--- title: Does a diverse range of subjects at Sixth Form lead to a better career? description: We examine the report by The Education Policy Institute on A Level subject choice. image: https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/Redmaids_sixthform22%20(34%20of%20106)-1.jpg --- [![Black left aligned RHS GDST logo](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/Black%20left%20aligned%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png?width=215&height=100&name=Black%20left%20aligned%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png "Black left aligned RHS GDST logo")](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [Back to Main Site](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [![Redmaids' High School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Redmaids_High_School_April2021/images/mobile-logo.png?width=270&height=472&name=mobile-logo.png "Redmaids' High School")](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [Back to Main Site](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) [\< Back to Blog](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) # Does a diverse range of subjects at Sixth Form lead to a better career? Last September, the Education Policy Institute posted a [report into A-level subject choice.](https://schoolsweek.co.uk/drop-in-a-levels-diversity-and-4-more-epi-findings/) It stated that students who take more diverse A Levels earn more than their peers and that 26-year-olds who had studied qualifications from at least two subject groups of sciences, maths, humanities, languages, and vocational, went on to have higher earnings than those who studied qualifications from only one group. In essence, broad choices mean better career prospects.  This is a huge part of why the IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma is such an exciting option at Sixth Form. By its very nature, you have to study an option from each of the subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Science and Maths, plus a sixth option from any of those groups or The Arts. Therefore, subject breadth is a given. New subjects offer exciting areas of study such as Global Politics, Environmental Science, and Literature & performance; subjects that draw together traditional disciplines and often focus on conceptual work as a basis of the material covered. This approach decompartmentalises knowledge and encourages problem-solving and a curious approach to learning.  But depth is not overlooked either. Three subjects are taken at Higher Level, offering a truly deep dive into these areas, plus an Extended Essay, which can be on any subject matter of your choosing and is fantastic prep for the type of independent study expected at university. Additionally, you will study three subjects at Standard Level, through a genuinely interdisciplinary approach, allowing an understanding of why and how all subject matters are interlaced. Universities and employers value the IB Diploma because it offers a critical thinking approach to studies encouraging students to not just learn knowledge and accept it but to gain knowledge through exploration, debate, and hearing a variety of perspectives. This is hugely valuable in almost all future career options.  Alongside chosen subjects, the IB Diploma includes the ‘Core’: lessons on Theory of Knowledge, interrogating the very nature of truth and how we know things. It also builds in a focus on your links to Community, Activity, and Service (CAS), promoting volunteering, mentoring, and participation in sport. In our opinion, you’d be hard-pressed to complete an IB Diploma without emerging with broad knowledge and a holistic view of the world.   But A Levels can be exceptionally diverse too. Here at Redmaids' High, you could study Computer Science, Russian, and Biology with an additional course in Creative Writing, or Fashion and Textiles, History, and Psychology, alongside Core Maths. There are so many ways to incorporate a range of passions, building towards thousands of future careers.  The stats in the report are very compelling but we feel they overlook one crucial factor in the pursuit of career success: *individual people, their dreams, and aspirations*.   At Redmaids’ High, we take the time to get to know every one of our students. Each girl has a Guidance Mentor, to help them make good choices for the future. For some students choosing three sciences at A Level might absolutely be the right path, matching their passions, interests, and ambitions. We might then recommend they take a complimentary option such as an Extended Project Qualification, giving them the chance to conduct a personal investigation, or a Higher Sports Leader award, which develops skills such as leadership, management, and planning.  Ultimately, whichever pathway, IB or A Level, there is no magic formula to career success unless we, as a school, understand each of you and your ambitions. Yes, breadth is important, but so is aligning qualifications with your abilities, goals, and aspirations. That is something we pride ourselves on here at Redmaids’ High, and something that if done well, is the best way to set you on a trajectory for future success.     *If you are interested to find out more about Redmaids;’ High Sixth Form, please contact our Admissions Team, who can arrange a bespoke Taster Day with subjects that are of interest to you.*  [![Get in touch](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/19538110/bd186983-58ea-467d-9052-78a9c75db9ce.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/19538110/bd186983-58ea-467d-9052-78a9c75db9ce)     Date Posted: 8 November, 2021 [Share](http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/does-choosing-a-diverse-range-of-subjects-at-sixth-form-lead-to-a-better-career) ## Articles for: Examination Results, Sixth Form, Senior, The World Beyond ![Exploring the Pros and Cons of Incorporating AI in Schools](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(52).jpg?width=770&name=Untitled%20design%20(52).jpg) **Exploring the Pros and Cons of Incorporating AI in Schools** Date Posted: 16 January, 2024 In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) has made its way into various... READ MORE ![Settling In - Events and Information Sources for New Parents](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/custom-video-thumbnails/JS%20video%20-%2030%20sec%20clip%20for%20social-thumb.jpeg?width=770&name=JS%20video%20-%2030%20sec%20clip%20for%20social-thumb.jpeg) **Settling In - Events and Information Sources for New Parents** Date Posted: 13 September, 2022 For many new parents, the start of the Autumn Term can feel like a baptism of fire. Here at Redmaids' High Junior... READ MORE ![What does PSHE look like in a modern school environment?](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/PSHE%20(1).jpg?width=770&name=PSHE%20(1).jpg) **What does PSHE look like in a modern school environment?** Date Posted: 26 October, 2021 By Alice Hinks, Head of PSHE If you were asked, ‘what is your memory of PSHE at school?’, you might conjure images of... READ MORE ![Sport at Redmaids’ High Juniors - empowering every girl](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/JS%20Sport%20blog%20post%20(1).jpg?width=770&name=JS%20Sport%20blog%20post%20(1).jpg) **Sport at Redmaids’ High Juniors - empowering every girl** Date Posted: 18 September, 2025 READ MORE ![Post-16 education options: What is the IB Diploma? ](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Redmaids_sixthform22%20(8%20of%20106).jpg?width=770&name=Redmaids_sixthform22%20(8%20of%20106).jpg) **Post-16 education options: What is the IB Diploma?** Date Posted: 27 September, 2021 READ MORE ![How we can help our students get the career of their dreams](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Redmaids_sixthform22%20(11%20of%20106).jpeg?width=770&name=Redmaids_sixthform22%20(11%20of%20106).jpeg) **How we can help our students get the career of their dreams** Date Posted: 9 January, 2023 At Redmaids’ High we endeavour to prepare our students not only for the demands of the classroom, but more importantly... READ MORE ![The transition from Junior to Senior School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/image00029-2.jpeg?width=770&name=image00029-2.jpeg) **The transition from Junior to Senior School** Date Posted: 11 July, 2024 The move from Junior School to Senior School can be a daunting experience for students and their families. At Redmaids’... READ MORE ![Singing at Redmaids' High School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(2)-4.png?width=770&name=Untitled%20design%20(2)-4.png) **Singing at Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 20 December, 2023 With Christmas just around the corner it is the time of year where we come together, immerse ourselves in the festive... READ MORE ![Break-time with ... | Redmaids' High School](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Maggie%20Edbrooke%20-450_th.png?width=770&name=Maggie%20Edbrooke%20-450_th.png) **Break-time with ... | Redmaids' High School** Date Posted: 23 March, 2020 READ MORE ![How to use your time in Sixth Form to get ahead in your career](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Sixth%20Form%20Career%20Help%20-%20insta.jpg?width=770&name=Sixth%20Form%20Career%20Help%20-%20insta.jpg) **How to use your time in Sixth Form to get ahead in your career** Date Posted: 24 November, 2021 READ MORE ![The top 7 benefits of a girls-only education at Sixth Form](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Redmaids_sixthform22%20(2%20of%20106)1.jpg?width=770&name=Redmaids_sixthform22%20(2%20of%20106)1.jpg) **The top 7 benefits of a girls-only education at Sixth Form** Date Posted: 23 January, 2023 The final two years of school life are significant, but deciding where to be for your Sixth Form is not always an easy... READ MORE ![A New Adventure in Year 3](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Alice.png?width=770&name=Alice.png) **A New Adventure in Year 3** Date Posted: 24 October, 2022 There’s a well-known seven-year-old girl who is adventurous, resilient, curious, logical and friendly. She puts no... READ MORE ![Breaktime with our Head of Pastoral, Ms Stimson](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/JMA00606.jpg?width=770&name=JMA00606.jpg) **Breaktime with our Head of Pastoral, Ms Stimson** Date Posted: 6 September, 2024 We catch up with Ms Stimson to find out why pastoral care is so crucial and how it thrives at Redmaids’ High. We learn... READ MORE ![Year 13 Dive into Psychological Research with University of Bristol](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/2-Dec-10-2025-03-29-52-8475-PM.png?width=770&name=2-Dec-10-2025-03-29-52-8475-PM.png) **Year 13 Dive into Psychological Research with University of Bristol** Date Posted: 11 December, 2025 Earlier this term, our Year 13 Psychology students took part in a unique workshop run in collaboration with researchers... READ MORE ![The Halo Code](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Halo%20School%20logo.png?width=770&name=Halo%20School%20logo.png) **The Halo Code** Date Posted: 2 December, 2024 As a Halo School we are proud to celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles within our community. By signing up to... READ MORE ![Why being named by The Sunday Times as Bristol's top academic school is just a small part of our story](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/News%20story%20thumbnails%20on%20marketing%20emails%20(12).png?width=770&name=News%20story%20thumbnails%20on%20marketing%20emails%20(12).png) **Why being named by The Sunday Times as Bristol's top academic school is just a small part of our story** Date Posted: 10 January, 2025 In December last year, we were thrilled to announce that Redmaids' High School had been named by The Sunday Times as... READ MORE ![Manners matter: Blog post by Junior School Headteacher, Mrs Brown](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Lisa%20Brown%20recent%20-%20sqaure%20for%20instagram%20-1.jpg?width=770&name=Lisa%20Brown%20recent%20-%20sqaure%20for%20instagram%20-1.jpg) **Manners matter: Blog post by Junior School Headteacher, Mrs Brown** Date Posted: 10 November, 2021 In education, there is a lot to be said for getting the basics right, and that includes teaching good manners,... READ MORE ![Breaktime with Anya Peyton](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Anya%20Peyton%20headshot.jpg?width=770&name=Anya%20Peyton%20headshot.jpg) **Breaktime with Anya Peyton** Date Posted: 13 July, 2022 Anya joined us as our new Deputy Head at the start of the summer term so we thought now was the perfect opportunity to... READ MORE ![Breaktime with our SENCO Lead Mrs Pillay](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Dharani.jpeg?width=770&name=Dharani.jpeg) **Breaktime with our SENCO Lead Mrs Pillay** Date Posted: 26 September, 2023 Tell us a little bit about your background, what inspired you to become a SENCO and what does the responsibility mean... READ MORE ![Head's Blog - Our core values](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Burfield.jpg?width=770&name=Burfield.jpg) **Head's Blog - Our core values** Date Posted: 9 February, 2022 READ MORE [Click here to view all news articles](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk) - [MAKE AN ENQUIRY](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/contact-us) - [NEWS](https://news.redmaidshigh.co.uk/) - [MY REDMAIDS' HIGH](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/my-redmaids/) [![Black centered RHS GDST logo](https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/Black%20centered%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png?width=179&height=200&name=Black%20centered%20RHS%20GDST%20logo.png "Black centered RHS GDST logo")](http://redmaidshigh.co.uk) #### Registered Office The Asticus Building, 21 Palmer Street, London, England, SW1H 0AD Company number: 6400 Registered charity number: 306983    #### Junior School Grange Court Road Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS9 4DP [0117 962 9451](tel:0117%20962%209451) [juniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net](mailto:juniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net) #### Senior School AND SIXTH FORM Westbury Road Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS9 3AW [0117 962 2641](tel:0117%20962%202641) [seniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net](mailto:seniors@redmaidshigh.gdst.net) - © 2025 Redmaids' High School, GDST - All rights reserved - [School Policies](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/about-the-school/school-policies/) - [Cookie & Privacy Policies](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/about-the-school/school-policies/data-protection-and-privacy-policies/) - [Contact Us](https://www.redmaidshigh.co.uk/contact-us/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Redmaids' High School", "url" : "https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/author/redmaids-high-school" }, "dateModified" : "2023-01-10T15:34:57.671Z", "datePublished" : "2021-11-08T11:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Does a diverse range of subjects at Sixth Form lead to a better career?", "image" : [ "https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/Redmaids_sixthform22%20(34%20of%20106)-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/does-choosing-a-diverse-range-of-subjects-at-sixth-form-lead-to-a-better-career", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.redmaidshigh.co.uk/hubfs/RHS_logo_left%20aligned_black_RGB.png" }, "name" : "Redmaids' High School" } } ```