The Curriculum at Shelley College offers a range of both A-level and vocational subjects that provide students with excellent opportunities to develop skills, competencies and abilities which make them more employable in their future careers. Our subjects support students who wish to pursue a variety of routes when they leave us, including apprenticeships, University degrees and the world of work. We are the top college in Huddersfield, Wakefield and Barnsley for student destinations which means two terms after leaving us 96% of our students are in education, employment or training. This is well above the national average of 81%. 

Below is a link to our prospectus with a full list of the courses we offer. We offer a range of A Level and Vocational courses at Shelley which can be taken as a purely A Level or Vocational pathway or a mix of both. Entry requirements for individual subjects can be found here.

We will discuss our entry requirements for specific subjects at interview stage and help guide you on the courses which will be most suitable for you. Please see our full curriculum offer at the bottom of the page.

Alongside our A Level and Vocational courses we offer additional curriculum options for students to take part in alongside their main curriculum. These are: 

Extended Project Qualification

This is the equivalent to an AS Level. This qualification offers the opportunity to expand your knowledge base of a specific area of interest and is beneficial when applying to University Degrees or jobs which may need additional skills not supported by traditional A Level or vocational qualifications. 

Progression Module 

This course will award students with an additional 12 UCAS points. This qualification supports students in preparing for their next steps after Sixth form study, whether that be work, training or education. Students complete a CV, Personal Statement, Career Action Plan, Speculative Letter to employers and many more tasks which support their wider understanding of the opportunities and challenges they will face. 

Skills for Life 

An internally organised and delivered programme of study which supports students’ wider social, cultural, moral and ethical understanding. Students look at high profile issues in society such as extremism, racism, technological advancements and many more. Students also look at the practical aspects of life they may not have previously considered, such as renting and buying houses, managing their finances and preparing for working life. 

GCSE Maths & English Re-sit 

Students who do not achieve a Level 4 at GCSE are expected to resit these qualifications. Students who did achieve a Level 4 but wish to aim to improve this to a Level 5 are also offered the opportunity to do so, as we feel this may be of benefit to them in the career market and when applying for University or apprenticeship courses. 

Work Experience 

Each student will have the opportunity to complete at least one week’s work experience which should support their chosen Pathway. Students will also have the opportunity to help and support students in lower school lessons. We have a wide range of links to external businesses, schools and agencies who offer our students first refusal on opportunities with them, giving those studying with us a head start when finding a relevant, valuable and suitable work placement. 

Enrichment

Enrichment takes place for two hours a week on students timetables and its purpose is to give students a chance to achieve outside of their A Level studies and take part in an activity that will help them when  applying for their chosen career path.  

There are various options available which will change every term, students to choose from : first aid, student leadership, EPQ, charity work, Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, TEFL (learn to teach English as a foreign language), digital animation, work experience, reading friends and classroom support. 

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