Admissions 2026/27
Birchwood High School Sixth Form enjoys an outstanding reputation for academic excellence and student support, offering a wide range of courses and opportunities for post-16 students. Our curriculum is delivered in a challenging, exciting, and nurturing environment, where students from all backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to succeed. We pride ourselves on being a school that cares for every member of our community. We offer a wide range of A Level and BTEC qualifications, designed to offer flexibility, ensuring that every student can pursue the right courses tailored to their strengths and future ambitions.
In the following section, you will find detailed information about our 2026/27 entry requirements, including the qualifications we offer, the Total Point Score System used for admissions, and the criteria for both A Levels and BTECs. We will also outline the different curriculum pathways available, along with guidance on making the right subject choices to ensure a fulfilling and successful Sixth Form experience.
For further information, please contact: Mr Ian Torrance
Apply Here
Application Process
All applicants—both internal and external—must complete an online application via our portal:
Apply via Applicaa https://birchwoodonline.applicaa.com/year12
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Applications open: Thursday 13 November 2025
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Deadline for submission: Friday 19 December 2025
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Guidance meetings for external applicants: Saturday 24 January 2026
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Offer letters sent via email: Between 13 February and 27 February 2026
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Induction Day for offer holders: Tuesday 7 July 2026
If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact Ms Hewlett.
2026/27 Entry Requirements for the Birchwood Sixth Form
All courses offered at Birchwood Sixth Form are Level 3 qualifications. In order to provide objective admission criteria, as well as ensure that the right students embark on the right courses, the following will apply:
We expect all students entering Birchwood’s Sixth Form to study 3 or 4 courses. For the majority of students, these will be A levels courses, which are linear in structure, with examinations taken at the end of the two years. However, we also have a significant number of students studying for BTEC qualifications. These have a greater degree of modular assessment. A growing number of students in our Sixth Form combine both A Levels and BTEC qualifications and our curriculum is designed with this flexibility in mind.
Our curriculum plans are designed to ensure students are following appropriate courses based upon their prior levels of attainment. We operate a Total Point Score System that measures student’s attainment at GCSE and BTEC Level 2. This will be done by taking the 8 best subject grades and assigning them a points value. These points are added together to produce a Total Point Score. The minimum requirement for entry into Birchwood Sixth form is a total point score of 34 or above to access BTEC courses and a total point score of 40 or above to access A Level course. More information on our Total Point Score System can be found here.
Please note, all students wishing to study at Birchwood High School Sixth Form must have achieved a grade 4 in Maths and English at GSCE. Students must also meet the entrance criteria for the individual courses they wish to study. These are outlined in the course outlines QR code, on the school website and on the application form. These minimum requirements apply to both internal and external applicants.
We offer all applicants a guidance interview. These are used to ensure students are making appropriate subject choices and offer information and advice being a sixth form student.
Our full admissions policy can be found on the Policy page.
