Admissions and Entry Requirements
Entry criteria
Students are required to achieve five good passes (grades 9-4 in five GCSE subjects including Maths and English) with a minimum of three grade 6s achieved.
In addition, there are entry requirements for each subject (see table below and the Courses Booklet) as some A levels have minimum grades above the grade 6 threshold and may also require grade 6 performance in more than one qualifying GCSE.
The running of any course depends on level of demand in order that they can be timetabled.
Note that the minimum entry requirement is not a target. GCSE grades go on UCAS forms and job applications with higher grades often used as a filter for selection. Students should aim as high as they can to attain the very best outcomes possible.
We have no catchment area at post-16 and welcome applications from across County Durham and beyond.
Sixth Form - Key Dates for September 2026 Entry
|
6th October 2025 |
Sixth Form Open Evening |
|
7th October 2025 |
Application opens |
|
5th November 2025 |
Application submission deadline |
|
26th June 2026 |
Option blocks, based on application choices, published |
|
26th June 2026 |
Sixth Form Induction Day – compulsory for applicants |
|
20th August 2026 |
GCSE results, registration and confirmation of places |
We accept applications throughout the year but those received by 5th November will be processed first, by the end of 2025.
All applications received by 5th November will be given equal consideration.
Any applications received after 5th November may well receive a waiting list offer as spaces on most courses fill quickly.
All applicants who apply by the deadline will be invited for an interview meeting in which we will discuss their academic progress, their chosen 4 A-level subjects and their academic and employment aspirations.
Our Published Admission Numbers (PAN) for 2026/27 for external applicants to the Sixth Form is 50; this refers to places for students who have not previously studied at DJCS.
Course entry requirements for courses running in 2026:
General GCSE requirements for entry to Sixth Form 2026 entry:
Students require at least 5 GCSE grades 9-4.
At least 3 subjects at 9-6.
|
Subject |
Specific subject grade(s) |
Maths grade |
English grade |
|
Art |
6 in Art or Photography or by portfolio |
4 |
4 |
|
Biology |
6, 6 in Combined Science or 6 in Biology |
5 |
5 |
|
Business |
6 in Business (if taken - see course details) |
5 |
4 |
|
Chemistry |
6, 6 in Combined Science or 6 in Chemistry |
6 |
4 |
|
Classical Civilisation |
5 in a humanity e.g. History or Geography |
4 |
5 |
|
Computer Science |
6 in Computer Science -See course details |
6 |
4 |
|
Economics |
6 in a humanity e.g. History or Geography |
6 |
5 |
|
English Language |
5 in English Language |
4 |
5 |
|
English Literature |
6 in English Literature and Language |
4 |
6 |
|
Ethics & Philosophy |
6 in a humanity e.g. History, Geography, RE (full course) |
4 |
5 |
|
French |
6 in French |
4 |
5 |
|
Geography |
6 in Geography (if taken - see course details) |
5 |
5 |
|
German |
6 in German |
4 |
5 |
|
History |
6 in History (if taken - see course details) |
4 |
5 |
|
Mathematics |
7 in Mathematics |
7 |
4 |
|
Further Mathematics |
8 in Mathematics (See course details) |
8 |
4 |
|
Media Studies |
5 in a humanity e.g. History or Geography if taken |
4 |
5 |
|
Music |
6 in Music or Grade 5 theory, plus at least Grade 5 ABRSM performance standard |
4 |
5 |
|
Physical Education |
6 in PE |
4 |
5 |
|
Physics |
6, 6 in Combined Science or 6 in Physics |
6 |
5 |
|
Politics |
6 in a humanity e.g. History or Geography |
4 |
5 |
|
Psychology |
2 6s from Science, Maths or Humanities |
5 |
5 |
|
Sociology |
5 in a humanity e.g. History or Geography if taken |
4 |
5 |
|
Spanish |
6 in Spanish |
4 |
5 |
Subjects in bold are not available at AS-Level. The running of any course depends on level of demand in order that they can be timetabled.
We may also run additional A-Levels, dependent on student interest. For 2026, we may be able to run Criminology and Environmental Science. If you are interested in these subjects. Please indicate so on the application form.