THE WIDER STUDY PROGRAMME

We strongly believe that learning and development in Sixth Form should extend beyond the academic, and encompass the health, wellbeing and emotional development of our students, as well as offering opportunities for them to explore all that the future has to offer. We support this development through our wider study programme as detailed below.

All students complete a fully established Horizons programme throughout the course of the academic year which incorporates sessions on:

• Employability and CV Writing/Linked In
• Personal Statements and the UCAS process
• Employer/University Interview skills
• Gun and knife crime
• Car driving safety
• Consent
• Mental health and well-being
• Sexual health
• Careers Events – A day in a life of.... or Business speed networking
• Interview preparation evenings
• Apprenticeships and careers
• Independent study skills and exam revision
• Financial planning and management
• Self defence
• Introduction to cooking
• Safe travelling abroad
• Body image
• Prejudice and discrimination
• Topical and relevant debates and talks
• Building resilience

Work Experience

All students complete 30 hours of work experience during their time in sixth form which is directly relevant to their prospective next steps.  Students are supported in finding meaningful work placements which will allow them to experience the world of work, whilst giving them a flavour for a potential career. This also gives students the opportunity to develop their independence, confidence and initiative.

Character Culture Sessions - PSHE/R.E/Citizenship/RSE/literacy

These elements will sit within the weekly character culture session timetabled for all students on a Monday morning. These sessions have been planned in conjunction with students to ensure all sessions are relevant, meaningful and current. 

Head Student Team and House Captains

Students in Sixth Form have the opportunity to apply to join the Head Student Team or the House Captain Team. The Head Student Team applies only to Year 13 students and sits above the house system. To apply for these roles, students must submit a formal application and then go through a rigorous interview process from the Principal, Head of Sixth Form and the existing Head Students. The role of Head Student is a prestigious role within the school and one which is hotly contended each year. The role of the Head Student Team is to oversee both Sixth Form and whole school events and initiatives, whilst representing the school at all public events.

House Captains and Vice Captains work alongside the Head of House to organise community school events and drive up community spirit. These students are involved in multiple elements, including the school council, running termly charity events and competitions and supporting in the delivery of weekly newsletters and termly assemblies.

Physical Education

All students in Year 12 complete a compulsory hour of physical education. This then becomes optional for Year 13 students. Students have the opportunity to opt in to their chosen sport/physical activity and this is tailored to the students each year. Activities include; football, badminton, circuits and gym sessions.

Peer Mentoring

Students are encouraged to sign up to the peer mentoring programme within school. Students complete three training sessions delivered by the safeguarding lead, the school counsellor and the pastoral lead for the school. Following these sessions, students are paired with a student from KS3 or KS4 who they meet weekly to mentor through the academic year.

Volunteering

Students are encouraged to become ambassadors for the school in a range of school events, including open evenings, sporting fixtures, charity events and guiding visitors in school tours. There are opportunities throughout the academic year for all students to get involved.

Debate Club

Debate club, initially created and developed by Year 13 students, runs weekly during tutor time. Students take it in turns to decide upon the topic of debate and act as an impartial judge. This club continues to develop and has now been extended to additional year groups.

Careers

We have a fully embedded careers provision within sixth form which includes the use of the Horizons programme, tutor time sessions, the UniFrog platform, external speakers and external careers advisors. All students have a minimum of one external careers appointment during their time in sixth form.

UniFrog

All students have access to the UniFrog platform. This is used regularly in tutor time and Horizons sessions and students are set directed tasks to complete during study periods. Since being introduced in the 2019/20 academic year, this has now become fully embedded and is fully utilised not only during the UCAS process but for access to the following:

• Quality career guidance
• Personal statement/ CV support
• MOOCs – Online courses
• Research into different job sectors
• Work experience placements and apprenticeship opportunities
• Scholarship and summer school opportunities.

Oxbridge Programme

Students considering applications to Oxbridge universities or intending on studying Medicine or Veterinary Medicine have additional support from our personalised Oxbridge programme which benefits from:

• A dedicated in school Oxbridge co-ordinator
• External support in preparation with personal statements, admission tests and interviews
• Mock interview preparation sessions
• Weekly admission tests tutoring

Summer School

All year 12 students considering university, are encouraged to apply for university summer schools to gain firsthand experience in the life of a university student. Summer schools not only provide invaluable experience of university level study but also support students in the university applications and provide a great basis for student’s personal statements.

Character Award

The Character award is aimed at students working and giving back to the school community, as well as completing activities outside of their academic studies to broaden their horizons. The award can be completed at bronze, silver or gold level.

Young Enterprise

All students have the option to enter in to Young Enterprise to complete against other schools locally to develop and grow a business plan into a successful and profitable model.

Inspire US

Inspire US 2024 offer teams of students in Year 12 the opportunity to create and run local campaigns to improve community cohesion in their local area. Over the course of three months, students will develop their teamwork, influencing and communication skills to produce a campaign that improves awareness and understanding of different cultures or tackles a political issue important and local to them.

NCS

We encourage our students to sign up to the NCS summer programme. This is a six week programme which incorporates team building, challenges, event planning and an experience of independence through residential weeks. As part of this programme students have the opportunity to run a community based charity project of their choice. Students are supported to work with new people, complete activities outside of their comfort zone and develop their confidence in leadership and presenting roles.