The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls
Sixth Form
MAKING YOUR CHOICE
DURING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, YOU WILL BE CONSIDERING YOUR COURSE OF ACTION FOR THE COMING YEAR. THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE WILL HAVE A GREAT IMPACT ON YOUR FUTURE WHATEVER YOU ARE PLANNING TO DO WHEN YOU LEAVE SCHOOL – UNIVERSITY, AN APPRENTICESHIP OR A CAREER.
Entry to the Sixth Form is open to all students from The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls and we welcome applications from students from elsewhere. Final admission will be dependent on students meeting the admissions criteria of the school.
The Sixth Form offers excellent facilities for students and gives you the chance to get involved in a variety of interests and activities. We provide a wide range of courses at all levels and there are opportunities for achievement in many fields.
The success of the Sixth Form is reflected in the large numbers of students entering university, college and starting exciting careers. Whatever you want to do in life, the time you spend in The Ellen Wilkinson Sixth Form will help you to achieve your ambition.
We have always taken pleasure and great pride in the Sixth Form and the achievements of the students and we hope that you will join us and help us to go from strength to strength in the next two or three years.
WHY CHOOSE THE ELLEN WILKINSON SCHOOL?
THE INFORMATION IN THIS BROCHURE AND THE ADDITIONAL SUBJECT INFORMATION YOU RECEIVE ON THE NIGHT WILL HELP YOU MAKE THE IMPORTANT DECISIONS ABOUT WHERE YOU STUDY AND WHAT YOU STUDY.
All students who apply will also receive an interview where you will receive individual advice and guidance to make sure you choose the course most suited to your ambitions, interests and qualifications.
“ STUDENTS ARE DILIGENT, HARDWORKING AND FOCUSED ON HOW THEY CAN IMPROVE. THEY ARE ROLE MODELS FOR GIRLS IN YEAR 7-11.”
OFSTED 2019
WHAT WE OFFER COURSES
You can choose from a wide range of A Level and BTEC Courses. Alternatively you can take a one year Level 2 course alongside GCSE in English and Mathematics.
It is now compulsory for any student who does not have a grade 4 in English and Mathematics to continue to study this at GCSE level in the Sixth Form.
CONTINUITY
In Year 11 you are known and valued, and although the Sixth Form represents a fresh start it is reassuring to know that tutors:
• Know your strengths and weaknesses
• Will be better able to advise you on what you will do in the future
• Will write effective references because they know you.
If you are new to the school, our tutors are here to help you make a fresh start.
GUIDANCE & SUPPORT
You will be assigned to a small tutor group with an experienced form tutor who will monitor your progress, help you to set targets to improve your performance and generally look after your day-to-day well-being. Tutors help you to make decisions about your future and will write your leaving or university reference.
INCREASED FREEDOM
Attendance at all lessons is essential and you will be asked to sign an agreement that you will be punctual, attend classes and keep up with your coursework. You will also have a number of compulsory independent study lessons where you will be supervised to complete the additional work for each subject outside of the classroom. Nevertheless you will find the Sixth Form more flexible in many respects, but you will be more accountable and must be prepared to take much more responsibility for yourself and your studies.
RESULTS
We are committed to continuing the high level of achievement in all subjects and at all levels. Our excellent results and the progress made by our students speak for themselves.
YOU ARE THE SIXTH FORM
WHEN YOU JOIN THE SIXTH FORM, YOU BECOME THE SIXTH FORM.
What happens there, what is organised, how it runs, depends on the contribution of each and every one of you. The Sixth Form is a fantastic community where students develop life-long friendships and provide support and encouragement for each other. There are opportunities for students to take responsibility and organise events and activities themselves. The single sex environment allows students to take risks and gain experiences that they might not elsewhere and our specialist science status means that each year a high percentage of our students go on to STEM related degree courses.
FACILITIES
THERE
IS A LARGE MODERN BUILDING COMPLETELY DEDICATED TO SIXTH FORM USE.
This includes a large study area for Year 12 independent study complete with a suite of personal computers for students use and three classrooms with the latest digital and computer facilities. There is also a fully equipped kitchen and toilets solely for Sixth Form use. The Year 13 have a separate dedicated supervised study area with a suite of PC’s which also serves as a resource area.
The Sixth Form Centre is linked to our Learning Resource Centre with additional Sixth Form classrooms and break out spaces as well as providing Sixth Formers with direct access to the library and additional study areas.
ENTRY TO SIXTH FORM COURSES
GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
At Advanced level you will either study three A Levels, a BTEC, or a combination of both.
• To study three A Levels you are required to have at least 7 GCSEs at grade 4-9 in appropriate subjects including at least a grade 5 in English.
• To study BTEC you are required to have at least 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 with at least a grade 4 in English. Students who take a BTEC may also take an additional A Level if they meet the entry requirements for the individual subject.
• The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is also available to Advanced level students.
For those students who do not obtain these grades we offer Level 2 Vocational courses and GCSE English and Maths retake. Students who are successful on this course often progress to the advanced level curriculum the following year.
SUBJECT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
On top of the general entry requirements there are also a number of subject specific entry requirements. For example there are a number of subjects that require a grade 6 at GCSE. Full details of these subject specific requirements are included in the supplementary information available on the open evening and on the school website.
NEW SUBJECTS
It is possible to take some subjects at A Level which you have never studied before, but you will have to meet the entrance criteria and be able to demonstrate that you are well informed, academically able and genuinely interested in the subject.
ENROLMENT
The final decision about which courses you take will be made on an individual basis, taking into account all your achievements, your GCSE grades and your hopes and ambitions. Each student will receive guidance at enrolment in August to help ensure that they are offered a programme of study that suits their abilities and ambition.
“ TEACHERS USE THEIR SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE WELL TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND PREPARE THEM FOR THE NEXT STAGE OF THEIR EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT.”
OFSTED 2019
“ STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE FROM DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS, SECURE PLACES AT RUSSELL GROUP UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE. THE CAREERS, INFORMATION, ADVICE AND EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE (CIAEG) PROGRAMME THEY RECEIVE IS EXCEPTIONAL.” OFSTED 2019
PREPARATION FOR UNIVERSITY
AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF WHAT WE DO IN THE SIXTH FORM IS THE SUPPORT WE OFFER STUDENTS IN THEIR PREPARATION FOR AND APPLICATION TO UNIVERSITY.
We provide detailed support on the practical elements of an application including advice on choosing an appropriate course, selecting a university, writing personal statements and preparing for a successful interview. We also provide a comprehensive programme of additional support sessions that provide students with specific advice on how to successfully apply to competitive courses and universities, how to gain vital work experience and planning for entrance examinations and tests. These provide our students with a competitive edge when applying and help to maintain our excellent record of ensuring EWS students are able to take that next step in realising their ambitions in life.
We also have a dedicated UCAS advisor who ensures that students are kept informed of the range of opportunities on offer, such as specialist widening participation programmes, taster sessions and open days. They also organise specialist support for entrance test such as UCAT, as well as being available all year by appointment for students to see on any aspect of their application process.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
AS A GENERAL RULE IT IS WISE TO CHOOSE SIXTH FORM COURSES LINKED TO YOUR BEST GCSE GRADES AND SUBJECTS YOU FEEL WILL CONTINUE TO INTEREST YOU FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
Advanced level students will take three A Levels or BTEC qualifications, often combined with one A Level. They will also have the opportunity to take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). There are a wide range of subjects on offer and further details are available on the school website.
The choice of subject for some students will be very important. If you are looking for specific career progression you will need to choose your subjects very carefully and consult university course requirements, as well as thinking about which subjects complement each other. We will offer guidance on these issues at both the application interview, and the enrolment interview.
There is no shortage of additional help available when you come to choose your subjects. Apart from web-based information and a variety of guides in the careers office, you can consult your teachers, the Sixth Form team and of course the Connexions Adviser who is in school at least three times a week.
If you do not obtain the grades needed to start an advanced course, remember that we offer full time Level 2 courses which may lead on to an advanced course if you achieve a Merit or Distinction at the end of the year. The courses allow you to take English Language and Mathematics GCSEs and include two weeks work experience.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
ADMISSIONS OFFICERS AT UNIVERSITIES, AS WELL AS EMPLOYERS, EXPECT THAT STUDENTS WILL HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED TO THEM WHILE THEY ARE IN THE SIXTH FORM.
All departments organise trips and visits to the theatre, to lectures and conferences. You will be expected to attend field courses in Geography and Biology.
We believe that it is important to gain quality experience of the working environment. We provide a range of work related experiences and encourage all students to spend at least one week on work experience.
Broadening awareness of university and university life is also important, and information about open days, taster courses and summer schools is available. There are talks by admissions officers and visits to open days at Oxbridge and London Universities.
Students are encouraged to take on responsibilities whilst in the Sixth Form. These range from the Head Girl and Prefect team, to helping with the paired reading and paired numeracy schemes.
Lunch time clubs run by Sixth Formers include the Young Medics society, the Law society and groups such as the Amnesty Group and the Debating Society. Many girls also become involved in charity and voluntary work whilst undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The Envision Community Apprentice programme allows students to take part in a community action project whilst competing against other schools in a ‘dragons den’ type finale.
All of this helps to make the Sixth Form a vibrant, memorable and enjoyable experience alongside the academic success achieved by so many students.
