Notes for Applicants to our Sixth Form

Updated November 2025

Some key points from our Admissions Policy:

Seventy students (regardless of gender) can be accepted into the Sixth Form from other schools in addition to those Bournemouth School Year 11 students who achieve the Sixth Form entry requirements detailed below.
If an "Expression of Interest" is received on or before the published deadline of 31 January, all interested parties (whether or not they are already at the school) are treated in the same way and will be considered "eligible" for a place in the Sixth Form subject only to meeting the entry requirements of the Sixth Form, and meeting the subject specific requirements for their chosen programme of study.
To meet our Sixth Form entry requirements, applicants must have attained at least a grade 5 in both English language and mathematics, and have a “Best 8” GCSE points score of at least 48 points with at least a grade 6 in the subjects chosen or in a related discipline. Subject specific entry requirements are reviewed annually and published on our website by 1 January of the year of application.

In particular, applicants who completed their GCSEs at a school other than Bournemouth School should note the following:

Sixth Form Over-subscription Criteria

Should there be more candidates of the required level than places, after the admission of eligible students whose Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) names the school, the following criteria will be used to determine the rank order in which students will be offered places at the school:

Eligible students who are looked after children, previously looked after children or internationally adopted previously looked after children;
Eligible students who have been in receipt of the Pupil Premium Grant;

Eligible students with home addresses in the following postcodes (the priority area) with priority given to the student whose home address is nearest to Bournemouth School as measured by straight-line distance:

BH1 •••	BH2 •••	BH3 •••	BH4 •••	BH5 •••
BH6 •••	BH7 •••	BH8 •••	BH9 •••	BH10 •••
BH11 •••	BH12 5 ••	BH23 1 ••	BH23 2 ••	BH23 3 ••

Eligible students with home addresses outside the priority area, with priority given to the student whose home address is nearest to Bournemouth School as measured by straight-line distance.

How likely are we to be over-subscribed?

To date, we have only rarely had to use the published over-subscription criteria to cap the number of students joining our Sixth Form.
Currently there is an unprecedented number of young people seeking post-16 education in the local area.
Our recent A Level outcomes make joining our school in Year 12 an attractive proposition.
We will always endeavour to accommodate as many eligible students as we can, but cannot guarantee a place until 5.00pm on Friday, 21 August 2026.
The over-subscription criteria do not apply to students who are currently in Year 11 at Bournemouth School, but we will be unable to accommodate any of these students who do not meet the Sixth Form entry requirements.

Reminders of Admissions Arrangements for Year 12 for September 2026

Other than in exceptional circumstances, for admission to Year 12, students must have reached the age of 16 years on or before 31 August 2026 and must not have reached the age of 17 years on or before 31 August 2026.

The school's published admissions numbers for 2026 (i.e. the maximum number of pupils admitted in September who are not already attending Bournemouth School) is 70.

The closing date for the school to receive an Expression of Interest is Saturday, 31 January 2026 at 12.00 midnight.
The Year 12 Experience Day is on Thursday, 25 June 2026.
Students will receive their GCSE results on Thursday, 20 August 2026.
The Year 12 Application Form will open on the Bournemouth School website at 8.00am on Thursday, 20 August 2026.
The closing date for the receipt of Application Forms evidencing the applicants' GCSE results is 10.00am on Friday, 21 August 2026.
The confirmations of places in Year 12 will be emailed by 5.00pm on Friday, 21 August 2026.
Parents/carers must complete the online enrolment process by Monday, 31 August 2026.
The Year 12 Induction Day will be Thursday, 3 September 2026.

To be considered "eligible" for a place in our Sixth Form, applicants must have:

submitted an Expression of Interest by Saturday, 31 January 2026;
applied for a place in the Sixth Form by 10.00am on Friday, 21 August 2026 evidencing their GCSE results; and
met the entry requirements (for the Sixth Form and their chosen subjects).

Subject Specific Entry Requirements

A Level Subject	GCSE Entry Requirement
Art and Design	Grade 6 in Art and Design
Biology	Grade 6 in Biology or Grade 7/7 in Combined Sciences PLUS Grade 6 in Mathematics
Business Studies	Grade 6 in Business Studies or Grade 6 in English (Language or Literature) and Grade 6 in Mathematics
Chemistry	Grade 7 in Chemistry or Grade 7/7 in Combined Sciences PLUS Grade 7 in Mathematics
Computer Science	Grade 6 in Computer Science
Core Mathematics	No additional requirements to those published
Design and Technology: Product Design	Grade 6 in Design and Technology
Economics	Grade 6 in Mathematics and English (Language or Literature)
English Literature	Grade 6 in English (Language or Literature)
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)	No additional requirements to those published
French	Grade 6 in French
Geography	Grade 6 in Geography
German	Grade 6 in German
Graphic Communication	Grade 6 in Art and Design or Graphic Design
History	Grade 6 in History
Mathematics (AS Level)	Grade 6 in Mathematics (note: this is a two-year course)
Mathematics	Grade 7 in Mathematics
Further Mathematics	Grade 8 in Mathematics
Music	Grade 6 in GCSE Music or Grade 6 practical and Grade 5 theory (ABRSM or equivalent)
Physical Education	Grade 6 in Physical Education
Physics	Grade 6 in Physics or Grade 7/7 in Combined Sciences PLUS Grade 7 in Mathematics
Politics	Grade 6 in History, Geography or Religious Studies
Psychology	Grade 6 in English (Language or Literature), Mathematics and Biology
Religious Studies	Grade 6 in Religious Studies, Geography or History (or other Humanity)
Spanish	Grade 6 in Spanish

Frequently Asked Questions on GCSE Results Day

I completed Year 11 at Bournemouth School and have met the eligibility criteria and the subject specific requirements for my programme of study. I submitted an Expression of Interest before 31 January and do not want to change the courses that I chose at that time. Do I have a place?

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, 3 September.

I completed Year 11 at Bournemouth School, I submitted an Expression of Interest before 31 January, and have met the eligibility criteria to join the Sixth Form. Unfortunately, I have not met the subject specific requirements for one or more components of my programme of study. Do I have a place?

Congratulations on your GCSE results. Provided that you apply by 10.00am on Friday, 21 August, you have a guaranteed place in our Sixth Form (we will confirm your place by 5.00pm that day), but you will need to reconsider your programme of study to include subjects only for which you are eligible, and for which there is capacity within the timetabled classes. You will need to discuss your revised programme of study with Mrs Ateaque (Deputy Headteacher) on Induction Day (Thursday, 3 September).

I completed Year 11 at Bournemouth School and I submitted an Expression of Interest before 31 January, but unfortunately have not met the eligibility criteria*. Can any of the criteria be waived?

(* not having a grade 5 in English language or mathematics, or not achieving a Best 8 capped points score of at least 48)

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate you in our Sixth Form. We advise you to consider other providers and courses other than A Levels. We are very happy to offer individual advice.

I completed Year 11 at Bournemouth School, and have met the eligibility criteria to join the Sixth Form. Unfortunately, I did not submit an Expression of Interest by 31 January. Can I apply now?

Unfortunately, we are unlikely to be able to accommodate you in our Sixth Form. You may submit a late application (please email [email protected]), but it is unlikely that a place will become available. We advise you to consider other providers. We are very happy to offer individual advice.

I completed Year 11 at a school other than Bournemouth School and have met the eligibility criteria and the subject specific requirements for my programme of study. I submitted an Expression of Interest before 31 January and do not want to change the subjects that I chose at that time. Do I have a place?

Congratulations on your GCSE results. The number of applicants from other schools that we can admit is limited to 70 students by our Admissions Policy. In the event of there being more than 70 eligible applicants, we have to apply our over-subscription criteria. This means that if you are eligible, and are “looked after” or have been eligible for the Pupil Premium Grant, you will be given a place. You are also likely to have secured a place if you live within our "priority area". Please apply by 10.00am on Friday, 21 August (we will confirm your place by 5.00pm that day). If you are offered a place, your parent/carer will then need to complete the online enrolment process by Monday, 31 August.

All being well, we look forward to seeing you on Thursday, 3 September.

I completed Year 11 at a school other than Bournemouth School, I submitted an Expression of Interest before 31 January, and have met the eligibility criteria to join the Sixth Form. Unfortunately, I have not met the subject specific requirements for one or more components of my programme of study. Do I have a place?

Congratulations on your GCSE results. The number of applicants from other schools that we can admit is limited to 70 students by our Admissions Policy. In the event of there being more than 70 eligible applicants, we have to apply our over-subscription criteria. This means that if you are eligible, and are “looked after” or have been eligible for the Pupil Premium Grant, you will be given a place. You are also likely to have secured a place if you live within our "priority area". You will need to reconsider your programme of study to include subjects only for which you are eligible, and for which there is capacity within the timetabled classes. Please apply by 10.00am on Friday, 21 August (we will confirm your place by 5.00pm that day). You will need to discuss your revised programme of study with Mrs Ateaque (Deputy Headteacher) on Induction Day (Thursday, 3 September).

I completed Year 11 at a school other than Bournemouth School and I submitted an Expression of Interest before 31 January, but unfortunately have not met the eligibility criteria*. Can any of the criteria be waived?

(* not having a grade 5 in English language or mathematics, or not achieving a Best 8 capped points score of at least 48.)

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate you in our Sixth Form. We advise you to consider other providers and courses other than A Levels.

I completed Year 11 at a school other than Bournemouth School, and have met the eligibility criteria to join the sixth form. Unfortunately, I did not submit an Expression of Interest by 31 January. Can I apply now?

Important Note

Subject teachers and other colleagues may offer advice, but only Mrs Ateaque (Deputy Headteacher) and Mrs Brown (Director of Sixth Form) may confirm your place in our Sixth Form or changes to your programme of study.

Can I appeal?

Bournemouth School’s Admissions Panel will meet to ratify the enrolment of students into Year 12, to ensure that the school has complied with its Admissions Policy. Parents who are unhappy with the way in which the policy has been applied to their child’s individual circumstances may write to the panel to ask for the decision to be reviewed. Parents should make clear the grounds of their appeal making reference to the eligibility criteria and the GCSE results that were achieved. Parents should note that other factors (such as behaviour, attendance or mitigating circumstances) cannot be considered by the panel.

Details of how to appeal will be published on our website in August 2026.

Meeting	Exceeding
You will be able to describe and explain the increased tension over Berlin between Khrushchev and Kennedy. You will be able to have a good understanding of why there were summit meetings called, 1960 and 1961. You will be able to describe and explain why the Berlin Wall was built in 1961. You will be able to explain the impact the building of the wall had on East-West relations and the importance of Kennedy’s visit to Berlin in 1963. You will be able to show a good understanding of the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the importance of the Bay of Pigs failed invasion of 1961 and the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962.	You will be able to evaluate the impact on international relations of increased tension over Berlin between Khrushchev and Kennedy. You understanding of the summit meetings is precise and you can evaluate their importance. You will be able to precisely recall details of how why the Berlin Wall was built in 1961. You will be able to evaluate the importance of the building of the wall on East-West relations and the importance of Kennedy’s visit to Berlin in 1963. You will be able to show a precise knowledge and understanding of the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the importance of the Bay of Pigs failed invasion of 1961 the events and significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 in the short term and long term.
Assessment Methods
Do-now tasks Retrieval Quiz in class End of Unit Assessment

Meeting	Exceeding
You will demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the origins of the Weimar Republic from its creation in 1918. You will be able to describe and explain why the Republic faced political and economic challenges in the years 1919 – 1923. You will be able to understand some controversy over Germany’s recovery from 1924 – 28. You will be able to describe and explain how society and culture changed during the ‘Golden Years’ of Weimar. You will mostly be able to demonstrate accurate recall of key people, key dates, terminologies and acronyms to describe aspects Weimar Germany, 1918 – 1928.	You will be able to recall, with more precision and accuracy, the origins of the Weimar Republic from 1918. You will accurately explain the early challenges including the Spartacist Uprising, Kapp Putsch and the causes and impact of the German Hyperinflation of 1923. You will be able to recall, with precision and accuracy, how Weimar recovered including Stresemann’s economic and foreign policy successes whilst able to evaluate the limitations of recovery. You will have a secure knowledge of how Weimar society and culture changed. You will be able to convincingly demonstrate accurate and precise recall of key people, key dates, terminologies and acronyms describing aspects of Weimar Germany 1924 – 1929.
Assessment Methods
Do-now tasks Retrieval Quiz in class End of Unit Assessment

Meeting	Exceeding
You show a good knowledge and understanding of key terms associated with the changes happening from 1750 – 1900. You are able to describe and explain some aspects of continuity of society and economy during this period. You demonstrate a good understanding of how agriculture changed, why the factory system developed, how transport improvements impacted the economy with particular reference to the steam train. You are able to explain why living conditions in the new towns and cities changed, the impact on public health and calls for reform. You show secure evaluation of sources for utility, taking into account some aspects of provenance and / or own knowledge.	You are able to show an excellent knowledge and understanding of key terms associated with the changes happening from 1750 – 1900. You are able to precisely describe and explain aspects of continuity of society and economy during this period. You are able to show an excellent and precise understanding of how agriculture changed, why the factory system developed, how transport improvements impacted the economy with particular reference to the steam train. You are able to evaluate how and why living conditions in the new towns and cities changed and the impact these changes had on public health and calls for reform. You show a convincing evaluation of sources for utility, taking into account provenance and precise own knowledge.
Assessment Methods
Do Now Questioning in class Peer assessments (Skills based written response)

Meeting	Exceeding
You will be able to describe and explain the early tension between the members of the Grand Alliance at the three wartime conferences and events in Europe up to 1945. You will be able to have a good understanding of the ideological differences between Capitalism and Communism. You will be able to describe and explain the development of the Cold 1947 – 1949 including the flashpoint of Berlin, 1948 – 49 and the setting up of East and West Germany. You will understand why the Cold War intensified, 1949 – 58 including the arms race and the USSR’s response to the Hungarian Uprising of 1956 and international reaction to this.	You will be able to evaluate the consequences of the wartime alliances for East-West relations. You will understand the attitudes of the wartime leaders and how this further impacted East-West relations. You will select accurate evidence to show the creation of the satellite states to further explain how soviet influence spread, 1945-48. You will be able to demonstrate an excellent understanding of short term and long term reasons why Stalin blockaded Berlin and how this further escalated the Cold War. You will be able to evaluate the significance of the arms race, Khrushchev’s response to the Hungarian Uprising and international reaction.
Assessment Methods
Do Now Retrieval quizzes in class Topic 1 End of Unit Assessment (factual recall)

Meeting	Exceeding
You will be able to have a good knowledge of Nazi policies towards women and why this was so. You will be able to describe and explain Nazi policies towards young people including education and youth groups with some evaluation. You will be able to understand the ways the Nazis reduced unemployment and how they made changes to peoples’ standard of living. You will be able to describe and explain why persecution of minority groups, especially the Jews, increased after 1933.	You will be able to evaluate Nazi policies towards women and young people. You will be able to confidently evaluate policies designed to reduce unemployment whilst also having an in-depth knowledge of policies impacting the standard of living of German workers. You will be able to evaluate the impact Nazi racial policies had upon groups such as Slavs, Roma, Sinti, homosexuals and those with disabilities. You will be able to evaluate the escalation of persecution towards Jewish people with precise reference to events such as the Nuremberg Laws and Kristallnacht.
Assessment Methods
Do Now Retrieval quizzes in class Key Topic 4: End of Unit assessment (factual recall)

Meeting	Exceeding
You will be able to write a response that includes three causes of the outbreak of The Great War (this is the keystone point: no answer can be graded as ‘meeting’ if it does not contain three causes from: military, alliances, imperialism and nationalism). You will demonstrate the skill of analytical writing by demonstrating the Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link technique (PEEL) on each paragraph. For each cause, you will be including sufficient factual detail/proof to justify judgements rather than unsupported statements. You will be able to show secure explanation on each cause and link to why it was a reason for World War I breaking out.	You will apply precisely selected evidence, giving more weight to the judgements drawn. The quality of your evaluation will be in greater depth (e.g. linking in more depth to the question, considering limitations of each factor as a cause, making a clear judgement for each cause, maybe comparing their importance). You will be able to write a response that can also contain evidence of more independent research gathered from outside of the content studied in class.
Assessment Methods
Do Now tasks Retrieval quiz (factual recall) in class End of Unit 2 assessment (Skill: causation writing)

Meeting	Exceeding
You will be able to produce a written response that includes three distinct causes of the Break with Rome (this is the keystone point: no answer can be graded as ‘meeting’ if it does not contain three factors) Each of your causes contain sufficient factual detail/proof to justify judgments rather than assertions. Each cause is analysed/explained and linked to why it was a cause of the break with Rome	Your selected evidence is precise and detailed giving more weight to the judgments drawn. The quality of your evaluation is in greater depth (e.g. linking in more depth to the question, considering limitations of each factor as a cause, making a clear judgement for each cause, maybe comparing their importance). Your answers may contain evidence of independent research outside of the work covered in class.
Assessment Methods
Do Now Questioning in class End of Unit Assessment: Causation writing (PEEL Paragraphs)

Meeting	Exceeding
Your written response includes three distinct causes. Each cause contains enough ‘accurate’ (factually correct) and ‘relevant’ (fitted to this question and taken from the correct time period) information to justify judgments rather than assertions. You have analysed or explained each cause and linked it to why it was a cause.	The deployment of your evidence (e.g. precise details, dates, statistics) is in greater depth, giving more weight to the judgements drawn. Your supporting evidence is precisely selected to address the question directly, showing skill in selecting the most convincing evidence. The quality of your evaluation links in more depth to the question ‘directed consistently at conceptual focus’, maybe considering limitations of each factor as a cause. You make a clear judgement for each cause, maybe comparing their importance. All of your three points demonstrate a line of reasoning that is coherent, sustained and logically structured. You demonstrate an excellent, precise and accurate knowledge and understanding of the origins of the Weimar Republic and the challenges it faced, 1919 – 1923.
Assessment Methods
Do Now scores Retrieval quizzes in class Skills based end of Unit assessment: writing a causation examination answer

Meeting	Exceeding
You can recall and use most information from the Knowledge Organiser. You can link some features of the music to the context in which it was written. You can describe most elements of the music with reasonable accuracy. You are able to perform a solo on your instrument of at least grade 3 standard. You are able to plan and maintain practice sessions leading to a reasonably successful performance in terms of accuracy of notes, quality of tone, use of some expressive features such as dynamics. You are able to perform with fluency and coherence and only minimal hesitation. You are able to choose appropriate music which fulfils most of the exam board requirements such as appropriate difficulty level, sheet music, backing tracks etc. You are able to confront your nerves and use some strategies to help you in your performance. You are able to use the exam board mark scheme with some accuracy to assess your own and others work. You show some understanding of word setting. You compose a piece which matches most parts of the brief set. You mostly keep on track with your work, generally submitting an appropriate amount at each check point. Your composition demonstrates some understanding of the compositional process, including song writing techniques.	You can recall and use all information from the Knowledge Organiser. You can link most features of the music to the context in which it was written. You can describe all elements of the music with good levels of accuracy. You are able to perform a solo on your instrument of a least grade 4 standard. You are able to plan and maintain practice sessions leading to a successful performance in terms of accuracy, quality of tone and include expressive features such as dynamics and articulation. You are able to perform fluently and without hesitations. You are able to choose appropriate music which fulfils all of the exam board requirements such as appropriate difficulty level, sheet music, backing tracks etc. You are able to confront your nerves and use a range of strategies to help you in your performance. You are able to use the exam board mark scheme accurately to assess your own and others work and use this to inform future practice. You are able to set the words effectively. You compose a piece which matches all parts of the brief set. You keep totally on track with your work, submitting an appropriate amount or going beyond the requirements at each check point. Your composition demonstrates a good understanding of the compositional process including song writing techniques.
Assessment Methods
Do Now tasks. Questioning in class. Exam style listening question at the end of the unit. Solo performance on own instrument in class. Informal marking of a range of solos. Choice of text and word setting of this text for composition. Submission of score showing progress at check points. Submission of final score and audio.

A Note for Applicants to our Sixth Form for September 2026

Sixth Form Over-subscription Criteria

How likely are we to be over-subscribed?

Reminders of Admissions Arrangements for Year 12 for September 2026

Subject Specific Entry Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions on GCSE Results Day

Can I appeal?