Guided choices for what comes next
The senior academic years are where possibility begins to take shape.
After completing Cambridge International IGCSE examinations in Form 4, boys move into a stage where subject choices become more focused, future planning becomes more important and each decision begins to connect with life beyond school.
At St Charles College in Pietermaritzburg, the Senior Academic Pathway helps boys move forward with clarity, confidence and purpose as they prepare for tertiary study in South Africa or abroad.
From IGCSE to senior academic choices
The Senior Academic Pathway begins after the Cambridge International IGCSE examinations in Form 4.
From there, boys move into Sixth Form College, where they begin shaping a senior academic route that supports their strengths, academic maturity and future study plans.
The Senior Academic Pathway
Form 4
Cambridge International IGCSE
Boys complete IGCSE examinations at the end of Form 4. This stage builds the academic foundation for senior subject choices.
Form 5
Cambridge International AS Levels
Boys move into AS Level study, usually working across a broader range of subjects while beginning to shape their future study direction.
Form 6
Choose the right route
AS Levels
A broader senior academic route, often suited to boys planning tertiary study in South Africa while keeping subject options open.
A Levels
A deeper, more specialised route, usually focused on three or four subjects for boys ready for advanced academic depth.
Technical Pathways
Applied routes such as Cambridge Design and Technology, combining problem-solving, creativity and practical thinking.
Guided by strengths,
goals and future plans
Choosing a senior academic pathway can feel complex, but boys and families do not make these decisions alone.
After Form 4, each boy’s route is considered in relation to his IGCSE results, subject strengths, academic maturity, work ethic, academic goals and possible tertiary study requirements.
Teachers and academic staff help boys understand the demands, opportunities and possible outcomes of each route. This guidance helps families consider the balance between subject choice, academic goals and future study plans.
The result is a pathway chosen with intention, not guesswork.
Explore your son’s pathway
Discover how the Senior Academic Pathway at St Charles College can help your son make informed academic choices for Form 5, Form 6 and life beyond school.