Learning by heart

Sixth Form is a truly unique time in a young person’s life. Although it serves as a bridge between the teacher-lead learning of school and the independence of university or the world of work, Rydal Penrhos believes that this all-important two-year period should be memorable and impactful in its own right.

Much is made about the importance of choosing the right university or degree course. At Rydal Penrhos, we have a dedicated UCAS and Careers Advisor with over thirty-years’ experience who works alongside the teaching and pastoral teams to offer pupils the very best advice and practical support on the subject. Rarely, however, is choosing the right Sixth Form treated with a similar level of importance.

This seems to ignore the fundamental role of A-Level results in charting a pupil’s path for the first few years of adulthood, as they embrace university life and forge their way in the workplace. Learning in the right Sixth Form environment can have a meaningful and tangible impact on examination outcomes; at Rydal Penrhos, thanks to Value Added statistics, we know that our pupils achieve higher grades in four out of ten A-Level entries. In a crowded market for university places, this can make all the difference.

It is impossible to isolate one reason why our pupils perform so well in Sixth Form; ultimately, it comes down to a culture of high performance that appears in everything we do. Inside the classroom, small class sizes mean that Rydal Penrhos pupils have important one-to-one attention from our dedicated and experienced teachers, who treat our young adults with an increased level of maturity and an appreciation of their autonomy and individuality.

With the introduction of study lessons and a growing responsibility to manage their own time, our pupils’ outcomes are, more than ever in the Sixth Form, influenced by factors outside the classroom. This is where a rich Sixth Form culture and robust pastoral structure play a crucial role; helping pupils to find happiness and enthusiasm in the day-to-day, which is half the battle when it comes to tackling a long-term goal, like a two-year A-Level program.

The Head of Sixth Form sets the direction and tone for Sixth Form life; guiding new Year 12 pupils through the step-change transition from GCSE to A-Level study in September, before creating a sense of focus and seriousness when exam season approaches in the Spring. Our Sixth Formers have benefitted from several inspirational Heads of Sixth Form over the years and in this tradition Rydal Penrhos recently announced the appointment of Ms Sarah Bollan, who will bring many years of experience as a Key Stage and Pastoral Lead to the role.

Although Ms Bollan will take ultimate responsibility for the Sixth Form, Rydal Penrhos pupils are always looking to take ownership of their work and their school lives, developing leadership and teamworking skills in the process. From Heads of School, to Sixth Form Committee Leaders, to Heads of House, there are a range of Sixth Form leadership positions that encourage our pupils to take an active role in their community and develop enterprising skills that will serve them well in later life.

The Rydal Penrhos Sixth Form is a truly rewarding experience; not just in the sense that it creates happy memories and sets pupils up for A-Level success, but also in the fact that our pupils get out of it however much they are willing to put in. The more our Sixth Formers immerse themselves in the opportunities around them, the more they learn about themselves and their potential. This is perhaps the most important lesson our Sixth Formers can take with them as they embark on life after school. n

John Waszek is the Principal of Rydal Penrhos

Award winning education set in a 30 acre Tudor Estate, nestled between Snowdonia / Eryri National Park and the North Wales coastline

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