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Admissions

Sixth Form Admissions Policy

Sixth Form Admissions

General Entry Requirements

Students wishing to continue their studies with us are required to achieve a minimum of six B grades in the GCSE examinations, and preferably at least a ‘B’ grade in the subjects you intend to study. If you are applying to join us from another school, we also require a satisfactory reference from your current school.

Course Requirements

In addition to the general entry requirements, there are course requirements which explain what students need in order to pursue studies in each subject in the Sixth Form. This may entail achieving particular grades in specified subjects and it is important that students check these before making their choices. Details of these course requirements will be published in the Course Guide, which will be available in the week before the Open Evening.

Where an applicant fails to meet general entry or course requirements, we are always prepared to discuss with them their situation and prospects before a final decision is taken.

Sixth Form Admissions Policy

Ripon Grammar School Sixth Form aims to provide a challenging and stimulating environment in which each student is encouraged and supported, through a network of form tutors and additional sixth form mentors, to reach full potential, both academically and as a well-rounded young adult. The school provides an academic curriculum which although relatively diverse, does not include vocational courses such as GNVQs. Students must choose four AS options in the L6 (Year 12) and most students continue with three (although some students continue with four) of their chosen options to A2 level. A small number of subjects are provided for our students by Ripon College. Students can choose only one of these options. All students must also study General Studies, the vast majority of students taking this to A2 level.

In addition to the expectation that students will strive to meet the demands of the challenging academic curriculum, students are encouraged to participate in the wider life of the school through getting involved in some of the many extra-curricular activities on offer. All sixth form students will also be asked to take on some responsibility to help with the supervision of younger pupils.

The number of available places will be determined on an annual basis. In case when the number of applicants exceeds the places available, the following criteria will be considered in the order given:

• Students in the Fifth Year (Year 11) at Ripon Grammar School will be given first preference, providing that they meet the academic requirements stated in the sixth form prospectus. Current fifth years who indicate their intention to continue as sixth boarders will be given first preference for boarding places, provided that they meet the academic requirements, and that they receive a favourable reference about their suitability as a boarder from the boarding house staff.

• Any remaining boarding places available will be allocated next. The number of boarding places will be decided on an annual basis depending upon availability of accommodation. In addition to the requirements for all school boarders, sixth form boarding students must meet the minimum academic requirements stated in the sixth form prospectus, evidence being obtained from application forms and from references.

In the event that the number of boarding applicants exceeds the number of boarding places available, then the criteria given below for external candidates will be used to determine to whom places are offered.

• Once boarding places have been allocated, any remaining places available will be allocated. The criteria for external applicants, given below, will be used to allocate places, evidence being obtained from application forms and from references.

Criteria for applicants from other schools to Ripon Grammar School Sixth Form 

1. Academic achievements and academic potential

 In addition to the requirement to meet the minimum academic entry requirements for the sixth form as stated in the prospectus, information from school references about current academic achievement (for example results of recent mock examinations) and predicted GCSE grades (or equivalent for some applicants from overseas schools) will be used to judge whether an applicant is likely be able to cope with the breadth and pace of the curriculum on offer in the sixth form. Applicants will be placed in rank order related to their current and potential academic achievement.

1. Allocation of final place(s).

If there is a situation in which more than one student seems equally academically well suited to the final place(s) available, then consideration will be given to (a) whether applicant has a sibling already on school roll (b) whether applicant is resident in Ripon (c) the distance that other students live away from Ripon. Students in category (a) will have preference over those in category (b), and those in category (b) will have preference over those in category (c).  A waiting list will be drawn up of unsuccessful applicants, taking into account all the criteria above. Should places become available, students will be contacted in the order they appear on the waiting list.

Sixth Form Application Form

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