Sixth Form

Welcome to the Sixth Form Events Community Involvement

      

Click here(PDF) to download the prospectus written by Sixth Form Students

The Sixth Form at OHS is a friendly, lively, stimulating and exciting environment where you will flourish academically and develop your individual talents and potential. Our Sixth Form students, whether from OHS Year 11 or joining us from another school, already have a track record of success and excellent achievement at GCSE which they are able to develop and enhance within the supportive environment of our Sixth Form.
Each one of our Sixth Form students is highly valued as an individual. The Sixth Form students are important members of our community and their contributions to the life of the whole school are many and varied. We are immensely proud of their achievements and accomplishments.

Nurturing excellence
At Oxford High School we have a long established reputation for nurturing excellence in all our students. We are consistently ranked among the top performing schools nationally and locally based on both GCSE and A level results. A recent survey by the Sutton Trust placed Oxford High School among the top twenty best performing independent schools nationally for university admissions, and eleventh for Oxbridge admissions.

Nurturing the individual
Nurturing excellence is about much more than academic results. It’s about ensuring that each individual is able to develop her talents and potential throughout the two years of the Sixth Form. The outstanding range of extra-curricular activities available to all our Sixth Formers enables them to fulfil their potential as individuals and enriches their experience. Participation in a wide range of activities across areas such as sport, music, art, drama, dance, community and voluntary activities, debating, creative writing, the Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, School Magazine and Young Enterprise will enable you to develop valuable talents and skills and pursue interests beyond the classroom.

As a Sixth Form student at Oxford High School you will also be able to take advantage of wider opportunities offered by the Girls’ Day School Trust. The GDST has recently developed strong links with several global companies including Deloitte, HSBC and Nomura Bank. In the past two years OHS Sixth Formers have successfully competed with other GDST students to gain prestigious internships and scholarships. The GDST’s Minerva Network and Careerstart Programme provide unrivalled opportunities to explore future careers and prepare for Higher Education.

How to find out more .....
Come to our whole school Open Evening on Thursday 22nd October 2009 6.30pm – 9pm. Or, to arrange a visit or find out more ‘phone Mrs Brown, Director of Admissions, on 01865 318500 and either she or Miss Pallas-Brown, Head of Sixth Form, will be happy to talk to you.

Transfer from Year 11 of OHS to the Sixth Form
Transfer is automatic—you don’t need to make an application to join our Sixth Form. We very much value the commitment you and your parents have made so far to OHS. We enjoy high levels of retention from Year 11 into the Sixth Form but you will find that there is enough of a sense of change for the Sixth Form to feel different. The Sixth Form will be a fresh and exciting place to spend your final two years at school. By staying with us for your Sixth Form studies you will continue to benefit from excellent teaching, Higher Education advice and pastoral care, a fantastic range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities and a supportive environment which prepares you well for the challenges and independence of life after school.

Applicants from outside OHS Year 11
Every year we welcome several girls into our Sixth Form and we warmly welcome applications from girls interested in joining OHS for the Sixth Form. If you are considering joining us, as well as coming to the evening mentioned above, you may like to spend a day with us so that you can gain a better idea of the atmosphere of the school. You will be looked after by a Sixth Form student, often someone who has joined us in the Sixth Form, and you can visit Year 12 lessons of your choice. Admission to the Sixth Form is based on your performance in assessments in the subjects you wish to study at AS and A2 level and interviews. Written assessments will be held on Saturday 7th November 2009.
To arrange a visit or find out more ‘phone Mrs Brown, Director of Admissions, on 01865 318500 and either she or Miss Pallas-Brown, Head of Sixth Form, will be happy to talk to you.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance
There are various forms of financial assistance available for girls entering the Sixth Form at Oxford High School either from our own Year 11 or elsewhere.
We offer Academic Scholarships and also Scholarships for excellence in Art, Music and Sport. A student may apply for a scholarship in more than one category.
Applications are warmly invited from current students and new applicants. All Scholarships are awarded on merit and independently of parental income.
Candidates for an academic scholarship are asked to sit written assessments, which will be held on Friday 6th November 2009. Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview on Friday 27th November. Candidates short-listed for Art, Music and Sports scholarships will be invited to interviews and/or auditions in the week beginning 23rd November.
Scholarships awarded in Year 7 are continued into the Sixth Form, provided progress is satisfactory.

We have bursaries to help families on lower incomes. The Trust Bursary Scheme replaces the Government Assisted Places Scheme. Bursaries are assessed on parental income and assets. Please tick the box on the Registration Form to receive further information. Students from families on lower incomes are also eligible for the government’s Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
There is also the possibility of a scholarship from a Combined Trust. The school is allowed one application. The scholarships are awarded on financial need, if a bursary application has been unsuccessful.
Further help has been obtained for OHS girls in the past from the Emmott Foundation. Details may be obtained from The Emmott Foundation Ltd, Brill, Tregew Road, Flushing, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5TF.
Further details and application forms for all scholarships and bursaries can be obtained from Mrs Brown, Director of Admissions.
There is also the possibility of a scholarship from a Combined Trust. The school is allowed one application. The scholarships are awarded on financial need, if a bursary application has been unsuccessful.
Further help has been obtained for OHS girls in the past from the Emmott Foundation. Details may be obtained from The Emmott Foundation Ltd, Brill, Tregew Road, Flushing, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5TF.
Further details and application forms for all scholarships and bursaries can be obtained from Mrs Brown, Director of Admissions.

Life in the Sixth Form

One of the strengths of our Sixth Form is the partnership formed between students and staff which creates a friendly, supportive and hardworking atmosphere.

An ideal environment for learning and study
At the heart of the Sixth Form is the Common Room, refurbished recently to provide a welcoming and friendly environment for you. It has a kitchen area with fridge, microwave, toaster and facilities for making hot drinks. The Common Room has a bank of laptops and wireless internet connection. Our well-equipped Library has two study areas reserved solely for Sixth Form study. All students have access to IT facilities and the internet with their own log-in username, password and school e-mail address.

Care
All students in our Sixth Form benefit from excellent pastoral care. At the heart of this is the tutor group and the relationship each student builds with her tutor. Regular contact at twice daily registrations, together with individual meetings, enables your tutor to support your academic progress, discuss Higher Education decisions and to keep an eye on your general happiness and welfare. The Head of Sixth Form is also available for discussion and help with any aspect of Sixth Form life.

Monitoring and Supporting Progress
Regular monitoring of progress and reviewing study skills is an important aspect of the partnership between students and staff which will help you to manage your studies effectively. It also ensures your parents are kept informed of progress and can fully support you. Formal written reports are sent to parents in November and March of Year 12 and in March of Year 13, giving specific feedback about performance in mock AS and A2 examinations. Regular feedback about performance and progress is given by subject staff to each of you individually, in the form of half term monitoring grades. You discuss these grades with your tutor and set yourself realistic targets to continue progress. Parents’ Evenings are held in November and early July of Year 12 and in November of Year 13. You and your parents are invited to attend these meetings to discuss progress with subject teachers.

Recognising and Rewarding Achievement
Recognising and rewarding the achievements of our Sixth Form students is very important. The weekly Sixth Form assemblies and the twice termly whole school Presentation Assemblies provide important opportunities for the diverse achievements of our Sixth Form to be acknowledged.
In addition, the Year 12 Celebration of Achievement and the At Home and Farewell for Year 13 are two special and important occasions where we join together with parents to celebrate each of our Sixth Form students.

Developing Leadership Skills
There are many opportunities for you to take on extra responsibilities and to develop valuable leadership and team working skills, whether it is running a school club or activity, as Form Assistant for Years 7 to 11, taking responsibility as Form Leader, Head of House or prefect.

Careers Guidance and Destinations
Sixth Formers benefit from excellent careers and Higher Education advice and guidance. The Careers Centre is fully stocked with University and College prospectuses and DVDs, literature about careers and GAP year possibilities. We invite speakers from several universities to talk to you about aspects of the application process and how to prepare yourself for university. Sixth Form students go on to Higher Education at institutions all over the UK and, increasingly, the US to study a wide variety of degree courses. Information on the destinations and degree subjects of the 2009 Leavers is included at the end of the prospectus.

Click here to read the destination of our Sixth Form leavers

Enrichment

Trips and Exchanges
There are many opportunities for you to travel abroad. The modern languages departments organise trips and exchanges to France, Germany, Russia and Italy and a trip to Spain will take place in 2009. The Classics Department has visited Greece, Turkey and Sicily over the last two years and will visit Rome in October 2010. Biology and Geography students enjoy residential field-trips in the south of England and in August 2009 the Geography department visited Iceland. The Art and Textiles departments have taken groups to Paris, Barcelona, Venice and Amsterdam. The Economics and Politics Department organises an annual trip to Brussels and Strasbourg. The English Department organises a study weekend for Year 13 English students and also arranges trips to Oxford theatres and to Stratford and London. Sixth Form students have enjoyed successful World Challenge trips to Bolivia (2005) and Chile (2007).
You can participate in conferences and events closer to home. Our students attend Oxford University’s annual High Sheriff’s Law Lecture and are invited to participate in many interesting conferences. Recent examples include Common Purpose’s tenth anniversary conference for tomorrow’s leaders and the annual Blake Lapthorn Sixth Form Challenge. Our Sixth Formers have also undertaken internships at global companies such as Goldman Sachs and Deloitte, and GDST sponsored internships at HSBC and Nomura Bank.

Activities and Community Involvement
Our Sixth Form students are fully involved in the life of the school and of the community beyond. As a Sixth Form student you will undoubtedly play an important role in helping with the day-to-day running of the school and take the lead in organising and running numerous school based societies and activities, such as Amnesty International, People and Planet, Magazine, Bridge, Choir, coaching Sports Clubs, Literary Societies, Film Club, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Biology Society, Debating Society, Young Enterprise, CCF, Creative Writing and Drama. Many of these activities involve other schools in the area. Many Sixth Form students are involved in voluntary organisations in and around Oxford and take part in summer camps for disabled teenagers and voluntary work in local hospitals and schools.

Sport
Sixth Formers are the leading players in all the senior sports teams, representing the school locally, in county tournaments and in the GDST rallies. The senior Hockey squad undertakes regular summer tours to Barbados. Many students pursue individual sports with their clubs and compete nationally and internationally. Many sports can be chosen as General Studies’ options and the NVQ Community and Sports Leadership Award can be followed to achieve a qualification in coaching and leadership.

Music
The orchestras, ensembles, and choirs at Oxford High School benefit from your talents, skill and hard work. Sixth Formers play an important and extremely valued role in this creative and highly enjoyable aspect of school life.

Drama
There are lots of opportunities for you to get involved in Drama — as a director, performer or behind the scenes. There are frequent Senior Drama productions (some with Magdalen College School) and opportunities to help with Lower School productions. Recent Sixth Form productions include Duchess of Malfi, Hamlet, The Importance of Being Earnest, Antony and Cleopatra, Under Milkwood and a choreographed version of Cinderella.

Magazine
Sixth Form students make up the editorial committee of the school magazine, designing the layout, choosing the content, overseeing its production and publication. This is your chance to make your mark on an important school publication!

Young Enterprise
The opportunity to set up and run a company for a year is hugely popular and will help you to understand business and to develop valuable transferable skills.

The Sixth Form Curriculum

We offer a wide variety of subjects to choose from including the opportunity to take up new subjects. The relationship between staff and students is one of mutual co-operation. Excellent teaching, guidance and encouragement enables each student to get the very best out of her studies.

Making choices
We believe strongly that each student is an individual and should choose the most suitable subjects and combination: there is no compulsion and we aim to accommodate each of your subject choices within the timetable. We advise you to study four AS subjects in Year 12, with the addition of Critical Thinking, carrying on three to A2 in Year 13, but other patterns are possible.
Further information about specifications and the nature of the AS and A2 course at OHS is available from Heads of Department.
From September 2008 there were several changes both to the content of AS and A2 specifications and their structure, with many subjects moving from six to four assessment units (two at AS level and two at A2 level).
Another change to A levels is the addition of an enhanced grade – the A* - which will be awarded for the first time in 2010 at A2 level to students who achieve highly in A2 level units.

Tutor periods
One tutor period per week in Year 12 and 13. You will follow an exciting, stimulating and thought-provoking programme which will develop your knowledge of current affairs, get you involved in charity work and will provide opportunities for you to organise activities with other year groups.

Critical Thinking
This is a core subject and is studied by all students for at least the first term of Year 12, with the opportunity to take the AS level examination at the end of Year 12.
Critical Thinking is all about arguments. This does not mean that you will be shouting at one another and slamming the door as you leave the classroom! Real arguing is justifying your beliefs by giving reasons. Critical Thinking will help you to understand other people’s reasons, and their conclusions; it will help you to detect flaws in other people’s arguments; and it will help you to develop powerful arguments of your own. These skills are vital for several A Level subjects, and they will really help you when you get to university. In fact, universities value Critical Thinking skills so highly that many now use tests containing Critical Thinking questions as part of their admissions procedures.

General Studies
General Studies lessons provide an opportunity for you to enrich your academic studies in a way which does not lead to an examination. A wide variety of options is offered including many sports, cooking, debating, ethics and Byzantine History. Sports Leadership Award courses and Young Enterprise are also available as part of General Studies and can lead to a nationally recognised qualification. Further details are to be found in the Sixth Form Handbook

The Sixth Form Curriculum

The broad range of subjects on offer makes our Sixth Form a stimulating and lively environment for learning.

YEARS 12 and 13 - subjects offered to AS/A Level

Art
Art: Textiles
Biology
Chemistry
Critical Thinking (*)
Design and Technology
Drama and Theatre Studies
Economics
English
French
Geography
German
Government & Politics
Greek (Ancient)
History
Information Technology
Italian (**)
Latin
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Music
Philosophy (***)
Physics
Psychology
Religious Studies
Russian
Spanish

(*) Critical Thinking is a core, compulsory part of the Y12 curriculum for at least the autumn term. The majority of students continue with the subject and take the AS at the end of Y12.
(**) Italian: this provides an opportunity to begin a new modern language and to study it to either AS or A2 level. The course is very intensive and it will not be possible to take the AS level examination until the end of Y13.
(***) Philosophy is planned to be introduced at AS level for 2009-2010

Notes:
All subjects offered are subject to sufficient numbers.
We recommend that students choose 4 subjects to study at AS level and then to continue with 3 of these to A level (although it is possible to do more than this).
Year 12 students will be asked to confirm their choice of A2 subjects, for study in Year 13, in the Spring Term of Year 12.
In addition to the above subjects students follow a General Studies course (2 periods per week), a Critical Thinking course (2 periods per week for at least the first term in Year 12) and a Tutor/PSHCE period.

Mathematics: courses generally consist of pure and applied units where the applied component is either mechanics or statistics.
Further Mathematics: students intending to take further mathematics must also take mathematics.
Art: Textiles: good drawing skills are needed for success at AS level at the end of Year 12.

Events

Exciting New Additions to the Curriculum

From September 2009 we will be introducing two exciting additional qualifications to our Sixth Form curriculum. Alongside the 27 AS and A2 subjects (including Critical Thinking) currently offered in the Sixth Form at OHS, you will be able to take advantage of the Open University’s Young Applicants in Schools and Colleges Scheme (YASS) and a pilot of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Both the EPQ and the YASS scheme are ideally suited to our students as they provide opportunities for developing greater independence, academic rigour and in-depth study of areas of particular interest.

In the case of the EPQ you will produce a short independently researched dissertation on any topic of your choice. Students who successfully complete the EPQ alongside 3 A levels and AS level Critical Thinking and can demonstrate community service or personal development will also be eligible for the AQA Baccalaureate award, further distinguishing them as highly achieving individuals.

Students who participate in YASS will be able to choose from over 60 Open University modules (many of them multi disciplinary) and will study at undergraduate level under the supervision of experienced Open University tutors.

Sixth Form Speakers

As part of the programme of activities marking the beginning of the new academic year, Year 12 students have enjoyed talks by two visiting speakers.

Kerry France, Deputy Director of Undergraduate Admissions for the University of Birmingham, spoke about how to use academic studies, extra curricular activities and other opportunities to develop transferable skills to enhance university applications.

Jen Hewson, Alumni Relations Manager at the Trust, spoke about the GDST’s Minerva network and the unrivalled resources this network provides for sixth formers at GDST schools in the form of scholarships and internships, contacts for work experience and university visits, and skills based workshops.

Oxford High School hosts second Blake Lapthorn sixth form challenge for Oxford schools

The second Blake Lapthorn sixth form challenge for Oxford schools took place on Thursday 25th June at Oxford High School. Students from Cheney School, Headington School, St Edward's and Magdalen College School were divided into teams and given the task of being a multi-agency disaster responding to a number of hypothetical disasters in Oxford including a helicopter crash, a possible biological hazard and a protest march.

Each team had to face a rigorous press conference and had to produce recommendations for dealing with the three disasters. The winning team gave an impressive press conference and presented their conclusions logically and clearly.

Thanks to generous sponsorship from Blake Lapthorn, alll participating students were presented with a Blackwell's voucher and the winners will receive a cheque.

Congratulations to Sophie Bailey and Annie Trofimova from OHS who were on the winning team.

New House Leaders elected

Last year's House Leaders handed over their responsibilities to the new girls who were elected by their fellow Year 12s.

Year 13 Trip to the West End - March 2009

Year 13's recent trip to the musical Hairspray, at the Shaftesbury Theatre was a huge success.

The performance was fantastic and very funny, the songs and dance routines were excellent and by the end some of us could not resist the urge to join in!

A brilliant way to end a week of hard work and mock exams.

Baroness Warnock Lecture at Oxford High School

On 12th June Year 12 students enjoyed a lecture delivered by Baroness Warnock, moral philosopher, current chair of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s advisory committee on medical ethics and former Headmistress of Oxford High School. 

Speaking after the government’s recent Embryology Bill had made its passage through both Houses of Parliament, Baroness Warnock considered the obstacles faced by those engaged in embryology and stem cell research and the ethical issues which such research raises.

The lecture was fascinating and covered a wide range of topics, producing many thought provoking questions from Year 12 students at the end. 

Community Involvement

Cici Stinton (2009 leaver and recipient of a GDST Travel Scholarship) talked to Year 12 and 13 students about her experiences over the summer working as a volunteer for Nightingales Children’s Project, an orphanage in Romania. Cici was joined by Ben Wells, Deputy Director of Nightingales Children’s Project, who spoke about on-going projects the organisation has in the town of Cernovoda in eastern Romania.