The Sixth Form

Developing new skills

Being a Sixth Former offers a very different experience from the earlier years of a pupil's education. The week is less timetabled, and pupils have greater periods of personal study time: learning to manage one's own time and workloads is an essential part of Sixth Form life. The nature of the work changes also with A Level study: our pupils will tackle their chosen subjects in far more depth and detail, and will produce long, researched pieces of work as part of their learning programme. All of this encourages an independence of thought and personal working practice, which stands our pupils in good stead, whether their next step after St Edmund's is at university or in the working world.

At St Edmund's our Sixth Formers also take on leadership roles within the school, reinforcing their preparation for social responsibility in the outside world. Not only do the Sixth Form pupils benefit from this confidence-building experience, but so do our younger pupils, as they look up to their older colleagues. In fact, it's true to say that our Sixth Form makes a valuable and vital contribution to the well-being of the whole school family.

The A Level years are demanding ones, and entry into the Sixth Form (Years 12-13) is dependent on appropriate success levels at GCSE: the typical minimum entry requirements into the St Edmund's Sixth Form is six GCSEs at grade C or above, with a grade A*, A or B in the subjects chosen for A Level*.

A brief overview of A Levels

A Levels are a modular form of study, with AS modules undertaken in the Lower Sixth, and A2 modules taken in the Upper Sixth. We normally expect our pupils to study 4 subjects at AS level, dropping to 3 in the A2 level year.

We offer a wide range of options for our AS and A2 level study, with pupils choosing one subject each from 4 "Blocks" of options. These subjects include: Art and Design (ceramics), Art and Design (drawing and painting), Art and Design (photography), Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Design and Technology, English, Film Studies, French, Geography, History, Latin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, Music Technology, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Spanish, Theatre Studies, and Theology and Moral Philosophy (Religious Studies). For more detailed information please download Sixth Form Studies 2008/9 (PDF).

In addition to their A Level choices, Lower Sixth pupils also attend Study Skills and General Studies classes.

Adding to the Sixth Form curriculum with the AQA Baccalaureate

We have taken the policy decision to add the AQA Baccalaureate to the Sixth Form Curriculum. This is a qualification that will run alongside our current programme: it is an extra, not a replacement.This option will be available from Setpember 2009. The course is a new one that takes A-levels as its central academic core, but then adds both breadth and depth in ways totally compatible with the educational ethos St Edmund’s has promoted consistently.

Pupils must complete three A-levels (any subject, any examination board), together with a specified AS (one of Critical Thinking, Citizenship or General Studies). In addition, they must complete an extended project – a piece of independent research on any subject that develops pupils’ learner autonomy in a way so vital for the progression to further study. Finally, candidates must demonstrate their personal development through enrichment activities. This is a strand that accredits pupils’ personal development through, for example, sport, music, drama, CCF, Community Service, involvement in charity work, and so on.

Broadening the experience

The Sixth Form offers a wide range of societies, clubs, lectures, debates and trips to complement the A Level Study itself, and we expect our pupils to participate enthusiastically in these activities, as an opportunity to broaden and deepen their experience. The best Sixth Form is one where the right balance of academic work and enjoyment is established, and we hope that all our pupils will open their minds to the opportunities, and embrace all that St Edmund's can offer them at this important stage in their lives.

* Some subjects have additional requirements: Business Studies, Film Studies and Theatre Studies all require at least a grade B in English Language or English Literature; Psychology looks for at least grade B in English Language or English Literature, in Science (double award) and in Mathematics.