Sixth Form
The History of Sixth Form Education at BGN
The history of the BGN Sixth Form goes back to the time of the first Head of the School, Mr George Grimshaw. He saw the need for young people to have the opportunity to continue their studies and develop maturity in a Christian Catholic atmosphere where they had become familiar with learning and the development of social skills. The Sixth Form was consolidated under Mr Terry O’Flynn, the second Head and now it is my task to develop and protect the efforts of all those in the past who fought to be recognised as the viable and successful Post -16 institution that BGN Sixth Form is today. In recent times, the Governors have agreed a distinctive admissions policy which encourages students from other schools to join.
What are the entry requirements for BGN Sixth Form?
• A Post-16 Evening is held every year for Year 11 students considering applying to BGN the following September. This evening provides prospective students with the opportunity to find out in more detail about the courses on offer and meet with subject staff.
• Year 11 students apply in writing to the Head of Sixth Form for a place in the Sixth Form by 30 April
• Head of Sixth Form, interviewsall students who have applied for entrance and places are awarded accordingly. Interviews will take place at the beginning of January. A minimum of 5 A*-C grades at GCSE is required for all students wishing to enter the Sixth Form, but students need to also have an A or B grade in the four subjects that they intend to study at AS level.
• Students who have successfully met the required entry requirements (for A or B grades and the C grade at GCSE) attend a Sixth Form Induction at the start of the new Autumn term in September. During the Induction, students make the final decisions about their AS choices and meet with subject staff, who may agree certain terms and conditions with individual students. Some students may, for example, be placed on a six week review, which means their progress on that particular AS course will be closely monitored for six weeks before a final decision is made as to whether they will be permanently accepted on the course. We strongly advise students who are unsure of meeting the entry requirements to also apply for an alternative course at OCVC, or another college, as well as applying to BGN, so that they can be assured of a place on an appropriate course should they miss achieving A or B grades.
• At the Induction, students are given the Sixth Form Contract to read, discuss with their parents and teaching staff, sign and return to school on their first full day to register as members of Lower Sixth.