THE SIXTH FORM

As a new member of staff in a year that has been far from normal in every way, the Sixth Form pupils have surprised me greatly with the way they have encountered all the hurdles thrown at them this year, approaching them with grace, determination, and courage. Like every other part of the school and every other Sixth Form across the UK, we have had to operate in a way that is challenging and different, from wearing masks to online learning in a pivotal year of their education. Despite all this, the sense of community has been fantastic and the centre is filled with smiles and fun on a daily basis.

The Upper Sixth leavers have had their entire Sixth Form experience disrupted, from centre assessed grades, to online learning, to the excessive use of the word ‘bubble’! Despite all the challenges there have been some fantastic achievements. We have had Chemistry and Physics Olympiads, Maths Challenges, success in Music, but, probably most importantly, the ability the pupils have shown to just ‘get on with it’, showing resilience in a way that has truly impressed me, as well as empathy and kindness for each other and the other pupils further down the school.

Academically, our Sixth Form pupils have shown hard work and dedication. The Trinity Term presented its own challenges in that the centre accessed grades meant almost constant assessment for the Upper Sixth pupils, whilst internal exams were a hurdle to be jumped by the Lower Sixth pupils who largely achieved very well and had a taste of what’s to come next summer. The range and depth of EPQ projects has been outstanding, with the pupils showing passion and interest in their chosen topics, which ranged from ‘Mental health in young farmers’ to ‘An analysis of Iron age hill forts’ to ‘Exploring leadership and management styles in Bude business with primary data’. Our Upper Sixth have secured university or higher education offers in a broad range of subjects including English Literature, Ancient History, and Medicine. Some have decided not to go on to further education and instead are looking to pursue careers elsewhere but whatever they go on to do, I know that, as Shebbearians, they will make it a success!

The social side of the Sixth Form - usually jam packed with various events, has been limited this year. We did manage to get the Sixth form ‘bubble’ into a quiz and pizza night which was great fun. A slice of normality in a strange year (pardon the pun). The Trinity Term has seen the sleeves rolled up and the cricket bats being bought out in free periods, the balcony being used for a relaxing break in the Shebbear sun (a rarity in my experience!), and a successful week of mock examinations. We rounded the term off with the Upper Sixth Leavers’ dinner - a black tie affair held at the nearby Woodford Bridge - it was a fantastic send off.

We say goodbye to our outgoing Sanctuary Team: Poppy, Samuel, Bess, Fin, Eden, Laura, Archie and Bridget who have done a brilliant job leading the school in an extraordinary year, and welcome a new Sanctuary Team for 2021-22 - Bella and Harrison are our Heads of School, assisted by our Heads of House Michael (Pollard), Niall (Ruddle), Lauren (Thorne) and Ben (Way). Congratulations to you all and I look forward to working with you next year!

Mr Wilson Sixth Form Coordinator