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Herne Bay High School

Herne Bay High School, Bullockstone Road, HERNE BAY, CT6 7NS

Sixth Form/College Courses

About us

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM HERNE BAY HIGH SCHOOL FOR SEPTEMBER 2026 APPLICATIONS*

Open Evening: - 19 Nov 2025 from 17:00 - 19:30 at Herne Bay High School in the Covered Court Yard

Information Talk: 17.45 and 18:25 in the Bay Theatre - please click here to book for the talk.

External Applicant Tour: 26 November 2025 08.50 - 09.40 - Meet at the Bay Arena(Gate 4), please pre book: click here

Applications Open: - 20 November 2025 at 08.00

Applications Close: - 6 February 2026 at 15:00 (Except Beauty L2 and Football Btec L3, which close on the 22nd May)

General Entry Requirements:

Our level 3 Sixth Form entry requirements are five GCSEs at Grades 9-4 including Maths and English minimum Grade 4. However, please read the course information, which, provides specific details of course content and entry requirements.

For level 2 courses please read the course information.

Subjects: -

Level 3 - Enter your choices in order of preference for Level 3 courses. Students need to select the equivalent of 3 courses (Triple counts as 3), with 2 reserve options if selecting Level 3 courses. Year 12 are expected to study the equivalent of three subjects. Once we close to applicants on the 6 February the options selected will be reviewed and if required we will be in contact.

Level 2 - just add the course required, eg beauty, finance or fitness.

Other Information: We reserve the right to withdraw courses if insufficient numbers are attracted at any time.

Induction: There is an expectation all students attend the 6th Form Induction which will take place in school 29 June - 1 July 2026.

Externals: In addition to academic requirements stated above a place will be dependent on the receipt of a satisfactory school reference.

Welcome to Herne Bay High School

Herne Bay High School is located on the coast and offers a wide range of challenging Level 3 qualifications. Our aim is for students to study subjects they enjoy and will therefore thrive in. It is important for students to be confident, take responsibility and have an established future pathway after Year 13.

We have approximately 250 students in the 6th Form and whilst the majority come from present HBHS students, a number of external candidates join us each year. Students in the 6th Form have a mentor who will remain with them for the 2 years of 6th Form, in order to build excellent and positive relationships.

How to Apply:

Our Post 16 Open Evening takes place on the 19 November from 17:30 - 19:30 pm in the covered courtyard at Herne Bay High School. All applicants apply on line via Kent choices and our application window is from the 20 November 2025 to 6 February 2026.

Please ensure you have read the entry requirements for each subject you apply for. These are specified within the course information detailed within the online prospectus.

Please contact school on 6form@hernebayhigh.org or 01227 361221 if you have any questions.

Students should apply for the Full Level 3 Pathway and we will transfer you to the Two Plus Pathway following GCSE results if appropriate.

Level 3 Full Pathway- Two Year Advanced Programme

Students entering Year 12 are expected to study three subjects for the duration of the two years. In addition, all students follow a PSHEE programme and will undertake work experience.

Level 3 - Two Plus Pathway- Two Year Advanced Programme

If following the Two Plus Pathway students are expected to study two subjects plus undertake work experience for the duration of the two years, along with GCSE Maths/English resit. In addition, all students follow a PSHEE programme, (Please note not all subjects are available on the Two Plus Pathway, see prospectus for further information)

Level 2 Pathway - One Year Programme

If you are not eligible to apply for the Level 3 courses, you may wish to apply to join the Level 2 pathways in Beauty, Finance or Fitness along with GCSE English/Mathematics resits as required. Please read the entry requirements for each course. Following completion of this course, students normally progress onto a vocational route.

Course Advice Meeting:

All applicants will be asked to attend a course advice meeting during March 2026. Please note, information regarding your course advice meeting date/time will be posted to you and your options will then be discussed with you at this time.

External Student Applications:

If you are an external student, you will be invited to a Careers Education Information and Advice Guidance meeting to discuss your subject choices. We will require sight of your last school report, attendance information and birth certificate. Additionally, we will apply to your school for an academic reference.

A letter will be sent to you, and it will detail all the information required, including completing an online admissions form.

Conditional Offers:

Following your course advice meeting in the Spring term, if a conditional offer has been made, the details of this will be e mailed to you via www.kentchoices.com

Induction Programme:

All applicants will be required to attend our induction programme on the 29 June - 1 July 2026.

Post GCSE Results:

HBHS Students - If you have met the requirements of your conditional offer, an e mail/ letter confirming your place will be provided. This letter will provide enrolment information about when you need to attend school to obtain your timetable.

If you have not met the conditional offer requirements, additional information/guidance interviews will be offered to enable discussions regarding alternative course options.

External students - please make contact with us on 6form@hernebayhigh.org attaching a copy of your GCSE Results and confirming if you would like to take up your place at Herne Bay High 6th Form.

All students - If however, you have made alternative arrangements and now no longer require your place at HBHS please do advise us as soon as possible on 6form@hernebayhigh.org

* Please note if courses do not attract sufficient numbers, we reserve the right to withdraw the course offer at any time.

Application Instructions

Applications Open - 20 November 2025 at 8am

Applications Close - 6 February 2026 at 15:00 (Except Beauty L2 which closes on the 22nd May).

General Entry Requirements:

For level 2 courses please read the course information.

Subjects: -

Level 3 - Enter your choices in order of preference for Level 3 courses. Students need to select the equivalent of 3 courses (Triple counts as 3), with 2 reserve options if selecting Level 3 courses. Year 12 are expected to study the equivalent of three subjects. Once we close to applicants on the 6 February the options selected will be reviewed and if required we will be in contact.

Level 2 - just add the course required, eg beauty, finance or fitness. However, please look up all entry requirements for individual subjects as some subjects require specific subjects and grades.

Timetable Blocks- Please read carefully: Level 3 Courses Please select 3 subjects and 2 reserve subjects by placing them in a ranked order/ or a Pathway. Once applications close we will review all subjects requested and may be in contact at this time to discuss your chosen subjects further.

Additional optional qualifications such as Arts Award (Gold),Core Maths, Further Maths and the EPQ are not applied for at the Kent Choice stage further information will be provided in the 6th Form induction if you would like to undertake this course in addition to your core qualifications.

How to Apply - Via Kent Choices or through link on our website https://www.hernebayhigh.org/sixth-form/how-to-apply

Further Information: We reserve the right to withdraw courses if insufficient numbers are attracted.

Any queries, please contact 6form@hernebayhigh.org

Student support

Post 18 Destination - Careers information is delivered through Assemblies, Mentor Support, 6th Form Conference, Workshops, Weekly newsletters, Work Experience and PSHEE in years 12 and 13.

The 6th Form 'Pathways' Conference is held in Year 12 and is part of your Post 18 journey. Staff work with students to ensure that they have access to careers education and guidance, which will enable them to progress and maximise their opportunities for lifelong learning and career development.

Learning Resource Centre - This is in the heart of our school and accessible for all. Here you will find information that you may need for your course. In addition, there are quiet areas for studying.

What makes us different?

As one of the top performing Sixth Forms in Kent, the Leadership Team are very proud of the achievements obtained by our students.

We are a school with excellent facilities.

• Sixth Form Centre - Common Room

• Dedicated ICT Facilities for 6th Form

• Learning Resource Centre and Lecture Theatre

• Private Study Areas

• Specialist Art Graphics/Photography Mac Studio

• Sports Arena

• Dance Studios

• Bay Theatre

• Specialist Pathways

• Dance Academy

• Football Academy

• Arts Award (Gold), Core Mathematics and the Extended Project Qualification are available as additional options - please refer to the 6th Form Prospectus at www.hernebayhigh.org

Transport

Please see the Post 16 Travel information on the Herne Bay High website.

Additional information

The Application window is from 20 November 2025 to 6 February 2026.

Applications will not be accepted before or after this time.

You should:

•read all entry criteria for the courses

•select 3 subject choices with 2 reserve/ or a pathway Level 3/ Level 2

•carefully research the course details, before you choose your subject combination

•consider your academic suitability for and interest in subjects before making your final decisions

•consider how your subject combinations may impact on your choices for Higher Education and future career decisions

Additional optional qualifications such as Arts Award, Core Maths, Further Maths and the EPQ are not applied for at the Kent Choice stage further information will be provided in the 6th Form induction if you would like to undertake this course in addition to your core qualifications.

Martha - In sixth form I studied sociology, psychology and drama. I began sixth form in September 2022, at first, I was very anxious about the increase in workload and independent learning. However, with the support from my teachers and the sixth form team, I quickly adjusted and learned how to manage this change from GCSE to A-levels.

Over time, I came to value and love the independence I was given to my learning, which helped me discover my love for Psychology. Throughout my time at sixth form, my teacher encouraged me and other students to think about our next steps after Year 13. The sixth form team supported us and gave us guidance, making sure we knew all the options available to us, whether it was full-time jobs, university or apprenticeship. This made the process far less stressful especially with the lead up to exams.

With their help, I was able to complete my UCAS application and secure a place at university. I am now studying Psychology, continuing the subject I loved at sixth form.

Overall, I found my time at Herne Bay High School to be an excellent and rewarding experience.

Rebecca - When I joined the 6th form in 2022 I was apprehensive about the workload of the three A-level subjects I chose Psychology,Fine Art and Law. I found the 6th Form Team supportive which made the jump from GCSE’S to A-levels less daunting.

I enjoyed all three of my subjects and went on several trips during my time in 6th Form including a trip to Kent University to do a mock trial.Visiting the Law School there ignited my interest and I am now in my second year at Kent studying Law.

I found my experience in 6th Form very positive and arm very grateful for the experiences Herne Bay High offered me.

Brooke - I began my A-Levels in 2022, studying History, Religious Studies and English Literature. Initially, I struggled to decide what subjects I wanted to take for A-Level, and spent the first week switching between History and Fine Art, unable to decide which one I could best thrive in. In the end, I realised that I needed to pick the subject that I was more passionate about, as I would enjoy it more and would be more motivated to study it.

Throughout A-Levels, I struggled with my self-confidence and found it hard to manage my anxiety around upcoming exams. However, one of the best aspects of Herne Bay High was how supportive the teachers were. No matter how stressed I became, there were always teachers I could confide in about my anxieties and discuss methods with me to help me overcome it. All the teachers would support me and worked both within and outside school hours to help me with any questions or work I had - each of them going above and beyond to help me pass my examinations. I don't believe I could have achieved half as much as I did without their hard work.

Year 13 is typically when things become more serious, as it is when everyone is deciding what they want to do in future (e.g., universities) and the reality of the work needed to achieve those goals, such as specific A-Level grades, begins to set in. While this can be stressful, plenty of information about each option are available and the teachers organise meetings with you to create specialised plans to help you get there. I, myself, received so much support around my Personal Statement for University applications, and remember celebrating each positive response with the individuals that helped me make it.

Overall, while A-Levels are daunting and require hard work and dedication to your subjects, I was proud to achieve them by the end of my A-Level journey, and credit my success to the Herne Bay High staff.