If you join Priestley with an average GCSE points score
of 7 or above you will be able to take a five AS/A-Level
programme if you wish. If you join us with an average
GCSE points score of 6 or above you will be encouraged
to start with four AS/A-Levels. If you have passed
vocational Level 2 programmes pre-16 you will normally
need to have also passed at least three GCSEs at grade
4 (C) or above. BTEC Level 2 Diplomas and OCR
Level 2 Diplomas
GCSE English and Maths GCSE and Pre-GCSE
Qualifications
If you obtain five GCSEs at 4 (C) or above not including
GCSE English or GCSE Maths, you will be required to
work to improve your English or Maths at Priestley. This
will mean you take a limited Level 3 programme of either
two AS/A-Levels or a 60-unit Diploma, Subsidiary
Diploma and one AS in Year 1.
Your timetable
We have a multi-block timetable that offers greater
flexibility and more course combinations. To study at
Priestley you will need a minimum timetable of four
blocks. The maximum number of blocks is six.
AS/A-Levels and BTEC Certificates = one block
BTEC Extended Diplomas = three blocks
BTEC/OCR Diplomas = two blocks
GCSE = most of one block
Meetings with your personal/progress tutor and
extended enrichment activities, such as Duke of
Edinburgh, take up half of one block. Students are
normally timetabled for between 15 and 18 hours per
week, however enrichment and work placement
opportunities will add to this commitment.
Art Foundation
This one-year programme is designed for those who
have completed an A-Level in Art and/or Design such as
A-Level or a BTEC Extended Diploma and who plan to
move onto a degree in this area.
Intermediate Courses Level 2
All courses offered at this level last one year. To start an
intermediate programme you would normally be
expected to have the majority of your GCSEs at grade
D/E or 3/2 with at least one GCSE at grade 4 (C) or
above and an average GCSE points score of at least 3.
These programmes are normally assessed by
coursework, though some now have external exams.
They are designed to build on your achievements from
Year 11 and to prepare you to move onto Level 3 or
employment. Depending on your GCSE grades you may
be able to take one or two GCSEs.
We offer a number of courses including Maths and
English Language for those seeking to improve their
core qualifications. Please see page 26 for details.
Note: Our entry criteria is for guidance. Where
necessary we will take into account individual
circumstances, for example for health reasons an
applicant may not have been able to take eight GCSE
or equivalent in Year 11. If there are special
circumstances you wish us to take into account please
let our Admissions Team know as soon as possible.
We reserve the right to amend our admissions criteria to
reflect the impact of GCSE and A-Level reforms.
“The strong help
and support from
all my tutors is
helping me to
achieve at
Priestley.”