Strode's College has been a specialist sixth form college for over 35 years and provides high quality education for 16-18 year old students in a supportive and caring environment and is committed to equality of rights and opportunity.

We provide courses at Level 1 (GCSE grade D-F), Level 2 (GCSE A*-C and BTEC First) but predominantly at level 3 (GCE AS and A Level and BTEC National). Courses are studied over 1, 2, or sometimes 3 years and serve as preparation for higher education, professional training and employment.

All students are encouraged to undertake a complementary study from a wide range and to participate in the many activities available (see Course Guide for more details).

Applications are dealt with in order of receipt so early application is advisable. Applications forms can be downloaded from this site and sent by post or application may be made on-line.

A one year course of an ‘academic’ nature, containing two units (modules) of work externally examined during or, more commonly, at the end of that year. It is of a level of difficulty between GCSE and ‘A’ level and is designed to ease the progression to Advanced level work.

The AS will be chosen for one of two reasons -

• As a stand alone course for a single final qualification in its own right, allowing students to broaden their study programmes especially in the first year, but also in the second year, or
• As the first half (50%) of the full GCE Advanced level qualification (see below).

Normally a two-year course of a more ‘academic’ nature with 4 externally examined units. It has two parts, each of one year’s duration:

• Advanced Subsidiary (AS), in year 1: 50% (2 units) of the full Advanced level award and normally taken at the end of The first year. It is the foundation for the A2.
• A2, in year 2: 50% (2 units) of the full award, requiring depth of study associated with the traditional ‘A’ level. This second part builds on the AS but will be more demanding.

To obtain the full GCE Advanced level award students must successfully complete both AS and A2 parts of the course. Advanced students who start out with the intention of studying for the full GCE Advanced level over two years will be able to ‘cash in’ the AS upon its successful completion at the end of the first year, rather than continue to A2 in the second year, if they so choose.

These are courses with a practical, vocational emphasis with 100% internal assessment.

• The BTEC level 3 Extended Dipoma is studied over two years and is equal to three A levels. It is suitable for students with a committed vocational interest in the subject area and likely to seek a career in that area..
• The BTEC level 3 Diploma is studied over two years and is equal to two A levels and suitable for students with a committed vocational interest in the subject area.
• The BTEC Subsidiary Diploma is equivalent to one A level and can be taken with a combination of AS/A levels, BTECs or GCSEs.
• The BTEC First Diploma is a one year Level 2 course, equivalent to 4 GCSEs at Grade C or above.

Students aged 16-18 should note that all Advanced course at Strode’s have entry requirements. These are usually based on prior GCSE performance where a successful outcome is assumed for progression to Advanced (2 year) courses.

As a guide this usually means at least 5 GCSE passes at grade A*-C for AS/A level awards, and at least 4 A*-Cs for BTEC Diplomas.

Subject specific entry requirements are available on that subject's page.