Sixth Form Subject Guide 2019-2021 REDRAFTED Sixth Form Choices Guide | Page 4

Advice, Information & Guidance for Sixth Form Choices
The Importance of Choice – Choosing the right Sixth Form course for you is important. It may have implications for your
future career and therefore needs very careful thought and research.
A-Level or IB Diploma – which programme is right for me? – You are fortunate at Gresham’s to have two distinct pathways
for Sixth Form study – a highly successful International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (introduced to Gresham’s in
2007) alongside UK A-levels. This choice is not available in many Sixth Forms.
It is important to emphasise that Greshamians have done extremely well on both IB Diploma and A-level programmes – at
all levels of ability. What matters is that you select the course that is right for you – and that you keep an open mind about
doing both schemes for as long as possible, and seek the best advice, information and guidance you can before making a
final decision. Be sure that you are making a positive choice too – that is, choosing a programme for positive reasons.
Positive reasons for choosing the IB Diploma Positive reasons for choosing A-levels
  Specialisation – students with a particular skill or aptitude
may choose to concentrate on that – e.g. Mathematics,
Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry OR Spanish,
French & English
 Excellence – A-levels are a challenge, so obtaining all A*
grades should make you stand out.
 Recognition – A-levels are well understood by UK
universities and are the most common qualification they
deal with.
 Rigour – you will be supported and developed in all your
subjects to the same level.
 Independent study – Working in your study periods regularly
will require you to work independently.
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Breadth – six subjects and skills in mathematics,
language, science and humanities retained until at
least 18.
Specialisation – Higher Level subjects (3 or more)
allow specialisation in your favourite fields
Excellence – at the very highest level, an IB
performance of 45 points places you amongst a
tiny group of the very best students in the world.
Preparation for university study – with its breadth
of skills, emphasis on academic referencing and
independent study, the Diploma is an excellent
preparation for undergraduate life. This is strongly
recognised by universities.
International recognition – the Diploma is widely
recognised by UK universities but is also an
international passport for universities in the USA,
Europe and further afield.
Challenge – studying six subjects across a range of
disciplines makes you stand out from the crowd.
Support – Pupils at all levels feel supported as you
have more lessons per week.
All Sixth Formers get the chance to explore some of the very best experiences offered by a Gresham’s Sixth Form education:
 Specialist Sixth Form Tutoring
 Support for applications to universities both in the UK and overseas, with specialist guidance for those applying
Oxbridge or for vocational courses
 Weekly Academic Enrichment lecture series and Well-being programme
 A chance to complete an Extended Essay under the guidance of experienced supervisors (all IB pupils do this; the
opportunity is there for A Level students, and is an excellent means of developing your university application).