entry requirements outlined above.  Applications are welcomed for students from Year 11 in St Benedict’s, from St Joseph’s, our partner school in Workington, and from all other local schools. The planned admissions number for external candidates is 30.

To apply to our Sixth Form, please fill in the online application form below. The application process also requires applicants to write a personal statement. Please include why you want to join our centre and what your future aspirations are. The deadline for all completed application forms is Thursday 17^th February 2022.

On GCSE results day, a team of staff from St Benedict’s is available to provide guidance and to formalise entry into the Sixth Form, if the entry requirements have been met.