Introduction to the Upper Sixth Form

Academic Success

Girls will, we hope, be returning to school refreshed and invigorated, ready for the final year of A Level and secondary school study. By this time, each girl should have some idea of the course/s and universities or colleges for which she wishes to apply. Alternatively, she should have started to research a gap year or opportunities for work.

There is now half a term left to complete UCAS applications, one term left for Art School applications and just over two terms until Study Leave. This will be a very busy time for girls and they will need the support of teachers and parents. For this reason we advise that girls do not take on paid part-time work in the lead-up to these important examinations.

Most girls will study three (or in exceptional cases four) A Levels. They will have received their end of year results which, we hope, will provide a platform on which to build successful A Level results.

Service to the Community

In the LVI, girls found they were expected to take a lead in school events and to act as role models for the younger girls. In the UVI, this will be further emphasised with the younger girls looking to the Sixth Form to inspire and support them. Several UVI girls have been awarded positions of responsibility, such as Prefect, Subject Ambassador or House Officer, and will be expected to carry out these roles assiduously as well as keep up with their studies. All UVI girls are expected to contribute to school and charity/outreach events and we hope that they will find this rewarding as well as an opportunity to take on more adult roles.

Personal Development

In the Sixth Form there are many ways in which girls can explore new interests, show initiative and develop the confidence which will give them a good start at university or college. Girls may discover new talents by organising clubs, charity fund-raising, taking part in events such as the Pink Fashion Show in support of Cancer Research UK, or the Christmas Pantomime, showing leadership and inspiring younger girls as a House Captain or a School Prefect. Sixth Form girls will also enjoy special privileges which help them to develop independence and demonstrate responsibility.

Close Relationships

In the UVI, girls enjoy a privileged position in the school. They are closer to the staff who value their contributions both in class and in representing the School when visitors arrive for occasions such as Open Evenings, the Carol Service and the 11+ Entrance Examination Day. Most of the girls know the School very well by this time and are in a special partnership with the teachers who trust them to dress and behave appropriately both inside and around the school. ‘Girls’ are really young women by this stage and will be developing a growing sense of their own identity and direction in life as the UVI year progresses and their futures become more clearly mapped out. Introduction to the Upper Sixth Form