THE CRYPT SCHOOL Sixth Form Prospectus
Welcome Welcome
The Crypt Sixth Form journey is an unforgettable one where outstanding individualised support and encouragement ensure all students make exceptional progress in all that they do.
The strong sense of community, passionate teachers and committed students make The Crypt the perfect place for you to reach your full and deserved potential. The next two years you spend with The Crypt Sixth Form will be both challenging and exciting, and will provide you with the opportunities for you to reach your desired career pathway. The balance between wellbeing, academic achievement and enriching activities will guide you to become a well-rounded individual, allowing you to stand out from the crowd. All students are warmly welcomed into the Sixth Form and gain not only academic prowess, but friends that last a life time. We understand that it’s daunting to move from GCSE to A-level; however, all the relevant support is put in to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. Whatever your future plans may be, whether attaining a University place, beginning an apprenticeship, or seeking employment, The Crypt will be with you every step of the way.
Achieving good results at GCSE in my previous school allowed my confidence to grow and led me to joining The Crypt Sixth Form, and an education filled with opportunities for me to flourish and reach my full potential. When I first looked round The Crypt, the friendly and exciting atmosphere to which I was warmly welcomed by all those I met, made me realise straight away it was the right school for me. Overall, I believe The Crypt School has empowered me to work hard, and strive for my full potential, believe in myself and dream big. ALICE GEE, HEAD GIRL 2021-2022
We will endeavour to make your time at Crypt the best it can be, whilst also providing you with the necessary skills to set you for your future.
ALICE GEE, HEAD GIRL ( 2 0 21-2 0 2 2 ) H ARV I N D SAN D H U, H E AD B OY ( 2 0 21-2 0 2 2 )
Having been here since year seven, I can say that the student body and staff helped me fit in with ease, allowing me to have an enjoyable experience. From extracurricular activities to its academic achievements, The Crypt has always developed all of its students into mature individuals ready for life after Sixth Form. I B R A H I M A H M E D , Y E A R 13
Life
Life in the sixth form The Crypt Sixth Form offers a fantastic space within which all students can learn and progress, with challenge and opportunity for all. At The Crypt we are committed to developing the individual talents and supporting the options of all our students to suit each students own interests, personality and abilities. Crypt teachers are generous with their time and we pride ourselves on the genuine care and support given to each individual student. We combine an enjoyment of academic study with a lively sixth form life that prepares our students for university study, further training and employment and life in general. Independent
learning is a prerequisite for success and is encouraged from the outset with weekly study periods in which students develop the necessary planning and organisational skills. Successful A Level study is a partnership between students and teachers, working towards a common goal. Life in the Sixth Form is different in a number of ways to that which students have been used to in Year 11 and we are delighted with the confident and successful young men and women who leave us at the end of Year 13.
Academic Support support The Crypt School prides itself on the academic vigour that we provide for young people and aim to give them the best preparation for life. Teaching and Learning is at the heart of the School and there are always a multitude of revision sessions, individual guidance and differentiation both inside and outside the classroom to ensure every student succeeds. The diversity of lessons means that students can enjoy learning through written work, debate and practical learning. A host of external speakers are invited to the School to give a fresh perspective in addition to the expertise that we so luckily have here. Likewise, numerous trips and enrichment activities take place to support learning in the classroom. Students receive an array of feedback through formative, summative and verbal support; reflective learning is also encouraged. The academic support coupled with the caring nature of the staff means that students are given the best possible opportunities to reach their full potential.
“I found that Crypt have really supported me academically, especially by offering revision support session during and after school, which allowed me to really improve on my work and gain a more in depth knowledge of my subjects. There’s always a teacher willing to help if you need it.” G R A C E L E N E Y, Y E A R 13
78%
of A Level grades were A*-B
Individual support Being a relatively small sixth form, we are able to know and care for all our students on a personal level. However, we are big enough to provide the wide range of academic courses and enrichment opportunities which students demand. All students are supported in their learning by subject specialists and are cared for by a committed pastoral team. Students are assigned a form tutor who takes an active role in their transition from GCSE to A level focusing on each student’s welfare and progress until they leave school. Students also belong to one of the five School Houses – Robert Raikes, William Ernest Henley, David Waboso, John Moore and Dame Joan Cooke. Houses offer the chance for all students from across the sixth form to come together with the rest of the School for House assemblies, competitions, charity events and friendship.
The Sixth Form provides really great pastoral care. Staff are willing to go above and beyond to ensure everyone’s potential is met in a warm, supportive and friendly environment. D O N U B A R I K O B A N I , Y E A R 13
Beyond the Enrichmentent classroom Our Enrichment programme is designed to develop students’ personal and social skills and to enhance their employability.
Our Enrichment programme is designed to develop students’ personal and social skills and to enhance their employability. We have genuine opportunities for responsibility, leadership and work skills: being a prefect, a member of the Student Executive, acting as academic and pastoral mentors, or being involved in one of the various student committees, enabling students to help make key decisions, organise events and coordinate charitable fund-raising days. Enrichment sessions allows students to engage with material that both supports and goes beyond their chosen A Level subjects. The programme is designed for students to get involved with school life, have fun and meet new friends. Students will be involved in three core areas: Academic and work related learning, community participation and health and well-being. This means students will be given opportunities to get physically active on the sports field as a member of a team; pursue individual interests or be academically challenged during a debate. Enrichment is valued alongside academic success to ensure we develop the whole person.
At Crypt, there is a wide range of varied enrichment opportunities that cater for everyone’s individual interests outside the classroom from Driver IQ to Equestrian. With the help and support from members of staff during these activities, I have been able to develop essential life skills and an invaluable understanding of the world beyond school. J U D E S M I T H , Y E A R 13
Future options Our university, apprenticeship and employment support and preparation programme is exceptional. This programme helps to ensure each student has a range of opportunities through which they can explore their future options, make connections and are motivated to move onto the next stage of their lives with confidence. Throughout the two years of the sixth form, students can get interviews with an independent careers advisor to help them plan for their future: for many, this helps them to think about the range of opportunities that are available to them after school. Our university and careers guidance programme ensures all students are well informed and prepared for the next stage of their lives. Opportunities to find out about the world of university learning, apprenticeships and employment abound and there are few better ways to gain insight into a profession than talking to those already in it.
The Crypt does not produce students who are simply exam answering machines; instead the School helps to craft each student into a more mature and rounded human being. The step on in self-esteem, morale and attitude towards learning that I experienced is second to none and it is only when students interact with those from other schools that they realise just how significant this improvement truly is. Having left The Crypt to embark on an engineering apprenticeship with Renishaw Plc. I now look back on my times at the School with great fondness and sense of achievement. Saying goodbye to The Crypt was one of the hardest things I have ever done and there is no other school that I could say that about.” R YA N TAY L O R , OLD CRYPTIAN AND APPRENTICE AT R E N I S H A W
Looking ahead We are proud to see our leavers progress from our Sixth Form with a real sense of direction, a responsibility to society and strong academic qualifications to realise their ambitions. Most of our Year 13 leavers go on to courses at the finest universities including Oxford, Cambridge and the Russell Group toprated institutions together with other local universities such as Bristol UWE and Gloucestershire. Others pursue highly regarded apprenticeships with local and national employers, pursue further training or go directly into employment.
12
Lifelong connections Connections Crypt’s positive ethos, hardworking mentality and supportive staff helped me to become the person I am today. I learnt to be confident in my own abilities and I was given the internal belief that I will be able to achieve anything, if I put my mind to it. This has been invaluable in all facets on my life and has enabled me to pursue my ambition of studying medicine as a postgraduate. I was able to make the most of the many extracurricular activities available at the Crypt: I was a member of the School student executive and competed in school rugby and nationally in athletics. This time spent outside the classroom helped me to acquire and develop valuable skills such as communication and time management, that I now use everyday. On top of all of this, I always felt that the teachers genuinely cared about me and my future, pushing me to do my best in subjects I loved, while putting on extra help and support in subjects I was finding harder. I believe this “guiding” rather than “spoon feeding” approach to education, allowed me to achieve my university offer and develop as an adult both at the time and post 6th form J A C O B L A N G E , 2 0 07 - 2 014 C A M B R I D G E B A , C U R R E N T LY S T U D Y I N G P O S T G R A D U AT E M E D I C I N E AT W A R W I C K
I entered The Crypt School with my brother Paul in 1968 following a traumatic time having got caught up in the awful Biafran war. We found a stable school ethos that molded us through strong academic studying, a competitive but caring house structure and of course, rugby!
I won rugby honours and broke sprint records enjoyed a varied and successful career since leaving. The support and guidance of certain masters who I remember with great fondness to this day, were of huge importance. The values of integrity, resilience, fitness, intellectual challenge and caring for others were all nurtured and developed through my Crypt career. I'd be delighted for any of my children to go through a Crypt education. D AV I D W A B O S O , 19 6 8 - 19 76 M D, N E T WO R K R AI L
I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. INVICTUS by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY T H E C R Y P T S C H O O L A L U M N U S 18 67
EMAIL:
enquiries@crypt.gloucs.sch.uk WEBSITE:
www.cryptschool.org FOLLOW US:
facebook.com/cryptschool twitter.com/cryptschool