Key Stage 5

With open access entry to our Sixth Form, the post-16 curriculum provides access to a wide range of Level 3 courses with both traditional and vocational A-Levels. In recent years we have introduced A2 Photography, bringing the total of post-16 courses available at Westwood to 25. Level 2 provision can also be catered for as the demand arises; currently we have students following resit courses in GCSE English and Maths.

Students are encouraged to follow 3 subjects throughout KS5, with a small proportion taking 4 courses. Variations on this arrangement are negotiated on an individual basis with Sixth Form Tutors. Vocational courses are timetabled in parallel with traditional subjects and the majority of those students who follow a Level 3 BTEC course will also be studying an additional A2 subject to give them the equivalent of a 3 A-Level course. Students also have the opportunity of accessing Core Sport sessions each week. In addition we have a number of Year 13 students who are completing an AS Extended Project – students are encouraged to opt into this where it will be particularly valuable for them to do so. Alongside this we have introduced the opportunity for students to work towards Duke of Edinburgh qualifications at either Bronze or Silver Award.

In order to increase the range of subjects we can offer our post-16 students we collaborate closely with Leek High School and as part of the Leek Federation Sixth Form we occasionally arrange courses that are either split between the two sites in order to access facilities or teaching expertise. All transport between the two sites is provided free of charge.