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A Levels

Yeovil College Kingston Sixth Form Centre has a long tradition of achieving high-levels of academic success, offering learners the right support to achieve challenging targets and secure a bright future.

Explore our A Level offer here.

Studying at Yeovil College Kingston Sixth Form Centre is an excellent first step into your future, but don’t just take our word for it! Our results speak for themselves; Yeovil College is one of the highest performing colleges in the country, placed within the top 10%, with some of the highest performing A Level students. In 2021, our A Level students exceeded all set target grades.

 

Our A Level highlights include:

  • 100% A Level pass rate for seven out of the last eight years.  
  • A*-A grades are 8% higher than pre-pandemic levels for A Level students. 
  • A*-B grades are higher than pre-pandemic levels for A Level students. 
  • 86% of Yeovil College A Level students achieved their first-choice university. 

Our learners secured excellent progression and university destinations, with many achieving Russell Group university places, such as University of Oxford, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and University of Exeter. You can view our UCAS destination map here.

We invite our future students to join this level of excitement. We will give you the right level of education, support and encouragement, to achieve extraordinary things with us. If you are committed, motivated and work hard, then Yeovil College will ensure that you have the right tools to fulfil your career and future ambitions.

Grace Foy

 

BUILDING A QUALITY A LEVEL STUDY PROGRAMME

Many of our A Level students have a clear pathway in mind, with a strong understanding of the career that they would ultimately like to pursue. To enable this to happen, they need to experience a number of subjects which they may not have previously studied, but may be critical to securing the next steps to their planned career. With this in mind, we have added a number of subjects to support a move into specific careers, for example:

  • Environmental Science
  • Psychology
  • Law
  • Criminology
  • Sociology
  • Politics.

All A Level programmes at Yeovil College last for two years and are built upon the linear model, meaning that in most cases, exams are taken at the end of the two-year period and will be the only influencing factor on the final grade.

WHAT DOES AN A LEVEL STUDY PROGRAMME INCLUDE?

Every student at Yeovil College is provided with a study programme, which is focused on adding value, maximising opportunities, enhancing personal knowledge and developing sound study skills. The programme is designed to ensure you leave Yeovil College with not only academic success but also personal achievement. Students will need to be organised with their time and study, as well as dedicated to achieving in their subjects in order to be successful.

  • Three A Level Subjects: You will complete between 4.5-6 hours of lessons per subject, every week.
  • Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): All A Level students will be offered the opportunity to undertake a research-based extended project of their own choosing, to help develop their overall UCAS points, skills and deeper knowledge. Personal Tutorials: This may be led as a group tutorial focusing on study skills, or on an individual 1-1 basis focusing on your journey and wellbeing. We will also concentrate on Fundamental British Values and developing well-rounded young people.
  • Work Experience: A Level students have the opportunity to complete work experience as part of their programme.
  • Cross College Assemblies & Group Tutorials: A bespoke and relevant tutorial programme, helping to keep learners safe, resilient and able to flourish.
  • Enrichment: Students will have ring-fenced time within their timetables to undertake sport and enrichment activities.

 

Why Study With Us?

  • 100% A Level pass rate for the seven out of the last eight years.
  • A*-A grades are 8% higher than pre-pandemic levels for A Level students (in 2023).
  • Optimised class sizes.
  • Dedicated and protected weekly time for personal growth and maximising potential.
  • Academic and personal tutorial programme.
  • High-quality and relevant value-added curriculum.
  • Central location means less time travelling and more time learning.
  • A carefully chosen A Level programme means you’re always taught by academic specialists.
  • Quiet and academically focused study areas.
  • Annual induction and revision conference.
  • Parents receive regular reports and opportunities to attend parents’ evening

Megan Bishop

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You can take up to three different A Level subjects at our Kingston Sixth Form Centre with your Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) being your fourth subject.

All A Level students will be offered the opportunity to undertake a research-based Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) as part of their full A Level study programme.

The EPQ is non-essetial, but highly recommended for those students who have university aspirations and has been valued by former students.

The EPQ is designed to support students in developing a wide understanding of research skills, alongside sound analytical reflection and project management experience; skills which are essential for university progression, whilst being extremely relevant to work and life. Our EPQ students undertake a project of their own choosing, which expands, stretches and engages their understanding, enabling them to thoroughly research a specific subject which has relevance or importance to them and sits within their own frame of reference. The research subject is truly flexible and we encourage students to think outside the parameters of their core study programmes. Universities look favourably upon an EPQ as it demonstrates and quantifies many desirable qualities, which will support students during the transition to university.

The EPQ is assessed using a number of measures, which include a formal written research report or a practical project with a written report and a presentation of your findings. The latter being the highlight of the EPQ project and a chance to celebrate and share your research with a professional audience. This is always a brilliant and incredibly exciting day, celebrated by staff throughout Yeovil College.

Top Tips for Selecting A Level Subjects:

  • Select Similar Subjects: Think about grouping together similar subject sets that naturally complement one another and require the same study skills and interests, this will allow you to transfer knowledge and skills across your chosen subjects.
  • Facilitating Subjects: If you are really unsure about which A Levels subjects to study next, there are ‘facilitating’ subjects that Russell Group universities recognise to help students in a similar position to keep  heir options flexible and changeable. The facilitating subjects are Biology, Chemistry, English Literature,  Geography, History, Maths and Physics.
  • Stepping-up: It is important to understand that whilst you will expand on  he previous study skills developed at school, the step up from GCSEs to A Levels is a big one. It is important to choose subjects that you will enjoy and do well in, however remember that your career path can change. It is important to do your research and discuss your decisions and options with others.
  • Consider Your Career Journey:  If you are set on your career path and have a specific degree course in mind, research what your chosen university  ourse requires in terms of qualifications. For example, if you want to study Psychology at university after A Levels, you will require an A Level in Psychology. It is also important that you understand how many UCAS points you will need to meet entry criteria.
  • Entry Requirements: Look at the entry requirements for the subjects that you  re interested in. Some subjects require certain GCSE grades to unlock them for study at A Level. Before deciding on your subjects, make sure you are aware of the entry requirements and whether they are achievable.
  • Subject Syllabus: Take time to research the subject syllabus for all potential subjects. This will enable you to gain a good understanding of what is involved within the subject and whether this content will hold your interest for the next two years

In order to study a programme of A Levels at Yeovil College you will need to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs
at grades 9 – 4. In order to ensure that you are best prepared to be successful in individual subjects we may require you to achieve specific minimum grades in Maths, English or other specialist subjects at GCSE.

Visit Our Courses to see the specific requirements for each course.

Visit our Careers Hub to find out more about the careers support we can offer you.

Your timetable will have a massive academic focus around your subjects of choice and your EPQ. We have ringfenced time for 1-1 tutorials, group tutorials, independent and directed study and work experience. We have also allowed time for enrichment activities and the Yeovil College Sports Academy.

A Level students have study periods scheduled into their timetable throughout the week, however this is set aside for time to study independently, rather than ‘free time’, which is given during break times.

You will be in college every day in Year 1.

A Level students have dedicated periods within their timetables for YC Edge and enrichment and Extended Project Qualifications. Learners can take part in any of the 5 strands of YC Edge: Academic, Sport, Artistic and Cultural, Challenge and/or Ambassador. As an A Level student you can also join our Elevate programme to support and increase your progression opportunities.

There are no prescribed deadlines which you must apply by, however we recomment applying as early as possible to ensure you secure the subjects you want to study. A Level demand is extremely high at Yeovil College, which means that some students could be left disappointed when programmes are full.

To help, the majority of Year 11s intending to study A Levels with usin Year 12 will apply before the Christmas break. You can apply online today.

Yes. We have a ‘subject shuffle day’ around three weeks into the programmes, which allows students to change subjects if they are unhappy with their initial choices. We will support you to do this quickly and as smoothly as possible.

Absolutely! Our previous A Level students have undertaken some fantastic trips, both at home and abroad, and they are regulars at the Museum of Brands in London, theatres, the UCAS Conference, beaches and a whole host of lcations, including Paris.

Once you have completed your A levels, what could you do next?

There are many different routes of progression you could follow to level up your skills. University is a great option, and with A Level qualifications you’ll be able to choose between different subject areas to study in. It is important to research and investigate which higher level qualifications will help you excel into your chosen career.

If the idea of moving away doesn’t appeal to you, studying at a local university centre, like we have here at Yeovil College, is another option.

An alternative route in progressing further is a higher/degree level apprenticeship. This is a good option if you want to gain hands on experience in the workplace and develop your skills through practical application. You will also benefit from undertaking a professional qualification within your area of specialism, such as the Chartered Institute of Management or the Association of Chartered Certificated Accountants.