Life in the Sixth Form

Dan Millington, Senior Sixth Form Tutor

The main aim of Sixth Form education is to gain good A Level results and progress to the best, most appropriate university course - but there is much, much more to Sixth Form life than Physics practicals and Geography coursework.

The Sixth Form has a very supportive, friendly community within the larger school community, characterised by:

• genuine depth of friendship that the students have for each other
• the open yet respectful relationship students have with staff
• enjoyment and appreciation of the School’s many extra-curricular opportunities

We provide care, guidance and support, balanced by opportunities for responsibility and individual freedom. The School’s House Staff and Tutors continue to provide help and generally look after pastoral issues and your general well being.

We also take a keen interest in your academic performance. The Deputy Head (Academic) and the Head of Sixth Form take a personal interest in your progress and are always available for help and advice, particularly about university and UCAS.

In the Sixth Form you wear ‘business’ dress rather than uniform, with the emphasis on smartness and acceptability rather than a rigid set of rules.

In addition to your AS and A2 work there is a weekly general studies lesson encompassing advanced ICT skills, survival cooking, scientific method, and social and moral education. This is backed up with a visiting lecturers’ programme.

Private study periods can be spent working in the Library, the modern and extensively resourced careers room, the computer rooms or taking a break in the Sixth Form Centre - a place to wind down, relax and socialize.

As you would expect, the Sixth Form is pretty adept at socializing, with the main events of the year being a Christmas Ball and a leavers’ Commemoration Ball. There are also film nights, rock music competitions, a fashion show, and a Sixth Form play, to name just a few.

Extra-curricular

There is an impressive array of extra-curricular activities for Sixth Form students and everyone is encouraged to take part. These include:

• nearly 20 sports to choose from throughout the year
• CCF and Duke of Edinburgh schemes offering leadership and adventure opportunities
• numerous foreign trips, ski trips and expeditions to places near and far
• more than 12 bands and orchestras
• the hugely enjoyable, farcical Sixth Form play, open to any Sixth Former who has never been on stage before, as well as dominant roles in many ambitious theatrical productions
• The Challenge of Leadership - a two-day event for Lower Sixth who take part in management games, leadership exercises and communications activities
• Debating Society, Coleridge Society, Bridge Club, Chess Club
• ‘Sunday Strolls’ to Exmoor, Dartmoor and the SW Coast
• School Charities
• Young Enterprise
• Fashion Show
• Man O Man
• Community Service