Entry into Years 13-14

Admission to Years 13 - 14

Criteria for entry to Year 13 (lower sixth)

1. Students who wish to study 4 AS subjects must have a minimum of 20 points* over 5 subjects at GCSE.

2. Students who wish to study 3 AS subjects must have a minimum of 17 points* over 7 subjects.

*Points are allocated as follows:         A* = 5 points     A = 4 points     B = 3 points    C* = 2 points     C = 1 point

It is expected that all students who wish to study AS and A Level will have achieved at least a Grade C in English and Maths at GCSE.

In selecting pupils for entry to Year 13 preference will be given in order of priority to:

• Applicants qualifying for entry from Year 12 Thornhill College.
• Applicants from other schools which do not have a Sixth Form.
• Applicants from other schools.
• Applicants wishing to repeat Year 13 and to whom, in the opinion of the Board of Governors, special circumstances (including a realistic ambition to pursue a particular third level course of study) apply.

Each applicant to Year 13 will:

• Have received a report from the Principal of the applicant’s previous school, indicating a good pattern of work, behaviour, punctuality and attendance*.
  (*An attendance rate of 95% or above is expected, although special circumstances will be taken into consideration)
• Give a parental undertaking of support for the school aims.
• Accept the rules of the school and understand that progress is dependent on adherence to the school rules.
• Be expected to study at least 3 full A Levels or the equivalent.

Criteria for entry to Year 14 (upper sixth)

An applicant will be considered for admission to Year 14 who:

• Has completed Year 13 to the satisfaction of the Principal (normally measured by satisfactory performance, achievement, attendance and conduct).
• Having arrived in the Derry area from outside the school’s traditional catchment area, has completed one year of post-GCSE study or its equivalent in another school, and has submitted a report from their Principal indicating a good pattern of work, attendance, punctuality and behaviour.
• Wishes to repeat Year 14 having been in Thornhill the previous year, having a recommendation from the Principal and claiming special circumstances.

In selecting pupils for entry to Year 14 preference will be given in order of priority to:

• Applicants who have completed Year 13 at Thornhill College to the satisfaction of the Principal (normally measured by satisfactory performance, achievement, 95% attendance and conduct).
• Applicants who, having arrived in the Derry area from outside the school’s traditional catchment area, have completed one year of post-GCSE study or its equivalent in another school and have submitted a report from their Principal indicating a good pattern of work, 95% attendance, punctuality, behaviour and achievement.
• Applicants wishing to repeat Year 14, having completed Year 14 in Thornhill College, and to whom, in the opinion of the Board of Governors, special circumstances (including a realistic ambition to pursue a particular third level course of study) apply and who are recommended by the Principal.

Further Information:
A pupil who satisfies the above requirements for entry to Year 13 or a new
applicant to Year 14 will be considered for enrolment provided that:
• The school will not exceed its enrolment number as determined by Department of Education.
• There are sufficient places available within the year group and the relevant teaching groups.