How to Apply

Applications to our Sixth Form are made by Applica, internal students will receive an email inviting them to apply, if you are an external student please either use the link below or contact hrendell@blandfordschool.org.uk

Application Process and Timeline

Internal Applicants

Step 1 - Attend Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 19th November 2025. You will be able to discuss your options for next year with subject teachers and the Sixth Form Team.
Step 2 - Find out which level of course would be most appropriate to you (Level 2 or Level 3); and read the information sheets in this booklet about all the courses.
Step 3 - Discuss your choices with your current teachers
Step 4 - Complete Options Form Version 1 online by Monday 1st December. (Applica)
Following analysis of students’ choices and preferences, there may be a second version of the Option Blocks.
Step 5 - Attend a progression meeting with Senior Staff after Christmas; you will have the opportunity to discuss your plans for next year and ask any questions. We will also check your suitability for your chosen courses.
Step 6 - Decide whether a programme in our Sixth Form is your first choice (Plan A) and/or if it is going to be your back-up (Plan B).
Step 7 - Complete your final Application Form online (Date to be confirmed - around February half term). If you are intending to go somewhere else for your post-16 study, you will need to confirm this too.
Step 8 - Discuss your final application with subject staff; you may also be invited to attend an interview with Mrs Moore, Head of Sixth Form.
Step 9 - Attend Step Up to Sixth Form day (Friday 26th June 2026) to support your transition between GCSE and Sixth Form courses.

External Applicants

Step 1 - Attend the Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 19th November 2025. Discuss your options with subject staff.
Step 2 - Find out which level of course would be most appropriate to you (Level 2 or Level 3) and read the information sheet in this booklet about all the courses.
Step 3 - Complete Options Form Version 1 online (Applica) by Monday 1st December.
Following analysis of students’ choices and preferences, there may be a 2nd version of the Option Blocks.
Step 4 - Attend an interview with Mrs Moore or Mr Langford after Christmas; you will have the opportunity to discuss your plans for next year and ask any questions. We will also check your suitability for your chosen courses with your current school.
Step 5 - Attend Step Up to Sixth Form day (Friday 26th June 2026) to support your transition between GCSE and Sixth Form courses.
Step 6 - On GCSE results day email us with your grades.

Explore Your Future at The Blandford School Sixth Form Open Evening

Are you ready to take the next step in your education? Join us for our Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 19th November 2025 at 6:00 PM and discover everything The Blandford School Sixth Form has to offer.

During the evening, you will be able to:

Meet our passionate and dedicated subject teachers
Explore our wide range of A Level and vocational courses
Hear directly from current students about life in our vibrant Sixth Form
Learn about our ALPS Grade 1 achievement, which places us in the top 1% of Sixth Forms nationally for value added

This event is open to prospective students, parents, and carers. While no booking is required to attend, we encourage you to register in advance so we can make the evening as enjoyable and informative as possible.

Come and see how The Blandford School Sixth Form can help you achieve your goals and build your future.

Entry requirements

The Blandford School offers courses at both Level 2 and Level 3.

The entry requirement for our Level 2 programme is 5 GCSEs passed at grade 2 or above.

To access Level 3 courses you will need to have achieved a grade 4 or higher in GCSE English Language. Any students failing to meet this requirement will be required to follow a level 2 programme.

If you achieve more than 5 x grade 4s in your GCSE subjects (this may include a Level 2 Merit in a vocational subject) you will be able to choose from the level 3 programmes on offer.

If you achieve 5 x grade 4s we recommend you choose a Level 3 course made up of vocational qualifications.

If you are currently in Year 12 completing a Level 2 course you must achieve Level 2 Merits and a grade 4 in English GCSE to access the Level 3 programme and meet the subject entry requirements for Level 3 courses.

If you achieve fewer than 5 x grade 4s you will be required to follow a level 2 programme.

All A level subjects are linear; this means that you will take your exams at the end of the two year course. Vocational courses have exam entry points in January and June of year 12 and year 13 so it is likely that students will be examined throughout the two years rather than just at the end of the two year course.

All Level 3 students will be expected to choose three subjects (CTEC Business Diploma and CTEC Health and Social Care Diploma count as two subjects as they are the equivalent of two A Levels) to study; these may be supplemented with Core Maths or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), both of which carry additional UCAS points. In exceptional circumstances you may be able to study four subjects, but only following an assessment of your suitability and a discussion with the Head of Sixth Form.

When choosing subjects you should consider: which subjects you are likely to be most successful at; the methods of assessment and if your desired progression route requires particular subjects, the websites www.informedchoices.ac.uk, Unifrog, The subject matters, the University of Cambridge and UCAS are useful sources of further information.

Scholarships

We offer a small number of financial scholarships to students who join our Sixth Form. Applications are via our website and will open on 22nd November 2025 and close on 20th December 2025. Interviews will take place in January.

Students may apply for up to two types of scholarship but will only be able to hold one. Scholarships are available in the following disciplines: academic, sport and the arts.

GCSE retakes

Students who do not achieve a grade 4 in English Language and / or Maths at the end of Year 11 will have to re-take these subjects as part of their programme of study in order to support their future progression. Maths re-sit students may also be working towards Functional Skills Qualifications (Level 1 and Level 2) in their lessons. 

Subject	Additional Entry Requirements	Course Leader
Level 2
Business	5 GCSEs passed at grade 2 or above	Mr Opalka
Travel and Tourism	5 GCSEs passed at grade 2 or above	Mrs Mackay
Level 3
Art	Grade 5 in GCSE Art.	Ms L Parsons
Biology	Grade 7 in GCSE Biology or 77 in Combined Science. Grade 6 in GCSE Maths.	Mr Wort
Business (A Level)	Grade 5 in GCSE Business Studies (if taken), English and Maths.	Mr Opalka
Business (CTEC) – Single or Double award.		Mr Opalka
Digital Media (CTEC) – Single award		Mr Carpenter
Chemistry	Grade 7 in GCSE Chemistry or 77 in Combined Science. Grade 6 in GCSE Maths.	Mrs Haymonds
Core Mathematics	Grade 5 in GCSE Maths.	Mrs Lee
Design / Textiles	Grade 5 in GCSE Design or Level 2 Merit in Engineering	Mr Luxon
Performing Arts	Grade 5 in GCSE Drama or Level 2 Merit in BTEC Dance.	Ms Clements
Economics	Grade 6 in GCSE English and Maths, Grade 5 in GCSE Business Studies (if taken).	Mr Opalka
English Language and Literature	Grade 5 in GCSE English Language and Literature.	Mr Tovey
Extended Project (EPQ)	5 GCSEs Grade 5 or above, including GCSE English Language	Mr J Langford
French	Grade 6 in GCSE French.	Miss Munro
Geography	Grade 5 in GCSE Geography.	Mrs Muir
Health and Social Care (AAQ) – Single Award	Grade 4-4 in GCSE Science.	Mrs Moore
Health and Social Care – CTEC Diploma – Double Award	Grade 4-4 in GCSE Science	Mrs Moore
History	Grade 5 in GCSE History (or grade 5 in English if History has not been taken.)	Miss Stannard
Mathematics	Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics.	Mrs Lee
Religious Studies	Grade 5 in GCSE RE History (or grade 5 in English if RE has not been taken at GCSE).	Ms Fox-Adams
Physical Education	Grade 5 in GCSE PE or Level 2 Merit in BTEC Sport.	Mr Clinton
Physics	Grade 7 in GCSE Physics or 77 in Combined Science. Grade 6 in GCSE Maths.	Mr Hintze
Psychology	Grade 5-5 in GCSE Science, Grade 5 in English and Maths.	Mrs Yeo
Sociology	Grade 4 in GCSE English and a Humanities subject.	Mrs Gibb
Spanish	Grade 6 in GCSE Spanish.	Miss Munro
Sport (CTEC)	Grade 4 in GCSE PE or Level 2 Merit in BTEC Sport.	Mr Clinton