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By Abdul Oladipo, Higher Education & Careers Leader
Choosing A Level subjects is one of the most significant academic decisions a student makes during their school journey. It marks an important transition point, shaping not only the final years of school but also influencing future university pathways and career opportunities.
To support students at this crucial stage, our Careers and Higher Education (HE) team meets individually with all current Year 11 students, offering personalised guidance to help them make informed, realistic and well-considered choices.
These one-to-one meetings are designed to place each student at the centre of the decision-making process. Rather than focusing solely on grades, discussions encourage students to reflect on their strengths, interests and long-term aspirations. Each meeting follows a clear, structured format to ensure advice is thoughtful, consistent, and tailored to individual needs.
The conversation begins with a review of the student’s academic background. This includes their current year group and tutor group, the IGCSE or equivalent pathway they have followed, the key subjects studied, and their overall academic performance. By taking a holistic view of each student’s academic profile, our team can place proposed subject choices in context. This helps ensure that A Level selections are aligned not only with areas of strength but also with opportunities for growth and development.
The focus then moves to proposed A Level subjects. Students are invited to outline their intended subject combinations, typically three A Levels, with a fourth where appropriate. For each subject, students explain their reasoning. Some choices are driven by clear academic strengths, while others reflect long-standing interests, curiosity about a subject, or specific university entry requirements. These discussions are particularly valuable in helping students think critically about balance, workload and academic coherence across their chosen subjects.
Future plans form a key part of each meeting. Students are encouraged to share any ideas they may have about university courses, career interests or preferred study destinations. While many students have clear ambitions, others are still exploring possibilities, and both situations are fully supported. Our Careers and Higher Education team helps students understand how certain A Level combinations can open doors to competitive pathways such as medicine, engineering, law, business, or the creative industries. Where appropriate, students are guided to consider whether their subject choices keep future options flexible.
Workload and wellbeing are also central to the conversation. Students reflect on the academic demands of their proposed subjects, potential challenges they may face and how their extracurricular commitments might impact time management. This honest discussion helps students develop realistic expectations of Sixth Form study. Where concerns arise, our team offers practical strategies for balance and support, reinforcing the importance of maintaining both academic progress and personal wellbeing.
Each meeting concludes with a clear summary and next steps. Students confirm that they understand the expectations of their chosen A Level subjects, including the level of independent study required and the progression from IGCSE. We then provide tailored guidance, highlighting strengths, flagging any potential concerns and suggesting further reflection where necessary. In some cases, students are encouraged to continue discussions with their parents at home before finalising decisions.
These individual meetings play a vital role in ensuring students feel supported, confident and well-informed as they prepare for Sixth Form. More importantly, they reinforce a key message: A Level subject selection is not about pressure or prestige. It is about readiness, genuine interest and long-term direction. By taking the time to listen, advise and guide, the Careers and Higher Education team helps students approach this important transition with clarity and confidence, laying strong foundations for future success.
As we begin to look ahead to next year's options process, we are pleased to invite you to the IGCSE & A Level Options Evening.
Date: Tuesday, 10th February
Time: 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Venue: Library, Sixth Form, and Humanities areas
Please refer to the Options Site for more information
