#TGAR6

As a Sixth Form, our mission is clear: we aim to ensure that all of our students leave us with knowledge, skills, and qualifications that they need to thrive in the future.

To do this, we offer a stimulating and inclusive learning environment, coupled with an enrichment programme that is designed to prepare students for not only higher education, but also the world of work. Enrichment is an essential part of being successful in all year groups within the academy, and none more so than in sixth form. The programme is designed to support the completion of references for UCAS, apprenticeship applications, and CVs for employment after sixth form. Likewise, the programme exposes students to opportunities that will allow them to develop important competencies that employers and higher institutions are looking for (interview techniques, prioritisation of time, and health/ wellbeing management to name a few).

Subjects offered in 6th form:

Academic Qualification (A-level)Examination boardVocational (Applied) qualificationExamination board
Art (Art, craft and design)AQABusinessPearson
BiologyAQAHealth & Social CarePearson
Business StudiesAQAPerforming ArtsPearson
English LiteratureAQASportPearson
MathematicsEdexcelTravel & TourismPearson
GeographyAQAMedical ScienceWJEC
HistoryOCRCriminologyWJEC
Physical EducationOCR  
PsychologyAQA  
SociologyAQA  

Students in both years 12 and 13 will be required to opt into a combination of 3 or 4 of these subjects (either purely A-levels, or a mix – depending on their average point score) and in addition, they will complete a minimum of two hours a week enrichment. Their experiences of enrichment – their feedback and the recording of their skills or achievements, are monitored and collated with their tutor (a pastoral system that we believe offers our students with the necessary, daily help and support). Our students have the option to change their choices each half term, but keeping the health and wellbeing of our students a priority, we run a sports/games morning on the first Friday of every month as a non-negotiable, and regular mentor sessions that students can book into. The Enrichment programme offer is as follows:

Super curriculum:

All these experiences will help students to deepen their knowledge of their academic studies, students go beyond the courses they have chosen to study. This will help to build independence in preparation for life beyond sixth form. Students are expected to choose one or more courses from the following platforms, and this will take a minimum of 16 hours.

  • Future learn courses
  • ICM courses
  • Open university
  • Alison online health courses
  • EPQ
  • ICM Psychology level 2

As part of these courses, students will be expected to listen to Podcasts, and research their area of interest. These may be a foundation for students wishing to opt into the extended project qualification (EPQ) – a research project worth half an A-level, for which students choose an area of personal interest. These courses are also helpful for students who have a career in mind but need further qualifications or experience beyond their academic subjects.

Subject ambassador:

This will allow students to develop confidence, communication skills, leaderships skills responsibility and a strong work ethic. In this role students will be expected to:

  • Where confidence allows, support the teacher in a TA role in the classroom for younger students
  • Support the department with making of resources/ displays and/ or supported group work or catch-up
  • Support the department in open days
  • Participate in a subject based competition
  • Support in any extra-curricular activities that the department may offer

Sports committee:

This option would allow students the opportunity to develop their organisation skills, teamwork, leadership, and time management skills. Students would be expected to organise the following:

  • Attend regular meetings and organise sporting activities (inter-college competitions and sports day)
  • Develop a termly sports/ game programme for the sixth form to participate in
  • Support the PE department with any extracurricular activities

Student council:

This will allow students to develop organisation skills, communication skills, leaderships skills and responsibility. Students will be expected to:

  • Attend/ run weekly student council meeting with lower school (Collect ideas from all students and feedback items shared in the meeting)
  • Work with lower school student leaders to organise half termly charity events
  • Develop and deliver resources to raise awareness of key PSHE related topic across lower school during tutor time and assemblies

Work related learning:

This area is focused on students gaining real world work experiences and allows students to develop a work /life balance and flexibility. Students will be expected to:

  • Develop a CV and complete the CV course on IMC
  • Actively seek out unpaid work experience
  • Attend the work experience during a morning/ afternoon when they do not have taught lessons

(This option is available HT2-HT6 to allow you to secure you placement during HT1)

Active citizenship:

This allows the students to give something back to society, developing self-motivation and a fantastic work-ethic (students who opt for this are often completing some of our applied courses and the work placement helps to secure a job after leaving sixth form)

  • Develop a CV and complete the CV course on IMC
  • Actively seek out voluntary work (local food bank, local charities)
  • Attend the voluntary work during a morning/ afternoon when they do not have taught lessons

Redditch young person’s council:

This allows the students to give something back to society and develop business links with the wider community. Students will attend regular meets in local businesses and be part of new agendas/ ideas and strategic future planning.

Additional opportunities that will be made available throughout the year:

  • Nuffield research placement (April – September)

Supported university summer school

  • Performing arts shows (on stage and creative arts backstage)
  • Young money challenge (February – April)
  • Young enterprise x10 challenge (April)
  • First aid course
  • University taster sessions/ open days
  • Enrichment trips through individual departments
  • Ted talks expectation through form time (building challenge and discussion)

This programme engenders a multitude of competencies in our students that will ensure that they are ready for their next steps at the end of their two years with us; examples of the competencies and skills are:

  • Organisation
  • Communication
  • Problem solving
  • Leadership
  • Critical thinking
  • Teamwork
  • Resilience
  • Time management
  • Work ethic
  • Self-motivation
  • Responsibility
  • Flexibility
  • Work-life balance

Our students become responsible, interesting, and informed citizens; they make a positive contribution to society. We strive to ensure that all students aspire to reach their full potential and set themselves ambitious goals for the future.

Our Enrichment programme supports our weekly PSHE programme. This alternates between personal character development, exploring relationships, wellbeing, and identity, to a programme of taught KS5 skills (academic writing, research, and referencing). We aim to ensure that the transition from GCSE to A level for our students, is one where they feel well-supported and able to manage.

Around 70% of our students choose to apply to university after leaving us. 100% of our students attend either their first or second choice of university – we have not needed to access the clearing process for 4 years, this is testament to how effective our CIAG advice is. The many trips we take to universities allows students to experience a diet of the breath of options available to them: the careful guidance offered by their tutor means that their choices and well-matched for success.