It was great to be able to see so many of our new Sixth Form students and their parents and carers attend the informative Year 12 Evening held on Tuesday of this week. The step up from Year 11 to 12 is quite significant and Assistant Headteacher Ms Silla and Sixth Form Leader Mr Harris talked through how students themselves can make those all-important adjustments to taste success at this highest level of our school, as well giving great advice to parents and carers about this new chapter in their children’s academic journey.

Above all attendance is key; we have superb teachers at post 16 across a whole range of subjects, many of whom have been teaching at this level for many years and have seen proven success within many cohorts of students. They know how to effectively guide students and attending school and being punctual to their lessons is the most important aspect of Sixth Form study. As well as that, Ms Silla emphasised the need to use the study periods effectively and, besides making every effort with home learning, to also do the extra revision and past paper questions right from the start of Year 12 – it is the extra work that makes the difference in the long run.

Great advice was given about staying healthy and eating and sleeping well, as well as avoiding the temptation to fill your time with part time jobs; the focus needs to be on the long term goals in life now. Mr Harris talked about the importance of the Extended Project Qualification which all Sixth Form students undertake in Year 12 – a programme which prepares our students brilliantly for any further study at university and/or on a higher level apprenticeship, or indeed for life in the workplace. He also spoke about the outstanding Elevate and Excel Scheme which runs at post 16 to support any students to reach their true potential with powerful elements of coaching and reflection built into to ensure success.