St Mary’s
Catholic High School
Sixth Form
PROSPECTUS
Welcome to St Mary’s
SIXTH FORM
The Sixth Form at St Mary’s is a transformative experience. By joining our Sixth Form, you become part of a supportive community rooted in our Catholic faith.
New students are warmly welcomed into our school community, and every student benefits from outstanding teaching and a wide range of opportunities.
This is a community that is extremely ambitious for you and your future, and we will do everything we can to enable you to flourish. You will leave our Sixth Form with the best qualifications, skills and personal attributes possible, providing a solid platform for your future success. The Sixth Form at St Mary’s provides an important stepping-stone to your future, and our expert guidance enables students to secure places at the most soughtafter universities in the UK and overseas, or to gain acceptance onto some of the most competitive apprenticeship schemes.
Maria Dengate Headteacher
1
What
WE OFFER
Choosing the correct programme of study for your time with us is key to your future success. Our pathways guidance offers support in making informed decisions based on your interests, ambitions, likely GCSE results and future plans. The move from GCSE to Level 3 qualifications is always challenging. Subjects are studied in greater depth and there is an increased emphasis on students working independently. Students must ensure they study subjects that compliment one another whilst also allowing progression into their next phase of education. We offer bespoke guidance to individual students in making their post-16 course selections and would encourage all applicants to seek this advice.
2
St Mary’s offers a rich curriculum of academic A Level and vocational BTEC qualifications. We also support all students as they prepare to apply for university or apprenticeships, with weekly, targeted careers inputs and societies dedicated to a range of professions and vocations. An exceptionally high proportion of our students attend the Russell Group of prestigious research universities each year, but this is far from your only option. If you have the ambition, St Mary’s has the experience to get you there.
Spencer, Year 12 A Level English Language “ English Language is my favourite subject in Sixth Form. I enjoy the constant challenge and the diverse range of subject matter we cover in the course. A Level English Language has been a drastic step up from GCSE, but my teachers have been very supportive through all of the new content. In the future I am hoping to do a creative writing course at university.”
3
Aalia, Year 12 A Level Art “ My teachers have helped me to identify and nurture my skills whilst also teaching me some incredible new ones. Their expert teaching has deepened my understanding of the Artistic world. They have guided me to create my own individual, unique style and have encouraged me to try new things whilst always building my confidence. Every lesson I feel as though I am improving and my teachers are always pushing me.”
4
Class-leading
TEACHING
With decades of combined experience, you can be sure you are getting the very best teaching at St Mary’s. Our teachers are all academic specialists in their subject areas. Heads of Department create a rich, engaging curriculum that shares their passion for their subject and ignites curiosity in their students. Teachers create a supportive environment for learning, mindful of the challenges that post-16 study brings, and offer tailored programs of intervention to help students achieve their full potential.
Students are always encouraged to work hard, and are given the guidance and facilities for this to yield results. Our multiple Sixth Form only study areas are purposeful places to learn, and are complimented by the Sixth Form Art Suite. Mastery of new material is key to success in the Sixth Form and our teachers monitor and support students in undertaking the necessary additional work, both at home and in school. All St Mary’s students are pushed to reach their potential.
5
Inauro – to coat
IN GOLD
Our first-class programme of personal development is unique. Prepare to broaden your mind. ‘Inauro’ comes from the Latin meaning ‘to coat in gold’. Every student who joins St Mary’s must aspire to be more than just an academic high achiever. Our programme of personal development broadens horizons, inspires a love of study and introduces a wealth of incredible opportunities. Students at St Mary’s join weekly classes on ethics and society in Religion and Life. They gain fascinating insight from a broad range of guest speakers in their weekly ‘Inauro Lab’ time. They join societies focused on Medicine, Law, Education or Debate, and attend ‘Stretch-and-Challenge’ seminars from beyond the curriculum. They develop fundamental skills for their future success through our timetabled sessions on PSHE and Careers.
6
Many Sixth Form students will join our professional quality musical productions, participate in top-level sport or join one of our many choirs and orchestras. Students attend academic field courses, university outreach programs and many complete The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Our Sixth Form students are leaders within the school, and our responsibility groups offer a popular opportunity to contribute to the school community.
Inauro Activities Broaden your mind A small selection of what we offer MedSoc – Society of Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry Law Society Geography Society Classics Society Business and Economics Society IRIS – Institute of Research in Schools Book Club Debates Society
7
8
Next
STEPS
For many students, St Mary’s Sixth Form will be the way they gain the qualifications they need for university or higher level apprenticeships. The application processes for any post-18 option can be complex, so our staff support each individual to make the most of their achievements and ambitions. This might be help completing an application for an apprenticeship, or guidance in preparing for subject-specific university entrance exams. We provide a wide range of information to parents, too, so that they may be fully involved in this important decision making. Sixth Form is a destination in itself, though, and despite being a large and popular place to study, St Mary’s remains focused on you as an individual. Your Personal Tutor will get to know you and your ambitions, and will see you every day as they support you.
Your subject teachers will help you to face the challenges of their courses and build the resilience needed for success. You will be aided by an experienced pastoral team who will make it their mission to ensure you can focus entirely on getting what you want from Sixth Form. Applications to St Mary’s Sixth Form are made online following our Open Evening in November. With the help of our Pathways brochure, you’ll select your initial choice of subjects to study and we will then contact you to offer guidance in finalising your choices. Students from other schools who gain an offer from St Mary’s will be invited to Ambassador events, to meet other soon-to-be Sixth Form students and further get to know the school.
We meet each prospective new student in March to discuss Pathways and answer queries. After GCSE exams, we invite all students to join us for Induction Day.
9
St Mary’s Catholic High School Newbold Road Upper Newbold Chesterfield S41 8AG T. 01246 201191 E. enquiries@stmaryschesterfield.org.uk www.st-maryshigh.derbyshire.sch.uk
AMBITION WITHOUT LIMIT