Sixth Form Prospectus 2022/23

We are delighted that you are considering Chesham Grammar School. We look forward to the energy and enthusiasm you will add to our already thriving community. It is a place to grow, develop and flourish.

We are justifiably proud of our A level results which have been consistently high for many years. Students in our Sixth Form benefit from a broad range of activities and responsibilities to enhance their education. We have a passion for developing highly qualified and well-rounded young adults who are well equipped for university and employment.

The vast majority of our students progress to their first choice university. This includes the full range; Oxford and Cambridge, prestigious Russell Group universities; top music conservatoires, art and design colleges and more besides.

Whether you are a current CGS student or from another school you will be joining us at an exciting time in our forward looking and flourishing Sixth Form.

Whatever your interests, career ambitions and subject choices, we are sure that you will find CGS an enjoyable and exciting place to be.

Having both been here since Year 7 we were delighted to join the Sixth Form and become role-models for the younger years like they had been for us.

Tom and I have immensely enjoyed our time in the Sixth Form; it has been a great experience, teaching us more about the subjects we love and allowing us to grow as individuals. The Sixth Form team at CGS has been great at supporting and inspiring us, helping us make informed decisions about the next chapter in our lives.

We would recommend CGS to any student looking for a school that offers both academic and extracurricular excellence in addition to leadership roles. By joining us you’d find yourself part of an incredible community that includes and respects everyone.

The Sixth Form has given us the best possible start for the future and you too will experience this when joining CGS.

3 A levels Life Skills Physical Education/Sports Sixth Form Lecture Programme Plus at least one of the following: Fourth A level subject Extended Project Qualification Volunteering MOOCs via Unifrog Young Enterprise Cooking Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Mentoring

All students take part in the fortnightly taught programme – this provides students with an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes to manage the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities that they will face as they grow up into adulthood.

All students take part in the weekly PE programme – this provides students with an opportunity to exercise regularly and remain healthy.

Our Sx lecture series has been running very successfully for a number of years: for Year 12 on a Tuesday and Year 13 on a Friday. It is co-ordinated by the Sixth Form Learning Mentor who takes pride in ensuring that our students receive a wide repertoire of information during this time. We have a range of regular speakers who contribute every year. The sixth formers take an active role in selecting and arranging speakers/companies to come in and deliver general interest topics.

There are also talks to cover important aspects of the UCAS application and Life Skills curriculum (including money matters, mental health) and the occasional lecture to encourage students to continue to hone and develop effective study habits and become a life-long learner.

Some students may wish to study a fourth A level subject – Further Maths students will study four A levels as Further Maths counts as two. Given the content-heavy nature of our new A levels, we do recommend that most students study 3 A levels.

The EPQ is an opportunity for students to carry out detailed research on a topic that is related to their subjects that they have a real interest in. A member of staff acts solely as a supervisor and as such it is an exciting opportunity for students to truly manage their own learning.

Previous projects have included: building a trebuchet, making a metal harp, filming a version of ‘Hamlet’. The project can be based on a subject area that the student wishes to study at university or simply an area of personal interest unrelated to their studies; where extensive research is carried out and an extended essay of 4000 words is produced. It is worth the equivalent of half an A level and some universities are now making a lower offer for students when they include their EPQ and get an A grade.

We greatly encourage our students to give something back to the school and the wider community during their time in our Sixth Form. Students are encouraged to undertake at least one hour of voluntary work per week. This is independently organised by students at a time when they have no timetabled lessons or done entirely out of school time. When the student finds something for themselves that they are eager and committed to do they will find it more worthwhile and rewarding!

All students should be carrying out extensive wider reading on a weekly basis to consolidate and develop their knowledge of their chosen A level subjects. A MOOC gives students the opportunity to focus on an area of interest in detail without committing to the EPQ, but can still be referenced on an application post CGS. As such it could be something that is going to benefit them in their university/apprenticeship/job application and could take the form of a wide range of different topics.

As part of the GCS Learner we reinforce the independent and collaborative learning habits which the school espouses. There will be a number of different activities that students can take part in over the course of the two years. The annual House Charity Days enable sixth formers to decide on a mutual cause they would like to support and then collectively raise money. The annual House Sports and Performing Arts events are also a perfect opportunity to get involved within school.

Activities such as National Citizenship Service, DofE Award, Young Enterprise, Debating Society, the annual school newspaper and Drama productions can also be equally rewarding experiences.

Young Enterprise is the UK’s leading enterprise and financial education charity. Sixth Form students at CGS have the opportunity to work with the charity to develop their knowledge of the world of work, as well as developing key employability skills. In 2018/19, a team of students from CGS won the local Young Enterprise competition.

We are proud to be running the world’s leading youth achievement award. Students have the opportunity to take part and develop skills that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Art & Design Biology

Chemistry

Computer Science Drama & Theatre Studies

Economics

English Literature French Geography German History Maths Further Maths Music Physical Education Physics

Photography Politics Psychology

Religious Studies Sociology Spanish

Grade 6 at GCSE in Art Grade 7 at GCSE in Biology or 7-7 in a combined Science GCSE course Grade 7 at GCSE in Chemistry or 7-7 in a combined Science GCSE course Grade 6 at GCSE in Computing.

We also recommend that you achieve a Grade 6 in GCSE Maths Grade 6 at GCSE or above in Drama. We also recommend that you achieve a Grade 6 in GCSE English Grade 6 at GCSE in Economics or a Humanity. We also recommend that you achieve a Grade 6 in GCSE Maths Grade 6 at GCSE Grade 6 at GCSE Grade 6 at GCSE in Geography or a Humanity Grade 6 at GCSE Grade 6 at GCSE in History or a Humanity Grade 7 at GCSE in Maths Grade 8 at GCSE in Maths Grade 7 at GCSE in Music and a Grade 5 practical Grade 6 at GCSE in Sports Science or Biology Grade 7 at GCSE in Physics or 7-7 in a combined Science GCSE course Minimum 48 points in best 8 GCSEs Grade 6 at GCSE in History or a Humanity Grade 6 at GCSE in Biology. We also recommend that you achieve a grade 6 in GCSE Maths Grade 6 in either FC or SC RS or a Humanity Grade 6 at GCSE in a Humanity Grade 6 at GCSE

As a student at CGS you can expect careers guidance which ensures positive outcomes for all. You will be part of our Sixth Form Studies programme which includes work experience, general careers information and option routes Post-18. This includes the opportunity to attend a UCAS convention and university open days, as well as expert advice on Post-18 applications, finance and interviews.

The vast majority of our students progress to their first university choice including Oxbridge, Russell Group universities and the top music, art and design colleges, higher apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships.

CGS’s academic success is built on excellent care, guidance and support within an atmosphere that enables students to deal successfully with the stresses of Sixth Form life whilst also enjoying themselves.

Students belong to a ‘House’ tutor group helping them to develop a sense of belonging to the school. In addition to this our Sixth Form students have many leadership opportunities where they develop a range of skills and play a key role in the life of the whole school and the wider community.

At CGS we encourage all students to make the most of school life: members of Year 12 apply to become Prefects/Senior Prefects and ultimately some will be selected to be part of the Student Senior Leadership Team performing roles such as Head Boy/Head Girl/Deputy Head Boy/Girl/House Captain/Vice House Captains at the end of their year.

They will lead the School Senate and play a leading role in all formal occasions in school life. They are encouraged to become mentors and develop their leadership skills and extend their organisational skills.

Sixth Formers enjoy a much closer relationship with staff and they play a unique part in the life of the school, combining increased independence and new opportunities available post-16 with being a known and valued part of the wider school community. Sixth Form students help lower school pupils through mentoring and in leading and supporting vertical form groups. This involvement develops new skills in our students as well as benefiting others in the school. The large, wellequipped Curtis Sixth Form Centre, which incorporates an in-house Café, acts as the centre of Sixth Form life throughout the day and is a popular place to study and relax. A Sixth Former has an active life involving trips, fund-raising events and inter-House competitions ensuring that Sixth Form life is lively and varied.

Chesham Grammar School is a school where you can be yourself. You are invited to join in, work hard and will be given the support you need to help discover new talents and interests. We provide an atmosphere of intellectual freedom and independence which will prepare you for life beyond school. Your teachers will know and support you to secure the highest grades and fulfil your academic potential.

Sixth Formers should be smartly dressed at all times and take pride in their appearance, recognising that they are dressing for a formal working environment and helping to set the tone for the rest of the school. Smart, appropriate attire is expected at all times. Students may therefore wear from the following: • A suit in black, blue, grey or navy incorporating trousers or a skirt; or separate trousers, skirt or dress, worn with formal top/shirt/blouse where appropriate, and a jacket.

• A formal top, shirt or blouse must be worn. T-shirts, vests or other similar styles are not permitted. Ties are required for boys. With all tops, shirts, blouses and dresses, shoulders and midriff must not be showing.

• Skirts and dresses must be of a respectable length. Bodycon or Lycra style garments must not be worn.

• Shoes must be formal and in keeping with the above. Boots may only be worn if they are of a formal style (eg block heeled/Chelsea boots).

• Jewellery should be kept to a minimum, consistent with good taste and safety. Apart from pierced ears (no more than two piercings in either ear and only studs), no other piercing is allowed.

Our Sixth Form girls’ working party have recommended New Look and H&M as offering an appropriate range which would suit most girls’ tastes and budgets.

Practical subjects will make special arrangements for their lessons when necessary.

We are conscious of the need to ensure that any form of dress within the school is cost effective and practical and can be purchased in High Street shops. The school has researched this and can provide information upon request.

OPEN EVENING Thursday 11th November 2021

Application forms from students to be received by

Friday 10th December 2021 Conditional offers sent to external applicants February 2022

SIXTH FORM INDUCTION DAYS External Students – 30th June 2022

RESULTS DAY - External 18th August 2021 • Applicant comes to CGS with examination results. If results match entry criteria, student’s place is confirmed, and admissions forms handed out for completion and return on enrolment day.

• If the student wants to change original choices they must see a member of the Sixth Form Team on arrival

Internal Students – 29th June 2022

RESULTS DAY - Internal 18th August 2021 • If results match entry criteria student confirms enrolment into Sixth Form • If the student wants to change original choices they must see a member of the Sixth Form Team

September 2022 – Date to be confirmed in offer letter NEW SIXTH FORM ENROLMENT DAY