Sixth Form

Life as a Sixth Former at Dean Close School holds a huge variety of opportunities. The world of choice opens up not only in academic terms, but also in the breadth of clubs, societies, roles of responsibility, entitlements and facilities solely for the Sixth Form.

Wide-ranging academic possibilities are offered through 23 different AS/A2 level subjects including Politics, Greek, Classical Civilisation, Philosophy & Ethics, Psychology and Theatre Studies. A level results are well above the national average and the majority of Sixth Formers gain a place at their first choice university. A*/A grades are fully achievable, with 48% of all exams taken in 2011 resulting in those grades, aided by the average class size of around 10-12 pupils. The Headmaster sits down individually with every sixth form pupil to assist with their UCAS form and a careers department is on hand for university and careers advice, counselling, testing, contacts and practical assistance.

In the last three years, leavers’ destinations have included Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Exeter, Imperial, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, St Andrew’s, Trinity Dublin, UCL, Warwick.

The social life a of sixth former is a high priority with a well-equipped sixth form social centre, an annual university style ball and regular opportunities to meet and sometimes dine with high profile visitors, most recently being Sir Steve Redgrave, Andrew Marr, Nathaniel Parker, Nigel Havers, Simon Singh, Raymond Blanc, William Hague and Sir Geoff Hurst.

Dean Close is not a highly selective school yet this year achieved results all above the Independent School sector average and the national trend.   It caters for each individual child on an academic level and will encourage its very able pupils to take exams early if they feel they can achieve good results.

At A2…

  • 18% of all grades were A*
  • 54% of all grades were A*/A
  • 80% of all grades were A*/B
  • 70% of leavers got into their first choice university
  • 84% of leavers got into their first or second choice university
  • 55% got into Oxford, Cambridge or Russell Group universities
  • 2 pupils achieved 4 A*s

At AS…

  • 15% of all AS pupils achieved straight As

27 different subjects are offered, from Greek to Chinese, from Psychology to Triple Maths

Year No of pupils % A* % A* / A / B % Pass UCAS points per exam
2008 108      75.6      99.7 103
2009 102      76.7      99.4 104
2010 107 14.8      73.9      99.5 104
2011 96 14.4      74.5    100.0 105
2012 112 18      79      99.5 108

Sixth Form Curriculum Brochure 2013-2015

A Level Choices 2012-2013

In order to undertake the normal A level course we expect pupils to have obtained a miniumum of four grade B and two grade C subject passes at GCSE with B the standard minimum requirement in those subjects intended for further study.  GCSE guidelines are available for each A level subject although the final decision about suitability for a particular subject lies with the Director of Studies.

A B C D
Maths (single) Physics Chemistry Physics
Further Maths (11 lessons) Chemistry Biology Biology
Further Maths (16 lessons) Further Maths (16 lessons) French English
English English Business Studies Business Studies
Psychology French Geography Philosophy & Ethics
Politics Geography Psychology Classical Civilisation
Spanish Classical Civilisation History (traditional) History (traditional)
Economics History (modern) Theatre Studies
Art Latin Greek
PE Design Technology
Music