Application Information for September 2024

Applicant Hub for 2024 entry

Page last updated: 19th October 2023.

This page provides information on the application process and quick links to enable you to gather further information.

Applications open on Tuesday 17th October, 2023

Apply for a place at our sixth form using the application form on our website - click here.

Applications will be open from the evening of Tuesday 17th October 2023, at 6:00PM.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 7th November 2023, at 6:00PM.

Letter to parents regarding sixth form applications - Sixth Form Applications Letter to Year 11 Parents - October 2023

To view the slides from our Open Evening on Tuesday 17th October 2023, please click here.

Interviews for 2024 entry

We will begin interviewing students as soon as you receive their application. The term 'interview' can often cause anxiety and concern, but please be assured that this our Sixth Form interview process is intended to be a discussion about students' successes so far, their aspirations, and the reasons for their choices. Students will also be asked to confirm their choices as much as possible, but these can still be changed at a later date subject to the timetable allocations.

Students do not need to prepare for their interview. However, if they wish to, they can look at some possible questions, which are included in this document here: Possible questions for interview.

For any questions, please speak with Mr West.

Useful documents

A copy of our 2024 prospectus is available for download - click here.

To access our standard and subject entry requirements, please click click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

The below Frequently Asked Questions have been compiled as a result of conversations and e-mails with parents/carers and students. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What are your pass rates like?

In 2022, at The Garibaldi School Sixth Form, 57% of grades awarded at A-Level were at grades A*, A or B and 80% of grades awarded at A-Level were at grades A*, A, B or C. This is significantly higher than some Sixth Forms in the local area. For our vocational subjects (Applied General, like Performing Arts, Cambridge Sports and Art and Design), 67% of grades awarded were either Distinction or Distinction*. Our vocational subject performance was the highest of all of the schools in the Nova Education Trust!

Are the vocational subjects (Applied General, like Performing Arts, Cambridge Sports and Art and Design) FULL A-Levels? Can I get the same points for these as other A-Levels?

Yes – these are equivalent courses and they are worth the same UCAS points etc. as A-Levels. A Distinction* in one of the above courses is the same as an A* at A-Level for its UCAS points (both worth 56 UCAS points).

What if you don’t do the subjects I want?

It is worth checking what subjects you need to go onto your next steps in the long-term, such as at University or a Degree Apprenticeship. Lots of students apply elsewhere because they want to study subjects like Law, Photography, or Politics. You don’t necessarily need these subjects and, in fact, there are very few subjects that you have to have in order to progress. This usually only applies to Medicine (you will need sciences and Maths), Veterinary Science and Dentistry. But, for example, if you want to study Law, three essay-based subjects will make you a strong candidate, e.g., English Literature, Geography and Business Studies (but there are more!).

What if I can’t decide on my subject choices?

There is some wiggle room on these decisions right up until Results Day. We will accommodate your choices as much as we can and you can study 4 choices for the first few weeks of Year 12 until you’ve made a decision. The important thing is that you apply so that you have an application in the system. These do not need to be your final choices at this early stage.

Do you do subject taster days or a transition week?

Yes – we will do this in July for all students who have applied. If you require further subject-specific information before then, though, let me know and I can support with this sooner rather than later.

What support do you provide for applying to University, for Apprenticeships or going into work after Year 13?

We have strong links with many Universities, who visit us regularly, such as the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Bishop Grosseteste University, the Univeristy of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. We schedule trips and visits to the UCAS fair each year as well as a University and Apprenticeships fair. We visit Oxford and Cambridge annually as well. We publicise, encourage and support you to apply to a range of pathways, including those on offer by the prestigious Sutton Trust Programme, and the University of Sheffield. We hold half-termly Employer Engagement Days with companies like Experian and Mansfield District Council. We hold workshops with ASK! Apprenticeships on Degree-level Apprenticeships (where you study at University level but work as well) and develop your employability skills. Ex-students, who have gone through University, come back to visit us and want to talk to our students about their studies and help guide them through the process too. In Year 13, you have a 1:1 careers appointment with a trained careers advisor. Through your time with us, you will have a dedicated and experienced Mentor and Mentor Group; your Mentor will support you through the UCAS process and with the writing of your application and personal statement. Our dedicated Sixth Form Student Manager, Miss Hadley, will always be on hand to answer any questions you might have and support the final send off of your application.

Have any further questions?

Please direct all queries to Mr B West, Director of Sixth Form: BWest@garibaldischool.co.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you.