Do I need qualifications to join the Sixth Form at RMGS?

We will offer you a place if you seem likely to be able to cope with the A Level courses. These courses are challenging, and we think that a certain achievement at GCSE is the best guide to your future success at A Level.

You will need to meet the following criteria to join our Sixth Form:

Admission Arrangements for Year 12

The maximum number of intended admissions for the year commencing 1st September 2026 will be 235 in Year 12. Priority will be given to RMGS students. Following the admission of internal students who have transferred from Year 11, all remaining places will be allocated to students who have met the entry requirements for the sixth form and for their particular courses of study. The number of additional places available for students being admitted to the school for the first time is 30. This may be exceeded if the number of internal applicants, the size of the Year 13 cohort and the numbers of students enrolling on particular courses allow. Where there are more learners seeking places than the number of places available, the oversubscription criteria will be applied in the order set out below to rank pupils until the overall figure for the year group is reached.

The minimum academic requirements for entry into Year 12 are:

• At least 8 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English Language and mathematics and a grade 5 or above in either mathematics or English Language/Literature.
• (ii) A total point score of 44 based on the applicant’s best 8 GCSE subject grades (see Appendix 3 for a worked example of a best-8 point score).
• The specific entry requirements for each of their chosen A Level subjects. Please note that we adhere to our subject entry criteria strictly, and therefore, students who meet the minimum entry criteria but are not eligible for their chosen subjects, will be offered an alternative programme of study.

Admission Arrangements into Year 12

• Parents apply for the Sixth Form via the online application form on our school website.
• The application deadline is in the second week of February.
• Conditional offers will be sent out to students on the second week of March. Acceptance of the conditional offer will be required by the last week of April. Priority will be given to students who have accepted their conditional offer in time. Students who do not accept their 5 conditional offer by the deadline, may be offered a place if the number of students enrolling on a particular course allows.
• Priority will be given to existing RMGS students transferring from Year 11. Following the admission of internal students who have transferred from Year 11, all remaining places will be allocated to students who have met the entry requirements for the Sixth Form and for their particular courses of study.
• The school will meet parental preference (where possible) and will conform to the School Admissions Code of Practice and take note of the advice of the Admissions Forum. Applicants refused admission are entitled to an appeal before an independent appeal panel. The appeal system will conform to School Admission Appeals Code of Practice and appellants are encouraged to attend the hearing. Appeals should be made as soon as possible after parents have received the admission decision and before any date specified in the admission decision letter. Appeals are made to the independent appeal panel via the school website.
• Students are expected to enrol on a two-year, 3 A Level programme of study. A small number of students may study 4 A Levels if their GCSE scores show an ability to do so and as agreed by the school.

 

All offers made during Year 11 are conditional on students meeting the grade criteria specified and will only become firm offers upon confirmation of actual GCSE results. Students who do not approach the school until after they have received their results will only be considered after all conditional offer students and those on the waiting list. Offers made will also take into account the capacity in the subjects chosen. Some courses may become over-subscribed even though the overall admissions number has not been reached. Where appropriate a reserve subject would be considered.

The oversubscription criteria for Year 12 entry is as follows:

• Children in Public Care, as defined in the Medway Coordinated Admissions Scheme to include children who are adopted and were previously looked after.
• In the event of two or more students having equal ranking the deciding factor will be the shortest available safe walking distance between the home address and RMGS as measured by the Medway Council Geographical Information System and determined by Medway Local Authority.

Offers of a Sixth Form place will be conditional upon GCSE results and borderline cases would be considered using the admissions criteria above.

Subject Specific Sixth Form Entry Requirements 2025

A Level Subjects	Minimum Required for GCSE Grades Grade 4 or above in Mathematics and English Language.  A grade 5 or above in one of either Mathematics, English Language or English Literature.  A total points score of 46 based on the applicant’s best 8 subject grades.
Art & Design - Fine Art	Grade 6 in Art
Biology	Grade 7 in Biology or grades 7-7 in Combined Science (grade 7 in the Biology unit) and grade 6 in Mathematics.
Business	Grade 5 in English Literature or English Language and Mathematics
Chemistry	Grade 7 in Chemistry or grades 7-7 in Combined Science (grade 7 in the Chemistry unit) and grade 7 in Mathematics.
Computing	Grade 7 in Mathematics and grade 6 in Computing, if taken.
Design & Technology: Product Design	Grade 6 in a Design and Technology discipline.  Or Grade 6 in Art (any discipline) and grade 6 in Physics.  Or Grade 6 in Art 9any discipline) and grade 6, 6 Combined Science
Drama & Theatre	Grade 5 in Drama and grade 5 in English Literature or English Language
Economics	Grade 6 or above in English Literature or English Language and Mathematics.  If taken, a grade 6 in Economics may replace one of the above.
English Literature	A Grade 6 or higher in English Literature
Film Studies	Grade 5 in English Literature or English Language
French	Grade 6 in French.
Geography	Grade 6 in Geography.
German	Grade 6 in German.
History	Grade 6 in History and English Literature or English Language
Mathematics	Grade 7 in Mathematics
Mathematics (Further)	Grade 8 in Mathematics
Music	Grade 6 in Music and Grade 4 standard on your instrument / voice If Music GCSE was not offered by your school, Grade 5 ABRSM theory to have been passed, and at least Grade 6 standard on your instrument / voice
Music Technology	Grade 5 in Physics or combined science and you must be a practising musician or music technician.
Physical Education	Grade 6 in GCSE PE (grade 6 in both theory papers); or Grade 6 or above in Biology with a keen interest in sport if GCSE PE was not studied. Students must also be representing either a school or club regularly in at least one sport (see AQA website for list of approved activities).
Physics	Grade 7 in Physics or a 7-7 in Combined Science (grade 7 in the Physics unit) and grade 7 in Mathematics.
Politics	Grade 6 in English Literature or English Language
Psychology	Grade 6 in English Language or Literature, Grade 6 in Mathematics, and a Grade 6 in Biology or 6 6 in Combined Science. If taken, a grade 6 or above in Psychology may replace one of the above requirements.
Religious Studies	Grade 6 in English Literature or English Language and grade 6 in Religious Studies, if taken.
Sociology	Grade 5 in English Literature or English Language
Spanish	Grade 6 in Spanish
Other qualifications
Core Mathematics (AS)	Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics