Preparing her for the future

The Sixth Form

We are very proud of our Sixth Form.  Our girls make the most of the many opportunities they are offered to develop their talents –academic, personal and social – to the full. Girls are strongly encouraged to contribute to our school community as a whole through a wide range of responsibilities, privileges and teamwork.

We value each girl in our Sixth Form for her individual strengths, interests, capabilities and opinions. We seek to create a flexible programme of academic study, combined with an enrichment curriculum, within a strong pastoral framework.

We aim to provide a secure and happy environment in which each individual is helped to fulfil her potential and to emerge with confidence, maturity and a sense of independence.

Curriculum

Most of our Lower Sixth study either four or five subjects at AS Level. They usually complete their Sixth Form course by continuing three of those subjects to A2 Level.  You will also take a course in Thinking Skills.

Our enrichment programme offers an eclectic mixture of: Community Service, Current Affairs, Physical Education and Fitness and an active awareness of Citizenship and Personal Development issues.

There is a programme of ‘Sixth Form Activities’, run in conjunction with a local boys’ independent school.  You might take part in Taekwondo, Pilates, Fencing, Bollywood Dance, Student Cookery, the Art of Hospitality, Silversmithing, Photography or Climbing – to name but a few!

Pastoral structure

Each girl belongs to a Tutor Group of approximately 17 students, led by a Personal Tutor. The Personal Tutor is responsible for overseeing both academic and pastoral development. Each girl is encouraged to aim realistically high in planning the next stage of her development and experience after Sixth Form. Whether she is moving on to Higher Education (which most do), employment, a gap year or vocational training, we aim to provide individual counselling and guidance.

Sixth Form entry

Girls in our Sixth Form have achieved a good number of GCSEs grades A – C (including Mathematics and English). It is necessary to have a minimum of B grades in the subjects you hope to study at A Level. In some subjects (such as Sciences, Mathematics and Languages), achieving grade A/A* at GCSE will be an advantage.

Sixth Form Life

You will be based in the Sixth Form Centre, with Tutor bases, Common Room, study rooms, a cafeteria area and secure lockers. 

Study periods are, initially, supervised – encouraging you to develop independent study and to work on your own initiative.

You will have weekly tutorials with your Personal Tutor, ensuring that coherent learning strategies are in place and being followed.  You will have personalised, experienced advice and assistance with HE/UCAS applications – including Oxbridge.

You will have weekly Sixth Form meetings, where all students and tutors meet to share information, raise questions and praise achievement.

In the Term before entering the Lower Sixth, students take part in a programme of team-building activities and meet their A-level teachers.

Opportunities to take the lead

Form Prefects: support and get to know younger forms and their Form Tutors.

Senior Prefect Team: vital role models and organisers in the life of the school.

School Council: provides a sounding board for ideas and requests from the student body.

House leadership: Head of House, Vice Captain and Sports Captain.

Charity initiatives.

Undertaking training to become a Peer Listener.

Additional activities

Young Enterprise: company formation, marketing, exporting, production and business finance.

Drama: a major school production each year, with opportunities for acting, assisting the director, singing, dancing, backstage and front-of-house work.

Sport: a variety of PE activities, House teams organisation, umpiring and coaching junior

sport.

Music: choirs, instrumental groups, solo study.

Clubs: including languages, creative skills, ICT, debating and philosophy.

Careers and Higher Education guidance

Higher Education & ucas Evenings.

Work Experience: help in arranging work experience and work shadowing.

Practice interviews.

Planned programme of preparation for university entrance and individual support with applications.

Visits to higher education fairs and open days.

How to choose A Level subjects

You are encouraged to take three A-levels (AS and A2) and perhaps an additional AS-level. It is possible to study Accelerated Mathematics, completing your A-level in one year.

Exceptionally, some girls take four A Levels and one AS Level.

You should discuss which option is best for you with teachers, parents and the Head of Sixth.

Choose the subjects you think you can do best in - it is the nature of your A-level grades which determines your university choice.

Choose subjects which you like and will enjoy studying and for which you have the motivation and interest to engage in additional research and background reading.

Look ahead to possible degree courses and careers, but do not be too narrow in this. Don’t commit yourself to areas of study for which you have no enthusiasm because of a career plan which you may well wish to change later on.

Do not select on narrow definitions of “usefulness”. It is very difficult to prove that one subject is more useful than another.

Listen to advice offered by senior staff, subject teachers, current Sixth Formers, parents and professionals.

But remember - it is ultimately your choice. Choose subjects you enjoy and can do well at.