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.