Who are we? The Sixth Form College, Solihull is part of the Ninestiles Academy Trust and is one of the top post-16 education institutions in the country, with excellent achievement levels. Our purpose is to provide sixth form education for young people in Solihull and the surrounding area. The College boasts state-ofthe-art facilities and first class teaching. We offer a wide choice of A level and advanced BTEC Diploma courses.
College Mission
Courses are Changing! Changes are happening nationwide. A levels have all changed to become 2-year linear courses. This means you need to study for the full 2 years to get the qualification, with exams in year 2. Coursework has disappeared from most A level courses. BTECs will now have more rigorous assessment with fewer resubmissions and more external assessment.
Our Courses A levels (and equivalent courses) Ancient History Fine Art Music Biology French Philosophy NEW Business Further Mathematics Photography Chemistry Geography Physical Education Classical Civilisation Geology NEW Physics Computer Science German Politics Criminology * NEW Graphics Psychology Dance Health & Social Care * Religious Studies Drama & Theatre History Russian Economics Information Technology * Spanish English Language Law Sociology English Literature Mathematics Statistics Film Studies Media Studies * These courses are 6-unit BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, but are equivalent to one A level and can be studied as part of an A level programme.
Our Courses BTEC Extended Diplomas: Each of these courses are equivalent to studying 3 A levels. They contain a higher element of coursework, with less formal assessment than A levels and are highly regarded by employers and universities. Applied Science Art & Design Business Health & Social Care IT Sport Technical Level 3 Diploma in Childcare & Education (comparable with BTEC Childcare) BTECs are changing too as assessment is becoming more rigorous!
Your Choices! A levels or a BTEC? You choose EITHER: OR: 3 A level subjects 1 BTEC / Diploma You can t combine A levels with BTEC Extended Diplomas or the Technical Level 3 Diploma as the BTEC/Diploma courses are equivalent to studying 3 A levels on their own! Our most able and ambitious of students (usually with at least five A/A* grades at GCSE) may wish to study 4 subjects at A Level, but 3 subjects is sufficient for a university/training offer.
Entry Requirements Standard 3 A level Programme: At least two grade 6s or B grades at GCSE. At least a further three grade 4s or C grades at GCSE. You should have at least a grade 4 or C grade in GCSE English Language and Mathematics. 4 A level Programme: At least five grade 7s or A/A* grades at GCSE. You should have at least a grade 6 or B grade in GCSE English Language and Mathematics. Students picking Mathematics and Further Mathematics will need to get at least a grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics. Please note that there may be additional entry requirements specific to particular courses - please check each course listing on our website carefully to ensure you understand these entry requirements.
Entry Requirements BTEC Extended Diploma/Technical Level 3 Diploma: At least two grade 6s or B grades at GCSE or merit on an equivalent course. At least a further three grade 4s or C grades at GCSE or equivalent. On BTECs you should have at least a grade 4 or C grade in GCSE English Language or Mathematics, with at least a grade 3 or D grade in the other one. If you do have a grade 3 or D in one of these two key subjects, you will be required to re-take this GCSE in addition to your BTEC Diploma. CACHE requires a grade C or 4 in English, Mathematics and preferably Science. Please note that most GCSE courses will be graded 9-1 (grade 9 being the top grade) from 2018 onwards. This is due to reforms being introduced nationwide by the Department for Education. All GCSE courses will be graded by the new system by the following year. If you sat your GCSE exams before 2018, most will have been graded A*-G. Grade 4 is roughly equivalent to a C grade in the old system.
Outstanding Achievement 2017 Results: 435 starred grades (A* at A level and Distinction* at BTEC level) 194 students obtained at least three or more A/A* grades at A Level or Distinction/ Distinction* grades in BTEC courses 530 students got all higher grades at advanced level (A-C at A Level or BTEC merit or above) 100% pass rate in 25 courses. 941 students applied to go to university Approximately 100 students have progressed to Oxbridge and medical courses in the last ten years.
Why choose us? dedicated 16-19 college excellent academic achievement levels with high pass rates outstanding teachers with expert knowledge outstanding support for progression to university or employment a huge variety of subjects available (38 at A level and 7 BTEC Extended / Level 3 Diplomas) great flexibility of A level subjects superb facilities and specialist resources outstanding support from student welfare to financial advice academic coaches for all students a broad enrichment programme, enabling students to have a rounded learning experience careers readiness preparation
Enrichment activities include: Team sports Dance, Drama and Music activities Student-led activities like Health Ambassadors, Student Reps, Charity Fund Raising and Faith Groups Special events like the Model United Nations and study visits to Europe and America Voluntary work Extra courses like the Extended Project Qualification Specialist enrichments like the Shakespeare Academy, Pre- Medical School, Engineering Academy and many more. Enrichment
Specialist Academies Students wishing to bolster their chances of a top university offer in a competitive course are advised to consider a Specialist Academy, with links to universities. These include: Pre-Medical School & Wider Medical Careers Academy Engineering Academy Law Academy European Languages Centre Psychology Research School Teaching Academy Accounting & Finance Academy & Business Academy Humanities Academy & Social Sciences Academies
Our Timetable
Case Study Megan Bache Langley School Success: French - A* German - A* Mathematics - A* Progression: French & German degree at Churchill College, Cambridge
Case Study Keira Pullen Langley School Success: English Literature - A* Geography - A Politics - B AS Italian C Progression: Geography degree at the University of Nottingham
Case Study Douglas Heaton Langley School Success: BTEC Sport - D*D*D* (D* = Distinction*) Progression: Sport & Exercise Sciences degree at the University of Birmingham
Case Study Gemma Queenborough Langley School Success: BTEC Sport - D*D*D* (D* = Distinction*) Progression: Coaching walking and disability Sports. Currently running a walking netball class.
Key dates Open Day Saturday 7 October 2017 9.30am 3.30pm Last entry 2.30pm. Open Evening Thursday 9 November 2017 5.00pm 8.00pm Last entry 7.30pm. Information Evening Thursday 1 March 2018 4.30pm 7.00pm Last entry 6.30pm. In all cases, all students should be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Students are encouraged to pre-register online within 4 weeks of the event.
Applying Read about our courses at www.solihullsfc.ac.uk. Apply online at http://tyber.solihullsfc.ac.uk by 30 March. We will get a reference from your school. We will invite you for an interview. We will make you an offer and invite you to Welcome to College Day in June. We will enrol you in August/September.