Years 12 – 13
We aspire to create a meaningful legacy that will benefit generations to come, both locally and globally, spanning everything from innovations and architecture to friendships and business opportunities.
AS & A-Level
For BTEC Studies
Examination Results
As Safa Community School, it is our aim to provide our post 16 students with a stimulating and purposeful curriculum, leading to qualifications which are internationally recognised and accepted as entry requirements for Higher Education. We aim to offer students a broad and balanced curriculum combined with opportunities to develop into responsible members of the adult community.
With the ongoing changes to A Levels we have seen fundamental changes to the sixth form syllabus over the past few years. The standard offer is for students’ to begin with three subjects in Year 12, although some will take four, depending on student ability. Students wishing to sit four subjects will need a GCSE grade profile to reflect this, and therefore will be required to achieve 6 As/7s or above at GCSE to begin four A Level courses. It is important to note that Universities ask for three grades as entry/requirements and therefore this is in the best interest of most students. Only a select number of courses at certain Universities require more than three A Levels, for example a small number of courses require an AS qualification in Further Mathematics.
At Safa Community School we offer A Level, International A Level and BTEC. In line with other International and Independent Schools subjects will only run with viable course numbers. The Head of Sixth Form and Sixth Form Team will do their utmost to ensure that students are coursed for their first choices. Entry onto the A-Level programme is conditional and therefore dependent upon students obtaining the (I)GCSE grade requirement for that individual subject and the general requirements.
Students have to study a minimum of three A Levels (or that equate to three) to be registered with the SCS Sixth Form. Therefore there is no opportunity for a students on three subjects to drop one after AS Level. It is important to note that students are embarking on a two year course and as such the AS examinations aim to provide an external checkpoint, rather than a cash-in opportunity.
Subject
Exam Board
Subject Specific GCSE Requirement
Opportunity at A-Level without GCSE in Subject
Arabic
Edexcel
Grade 6 in Arabic
No
Art & Design
Edexcel
Grade 6 in Art or Portfolio
Yes
Biology
Oxford AQA
Grade 7 in Biology
No
Business Studies
Edexcel
Grade 6 in Business
Discuss with HOD
Chemistry
Oxford AQA
Grade 7 in Chemistry
No
Computer Science
AQA
Grade 6 in Computing
No
Design & Technology
Edexcel
Grade 6 in Design & Technology
Discuss with HOD
Drama & Theatre
Edexcel
Grade 6 in English
Yes
English Literature
Edexcel
Grade 7 in English Language
Yes
French
AQA
Grade 6 in French & HOD Approval
No
Geography
AQA
Grade 6 in Geography
No
German
Edexcel
Grade 6 in German & HOD Approval
No
History
Edexcel
Grade 6 in History & English Language
Discuss with HOD
Mathematics
Edexcel
Grade 7 in Maths & HOD Approval
No
Physical Education
Edexcel
Grade 6 in PE
Yes
Physics
Oxford AQA
Grade 7 in Physics & HOD Approval
No
Psychology
AQA
Grade 6 in Psychology/Biology
Yes
Economics
Edexcel
Discuss with HOD
Spanish
AQA
Grade 6 in Spanish & HOD Approval
No
Subject
Exam Board
Subject Specific GCSE Requirement
Opportunity at A-Level without GCSE in Subject
Business Studies
Pearson
4 GCSE grades at 5
Yes
Information Technology
Pearson
4 GCSE grades at 5
Yes
Sports Level 3
Pearson
4 GCSE grades at 5
Yes
International A levels have been written to the highest standard, with the global learner in mind, and are recognised by universities across the world. They offer progression from our GCSEs or International GCSEs and can be taken alongside our BTEC National qualifications to give students a comprehensive choice of subjects. International Advanced Level qualifications are not available to UK schools.
The National is a vocational course that is the equivalent of up to 3 A levels. It provides a specialist work related programme of study that covers the key knowledge and practical skills. It offers flexibility and a choice of emphasis through the specialist units.
The standard entry requirement for A level study at Safa Community School is for a student to have at least grade 5 in both English and Mathematics at GCSE level.
You will normally be expected to have gained at least a GCSE grade B or 6 in the A level subjects you wish to study. However, some subjects have higher or additional requirements, therefore please refer to the grid below and the subject specific pages for exact entry criteria. Those students wishing to study four A Levels subjects will require six GCSE grades at A/7 or above.
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