SIXTH FORM
WELCOME TO
BRIGHTON
Brighton Girls Sixth Form offers opportunities that you won’t get anywhere else. With a recently refurbished Sixth Form centre in The Vicarage and access to the Design Hub, Brighton Girls offers a great base to further your studies. With small class sizes, teaching styles are tailored to the individual ensuring the best possible results. There are also a range of opportunities from being a GDST Sixth Former including regular conferences with other schools in the family, Oxbridge application weekends and Leadership conferences.
GIRLS
SIXTH FORM
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WHY BRIGHTON GIRLS?
YOUR LEARNING PROGRAMME
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YOUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME
UNIVERSITY AND CAREERS GUIDANCE
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NEXT STEPS
SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES
Welcome to Sixth Form
Brighton Girls couldn’t be anywhere other than at the heart of vibrant, open, forward-facing Brighton. We’re a dynamic, creative, friendly school where girls are confident, passionate and kind – not only ambitious for themselves, but for society. As a founder of the Girls’ Day School Trust, we’ve championed girls’ education since it was in its infancy. We understand what makes girls tick and how to help them become all they can be. We do this by focusing on the joy of learning and on instilling curiosity, adventure and independence. We also have a strong sense of community and collective endeavour. Teachers are passionate about their subjects and draw the best from girls, as shown in our results. Our academic enrichment and extra-curricular activities develop knowledge, interests, emotional intelligence and teamwork. Talk to any one of our girls and you discover someone happy and positive. Someone who feels they belong and is able to succeed at whatever they decide to be. In other words, Brighton Girls.
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Head’s Welcome ROSIE MCCOLL
MA (Oxon), MPhil
“As a founding school of the Girls’ Day School Trust, Brighton Girls has a significance in the history of girls’ education. The spirit of the early pioneers, whose names are remembered in our four Houses, Grey, Gurney, Lyttelton and Stanley, is as strong as it has ever been and, today, we occupy a unique position: we are an allthrough school in the heart of the city of Brighton; we are as eclectic, enterprising, and creative as the city itself, and we command equal levels of affection. At Brighton Girls, innovative teaching, reimagined classroom spaces and a keen sense of social responsibility, make this a place where girls can truly learn without limits. Our girls are courageous, because they know where their strengths lie; they act with kindness, because they appreciate the value of community. Above all, we hope that they will develop the confidence and the character to go out and make a positive difference in the world, understanding that the real impact is felt when courage and kindness combine.”
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Where girls learn without limits
When you join a GDST Sixth Form, you join a family of students beyond your own school. Individuals, like you, who are united by a common bond; our unique GDST family. The Girls’ Day School Trust is the UK’s leading network of independent girls’ schools, with 23 schools and two academies throughout England and Wales. As a charity, we are committed to our students, not to generating profits for any shareholders. We are determined to improve social mobility and help every girl, whatever her background, to fulfil her potential and to realise her dreams. Our bursary programme allows us to give gifted girls a GDST education, regardless of a family’s financial circumstances. Currently we provide over 1,000 of these life-changing bursaries nationwide. Sixth Form are the best two years of your education. A chance to delve deeply into subjects that inspire you, alongside fellow Sixth Formers who also love those subjects. A chance to explore new opportunities beyond the seminar room. And a chance for you to lead and inspire others in your turn. We don’t just deliver academic credentials. We develop character. We help girls to be confident, resilient and fearless. In our schools, girls learn without limits, and nothing holds them back. As experts in educating girls, we recognise that girls learn differently. So we have created environments in which every girl is able to thrive, whatever her disposition and direction. Together - schools, GDST and alumnae - we enable each girl, to learn without limits. Visit us at www.gdst.net to find out more.
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The advantages of an all-girls’ education
As specialists in girls’ education, we tailor our teaching to the way girls learn best. Instilling in them the conviction that there’s no limit to what they can achieve. There is extensive research detailing why a girls-only education can be hugely beneficial. Girls of all ages have been shown to develop and learn differently from boys. To quote one paper, 80% of girls and boys learn differently (Dr Jo Ann Deak et al). Further research shows that girls educated in a single-sex school go on to enjoy more active lives and more fulfilling relationships. The only difference being that girls decide their own relationships, and are less influenced by peer pressure. Girls in single-sex schools also study a wider variety of subjects, participate more enthusiastically in sport and have been shown to be more confident socially. They engage in maths, science and languages to a greater degree. They achieve far higher academic results than in comparable co-ed schools. And they also make choices based on their talents and interests, not gender or other often unhelpful parameters, leading to more satisfying careers.
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BOLD
RESULTS
INDEPENDENCE
GDST
Here at Brighton Girls our girls learn without limits. As specialists in girls’ education, we tailor our teaching to the way girls learn best, and instil in them the conviction that there’s no limit to what they can achieve. Our bespoke curriculum means each of our Sixth Form has a tailored study programme - we offer A levels, BTEC and EPQ alongside our Liberal Arts Programme.
Our focus is to get you where you want to go, and our university programme is fully supported here and also across the GDST network – with university preparation offered on a national level including specialist medic and Oxbridge application support. 90% of students receive offers from top Russell Group universities and leading institutions for art, music and the performing arts.
Brighton Girls Sixth Form offers freedom with security, a nurturing community in the heart of the city. Small class sizes offer you guidance at every level including 1:1 tutoring and exam preparation to help you achieve your goals. Outside of this we also offer the power of being in a group of 25 schools, with a range of opportunities available from GDST and our powerful alumnae network, meaning all our girls have this at their fingertips.
An enrichment programme across 25 schools - as a GDST school our girls enter essay competitions trust-wide as well as Olympiads and extension sessions, meaning that you can take your studies to the next level. Alongside academic enrichment there are also GDST sporting competitions, dance workshops and many other extracurricular opportunities to network.
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HAPPINESS
THRILLING
OPPORTUNITIES
NETWORK
Happiness! Happy healthy confident. Your well-being is at the top of our agenda. Sixth Form is a wonderful time full of new experiences, and also new challenges – including making big decisions about your future. Our hands-on approach to monitoring students’ emotional development and well-being means we are able to guide our girls through these steps with ease.
Brighton is a vibrant and exciting city, and very much at the heart of Brighton Girls. To complement our study programme we also have masterclasses with our Artist in Residence, our Contemporary Dance Company in Residence, Digital Residency, guest speakers, ties with sports clubs across Brighton, Theatre Workshop and links with Brighton Festival. The rich cultural life of Brighton at your doorstep on your doorstep.
Along the way, you’ll find yourself delving into your favourite subjects in more depth than ever, but you’ll also go way beyond them, exploring a myriad of opportunities both in and out of the classroom. Leadership is a key focus of our Sixth Form Programme with opportunities to develop your leadership skills including mentoring younger pupils, the national Young Enterprise Scheme, and social enterprise.
As an alumna of a GDST school you will have access to the 77,000 strong network of former pupils. A truly unique community of talented women across all areas of life offering you a network for life. From professional mentoring to social interest groups, the GDST network is a force to be reckoned with.
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Facilities
Brighton Girls is centrally located in the heart of the city with excellent transport links. We are fortunate to have a mix of heritage and modern buildings as well as a charming outdoor space where the girls often picnic in the summer months. The Sixth Form Centre is housed in The Vicarage with dedicated Sixth Form social and study spaces. Girls benefit from specialist facilities for IT, Science, Art, Music and Sport. There are three dedicated IT suites, seven Science Labs and interactive whiteboards throughout seminar rooms. Our art studio encompasses a photography suite, as well as specialist facilities for art including a professional studio space for our Artist-inResidence and dedicated Sixth Form study area.
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In our dedicated Music House, we have a Mac suite for music editing and production in addition to a number of music practice rooms. The Main Hall accommodates 300 in auditorium seating and is regularly used for musical and theatre performances with a large backstage area and drama studio next-door. In addition to our outdoor netball and tennis courts, we have a fantastic Sports Centre with a fully equipped multi gym, sprung floored Dance Studio and multipurpose Sports Hall.
#BGDesignHub
Students at Brighton Girls benefit from teaching approaches which encourage them to be active participants, taking responsibility for their learning. Throughout the school, there is an educational focus on nurturing curiosity, the joy of learning, adventure and independence. While teaching and learning, and the enabling technology, have changed radically, the physical spaces in which it happens take longer to adapt. Brighton Girls has recently launched the #BGDesignHub. The Brighton project seeks to provide learning environments that allow teachers and pupils to take learning to the next level. Each room is dedicated to a particular stage in the ‘design thinking’ cycle. Pupils are able to work independently or in groups, to discuss, research, define, design, prototype, evaluate and present. The Design Hub is available for classes or individuals to work on projects, and offers a flexible, inspiring learning environment – a safe space in which to experiment and innovate. The Hub helps to reinforce exciting new ways of teaching and learning.
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Your Learning Programme
Here at Brighton Girls we offer a study programme of A-Levels, BTECs and EPQ. A-Levels enable students to specialise in subjects they love, with a view to a future career. A lighter weekly timetable also means they learn to manage time and make the most of private study and enrichment opportunities. Every Head of Department at Brighton Girls is also an experienced A-Level teacher and able to give expert guidance at every stage. The majority of girls take three full A-Levels and they can choose freely from the many subjects we offer. Specific details of those available, along with the extra-curricular opportunities and support we provide, can be found at www.brightongirls.gdst.net. Students also supplement their A-Level studies with the highly regarded AQA Extended Project Qualification, completed during the first year. In addition, we also offer a choice from our ‘Liberal Arts’ course, which includes Modern Foreign Language Diplomas in French, Spanish or German, BTEC Cookery or Maths in Context. This means girls can tailor the curriculum to give them the ideal foundation for further study.
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Extended Project Qualification
The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) allows girls to go beyond the A-Level syllabus and prepare more fully for university or a future career. It’s a flexible way to enrich their studies, with a choice of areas to explore and investigate. It also effectively adds half an A-Level to their qualifications as an A* grade adds 28 UCAS points. Although this standalone qualification is studied independently, girls are fully supported with 120 guided learning hours. 30 of these are study skills sessions that focus on identifying, planning, managing, researching and developing projects.
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Your Enrichment Programme
You will find an amazing array of opportunities to get involved in as a Brighton Girls Sixth Former. Whether you are inspired to be the next Head Girl, a House Captain or champion our charity initiatives there are many ways to further your leadership and teamwork skills. There are a wide range of sports to enjoy from your more tradition netball, hockey, and gymnastics to the less played lacrosse, basketball, bouldering, tag rugby, volleyball, stand up paddle boarding and wind surfing! The dance department provides an opportunity to participate in the annual school dance show at a local theatre and to participate in a national dance competition, in conjunction with our Dance company in Residence, Penny & Jules Youth Dance. There is also the chance to perform in a range of orchestras, choirs and drama productions.
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Artist in Residence
Professional artist Crimson Trebar is our artist in residence with an on-site studio. In addition, to working on her own projects, she supports students with coursework and individual interests.
Resident Dance Company
Our dance company in residence, Penny & Jules Youth Dance, offer contemporary training and additional performance opportunities for both our senior and youth dance companies.
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Community Minded
Brighton Girls is an integral part of the local community; volunteering and charity are strongly encouraged and the school has a strong tradition of charity fund-raising The school has a strong tradition of charity fund-raising. There is an annual Christmas Fair, a community tea party which is held for our elderly neighbours and each term form groups have the opportunity to raise money for their chosen charity with cake sales and other events. We are committed to supporting community events, sponsoring St Ann’s Annual Family Festival and the Stonewall Equality Walk, running a water station at the Brighton Marathon and taking part in the Children’s Parade at the beginning of the Brighton Festival.
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Over recent years girls from Years 10-13 have visited Ethiopia, Romania and Malawi running summer schools for local children. These trips have been run in conjunction with the charity, CRED and have been memorable, ‘life changing’ experiences for pupils.
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University and Careers Guidance
Whilst most of our students decide to go to University, some opt for a Gap Year or go straight into the workplace. Whatever choice you make we support you every step of the way and actively encourage you to do what is right for you. Our programme of support starts in the spring term of Year 12. We will show you how to research effectively university courses and alternative options. We also encourage you to attend a Higher Education Fair and hold an annual information evening for you and your parents. Experienced teaching staff will support your preparation for admissions tests, such as the BMAT and LNAT and you will be invited to attend mock interviews. In addition to this, the GDST offers specialist tutoring days and an opportunity to attend an Oxbridge Conference; an immersive twoday experience offering first class support for the selection process at highly competitive universities. This weekend is in addition to the
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in-house support we offer, such as Med Soc and other subject specific extension classes. Our careers staff, Sixth Form tutors and subject staff will always be available for help and advice and you will have your own tutor to support you through the process. You will have the opportunity to attend a number of GDST career insight days, held specifically for GDST Sixth Formers. These are held regularly throughout the year at employers’ premises and give you an early opportunity to engage with important employers. The spectrum of careers are catered for: Business and Finance, the Arts and Science and Engineering. We will encourage you to attend at least one of these events during your time in the Sixth Form.
Alumnae
Brighton Girls as part of GDST family have an active network of 70,000 alumnae including Samira Ahmed, Professor Mary Beard, Cressida Dick, Helena Bonham Carter, Olivia Colman, Sophie Kinsella, Esther McVey, Afua Hirsh, Miriam Margolyes and Sophie Raworth. To enable every GDST Sixth Former to connect with and benefit from our alumnae, we’ve teamed up with rungway. com, the mentoring app – so now, at the touch of a button, they can ask the burning questions they have about study and life after school, anywhere and at any time.
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Where Our top 10 university destinations
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Well-being
Every girl’s health and well-being is our highest priority. We create an atmosphere of support, inspiration and aspiration and are dedicated to ensuring the happiest environment in which you can develop. Our small class sizes and year groups allow all our staff to understand you as an individual and enable you to achieve your future hopes. Our team of Sixth Form tutors also provides exceptional pastoral care. Each one oversees approximately 15 students and a special relationship is formed based on mutual respect. Sixth Formers are also encouraged to seize every opportunity, from volunteering in the community, to helping Year 7 students with Maths. All with the aim of developing leadership and management skills as girls prepare for higher education and work. Well-being is a planned programme of teaching and learning at Brighton Girls. We focus on developing girls as individuals, so that they leave school aware of their own abilities and confident in them. We also seek to foster spirituality and morality – inspiring sensitivity, tolerance and a sense of responsibility for themselves and society. Well-being lessons also continue in the Sixth Form and the programme is put together by consulting the students themselves. Current topics
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include sexual health & awareness, safe driving, mindfulness, media and public speaking skills, life skills and voting and the electoral system.
Special Educational Needs
Treating every pupil as an individual is at our core, and we do all we can to encourage those with special educational needs to grasp the opportunity to flourish in our school. Learning Support provision is also on hand to aid access to the mainstream curriculum.
Support in Sixth Form
Each girl passes through the two years of Sixth Form as part of a small tutor group – to provide support, advice and motivation. Tutor groups meet every morning to discuss any issues and share experiences. Girls are also assigned a House, and House Forms meet once a week. This means Sixth Formers mix with students of all ages at the school.
The four key strands of wellbeing at Brighton Girls are: • • • •
Health and well-being Relationships Living in the wider world Work-related learning
Other ways the school supports academic progress are: • • • • • •
Specialist teaching in small groups Excellent higher education and careers advice, together with an annual Higher Education meeting with guest speakers from local universities Expert UCAS support Lunchtime and after-school clinics to enhance learning A specific Oxbridge Medic and Veterinary programme including entrance test preparation and interview practice Automatic membership of the GDST Alumnae Network. An amazing organisation that can be invaluable for work placements and career guidance
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Sixth Form Life Houses
When girls join us, they are allocated to one of the four Houses: Lyttelton, Stanley, Grey or Gurney, which are named after the founders of the GDST. Pupils meet regularly with other members of their House from all year groups and over the year they will work together to take part in the many InterHouse competitions and activities. These include the House Book Quiz, House Science Quiz, House Plays, House Public Speaking and various sporting competitions such as Netball and Hockey. as a member of a house girls quickly integrate into the whole school community and the family environment that makes Brighton Girls so special.
School Council
All students participate in Student Voice questionnaires. School Council is run by the Sixth Form Leadership Team with representatives from each year group. Through School Council, girls develop their communication and leadership skills and are able to consult with members of the Senior Leadership Team about issues important to them and their form. Each year the whole School Council participates in a training day where they further develop their teamwork, leadership and communication skills.
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Contact with Parents
Good contact between school and home is key and maintained in a variety of ways. Regular newsletters, Parents’ Evenings and termly reports are just a few examples. The school learning platform, Firefly, is regularly updated with homework, links to on-line learning resources and departmental news. All parents, pupils and staff have access to Firefly.
“Brighton Girls instils an innate sense of confidence - that as young women they are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to.” Sixth Form Parent
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Next Steps
We would strongly recommend that you visit our Sixth Form and would be delighted to welcome you. A visit will give you the opportunity to see the Sixth Form in action, meet staff and current students and have any questions answered. How to apply
We warmly welcome external applicants and conditional places will be offered as a result of the application form and personal statement and an interview. We expect girls entering the Sixth Form to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above. Specific entry requirements for each subject which can be found by contacting the school. We may also request written work relevant to the subjects proposed for study at A Level. Please use our on-line application form which can be found at www.brightongirls.gdst.net or call our Admissions Department to request a paper copy. The application form should be sent with a non-refundable fee of ÂŁ100 to our Admissions Department. We will then be in touch to confirm receipt and you will be invited in for assessment. The transition for existing Brighton Girls from Year 11 to Year 12 is effortless. All current students are asked to submit a Sixth Form Transition Form in which a personal statement must be attached. This is an opportunity to tell us about yourself, celebrate your
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many achievements and also give you something to talk about when you meet with the Director of Sixth Form to discuss your application. All students will be offered conditional places in the Spring term, subject to GCSE results. If you have any further questions about the admissions procedure please do not hesitate to contact Admissions on 01273 280170 or admissions@brightongirls.gdst.net
“Brighton Girls instils an innate sense of confidence - that as young women they are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to. I left Brighton Girls feeling I could take on the world and it is the reason I have sent my three daughters there. I am constantly astounded at the diverse range of skills they are developing and as a teacher myself, I consider the pastoral care to be outstanding.� Parent, Year 12 daughter
Book a tour
Visits can either take place by individual appointment or by attendance at one of our Open Days. To arrange an appointment or tour please contact: 01273 280170 or admissions@brightongirls.gdst.net
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Scholarships and Bursaries
The Bursary and Scholarship Scheme aims to ensure that GDST schools are accessible to all able students. Nearly 20% of girls at GDST Senior Schools receive a bursary or scholarship to help towards their fees. This amounted to £14m last year. Scholarships 16+
For Sixth Form entry there are Academic Scholarships together with awards for Art, Music, Dance and Sport. A Temple Scholarship will be awarded to someone who has made a notable recent contribution to the extra-curricular activities of their current school or someone who has overcome significant difficulties in Key Stage 4. The maximum award is 50%. There are also a number of specific prizes, including GDST prizes and scholarships. Scholarship exams will be held in November each year with general interviews scheduled later that week. Conditional offers will be made by the end of the Autumn term.
Bursaries
Bursaries are available to girls entering the school at Sixth Form. A bursary takes into account academic merit, but every bursary is means-tested and its value is related to the income and financial resources of the pupil’s family. The maximum value of the bursary can be the full published fees; however awards for full
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fees are rare and the amount of any bursary award will depend upon local demand and available funding. Most higher-value bursaries are awarded to pupils from families with a total income of less than £35,000 per year who have no capital assets other than their home. It is highly unlikely that a bursary would be awarded to a family whose annual income is greater than £85,000 other than in very exceptional circumstances. We welcome applications from talented girls from lower income families. We recognise that to be fully included in the life of the school there are other costs to be borne, and there is additional support for those receiving a bursary of 95%. This may include free lunches, travel costs to school and certain trips and visits. GDST schools aim to assist as many families qualifying for bursaries as possible; given the demand for bursaries, those qualifying for a full bursary may not necessarily receive a bursary equivalent to the full published fees.
HOW TO APPLY We ask any parent who would like to apply for a bursary to complete the on-line application form prior to the entrance test. This can be found at www.brightongirls.gdst.net. If you have any further questions please contact Admissions on 01273 280170 or admissions@brightongirls.gdst.net
Nursery & Prep School (3-11) Radinden Manor Road | Hove East Sussex BN3 6NH Senior School & Sixth Form (11-18) Montpelier Road | Brighton East Sussex BN1 3AT For all enquiries please contact us... 01273 280170 admissions@brightongirls.gdst.net www.brightongirls.gdst.net Design: GeoMedia Photography: Danny Fitz Photography