Our courses and option blocks
Option Blocks- September 2024
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS RELEVANT TO SEPTEMBER 2024 ONLY. INFORMATION FOR SEPTEMBER 2025 ENTRY WILL BE POSTED IN JANUARY 2025
Students usually select 3 choices from the following option blocks, although some students may choose to study 4 subjects.
The options should each be chosen from a different option block.
Please note that the option block structure is provisional. We reserve the right to amend our course offer at any time.
Full course descriptions for each subject can be found on the links below.
Entry requirements
The entry requirement for EWS Sixth Form is 5 passes (Grade 4, Level 2 Pass or equivalent) or above, including GCSE English at Grade 4 or above. Please note that some courses have an additional entry criteria, as listed below.
Additional entry criteria
Full course requirements can be found on the links below. A summary is provided here:
Entry requirements | |
Applied Business | No additional entry requirement |
Biology | Grade 6 in Biology, (6/6 in Science) |
Chemistry | Grade 7 in Chemistry, Combined Science 7/7 |
English Literature | Grade 6 in English Literature |
Environmental Science | Science Grade 5, Maths 5 |
Fine Art | Grade 6 in Art |
French | Grade 6 in French |
Geography | Grade 5 in Geography plus Grade 5 in Maths and Science |
Health & Social Care | No additional entry requirement |
History | Grade 5 in History or a Grade 5 in English if History not previously taken |
Maths | Grade 7 in Maths |
PE | Grade 4/ L2 Pass preferred in PE preferred |
Philosophy & Ethics | You must have a grade 5 in English at GCSE. You do not have to have studied Religious Studies or Philosophy at GCSE. If you have previously studied RS you need a grade 5 at GCSE, otherwise a 5 in English can stand in if you have not studied the subject before. |
Physics | Grade 7 in Physics, Combined Science 7/7 and Grade 7 in Mathematics |
Product Design | Grade 5 in DT |
Psychology | Grade 5 in English and Maths |
Spanish | Grade 6 in Spanish |
Sociology | Grade 5 in English |
Please note that these entry requirements may be subject to adjustment.
Additional subjects
GCSE English and Mathematics
It is a national requirement that any student without a grade 4 in GCSE in Mathematics or English will have to continue to study these subjects as part of their programme of study until they have achieved the qualification. This may mean your choice of courses will be affected due to this requirement.
Extended Project Qualification
EPQ is an additional qualification which allows each student to embark on a largely self-directed and self motivated project to either compliment or supplement their existing subjects. EPQ is favoured by universities as part of their entrance criteria.