Courses available for Post 16 Students
Key Stage 4 courses in Years 10 and 11 are 
designed to lead directly to courses at Post 16.
There are opportunities in the Post 16 phase to take BTEC courses and ‘A’ level courses. Sociology, Psychology and Law for example, subjects not studied in Key Stage 4, are available at 'A' level. 'A' level consists of an 'AS' level taken in Year 12 and an 'A2' level taken in Year 13. The Advanced Diploma in Engineering will also be available.
BTEC National courses prepare students for employment and training in a specific vocational area. The BTEC National courses currently available at Macmillan Academy are :
- Engineering
- Business
- Health and Social Care
- Science
- Sport
Most students who leave Macmillan Academy go on to University. The BTEC approach of making students responsible for their learning equips them well for University life and subsequent employment.
Post 16 students who take ‘A’ levels generally study three or four of these subjects. Compared to BTECs, ‘A’ levels are theoretical rather than practical and involve assessment by examination rather than by coursework. However, most ‘A’ levels are ‘modular’ and involve up to four examinations well spaced throughout the two years of the course.
Some students will take a combination of BTEC National courses and 'A' levels. All advanced courses can lead to Higher Education.
BTEC First courses courses will also be available for students who do not obtain 5 A*-C passes at the end of Year 11, as well as resit GCSE courses in Mathematics and English.