Headmaster's Forward

The decision about the A Levels to be studied is one of the most important that confronts a boy or girl. Bloxham has always believed that every pupil should aim to achieve his or her personal best intellectual level, and I am sure that this is a view that parents will share. The increasing numbers in Higher Education have made it possible to secure places on a degree course with comparatively modest A level grades, but many courses and many careers remain highly competitive. While there is a great deal more to education than the gaining of academic qualifications, there is still every incentive to aim for the best ones possible.

The process leading up to the A Level decision is therefore a very important one, and I hope that you will have the chance to read, digest and discuss with your son or daughter the information and advice in this booklet.

The baseline qualification for the Sixth Form at Bloxham is three B grade and three C grade GCSEs.  However, virtually all of our Sixth Formers achieve 8 - 10 GCSEs with at least a B grade in the subjects they wish to study at AS Level.  It is normally expected that Sixth Form entrants have GCSE passes in English and Mathematics.  In exceptional circumstances a pupil who does not have these grades in English and Mathematics may be accepted, but it is a condition of entry that they must re-take these subjects to obtain the necessary grades.

For present members of the School, the purposes of the Lent Term Parents' Meeting are:

1. to enable parents to meet those who teach the pupils, and to discuss with them, and the Heads of         Department as appropriate, their academic capabilities, their progress towards GCSE and their potential for A Level.

2. to discuss with the Housemaster/Housemistress, probably by means of a later appointment, the possible options open to pupils in the future.

It is important to emphasise that these meetings are essentially to provide and exchange information. A final decision on the choice of AS level subjects will need to be made by Wednesday, 2nd March.  Some changes to options may be possible after this date, but it must be understood that curricular decisions will be made on the basis of choices submitted and that not all combinations of subjects will subsequently be possible.

As far as prospective entrants at Sixth Form level are concerned:

1. A Level courses have changed significantly, and there may have been alterations or new information since any meeting parents have already had with us, so please study the booklet carefully.

2.Parents or pupils may wish to discuss the courses further by appointment, and we will be very happy to do this.  A final decision on AS choices needs to be made by Wednesday, 2nd March or, for late entrants, by discussion with the Director of Studies.  Some changes to options may be possible after this date, but it must be understood that curricular decisions will be made on the basis of choices submitted and that not all combinations of subjects will subsequently be possible.

M. E. Allbrook