READY FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE?
Year 11 is such an exciting time. Of course, it brings the anticipation of exams, but it’s also the perfect time to consider what happens next. No need to stress about making big decisions just yet. Starting to think about your future now will give you a head start. In this paper, you’ll get a sneak peek into life at CHS Sixth Form. Whether you’ve got a plan or are still figuring things out, our Sixth Form offers a mix of exciting subjects and new opportunities.
The Sixth Form is a time of significant personal development and growth. It’s your time to explore new interests, build leadership skills, and start thinking about the future. Our vibrant and inclusive community provides just the right amount of support with exams and whatever comes next!
We push you to learn more about yourself and the world around you, encouraging you to use your energy, knowledge, and curiosity to leave a lasting mark on our School.
10 REASONS WHY TO CHOOSE CHS SIXTH FORM
01. EARNT RESPECT
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You are treated as a young adult, with study periods, responsibility for your academic progress, and mutual respect between you and your teachers.
02. SUPPORT BEYOND
CHS | Assistance is available for whatever path you choose, whether it’s university, degree apprenticeships, or entering the world of work. Our Sixth Form Team is here to guide you through UCAS applications, personal statements, and provide general support whenever needed.
03. NEW FACES AND FRIENDSHIPS
| Whether you’re currently at CHS or not, Sixth Form is an opportunity to expand your social circle. Form groups are arranged by interest, making sure you’ll have common ground with new peers.
04. YOUR OWN SPACE |
The modern Sixth Form Centre offers a great space to relax and study. With a common room for downtime and an independent study area for focused work, there’s a space for every need.
05. THAT BLUE BLAZER FEELING
| As Waconians, we are all equal, but the blue blazer at CHS brings independence from the Senior School. Plus, it simplifies your daily outfit choices!
06. JOIN CLUBS THAT FIT AROUND YOU
| At CHS, we pride ourselves on the variety of CoCurricular clubs available, so we are sure you’ll find a club perfect for you. However, if you have a burning passion for something not yet offered, you can start your own club and leave a lasting legacy!
07. PRIVILEGES & RESPONSIBILITY
| Joining the Sixth Form comes with extra freedoms and responsibilities. Whether it’s being a Peer Mentor, supporting new Waconians or leaving the site during lunch time, there’s always something happening at CHS.
08. LEARN LIFE SKILLS TO SET YOU UP FOR THE FUTURE |
From workshops to lecture series led by Old Waconians, CHS offers sessions to boost your knowledge and skills in a huge range of areas. Topics range from First Aid and Sex Education to cooking skills and wellbeing tips.
09. YOU DECIDE YOUR COUNCIL
| You have a say in who represents your cohort, or you can take on this role yourself. Sixth Form students lead Head Pupil roles and 5 sub-committees, including the Sixth Form Committee, Equalities Society, CHSenate (Student Voice), Eco Committee, and Charities Committee.
10. SMALLER CLASS SIZES |
As subjects become more in-depth, smaller class sizes ensure better support. You’ll get to know your teachers more closely, fostering mutual respect and making it easier to ask questions and seek help.
SHAPE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Thinking about your options? Take a look at our options site where you can deep dive into all the subjects on offer at CHS.
OR TAKE A LOOK BELOW AT THE FULL LIST OF OUR SUBJECTS ON OFFER:
• Art & Design
• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Classics
• Design & Technology
• Drama & Theatre
• Economics
• English
• French
• German
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• Further Mathematics
• Music
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Politics
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Spanish
• BTEC Sport Extended Diploma
You may notice there are some new subjects there which you may not have come across. Combined with the subjects you already know, Business, Economics, Politics, Psychology and Classics allow you to narrow or broaden your focus in relation to your ambitions.
Studying a new subject is a great opportunity to develop the way you approach new challenges - an essential life skill of handling anything that may come your way - studying a new subject might even lead to a new passion!
READ MORE ABOUT THE NEW SUBJECTS YOU CAN DISCOVER AT CHS SIXTH FORM. NEW SUBJECTS
BUSINESS | From fashion to food, if you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to run your own business, or what makes big companies like Coca-Cola so popular, Uber so successful, or TikTok the fastest growing brand, well, choosing Business to study at A Level could just be the subject for you.
Studying Business provides an opportunity to appreciate the value of business activity, learn about different areas such as marketing and finance - and develop a
practical understanding of how businesses operate, including why decision making is so important.
The course aims to blend academic rigour with the development of practical skills relevant to businesses in the 21st century.
ECONOMICS | What do making a cup of coffee and global warming have in common? Both are influenced by the world of Economics. Have you ever wondered
how and why we create products or services, or how wealth and income are distributed? Economics studies scarcity and choice, examining how society organises itself to meet unlimited wants with limited resources.
By studying Economics, you’ll explore how resources are allocated in different countries, the effectiveness of independent decision-making, and the role of government in these processes. You’ll
also learn about key institutions like the Treasury, Bank of England, and United Nations, and how they address economic issues such as inflation, unemployment, trade, and growth.
Economics provides insights into realworld problems, such as tackling climate change, industry responsibility, sustainable development, pricing policies like the sugar tax, and the impact of Brexit.
CLASSICS | Classics is an incredibly broad and varied subject, covering all aspects of Greek and Roman life through literature, art, archaeology and philosophy of the ancient world.
No prior knowledge or experience of the classical world is required, and everything you study is in translationperfect for the modern world! Discover what it was to be a hero in the ancient world through epic poems like Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid which feature universal themes of life and death, the role of fate and free will, family and state, loyalty, glory, love and friendship.
Consider religion and the famous religious sites of the Acropolis in Athens, the sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi and Olympia and the site of the Olympic Games.
Understand the importance of theatre in the Greek World, learn about the festival plays which were performed at and the nature
of tragedy and comedy through plays like Sophocles’ Oedipus, Euripides’ Bacchae, and Aristophanes’ The Frogs.
POLITICS | Have you ever wondered why the UK voting age is 18? Or why Emma Watson was invited to give a speech at the United Nations? These are questions you could be answering in Politics A Level!
Politics encompasses everything from major issues like environmental catastrophes, terrorism, war, economic crises, and pandemics, to important everyday concerns like taxation, university fees, and care for the elderly. It also touches on daily decisions like where your clothes are made, workers’ rights, and shopping choices.
The content constantly evolves, allowing you to follow current events and develop your interests. You’ll also gain an understanding of how government functions, where power lies, and how people can participate and effect change.
PSYCHOLOGY
| For some, the name Sigmund Freud may come to mind when thinking of psychology, with his ideas on the unconscious mind, dreams, and controversial theories on parent-child relationships. While Freud is significant, psychology offers much more.
Questions like “What is normal?”, “Why are people obedient to authority?”, and “Does a murderous brain exist?” are central to Psychology. Psychologists use scientific methods, similar to those in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, to explore these questions. From its philosophical roots, psychology has evolved to describe, predict, and control behaviour.
Studying psychology provides a fascinating exploration of the human mind and behaviour, offering insights into both yourself and others. This challenging course covers the brain and body, research methods, and ethics, and allows you to design your own experiments.
PLUS 1 OPTIONS OPTIONS
The Sixth Form experience will be different from life at Senior School so far. You’ll benefit from smaller class sizes and university-style tutorials with specialist teacherspreparing you for life after Sixth Form.
Our Plus 1 options gives you the opportunity for academic stretch and breadth which will be hugely beneficial, either for university, an apprenticeship or applying for jobs after Year 13. It helps you develop key skills outside of A Level subjects with an opportunity to focus on an area of interest. It could also help with university applications as Plus 1s such as EPQ, Core Maths and the Arts Award can carry UCAS points for certain universities.
‘PLUS 1’ OPTIONS ARE
PATHWAYS
Our Pathways curriculum is here to help you chase your career dreams and equip you with the skills and experiences you need to thrive in the competitive job market. You’ll dive into Pathways through fun and informative sessions in school, and you’ll also have chances to get involved with volunteering and placements at organisations that match your career goals. With advice from tutors and career experts, plus connections to Old Waconians working in various fields, you’ll build up essential skills and make valuable contacts that will be super helpful for your future.
Choose from Pathways in the Arts, Enterprise & Finance, Elite Sport, Medical Sciences, Modern Languages, Core & Social Impact and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths).
...with CHS Sixth Form Leadership Roles.
As well as considering your subject options, it’s also time to think about how you can make the most of your time in Sixth Form at CHS through one of the numerous leadership opportunities on offer.
Being a leader at our school isn’t just about wearing a badge, it’s about making a real difference, gaining experiences, and supercharging your CV for whatever comes next — whether that’s university, an apprenticeship, or diving straight into the working world.
STUDENT COUNCIL: YOUR VOICE, YOUR SCHOOL!
Being a member of our School Council means you’ll be involved in shaping and delivering school-wide initiatives that matter to you, covering everything from eco-projects, charity events, awareness campaigns and ensuring the Class of 2027 leaves their mark on CHS! It’s a great opportunity to develop teamwork and leadership skills that are key in any career. Students are invited to apply at the end of Year 12.
HEAD PUPILS: LEADING THE WAY
PEER MENTORS: GUIDING YOUNGER WACONIANS ON THE CHS PATH
Remember what it was like to be a new Year 7? As a peer mentor, you’ll be that friendly face and supportive guide for young Waconias, helping them navigate school life, find their way and provide advice and encouragement. This role is a fantastic addition to your CV, showcasing your ability to support others - building your emotional intelligence and developing strong interpersonal skills.
As the lead student role models, our Head Pupils regularly meet with the Head to discuss school-wide matters, represent pupils at all kinds of events and demonstrate what it means to live by the Waconian Values. Three pupils are selected for this role at the end of Year 12 and lead the Student Council during Year 13.
ACCESS AN EXCLUSIVE PLATFORM FOR THE CHS COMMUNITY
By joining CHS Community, you’ll form part of a global professional and social network with access to a diverse programme of events and careers support and guidance as well as mentoring and work experience opportunities provided by Old Waconians. Once you’ve graduated from CHS, it’s a great way to stay connected and keep up to date with all the news from your old school. Join CHS community now! Visit www.chscommunity.co.uk
Leavers
D e s t i n a t i o n s
When you’re gearing up for the next step after CHS, our support programme is here to help you every step of the way. We offer personalised UCAS and careers advice that really makes a difference. Over the past five years, more than 70% of our students have landed spots at their top-choice universities.
Plus, more and more of our students are exploring Degree Apprenticeships and opportunities to study abroad.
We’re excited to support you in reaching your goals and making the most of these amazing opportunities!
Watch the highlights from the Graduation of the Class of 2024
CHOICES TIMELINE CHOICES TIMELINE
AUTUMN TERM
Open House Event
Saturday 28 September
Sixth Form Options Evening
Monday 7 October
Provisional Option choices submitted
SPRING TERM
Final option choices submitted January
SUMMER TERM
GCSE Exams
Results Day & final choices made August
