Fourth and Fifth Forms

All pupils study for GCSEs or IGCSEs. Most take ten subjects in total of which one (Religious Studies) leads to a GCSE short course, equivalent to half of a full GCSE. The seven options (in addition to the core subjects English, Maths and Religious Studies) may be chosen from the subjects listed below. In order to encourage a degree of breadth, we require that at least two of the options are single sciences, one a foreign language, and no more than two (under most circumstances) from the creative arts.

The last option, Learning Skills, is recommended to a small number of pupils who find difficulties either with organisation or with other aspects of learning. Instead of following a course which leads to a GCSE or IGCSE, pupils are given help by our specialist Learning Support unit with particular problems they may face. As well as offering them strategies to help with their prep and other work, they face a more manageable workload as they will finish with one fewer – but usually of better quality – qualifications.