Sixth Form Curriculum

At OSCA, our sixth form curriculum is carefully designed to secure outstanding outcomes for all students. Building on prior learning and achievement, our programmes develop in-depth subject knowledge alongside strong conceptual understanding and transferable skills, preparing students for progression to higher education, apprenticeships or high-quality employment.  

We offer a range of flexible learning pathways, enabling students to make the right choices based on their individual strengths, interests and future ambitions. These pathways are complemented by a comprehensive programme of enrichment, PSHE and personalised careers guidance, ensuring that students are well-informed, confident and prepared for their next steps.  

Our curriculum is underpinned by our core values, with an unrelenting focus on raising standards in reading, literacy, oracy and numeracy. These essential skills are embedded across all subjects, ensuring a consistent, whole-academy approach to developing confident readers, articulate speakers, skilled writers and numerate young people.  

We are committed to fostering a love of learning, encouraging students to want to know more, remember more and achieve more. Through high expectations, inclusive practice and strong support, we remove barriers to learning and celebrate success as a community. Above all, we empower every student to make positive choices, uphold strong values and achieve the very best outcomes they are capable of.  

Pathways 

Medicine Pathway 

To study medicine at university, the requirements are quite strict and competitive. Typically there are around 28,000 applicants for 9,500 places in the UK, making medicine one of the most competitive degrees. 

GCSEs 

Most medical schools expect strong GCSE results. This includes usually grade 7 or above in Maths, English Language and Science. Top universities often prefer mostly 8–9 grades. GCSEs are important because some universities use them to shortlist applicants. 

A Levels

Typical offers require AAA to A*AA  

Required subjects:  

• Chemistry (essential) 

• Biology (required by most) 

• Third Subject – often Mathematics or Physics but can vary 

Law Pathway 

Studying law at university is competitive. Universities are looking for students who can demonstrate strong academic ability, excellent communication skills, and a genuine interest in the legal system.  

GCSEs 

• Strong GCSEs (generally Grades 6-9) 

• Typically grade 6 or above in English and Maths, competitive universities may prefer 7–9 grades 

A Levels 

• Typical offers range from AAB to AAA, depending on the university. 

• There are no universally required subjects, but essay-based subjects, such as: English literature and history are beneficial. 

• Universities value subjects that develop critical thinking, argument writing and analysis. 

Sport Performance Pathway 

 Our Sports Performance Pathway provides our students with the opportunity to combine academic study with practical sport training, self-analysis and performance development as well as multi sports coaching and the opportunity to undertake a referee qualification. See the full details of this pathway on the Sports Performance page 

You can find out about the subjects we have on offer below 

A-Level Subjects

BTEC & Applied Qualifications

16-19 Tuition Fund

As required by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and detailed in their document “16 to 19 funding: 16 to 19 tuition fund”, we are publishing this statement explaining how we will use the funding allocated to Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy.  

This funding will be used to provide personalised support through small group tuition, additional tutorial sessions and pastoral support, for eligible 16 to 19 students in English, maths, and other courses where learning has been disrupted by the Covid19 lockdown. 

Eligible students will be those identified by the Government as disadvantaged, meaning those who had not achieved grade 4 or above at GCSE in either English or maths by age 16 and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or those have a grade 4 or above in English and/or maths, are from an economically disadvantaged background and would need catch-up support.

The funding will be allocated to support small groups of students, who typically have gaps in their knowledge, a need to improve in specific areas or need more time with subject specialists. The aim is to support skills development, knowledge and understanding to enable good progress on their study programme and effective transition to the next stage of their learning or employment. 

In some cases, it will provide additional tutorial sessions to further enhance personal development and progression opportunities for identified students, and used to fund additional pastoral support to ensure the wellbeing of students and allowing them to fully engage with the available academic support.