UCAS Grades

UCAS grades are a very important part of a student’s application. The grades are based on your performance over the Lower Sixth year, the marks and grades achieved in internal examinations, and the increased conceptual difficulty of the Upper Sixth year. We are fully aware that the UCAS grades will have a significant part to play in whether or not an offer for a particular course is made and we will do everything possible to support our students. Students should be reassured that predicted grades are always freshly reviewed at the time of being submitted to UCAS.

However, as a school we have to balance our desire to give our students every opportunity of studying at their chosen institution, while, at the same time, providing them with a clear sense of realism so that they are sensible about the likely grades they will achieve, and choose a course accordingly.

We are determined to provide all of our students with the best possible opportunity of gaining an offer on their chosen course. Consequently, our process for finalising the UCAS grades involves plenty of opportunity for reflection and discussion. There are three stages in this process:

1. Subject teachers set UCAS grades after reviewing academic performance throughout Lower Sixth and in the light of internal examination results.

2. These grades are communicated to Upper Sixth students in form time. If students are concerned that their predicted grades will not enable them to apply to their favoured universities, they meet to discuss this with the Head of Sixth Form who liaises with departments and parents accordingly.

3. UCAS grades are finalised and communicated to parents via our reporting system.

If you have any questions at all about UCAS grades, then please speak to Ms Tedd in the first instance.

The School Reference

The university application form is completed with a reference from the school. Preparation for the writing of the reference is on-going within school throughout a student’s Sixth Form career; subject staff, form tutors and anyone who co-ordinates co-curricular activities and work experience placements contributes to the reference. We aim to ensure that each student’s reference truly represents the qualities, achievements and personal attributes of the individual. Each student should allow up to 10 working days for the school to complete and attach the reference to the form before the completed application form is submitted to UCAS or to the relevant Higher Education Institution.

As mentioned above, internal school deadlines are issued to students throughout the application procedure and separate internal deadline dates will have been for the stages of the Oxbridge application process. Since 2023, the reference includes a section on extenuating circumstances which may have impacted the applicant’s education and achievement’. This will be discussed with pupils and parents in the summer term, so the school can communicate sensitive information appropriately.

UCAS Extra, Clearing and Adjustment

From February to July UCAS provides a facility for candidates who do not hold any offers to submit further applications to university courses with vacancies. One course at a time can be applied to and no further application form nor personal statement are required. Clearing and adjustment facilities provide further opportunities to secure places throughout the process; information on these processes is included on the UCAS website.