Pastoral and Higher Education Support

Pastoral care is central to all that we do. Each student has a tutor whom s/he meets with twice daily. Tutors are the gateway to accessing other support and it is vital that students build a good relationship with their tutor, who also drafts their Higher Education reference. Tutors also meet regularly with students for tutorials to ensure that students are leading a balanced lifestyle and achieving their academic best. If the tutor feels that more support is necessary s/he will help the student to access what they require through many school and out of school agencies. In school we are particularly lucky to have excellent Special Educational Needs, English as an Additional Language, Counselling, Chaplaincy and Inclusion services.

We recognise the jump from Year 11 to Year 12 and therefore have a four day induction programme which is run with Raleigh International to develop skills and foster good learning relationships and friendships.

As in all organisations things can sometimes go wrong and so we have firm and well supported anti bullying and behaviour policies. All Key Stage 5 students are expected to conform to whole school policies and be an excellent example to younger students.

We also recognise that dress has an important effect on learning and behaviour and we have a smart dress code. Details of this and our other policies can be found in The Post 16 Handbook.


We recognise that finance can have a significant impact on learning. Therefore we encourage all eligible students to receive Educational Maintenance Allowance and Free School Meals. Those who receive both can also receive a free laptop computer. We also have excellent relations with a number of grant making trusts who can support people in particular need.

Supporting students and their parent(s)/carer(s) through to Higher Education is a pivotal part of what we do. Through talks, visits, off timetable days and mentoring we ensure that students make the right choices for them into Higher Education. This includes special classes for those choosing to take Art Foundation and Drama courses. We have a connexions officer on site and run an excellent interview skills day with local and multi-national companies. We have a well structured work experience programme to support students into the world of work.

Please click here to view the 'Higher Education Handbook 2009'

Or Click here to view the Presentation from the Higher Education evening

Higher Education Evening Presentation 2 Presentation

Higher Education Evening 2 Presentation : Finanace

Gifted and Talented Support

The main focus for Gifted and Talented students in Sixth Form is to ensure that students excel and flourish into Higher Education. In order for this to be achieved we make sure that Gifted and Talented students are fully prepared to make this next step. All students who are nominated as Gifted and Talented will receive one to one interviews in order to help them decide on their future and monitor their progress, however, provision differs depending on whether students are seeking to study either academic or creative subjects.

We support Gifted and Talented students in academic subjects by ensuring that they apply to top universities in the UK including Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Bath, LSE and UCL. In order to motivate the G and T students to apply for these universities we send them on:

Taster Days - An excellent way of experiencing university life at Oxford, Bristol, UCL (and others)
Access programmes for Higher Education e.g. HEAPS and Aim Higher

In order to make sure that students are successful in their applications we provide Oxbridge, Medicine and Law students with:

  • Personal statement guidance
  • The Oxbridge/ medicine group preparing students for the interview process
  • Mock interviews
  • A G and T speaker series (which is open to all students- click here for more information) designed to stimulate and inspire students. Recent talks include
    -The Chief Economist of HSBC focusing on the Credit Crunch.
    -Author Michael Frayn telling English students about the writing of his book 'Spies'.
  • Extended reading lists

    • For Gifted and Talented Students in the Creative arts we provide differentiated assistance depending on the subject they wish to study.

    Art and Design: Students receive specific portfolio building assistance from Chelsea College of Art and weekly workshops in order for them to be prepared for interview.
    Drama: Students are given tailored help for both Lamda, RADA and other drama schools.
    Music: Students receive individual preparation for instrument examinations and university preparation.

     



    Final Destinations : 2008

    Where are they now...
    Click here to see where former sixth-form students have gone on to progress their studies.