Application Process
Applications for September 2026 are now closed. If you would like to make a late application please contact Mr Gaunt, Head of Sixth Form, at Michael.gaunt@caldew.cumbria.sch.uk
Sixth Form Applications
Here at Caldew School the majority of students study three main subjects for two years and then a fourth course which is studied just for one year. Core Maths and EPQ are one year courses which students finish in the summer of Year 12.
High attaining students at GCSE will be encouraged to take three subjects and either both EPQ and Core Maths, or EPQ and a fourth AS-Level if they are already studying Maths. Further Maths can be continued to A-level if desired.
The option blocks are designed to allow the maximum number of students to access the subjects they want to whilst also enabling them to access their chosen university course or next step programme.
The final blocks for September 2026 are:
| A | B | C | D | E |
| Computer Science | Applied Science | Art | Criminology | Health and Social Care |
| Geography | Biology | Business Studies | D.T. | Maths |
| History | Further Maths | Chemistry | P.E. | Music |
| Psychology | EPQ | English Combined | Physics | Core Maths |
| EPQ | Core Maths |
Students can study one subject from each option block.
If a student opts to study Physics, Chemistry or Biology they must take a maths course to support their studies.
Entry requirements
The school welcomes applications from students both already at Caldew School and those from other schools. We do however have some clear parameters that we normally work within that we would expect our students to fulfil:
• 5 GCSE’s at Grade 4 and above including Maths and English
• Grade 5 or higher in a Humanities subject to study Geography or History
• Grade 6 or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths to study that subject at A Level
• Grade 7 or higher in Maths to study Further Maths at A Level
Next steps
Sixth Form taster days are on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th July. These give you an opportunity to try out different subjects and get to understand what the Sixth Form here at Caldew is like.
Following results day on August 20th you will need to confirm that you want to accept your place in the Sixth Form. For external students we will also need a copy/photo of your results transcript to confirm your place and this should be sent to the school office.
You can confirm that you want to accept your place in person or by contacting the school office at office@caldew.cumbria.sch.uk
