Being a Sixth Former

The Sixth Form Prospectus can be downloaded here

It’s perhaps no surprise that Sixth Form life at St Bede’s extends the ethos of the School to deliver a tailored, liberal educational experience for our students.

When does it start?
Students begin planning for the Sixth Form in Year 11 through an experimental day illustrating the broad range of courses available; listening to subject heads describe the dynamics of post-16 study in their subject, hearing from students themselves.

Two golden rules apply to the selection of A level subjects – students should demonstrate a passion for achievement in the first instance and also have some level of ability in the subject, ordinarily grade B or better at GCSE.

Students are then able to consider the opportunities available, make an initial selection of subjects and tailor their GCSE revision programme accordingly.

The first term
The A level programme is a demanding two year course, the pace of work is unrelenting and the academic step up from GCSE significant. The challenge is a major one, but certainly within reach of motivated and committed students – in our experience the minimum level of attainment required at GCSE is something akin to 4 GCSE’s at grade C or above.

The first term is the toughest with students experiencing for the first time the demands of the programme. Most students select four subjects for Year 12. There is the possibility of changing trains in the first fortnight of the course, but after this point in time, it becomes increasingly difficult due the pace of learning and the fact that so much material will have been missed. Students will select a Tutor during this period. As in the lower school, the Tutor, together with House Staff and Year Heads is a key source of help and support.

Survive term one and life settles down
Students getting through the first term in one piece enjoy a well earned Christmas break and return refreshed to continue their progress. At this point it seems opportune to mention the activity programme. As in the lower school, Sixth Form students take a full role in the diverse activity programme but may take one activity a week as private study.

To find out more about activities click here

Running along side the activities is a comprehensive General Studies programme that deal with many critically important areas for our Sixth Form student body.

In addition, the careers and further education awareness programme starts with many diverse and varied sessions dealing with a huge array of options for life after at St Bede’s.

Equally important – there are many opportunities to take part in social activities and a number are organised through school by the social co-ordinators Barry Jackson and Kate Chinn.

Before you know it – the summer term arrives!
Summer term is examination term. AS results are a critical reference point for university admissions officers and the AS examinations represent the most important examinations in a student’s life to date.

The pace of life in the Sixth Form means they inevitably come round too quickly, but students are prepared thoroughly via classroom sessions covering revision and exam practice. Inevitably, those students who have worked diligently through the year do best! The correlation here is near perfect.

Once the examination season is through, students begin working on A2 subject material and it is at this time of the year that there are also numerous opportunities to engage in some work experience and also to take part in university familiarisation visits.

After a thrilling summer – Upper Sixth beckons!
As the senior year in school, the Upper Sixth is both hard work and great fun. The first term is frenetic – there is no let up in terms of the pace and volume of work. Students also begin to look ahead and start the all-important university application process this term.

Click here for more information.

The UCAS application process is generally complete by November, October for Oxbridge! And as ever, the focus quickly shifts onto the first examinations of the year, January A2 modules. Christmas is a working holiday this year.

Winter term equals examinations in the Upper Sixth
The A2 modular examinations start at the beginning of term and, always, take students by surprise – but inevitably are another key milestone. I guess this may sound repetitive, but the importance of succeeding in these exams cannot be underestimated. Quite what success means varies – but ultimately students hopefully can look back and reflect that they did their best!

Once again – the pace of this demanding course continues through to Easter, as students cover the remaining course content of the A level programme.

Your final term in school brings – guess what, more exams and a glamorous leaver’s ball. Revision, revision, more exams, sad goodbyes and a fantastic leavers’ ball mark your final term at school. A hugely emotional time, but one enjoyed by all. Time to reflect on an incredibly busy, rewarding and demanding two year programme and the launch pad for your career.

David Reynolds, Head of UVIth

General Studies
General Studies is part of the PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) department. It is a programme specifically for the Sixth Form. It consists both of a weekly programme and an extended programme some of which is co-ordinated with Myfuture department.

The weekly programme
This comprises of a weekly presentation to the Sixth Form by an outside speaker. Generally I bring in people who have something to say that they are passionate about, or someone who has a life journey that is a lesson and is worth sharing. Each term tends to be a balance of the serious, the entertaining and the informative. Past terms have included presenters such as the writer Bill Nicholson, presenter and ex gay icon Tom Robinson, the journalist and ex-prisoner Erwin James, Alcoholics Anonymous, Martin Taylor the Hypnotist, Teenage Cancer Trust, and nearly always an organisation or someone that promotes gap years.

Extended programme
Past extended programmes have included:

• a voluntary series of workshops on stress management.
• a voluntary workshop on ‘What do I Want’ to help students find their direction. (with Myfuture?).
• a presentation or workshop as part of the PSHE schools programme on sexual health, drugs, alcohol or smoking.
• A Lower Sixth mentoring training programme to enable the LVIth to mentor the First Year students.

For more information contact: richard.waring@stbedesschool.org