Sixth Form

The Sixth Form is the culmination of the Higher Phase at BSK and most advanced stage of the British school system. In addition to providing students with thorough preparation for Pearson Edexcel AS and A2 unit examinations, the Sixth Form at The British School of Kuwait aims to bridge the gap between the levels of academic and social maturity of students finishing Year 11 and the levels required by top universities worldwide.

Structure Of Sixth Form Qualifications

In Year 12, students typically study four Advanced Subsidiary (AS Level) subjects. In Year 13, students typically take three (sometimes four) of their AS Level subjects forward to a higher level, known as A2. Some students also broaden their studies by taking an additional AS Level subject in Year 13. AS and A2 unit examinations are held in May or June.

Compatible AS units may be combined (a process known as cashing in) to complete certifiable AS Level qualifications. Compatible AS plus A2 units may be cashed in to complete certifiable Advanced Level (A Level) qualifications

Statements of provisional examination results are released in August. Certificates of final qualification results are issued in October.

Students may graduate either from Year 12 with AS Levels or may continue to Year 13 and gain full A Level qualifications, the results of which will determine the types of universities to which they may be able to enter.

Subject Options

Subject to availability, option block arrangement and uptake, the following AS and A2 subjects may be offered:

• English Literature, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Business, Economics, History, Geography, French, German, Fine Art, Photography, Graphic Communication, Physical Education, Drama, Music.

The AS Level option blocks are optimised each year to minimise clashes for Year 11 BSK students who are intending to enter the Sixth Form and who are likely to meet the entry requirements.

Each year, we make every effort to carry the AS option blocks forward to create the following year's A2 blocks, in order that students who complete AS Level courses can, if they meet the entrance requirements for Year 13, also complete full A Levels in those subjects.

Examinations

A Level examinations are administered through a series of examination boards. The British School of Kuwait offers PearsonEdexcel AS and A Level qualifications, with the exception of Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) Computer Science and Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) Geography.

To be eligible for entry to BSK's Year 13,  all Year 12 students must enter AS Level examinations in May/June. The Year 13 entry conditions reflect this policy.

Sixth Form Coordinator

A full-time Sixth Form Coordinator (SFC) leads the Sixth Form students. His office is within the Sixth Form Centre.

As well as providing career, academic and pastoral guidance, the SFC assists students through the process of university selection and application: UCAS for the UK, Common Application for the USA, and other combined and individual application systems worldwide. BSK hosts around fifteen university visits annually – ranging from individual visits by Kuwait and GCC universities through to full-scale university fairs of 25 or 30 UK, US or Canadian university representatives.

The SFC can also advise students on ToEFL, IELTS, SAT, BMAT, UKCAT, LNAT, ELAT, TSA and other additional certifications which may be required for university entrance. The SFC endeavours to prepare students for university interviews and in some cases can even assist with suitable accommodation and support when students travel overseas for interview.

It should be noted, however, that BSK will not support university applications through unofficial third-party agents or provide any documentation to such agents or agencies.

Extracurricular Provision

Sixth Form students at BSK opt into one or more student committees, membership of which helps to develop skills for university life. These include:

• Charity Committee: plans and organises events to raise monies for local charities
• Fundraising Committee: mini-business with allocation of profits decided by students
• Social Committee: organises social events intended to help students bond as a team
• Dinner Committee: organises a full-scale buffet dinner for Sixth Form students
• Talent Show Committee: organises a stage show, including ticketing and marketing.

Recent students have been supported to establish an environmental charity, exhibit and sell their artwork, promote youth awareness programmes in Kuwait, write articles and have them published in the Kuwait press, give media interviews on a range of topics, write press releases, give presentations and attend international conferences – among others. Sixth Formers are encouraged to find and pursue their own interests, especially when others may also benefit.

Leadership Initiatives

Many Sixth Form students are appointed as prefects. Year 13 students may be appointed as Senior Prefects, whose primary role is to train, monitor and appraise Year 6-13 Prefects. The Head Boy and Head Girl, assisted by the Deputy Head Boy and Deputy Head Girl, lead the Senior Prefect Team and implement the Secondary Prefect System effectively. The Head Boy and Head Girl report directly to the Sixth Form Coordinator.

Sixth Form students are also appointed each year as House Captains. Their role is to bond, motivate and organise the activities of students within their House. This is a significant leadership role for which there is strong competition