Academic Pathways

Flexibility and Choice

We believe in developing broad horizons and keeping a wide subject base for as long as possible to emphasise depth of understanding and creative thinking.

In the Sixth Form, we are flexible and can support most combinations of options to suit your strengths or areas of interest because we design the timetable around your choices.

We offer A Levels, IB or BTEC

We have virtually no restrictions on subject combinations and offer 26 different subject choices at A Level.

We are proud to be a top 10 UK IB School and offer the Pre-IB pathway for high-achieving ambitious students.

We also offer the BTEC National Extended Diploma, a specialist pathway in Sport or Business with an emphasis on vocational skills and ongoing assessment.

Whether you decide to follow A Levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or the BTEC Extended Diploma, we are here to help you achieve your very best.

Our Results Academic News Sixth Form Curriculum

A Levels

We offer 26 different subjects for our Sixth Form students to study at A Level and can accommodate most subject combinations. The syllabuses we favour are excellent preparation for undergraduate-level study across the Arts and Sciences.

In 2024, 132 students took A Level examinations at Brentwood and a strong set of results saw 37.2% graded A* or A. 10.7% of A Level results were A* and 72.0% of results were A*-B. The pass rate at A Level was 100%.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) is a distinguished qualification that is recognised by universities all over the world, and we sit proudly in the Top 10 of the Independent IB Schools League Table.

The IBDP requires the study of six subjects and the completion of core components: the ‘Theory of Knowledge’ course; an extended essay; and the ‘Creativity, Action and Service’ module. If you undertake the IBDP course, you will benefit from seeing what you learn from a global perspective in all your studies.

In 2024, our IB students returned an average of 38.3 points, which placed Brentwood School in the UK Top 10. No fewer than 12 of the 31 IB Diploma students scored 40 points or more, with two securing the maximum total of 45.

BTEC Extended Diploma

The BTEC National Extended Diploma is a specialist pathway in Sport or Business with an emphasis on vocational skills and ongoing assessment. There is a final examination at the end of the course, but most of the units are assessed through coursework projects. BTEC qualifications are the largest, most recognised vocational qualifications for Sixth Form students.

In 2024, all 31 BTEC Extended Diploma students achieved their first-choice outcome. 5 students attained the equivalent of A*A*A* and 10 students secured the equivalent of A*A*A. Our high-achieving BTEC cohort (26 in Business, five in Sport) are heading to a range of destinations, further illustrating the School’s aim to enable all students to achieve their best possible outcomes.

An Education for Tomorrow

We provide a broad range of subjects taught by inspiring and focused teachers in a stimulating environment. Our Sixth Form classes are mixed to prepare our students for the world after school.

Teachers at Brentwood School are experts in their fields and teaching groups are small, so you have plenty of opportunities to explore subjects in depth, offer reasoned opinions and share informed ideas.

Academic Progress is carefully monitored and individual student reflections develop independence and resilience – manifesting itself in the excellent results our students achieve year on year.

Our commitment to you goes way beyond the Sixth Form and starting work. It is lifelong.

Jonathan Barfield Moore

Deputy Head (Academic)

Cultivating Self-Motivation

Academic success in the Sixth Form level involves 20 hours of independent study each week and developing self-motivation is a big part of being a student at Brentwood.

We support your progress very closely with formal assessments of effort and achievement, student reflections or teacher reports issued every half term. These are shared with your parents, and we recognise and reward students’ achievements and progress

Stepping out into the hot lights on the stage in the Memorial Hall at Brentwood was one of the most intense experiences of my early life. I learnt a lot more than I ever understood. But I think I liked it.

Griff Rhys Jones (OB)

Comedian & Actor

Student life centres around a purpose-built Sixth Form building and adjoining teaching space, where there are state-of-the-art classrooms and computer suites and an impressive Auditorium seating 400 people. These sit alongside common rooms, private study areas and spaces where you can relax.

At the same time, you benefit from being part of the whole School with access to the Bean Academic Centre as well as a huge range of clubs, societies and co-curricular activities that are on offer.

Co-Curricular Facilities