Sixth Form
Applying to shireland sixth form has just got easier
We’re excited to announce that all applications for September 2026 entry to Shireland Sixth Form will now be made through our new online admissions platform – Applicaa.
Applicaa makes applying quicker and easier than ever – it’s simple to use, allows you to track your application in real time, sends you alerts from us about interviews and key dates, and keeps all your information in one secure place.
How to apply:
- Create your free Applicaa account
- Complete your application form
- Submit and track your progress
- Check regularly for updates including interviews, open events and induction days
Applications for September 2026 are now open – apply today!
Got questions about Applicaa or your application? Contact our Sixth Form team on 0121 558 8086, or email bbrogan@sca.shirelandcat.net or batwal@sca.shirelandcat.net.
WE ARE A SIXTH FORM THAT ASPIRES TO OFFER THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL STUDENTS, PREPARING THEM FOR POST-18 DECISIONS DEPENDENT ON STUDENTS’ PRIOR ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT AND INTERESTS.
Guided pathways at Shireland Sixth Form
At Shireland Collegiate Academy, our guided pathways are designed to ensure every student finds a route that aligns with their aspirations, strengths, and future ambitions. Whether pursuing academic or vocational qualifications, students are guided through a structured and personalised journey from Level 2 through to Level 3 studies, including A levels and vocational qualifications.
Our pathways go beyond qualifications – they are about unlocking potential and shaping futures.
“At Shireland, we don’t just offer a route – we help you find the one that’s right for you.”
lEVEL 2 pATHWAY
Our Level 2 programmes offer a foundation for students before their progress onto Level 3 studies. These qualifications are tailored to develop transferable skills and industry-relevant knowledge, preparing students for progression into employment, apprenticeships, or further education at sixth form or college. With guided support on Level 2, we aim to prepare and help students ready for success at A level or vocational studies.
Level 3 pATHWAY: A level and vocational courses
At Level 3, students have the opportunity to select from a diverse range of academic and vocational qualifications, allowing them to tailor their studies to their strengths and future aspirations.
- Entry requirement: 5 x grade 5 or above at GCSE, including Maths and English. Please note, that specific subjects may have their own entry criteria.
- Duration: two years
- Progression route: Higher education, apprenticeships, employment, gap year, voluntary work
Students have a free choice of three subjects, which are studied for two years. Occasionally we accommodate a fourth subject, depending on prior academic attainment.
We have a range of subjects available, both at A level and vocational. Our course handbook offers information into the course content, as well as the method of assessment. Each subject has an entry requirement.
explore where our courses could take you with ucas
Wondering where our courses could take you? Explore your future with UCAS. From sixth form choices and apprenticeships to further education, university, and career pathways, you’ll find tools, advice, and resources to guide you — whether you’re a student or a parent/carer.
sixth form bursary and financial support
We are committed to ensuring that every student can access the education and training they need. The 16-19 Bursary Fund is available to provide financial support, tailored to individual needs, helping students overcome any specific barriers to their participation in post-16 education and training. This funding can assist with various costs, such as travel expenses, UCAS expenses, essential resources and any reasonable expenses required for students to fully engage in their chosen courses.
Click on the links below to see our Sixth Form Funding Support documents:
16 to 19 Bursary statement 2023/24
16 to 19 Tuition Fund statement of intent 2020/2021
16 to 19 Statement of Intent 2021/22
We believe that students excel when they are immersed in the Sixth Form Experience. Part of this includes financially supporting the rich array of trips and events that our staff organise. Recent events that we have supported include:
- Art – Paris cultural trip, visits to Art Galleries
- Science subjects – outreach events at local universities, subject specific lectures and seminars
- Geography – field trips to North Yorkshire, Bristol, Dorset, London, Devon
- Drama – backstage workshops at Birmingham hippodrome
- Dance – workshop at Pineapple Studio
- Product Design – Paris cultural trip
- Travel and Tourism – cruise, workshops at British Airways, Dubai WEX
- English – Theatre tickets
Enrichment and voluntary programme
At Shireland Collegiate Academy Sixth Form, our mission is to give you the very best opportunities to carve your future pathway. We offer a rich programme of co-curricular activities through our Enrichment and Voluntary Programme, designed to help you develop the skills, qualities, and attributes that will make your university, apprenticeship, or job applications stand out.
This programme includes a wide variety of clubs, teams, societies, and experiences – from giving back to the school community and working with our partners, to gaining additional accreditations, qualifications, and subject-based support. Students are also encouraged to broaden their academic profile by taking additional qualifications such as:
Further Mathematics A Level
Community Languages AS/A Levels
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Specialist entry assessments including LNAT, BMAT, UCAT, and others required by specific Russell Group universities and competitive courses.
Enrichment activities are timetabled throughout the week or run after school, while voluntary experiences take place for one hour a week during independent study periods or after school. Students can choose to take part in both enrichment and volunteering opportunities.
Every experience is valuable for your next steps, helping you grow into a confident young adult ready to continue your passions into adult life. We also welcome student suggestions to expand our offer, so if there’s something you’d like to see added, our Sixth Form team would be happy to discuss it with you.
Our Sixth Form Enrichment Programme is unique among sixth forms in Sandwell, with all students expected to participate for at least one hour a week from the Autumn Term. We strive to follow the Gatsby Benchmarks throughout our enrichment and voluntary opportunities, ensuring every student benefits from high-quality, future-focused experiences.
Proud partners
At Shireland, we are proud to work alongside leading and innovative organisations that share our commitment to giving students the very best opportunities. Our partnerships span a wide range of areas — from sport and performing arts to entrepreneurship, innovation, and extra-curricular enrichment — all designed to enhance the Sixth Form experience and prepare our young adults for future success.
Explore our collaborations by visiting our Partnerships page to discover the full range of organisations we work with and the unique opportunities they offer our students.
futures programme
Each week, a timetabled hour is dedicated to our Futures Programme. The Sixth Form Futures Programme has three main aims for our students:
- Developing themselves through careers, employability and enterprise education
- Learning about careers and the world of work
- Developing their career management and employability skills
Some of the highlights from our Futures Programme are listed below:
Year 12
| Autumn Term | Post-18 options – Students attend workshops delivered by external experts from the World of Work, Higher Education, College, Voluntary sector, Apprenticeships and Gap Year Professional Pathways commence |
| Spring Term | Employability Skills Mentoring Programme Preparing for Oxbridge application |
| Summer Term | University Open Day visit Work Experience Week UCAS application Nuffield Research Group |
Year 13
| Autumn Term | Personal Statement Conference Mock Interviews |
| Spring Term | Student Finance University course confirmation Preparing for apprenticeship and employment application |
| Summer | University course confirmation Results Day |
Work Experience Opportunities
To further develop our students’ readiness for future workplaces, we run a dedicated work experience week where students attend valuable subject guided placements. Students have the opportunity to attend additional placements throughout the year, if they are directly involved in our exceptional voluntary programme.
In July 2024, 90% of students secured and attended a placement, with 6% attending two or more. Some of the experiences included Barrister Chambers, the NHS Trust, Birmingham Hippodrome, Boots, SCAT Accountancy, Pharmaceuticals, Mott MacDonald and Cura Animalis in Athens, Greece.
“Absolute credit to the academy.”
“… Ever so helpful…”
“They became one of the team by the end of the week”.
Transferable and Life Skills Programme
To success academically, Sixth Form students need more than subject knowledge – they need to know how to study effectively. During tutor time, all students take part in our Transferable Skills Programme, covering essential areas such as time management, organisation, effective note taking, digital literacy, resilience, and responding positively to feedback. From September 2024, we also introduced the VESPA Academy model – a pioneering A level mindset curriculum designed to help students develop the habits, behaviours, and attitudes that lead to success.
Personal, Social, Health and Relationships Education (PSHRE)
During morning tutor time, students explore a wide range of topics which are relevant to them. These are:
- Core theme 1: health and wellbeing
- Core theme 2: relationships
- Core theme 3: living in the wider world