Timetables And Study Habits

Timetables

All students will receive an individualised timetable on the first day of term or shortly before the start of term. It will be stored on your iPad.

We have five lesson periods in a day of one hour lessons.

All A Level students will have 10 lessons per subject across a two week timetable.

All IB Diploma students will have 7 Higher Level lessons and 5 Standard Level lessons across a two week timetable.

All students will have timetabled sports lessons and there is a wide variety of activities to choose from. Students are expected to attend these sessions in the correct kit. There is great value in physical activity and it contributes to student well-being in addition to providing an opportunity to build different skills and have a break from the academic rigours of study.

Study Expectations

We also expect students to be prompt to lessons, so that they are not missing important learning time or disrupting the beginning of lessons. This is monitored and students who accrue significant late time without a valid reason can lose their Sixth Form privileges for a week.

They will therefore not being able to leave school for lunch or before 4pm if they do not have lessons.

Students are expected to always bring appropriate materials and resources to lessons.

Independent Work

In addition to the timetabled lessons, students should plan to undertake five hours of independent study per week per subject for each A Level. This time should be spent completing homework tasks and then consolidating material covered in lessons. Whilst students will be able to complete some of this in their study periods, they will also have additional work to do outside of the school day in order to maximise their chances of success.

In the IB Diploma Programme, the expectation is around three hours independent study for each Higher Level subject and one to two hours for each Standard Level subject.

Epq

All A Level students are expected to start an EPQ in the Autumn Term of the Lower Sixth.

All A Level students start the year with timetabled EPQ sessions and it is advised that they put a regular period of time each week initially (between 30-60 minutes) to complete the planning and research.

IB Diploma students do not complete an EPQ as they complete an Extended Essay as a compulsory element of their programme.

Sports

Fitness is key to a balanced life and all Sixth Form students are expected to attend regular sports sessions. These are timetabled. There is an extensive range of sporting options and students may select their sports or fitness activities.

Study Periods

In the Lower Sixth, the expectation is that students for the first Half Term spend their study periods working quietly in the LRC. After the October Half Term break, as long as students show their commitment and demonstrate a good work ethic, they are able to choose where to work in their study periods.

This approach aims to ensure that Lower Sixth students build good study habits from the very beginning, using their study periods to complete work and organise their time effectively. We run some small group study sessions throughout the year and any individual who is struggling with managing their time, should talk to their tutor in the first instance.

Study Spaces

There are plenty of study spaces available to Sixth Form students. In addition to the LRC and The Hub, students may use the Study Loft, Chequers Café or an empty classroom in Sixth Form House, depending on where they feel they are going to get the most work done and be able to focus best. Students are welcome to use The Hub and Study Loft after the end of the school day until 7pm.

Equipment

All students have an iPad which they are expected to bring to lessons. New students will be given an iPad prior to joining Sixth Form. Many students choose to bring laptops into school to complete assignments, this is a personal choice and not an expectation.

At the end of Sixth Form, iPads will be unlocked from the School systems and retained by the students. Textbooks will be loaned to the students and must be returned at the end of Sixth Form. Any books not returned will be charged against the student’s account and offset against the entry deposit.

Lockers

Students are allocated a locker to store all of their possessions. Items left in The Hub and other communal spaces overnight may be moved to the lost property.