Qualifications Explained

Qualifications available at Key Stage 4

Throughout Years 10 and 11 students will be preparing to take public examinations in nationally recognised and valued qualifications. At Key Stage 4 these can include:

GCSE General Certificate in Secondary Education
A/S Level Advanced Subsidiary Level (the first half of an 'A'Level)
NVQ National Vocational Qualification
BTEC Business and Technical Education Certificate
City & Guilds Vocational qualifications

Apart from GCSEs and A/S Levels, the other awards have a vocational slant (qualifications related to a particular area of employment) and are often aimed at specific occupations. They are valued by schools, employers and colleges of further education.

Vocational education is now referred to as Applied Learning.

Qualifications 'levels'

All of the qualifications on offer are referred to by a ‘level’ e.g. BTEC Level 1. These levels are from The National Qualifications Framework, which is outlined below:

Level 1 Qualifications equivalent to GCSE grades D to G
Level 2 Qualifications equivalent to GCSE grades A* to C
Level 3 Qualifications equivalent to ‘A’ Levels, ONC, HNC etc
Level 4 Qualifications equivalent to degree level
Level 5 Qualifications beyond degree level e.g. MA, MSc

We offer courses at Key Stage 4 from levels 1 to 3 which gives students the opportunity to choose subjects at a level of difficulty / challenge appropriate to their individual ability. GCSE courses with grades of A* to G, cover Levels 1 and 2.

Unless otherwise stated, courses will be at Level 2, but please read the information carefully to ensure appropriate levels of course are selected.