Sixth form prospectus 2023

PROSPECTUS SIXTH FORM

WELCOME

The sixth form journey at Claremont Fan Court School is an exciting and valuable experience. Our students enjoy a wide breadth of academic options taught by inspiring and passionate teachers, whilst growing through positions of leadership and independence. I am always struck by the warmth with which our students and recent leavers describe the cohesive and welcoming feel of their peer group, the general buzz of the sixth form centre and the excellent quality of their teachers and courses. I encourage you to consider Claremont for your family.

William Brierly HEADMASTER

Being a sixth form student at Claremont is a holistic experience. We support students to achieve their potential, become well rounded young adults and reach their academic goals by providing a range of developmental and leadership opportunities. Our sixth form is a community of happy and thriving students, with whom we feel it is a privilege to work.

Emma Wells

ASSISTANT HEAD, HEAD OF SIXTH FORM

Sarah Joyner

HEAD OF LOWER SIXTH, DEPUTY OF HEAD OF SIXTH FORM

WHY JOIN THE SIXTH FORM AT CLAREMONT?

There has never been a more exciting time to join the sixth form at Claremont. Students thrive here as they are encouraged to study subjects they enjoy and choose from a wide range of options, working in smaller, vibrant teaching sets and receiving the pastoral care Claremont is renowned for, all within a wider school community.

The sixth form is not just about examination outcomes, it is about preparation for the journey ahead. We make this an integral part of the Claremont sixth form experience, allowing our students to step confidently off our campus and on to their next stage of study and work.

Many leadership opportunities are available to sixth formers including posts as prefects, senior prefects, house captains, mentors and sports captains. Additionally, all members of the senior prefect team have

the opportunity to participate in a leadership training programme offered by the Society of Heads.

Each year sixth form students are given the opportunity to select a charity. Students organise a range of events such as the Year 7 disco and the big breakfast to raise as much money as possible for their chosen charity. This is a great way to highlight charities which are important to our students, raise awareness and also raise important funds.

Our students achieve excellent results and go on to study at Russell Group, Oxbridge or music and arts specialist universities, conservatoires or specialist institutes of further education. A small proportion move directly to competitive apprenticeships.

“THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT THAT CLAREMONT HAS GIVEN ME IS SUPPORTING ME IN MANY ASPECTS OF MY UNIVERSITY EDUCATION.”

FORMER SIXTH FORM STUDENT

STUDYING IN THE SIXTH FORM

At Claremont Fan Court School we pride ourselves on offering an incredibly broad range of subjects to study, covering the creative arts all the way through to sciences and classical civilisation.

We typically advise students to choose three subjects at A level, although a proportion of students will choose an additional fourth subject, where appropriate.

Students are taught in smaller tutor groups for in depth support and expert subject guidance. Class sizes vary from a minimum of 3 to 4 to around 12 to 14 students ensuring they are small enough for individualised teaching but large enough for engaging and lively debate.

Specific mentoring is available for Oxbridge and medicine candidates including interview preparation and

practice for the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing (CAAT) scheme.

Regular subject support clinics are available across all departments, aimed at stretching students but also supporting those less confident. Individual needs support is available for those students that require it.

Sixth form students enjoy use of our new sixth form centre with quiet study areas, social areas and a sixth form café. The heads of sixth form are based within the sixth form centre to ensure excellent development of pastoral care and individual knowledge of each student.

COURSES ON OFFER 2023/24

Both A levels and Level 3 applied diplomas are offered for study in the sixth form. New courses are regularly reviewed for addition to the curriculum, based on the needs and interests of the students. Courses available for 2023 are:

A levels:

Art Biology

Business Chemistry

Classical civilisation

Computer science

Drama & theatre

Economics

English language

English literature

French

Further mathematics

Geography

History

Mathematics

Media studies

Music

Theology and philosophy

Photography

Physical education

Physics

Politics

Product design

Psychology

Sociology

Spanish

Textile design

Level 3 Applied Diplomas:

Criminology

Food science and nutrition

Diplomas are a combination of coursework and exams, they are continually assessed as opposed to being entirely exam based. Diplomas are recognised by most UK universities and have a similar UCAS tariff profile to A levels.

“IF I HAD TO SUM UP CLAREMONT WITHIN A FEW WORDS, I WOULD SAY THIS IS A SIXTH FORM WHICH THRIVES ON BUILDING ONE-TO-ONE RELATIONSHIPS WITH ITS STUDENTS, PROVIDING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.”

MIKHAEL - CURRENT SIXTH FORM STUDENT

RESULTS 2023 AND UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS

In 2023, our students achieved truly outstanding results. The achievements were as a result of their excellent work ethic and the tremendous amount of support offered by tutors.

University destinations:

Listed are some of the destinations our students progressed to in 2023: Arts University Bournemouth, University of Bath, University of Birmingham, Bournemouth University, University of Bristol, Cardiff University, University College London (UCL), Durham University, University of Exeter, King’s College London, University of Kent, University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, Loughborough University, University of Manchester, Newcastle University, , University of Nottingham, University of Plymouth, University of Reading, University of Southampton, Swansea University, University of Sussex, University of Warwick, University of York.

THE JOYCE GRENFELL PROGRAMME

The Joyce Grenfell Programme, named after former pupil, actress and singer Joyce Grenfell, is our academic enrichment provision that provides students with the opportunity to grow as independent and creative thinkers.

The sixth form programme is an extension of our academic sixth form curriculum and allows students to gain additional qualifications outside of their A level subject choices.

Courses that may be offered include:

• EPQ (Extended project qualification)

• MOOC (Massive online open courses)

• TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language)

• CISI financial services award

• Level 3 maths in context

• LAMDA

• English Speaking Board: Advanced Certificate in Spoken English

• Sports coaching qualifications

It also provides higher education support, with an emphasis on preparing students for high-level university applications, as well as applications for Law and Medical Sciences.

In addition, the wider enrichment programme coordinates a series of internal and external academic competitions, guest lectures, workshops, trips and other opportunities for students throughout every year group.

The Joyce Grenfell Programme is designed to:

• Foster independent study, research and extended writing skills in preparation for university.

• Gain additional qualifications outside of A level subject choices

• Allow students to gain extra points towards their overall UCAS score

• Support the expectation from universities that students can demonstrate independent thinking, intellectual curiosity and an interest in the subject that they wish to study.

SUPPORTING FUTURE PATHWAYS

Claremont Fan Court School is committed to supporting sixth form students as they make choices about future careers and higher education. The supporting future pathways programme gives:

• A cohesive careers programme delivered through PSHEE lessons, individual and group tutorials

• Work experience placements giving students employability, interpersonal and communication skills. This also gives an insight into the world of work and stimulates future career ideas

• All applicants are assigned a UCAS specialist subject mentor

• Regular one-to-one sessions with the higher education coordinator for advice and support

• Oxbridge and medicine applicants with personal mentors to support them through the application process and interview practice/techniques

• A comprehensive careers fair with university application process and personal statement specialists and a wide range of industry specialists to meet and network with

• Regular opportunities to meet and hear from industry specialists

All students have one-to-one careers appointments throughout their two years in the sixth form with a specialist careers advisor and a subject-specific mentor.

Students also have the opportunity to visit a university fair and will receive individual support preparing personal statements and UCAS applications.

“I AM NOT 100% SURE WHAT I WANT TO STUDY AT UNIVERSITY YET, BUT THE ADVICE AND SUPPORT THAT I AM RECEIVING FROM CLAREMONT MEANS THAT DECISION IS MUCH EASIER NOW.”

AMELIA - CURRENT SIXTH FORM STUDENT

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Community partnership is an important aspect of being in the sixth form; it enables students to develop a wider sense of responsibility and world view. A new community partnership project was launched in September 2019 for sixth form students, the aims of the project are to enable students to:

• Brooklands Museum

• BUPA Wingham Court

• Claygate Primary School

• Cobham Centre for the Community

• EcoHub

• Elmbridge Rentstart

• Make a positive difference to other people’s lives

• Become more involved in the world beyond school

• Gain greater awareness of issues facing other communities

• Reinforce their subject knowledge

• Build upon communication and team-working skills

• Learn new skills and gain work experience

• Become well-rounded and empathetic individuals

• Keep Britain Tidy

• Momentum

• Painshill Park

• Rose Theatre, Kingston

• St Paul’s Catholic Primary

• St Andrew’s Primary School, Cobham

• Whiteley Village

The community partnership project allows students to participate in the ‘vInspired’ volunteering award scheme, a nationally recognised, UCAS endorsed award for 10, 50 or 100 hours of flexible volunteering. Students are also required to volunteer one afternoon per week and work with a variety of organisations such as:

Each year sixth form students are given the opportunity to select a charity. Students organise a range of events such as the Year 7 disco and the big breakfast to raise as much money as possible for their chosen charity. This is a great way to highlight charities which are important to our students, raise awareness and also raise important funds.

SCARLETT - CURRENT SIXTH FORM STUDENT

“I REALLY ENJOY CLAREMONT AND HOW THE SIXTH FORM OFFERS SO MANY AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES. I BELIEVE I HAVE BECOME A WELL ROUNDED INDIVIDUAL DUE TO MY TIME HERE.”

SPORT AND CO-CURRICULAR CLUBS

Sport plays a key role in Claremont sixth form life for many students. It is often a perfect counterbalance to the demands of academic work, a chance to engage different parts of the mind and body and generate plenty of endorphins.

As well as forming the most senior teams in core sports like rugby, football, lacrosse and netball, as part of a wider school community they have the chance to try a range of other activities such as archery, dance and fencing. Sixth form students also participate in whole school events such as sports day and other house days.

There are more than thirty five co-curricular clubs available for any pupil from Year 7 to upper sixth, providing a huge range of choice for sixth form students

along with the opportunity to help younger pupils develop their interests. Activities on offer range from debating to car maintenance, self defence to university cooking skills, as well as organisations such as medical and law societies. Some of these activities are set up and run by the students themselves, with our guidance and support.

Sixth form students also play an integral role in all major Senior School performances, including the carol service, annual theatrical production and musical teas. They also act as captains of each of the houses, take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and Young Enterprise programmes.

SPORTS ON OFFER:

LACROSSE

RUGBY

NETBALL

FOOTBALL

CRICKET

ATHLETICS

BASKETBALL

GYMNASTICS

TENNIS

GOLF

TABLE TENNIS

ARCHERY

BADMINTON

CROSS COUNTRY

FENCING

FITNESS SUITE

OUR FACILITIES

From our beautiful grade I listed mansion, once home to British and French royalty, to the inspirational Sir Sydney Camm science and technology building, opened in 2019, our vast 100 acre campus offers a wonderful blend of old and new.

The mansion offers a unique location for most pen and paper-based subjects, whilst our science and technology building provides contemporary, purpose-built teaching rooms where our pupils can get ‘hands on’ with these subjects using state-of-the-art equipment.

Our sixth form students work and socialise in a dedicated, recently refurbished sixth form centre at the heart of the school campus.

The outdoor space we have at Claremont is truly unique and our spectacular grounds offer pupils the opportunity to participate in a broad range of sporting activities from rugby to archery, lacrosse to athletics. September 2022 saw the addition of a gym for sixth form use.

STUDENT PROFILES

Olivia

Studying: English literature, history and French at A level University aspirations: Law or law with European or international study

‘I love my teachers and the opportunities here. Our careers teacher is always around to help us with career, subject, and university advice.

I enjoy the sports and clubs here at Claremont as well as our volunteering and work experience week, which really helps us with writing our personal statements. I also like the size of our classes, we get individual help from our teachers when needed.’

Mikhael

Studying: Maths, further maths, physics and economics at A level University aspirations: Economics and management

‘I joined Claremont in Year 12, and ever since have benefitted from teachers who go above and beyond the basic A Level specification.

Post-university, I aim to enter the world of investment banking, which was helped by the wonderful careers department who provided the opportunity to join the Morgan Stanley Summer School in 2022.’

Matt

Studying: Maths, business and product design at A level University aspirations: Product design engineering

Claremont is a friendly community and environment. It’s very close knit and feels like a big family.

Help and support is available everywhere as everyone is encouraging of success and willing to help. My weekly careers lessons have helped me to arrive at a final decision on what I would like to study at university’

Isla

Studying: English literature, art and photography at A level

University aspirations: Fine art at a London art college

‘I chose to stay at Claremont because of the immense amount of support from the head of sixth form and help from my subject teachers, especially in hands-on subjects such as art and photography.

I specifically enjoy the amount of space and facilties at Claremont, which provides lots of resources and freedom.’

Matthew

Studying: History, politics and drama at A level

University aspirations: Film or law

‘The community spirit at Claremont is unmatched in any other sixth form or college I looked at. The best part of the sixth form in my opinion is how close the entire year group is and the community you gain through the blend of both Year 12 and Year 13.

With the help of my careers lessons I am doing a 3:2 split in my university application for film or law.’

Amy

Studying: Politics, business and sociology at A level

University aspirations: Criminology and sociology

‘I have been at Claremont for four years, I joined half way through Year 9 from an all girls school in Twickenham.

I chose to stay at Claremont as I had made such a secure group of friends here whilst also finding that the variety of options at A level was so large and continuing to grow! I love all my teachers and have formed a great bond with them all, this makes learning so much easier.’

FAQS

HOW DO WE APPLY TO THE SIXTH FORM?

Applications should be made via the website by 6 October 2023. The student’s current school will then be contacted for references. In mid-October students will be invited to Claremont to participate in the selection process.

WHAT GRADES DO STUDENTS NEED TO GET INTO THE SIXTH FORM?

Applicants will be offered a place conditional on meeting any prerequisite GCSE grades. Prospective A level students are expected to have achieved an average GCSE points score of 6 points across at least 8 subjects and specifically to have achieved high grades in their chosen/related A level subject. Further details regarding specific grades can be found in our A level curriculum booklet which can be downloaded from our website.

DO YOU OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS?

Yes we do. Students are invited to apply for our prestigious scholarships which include: academic, sports, drama, music, art/photography and textile design.

Further details on how to apply for scholarships are available through our website. Provisional offers are made in December of Year 11, with confirmation after GCSE results.

DO YOU OFFER BURSARIES?

The governors of Claremont are committed to broadening access by offering to pupils means-tested discretionary financial support with the payment of school fees. Bursaries are based on the financial need of the applicant and can be worth 100% of the school tuition fees. For individual queries regarding the bursary scheme, please email: bursar@claremont.surrey.sch.uk

WHAT SIZE IS THE SIXTH FORM COHORT AND THE SUBJECT CLASSES?

The 2023 Year 12 sixth form group is just over 80 students At the time of writing the sixth form was made up of 36 girls and 45 boys.

Class sizes vary from a minimum of 3 or 4 to around 12 to 14 students. This offers a small enough size for focused study and individual attention, yet large enough for stimulating debate and discussion.

WHAT CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES DO YOU OFFER?

We offer an extensive range of diverse activities across all three parts of our school. Some run throughout the year whilst others are term-specific, giving pupils the chance to experience many of the activities.

DO STUDENTS STAY IN SCHOOL FOR THE WHOLE DAY?

The sixth form at Claremont uses a privilege pass system. After the first half term, students can earn a privilege pass which allows greater flexibility during the school day to arrive late and leave early depending on other commitments.

WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE FOR SIXTH FORMERS?

In preparation for the working environment, we ask our sixth formers to wear smart business attire.

FIND OUT MORE

If you have any questions about the sixth form at Claremont, please contact the admissions department and we will be happy to help. admissions@claremont.surrey.sch.uk |