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The Sixth Form at Bedales offers an unusually broad and stimulating environment in which to spend the final years at school and to prepare for life beyond. Serious academic responsibility and opportunities for leadership combine to create a challenging and rewarding experience.
As a school that enjoys being at the more independent end of the independent sector, review and renewal is very much in our veins. We will use this opportunity to strengthen further the breadth of the Sixth Form offering, and also ensure we maximise the opportunities for students to progress to their chosen higher education institutions or other preferred paths with three good A Levels.
The subjects available in the Bedales Sixth Form are arranged in groups, which are drawn up to allow a high degree of flexibility in providing for the needs of individual students. They also take into account the requirements of universities and colleges, and offer qualifications which will enable students to access a wide range of higher education courses in the UK and overseas.
In particular, inspired by the success of our BAC courses, we have developed an additional strand of the curriculum to stand as an alternative to a fourth A Level. The Bedales Enrichment Programme consists of a series of courses chosen from a broad range of choices developed by enthusiastic staff and shaped by student requests. Our courses are grouped under the Bedalian banner of 'head, hand and heart', and we expect those who choose this option to pursue at least one course in each area.
Each student’s programme will also include a combination of academic study, sport, outdoor work, cultural and current affairs, service to the community and global awareness. We also expect our Sixth Form students to take on positions
of responsibility in the school, such as contributing to one of the many student committees or acting as role model and mentor to our younger students
as a subject 'Don'.
Although precise programmes of study vary, it is expected that a student would take three A Level subjects, entry being conditional on a student achieving
an average of Grade 6 across their GCSEs, including Grade 6 or above in Maths
or English Language (or equivalent).
Some students may wish to consider taking an additional fourth subject and in such cases, suitability should be discussed with the Deputy Head (Academic), Bertie Cairns.
It is important to stress that, at Bedales, when selecting students for Sixth Form we are looking for enthusiastic learners with the desire to participate
in co-curricular activities and the broader communitarian life of the school.
The table below provides a subject guide to Sixth Form study based on GCSE grades:
| Subject | Minimum | Advisory | If the student has not studied the subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art | 6 | 7 | Substantial portfolio of work |
| Biology | 7 in Dual Award | 7 in Triple Science Biology and Chemistry | – |
| Business Studies | – | 6 in Maths and English | 6 in Maths and English |
| Chemistry | 7 in Dual Award 7 in Maths | 7 in Triple Science Chemistry | – |
| Computer Science | 6 in Maths | 6 in Digital Game Design | – |
| Dance | 6 | – | 6 in Drama; equivalent proficiency in Dance |
| Design (Product) | 6 | 6 in Maths | Substantial portfolio of work |
| Design (Fashion) | 6 | – | 6 in Art or substantial portfolio |
| Drama | 6 | 6 in English | 6 in English |
| Economics | 6 | 7 in Maths | 6 in Maths |
| English Literature | 6 in English Language | 6 in English Literature | – |
| Geography | 6 | – | 6 in English and Maths |
| Government & Politics | 6 in History or Geography | – | 6 in English |
| History | 6 in History and English | – | 6 in English |
| Languages | 6 | 7 | Equivalent proficiency / international qualifications |
| Maths | 6 | Further Maths GCSE | – |
| Further Maths | 7 | Further Maths GCSE | – |
| Music | 6 | 7 | At least Grade 5 on an instrument and some theory knowledge (Grade 5 Theory advisable) |
| Music Technology | – | – | An enthusiasm for, and experience of, making music |
| Philosophy & Ethics | 6 | 6 in Maths | 6 in English and Maths |
| Photography | 6 in Art | – | Substantial portfolio of work |
| Physics | 7 in Dual Award 7 in Maths | 7 in Triple Science Physics | – |
| Psychology | – | Triple Science | 6 in English, Maths and Dual Award Science |
13th September 2025
Come and experience the school for yourself as you look around the campus and meet some of the staff and students that make Bedales so unique.
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