An innovative, inspiring and supportive Sixth Form community
We understand intuitively the kind of academic, personal and social environment in which girls flourish - which is why we have created it here.
We are very proud of our Sixth Form. Our girls are based within our newly refurbished Sixth Form Centre including a Common Room, tutor bases, specially designated study areas, a cafeteria and personal lockers. It is a dedicated, uniquely designed space where girls can prepare for their studies, do subject research and revision on their own laptops provided by the school, share knowledge, discuss ideas and have the opportunity to relax and catch up with their friends.
Our Sixth Form has an excellent reputation for its 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 girl is helped to fulfil her potential and to emerge with confidence, maturity and a sense of independence, ready for the academic and career challenges that lie ahead.
What do you need from your Sixth Form experience?
The opportunity to play to your strengths
We value your individual strengths, interests, capabilities and opinions and support and encourage you to explore the many opportunities to develop those talents fully. Our girls are strongly encouraged to contribute to our school community as a whole through a wide range of responsibilities, privileges and teamwork.
A stimulating and rewarding curriculum
Most of our Lower Sixth study either four or five subjects at AS Level. You will usually complete your 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 – what do you want to do?
Care, advice and guidance
In our pastoral structure, you'll belong to a Tutor Group of approximately 17 students, led by a Personal Tutor. Your Personal Tutor is responsible for overseeing both your academic and pastoral development and you will have weekly tutorials together to ensure that coherent learning strategies are in place and are being followed. Your study periods are, initially, supervised – encouraging you to develop independent study and to work on your own initiative.
You will also have weekly Sixth Form meetings, where all students and tutors meet to share information, raise questions and praise achievement.
You will be encouraged to aim realistically high in planning the next stage of your development and experience after Sixth Form. Whether you are moving on to Higher Education (which most do), employment, a gap year or vocational training, we aim to provide the best counselling and guidance to ensure you achieve your goals.
Our dedicated Careers team will provide personalised, experienced advice and a planned programme of preparation for university entrance and individual support with HE/UCAS applications – including Oxbridge. We also help in arranging work experience, work shadowing and practice interviews and visit higher education fairs and open days.
Take on the challenge of leadership
Our Sixth Form presents a range of opportunities for you to develop valuable leadership skills in the wider community as well as become a inspirational role model for our younger students.
- Support and get to know younger forms and their Form Tutors as a Form Prefect
- Become a vital role model and organiser of life of the school as part of the Senior Prefect Team
- Make the student voice heard and share valuable ideas through membership of the School Council
- Lead your House or become Vice Captain or Sports Captain
- Get involved in charity initiatives
- Undertake training to become a Peer Listener
Enriching activities
- Young Enterprise: company formation, marketing, exporting, production and business finance
- Drama: a major annual school production with opportunities for acting, assistant directing, singing, dancing, backstage and front of house roles
- Sport: a variety of PE activities, House team organisation, umpiring and coaching junior sport
- Music: choirs, instrumental groups, solo study
- Clubs: including languages, creative skills, ICT, debating and philosophy
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.
A Level subjects - your choices
- 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
It's a good idea to discuss well in advance which options are best for you. Talk to as many people as you can - subject teachers, parents, the Head of Sixth, senior staff and current Sixth Formers - to get the bigger picture and get all the information you need to make the best choices for you. Listen to advice and look ahead to possible degree courses and careers, but don't take a really narrow view. Don't commit yourself to something for which you have no enthusiasm because of a career plan which you may well wish to change later on, or choose based on definitions of “usefulness” as it is very difficult to prove that one subject is more useful than another.
There's no doubt that the Sixth Form is hard work, but it's important that you enjoy your time and are confident you can achieve your best, so 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. These are probably the same subjects you think you can do best in - and as it is the nature of your A-level grades which determine your university route, it's important to make sure your choices are the right ones for you.
Why not come along to our SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING ON WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 10TH to find out more.