Year 9 – 6th Form

We are committed to fostering an environment where students can thrive academically and personally. For entry into Years 9, 10, or 11, we evaluate applicants based on academic attainment, behaviour, and attendance to ensure they can fully benefit from the educational opportunities we offer. As for the Sixth Form, we provide a diverse range of A-level and BTEC courses designed to prepare students for future success. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out for a personal tour and further information on our extensive curriculum. Please take a moment to complete the application form to secure your son’s place for the upcoming academic year.

If there are places available in Years 9, 10, or 11, the School will wish to be satisfied that applicants:-

1. Have favourable comments as to their a) academic attainment and progress (have reached and are sustaining a standard which is compatible with the demands and requirements made upon the year group which they hope to enter); b) behaviour; and c) attendance.
2. Have the ability and aptitude to benefit from the education provided at RBAI.
3. A Cognitive Ability Testing (CATS) and interview may be part of the admissions procedure.

If you are interested in joining the Sixth Form at RBAI please contact the Principal’s Secretary. We will arrange a meeting with Mr. Peak (Head of Sixth Form) who will be delighted to provide you with a tour of the School and also answer any questions or queries you may have.

The RBAI Sixth Form experience is outstanding as it promotes academic excellence and enrichment alongside a vast array of co-curricular opportunities. RBAI offers a very broad range of courses in the Sixth Form. Further details, (such as exam board, course content, modular weighting), can be found on the School’s website – in the ‘Curriculum’ section you will find a document entitled ‘Sixth Form Subject Choices Booklet’. In addition to offering an extensive suite of ‘A’ levels, pupils can also opt to study BTEC courses.

The BTECs we offer include:

• BTEC Diploma in Sport (Performance and Excellence) which is equivalent to 2 ‘A’ levels; BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Engineering, which is taught in collaboration with Belfast Met – this is equivalent to 1 ‘A’ level;
• BTEC IT – this is offered as a Subsidiary Diploma (equivalent to 1 ‘A’ level) as well as a Diploma (equivalent to 2 ‘A’ levels).

The majority of boys will study 3 subjects in Lower Sixth and continue with these in their final year. Only boys with a points score of 28 or above in their GCSE subjects should consider studying 4 subjects in Lower Sixth. Most pupils who are considering a university course in Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science will choose to do four subjects in Lower Sixth – although this is not stipulated by all the universities. The same applies if they would be intending to apply to the University of Oxford or Cambridge.

Pupils wishing to enter the Sixth Form will normally require a minimum of 12 points (A*= 4 points, A = 3 points, B = 2 points, C* = 1 ½ points, C = 1 point) and undertake 3 AS or equivalents. Pupils are generally expected to have achieved at least a Grade B or a high Grade C* at GCSE level in the subjects they wish to study in the Sixth Form. If a subject is oversubscribed, criteria may be enhanced.

Entry to the Sixth Form is also dependent upon a pupil’s disciplinary record, an average attendance of 95%, and the professional judgement of staff that a pupil has the self-motivation to follow a post-16 course. Credit will also be given to the contribution a pupil can make to the co-curricular life of the school.

 In anticipation of your son’s entry to the Lower Sixth in 2024, we would ask that you fill in the details on the application form. Please note that it may be possible for pupils to change their subject choices during the Year 13 Registration Day, for which attendance is compulsory, on 23^rd August 2024. Term begins on 28^th August 2024.