ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE
WELCOME
TO OUR SIXTH FORM We are pleased to welcome you to our Sixth Form where we strongly believe that ‘Success tomorrow, starts today’. Underpinned by this belief, we provide our students with a broad range of courses, excellent opportunities for further enrichment and a clear journey towards their next steps.
Through a comprehensive UCAS and destinations programme we ensure our students are fully supported as they make important decisions about their future.
Our outstanding teachers are experts in their fields and support students to excel academically. Alongside this, we have an excellent pastoral system which helps students develop into confident, ambitious and responsible young adults.
We hope this prospectus provides you with all the necessary information as you embark on the next phase of your studies. If you are interested in studying at our Sixth Form, we would be delighted to discuss your application and subject choices with you.
We see our role as providing students with a wealth of opportunities to make the most of their academic abilities, skills and interests so they can achieve their goals – whatever they are.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Sixth Form community.
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EXCELLENCE, RESILIENCE, INDEPENDENCE AND RESPECT. Harris Academy Benfleet Sixth Form is built on a clear and ambitious vision: to inspire every learner to excel academically, grow personally and step confidently into their future. We believe that post 16 education should be transformative; empowering students to discover their strengths, broaden their horizons and develop the character needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Our core values of excellence, resilience, independence and respect are woven through every aspect of Sixth Form life.
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We are committed to nurturing a culture that is built on excellence and one that allows every child to strive for their highest potential; resilience, where students learn that life is full of challenges and it is our perseverance that allows us to grow as individuals; independence, where they take accountability for their learning and future; and, respect, which underpins the way we treat one another and our wider community. Through high-quality teaching, personalised support and an exciting enrichment programme, we create an environment where students are encouraged to think boldly, act responsibly and become the very best version of themselves. Our Sixth Form is not just a place to study but it is a place to grow, to lead and to prepare for a successful and fulfilling future.
TAILORED SUPPORT FOR EVERY STUDENT At our Sixth Form, every student is valued as an individual. This personalised approach begins from the moment they apply and continues throughout their time with us. We are committed to ensuring every student makes strong progress. We review achievement regularly so that any student needing support is identified quickly, and targeted intervention is put in place. We recognise that each learner has unique strengths, ambitions and support needs, and we are committed to helping every student thrive. Students receive structured, tailored support in many forms, including highquality careers guidance, academic interventions and pastoral care. The Sixth Form leadership team meets regularly to
review progress, identify emerging needs and ensure that students receive timely and appropriate support. This may include academic mentoring, wellbeing support or additional help from our specialist staff. We also provide dedicated assistance for students with additional learning needs, as well as access to our on site counselling service for those facing challenges beyond the classroom. As part of our careers provision, students applying for university or apprenticeships benefit from comprehensive guidance throughout the UCAS and apprenticeship application process. This includes personalised one-to-one meetings with a specialist member of staff, practice interviews and support with admissions assessments, ensuring every student is fully prepared for their next steps.
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A BROAD RANGE OF ACADEMIC & VOCATIONAL COURSES Harris Academy Benfleet Sixth Form offers a broad and ambitious Post 16 curriculum. This includes a wide range of A Levels including: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, English Language and Literature, Geography, History, Law, Psychology, Sociology, Business Studies, Economics, Computing, French, German, Government & Politics and Religious Studies. These can be studied instead of or alongside an extensive suite of vocational qualifications, including Criminology, BTEC Business, Performing Arts and Sport. These can be studied instead of or alongside an extensive suite of vocational qualifications, including Criminology, BTEC Business, Performing Arts and Sport. Students follow one of three learning pathways:
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Pathway A (Academic) is for students with at least a grade 5 or higher in their best eight GCSEs, including English and Maths. These students typically study three or four A Levels, often including facilitating subjects recognised by Russell Group universities. Pathway V (Vocational) suits students with at least eight GCSEs at grade 4 or higher, including English and Maths. Students on this pathway will take one Extended Diploma. Pathway M (Mixed) is for students studying a combination of A Levels with BTEC qualifications. Our aim is to ensure that all students have as much choice over the courses they take at this critical stage of their education, with almost all our ‘academic’ and ‘mixed’ students having a unique timetable. All learning pathways require subject specific entry grades and run over two years. Specific entry criteria can be found on our website.
ENRICHMENT & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Harris Academy Benfleet Sixth Form offers a rich personal development programme that builds students’ skills, confidence and readiness for future study and employment. Students enhance their academic profile through opportunities such as the Extended Project Qualification, Core Maths and MOOCs, while clubs, societies, performing arts and the Duke of Edinburgh Award develop creativity, teamwork and resilience.
programmes including Nuffield Research Placements, Oxbridge summer schools, Medicine interview workshops and the Financial Times Student Advocate scheme. Transition into Sixth Form is carefully supported through taster days, induction workshops, team building activities and subject specific preparation. Daily form time develops aspirations, cultural capital, independence and study skills, supported by academic reviews and Unifrog. Leadership and contribution are promoted through peer mentoring, the Student Council, VI Principles roles and the Student Champion programme, ensuring every student is equipped to thrive academically and personally.
Enrichment is embedded through timetabled workshops in First Aid, British Sign Language and independent living skills, alongside a wide range of trips including theatre visits, to the Royal Courts of Justice, the Greenwich Observatory, London’s financial district, fieldwork locations and international experiences such as to the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN). Students are encouraged to participate in high aspiration
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LEADERS OF THE FUTURE There are a range of clubs and societies led by Sixth Form students which is something we encourage and reward. It is important that our students have a voice and many important aspects of our Sixth Form community are led by students. This includes our Sixth Form Council, Prom Committee and our Charity Committee, who co-ordinate a vast array of
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fundraisers and help the wider community by organising a Sixth Form Charity week. We encourage a strong culture of volunteering within the Sixth Form. A wide range of our Year 12 students act as mentors for younger students, meeting on a weekly basis and helping students with key skills such as literacy and numeracy. These students have the opportunity to continue their mentorship into Year 13. These activities help develop empathy, leadership and a sense of community.
INDIVIDUAL ADVICE & GUIDANCE Harris Academy Benfleet Sixth Form delivers a comprehensive careers and progression programme that provides clear, impartial guidance on all post 18 pathways. Students benefit from regular talks by universities, apprenticeship providers and industry professionals, as well as visits to higher education institutions, employer events and careers fairs. All Year 12 students complete a work experience placement, enabling them to explore career interests in a real world environment. Progression is embedded throughout Sixth Form life, with expectations and policies aligned to those found in the workplace. Targeted support is offered through the Horizons and Horizons Scholars programmes, which guide students applying for apprenticeships, competitive
university courses, Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions. As a result, over 90% of applicants secure their first choice university place each year. Specialist workshops, personalised staff support and access to ICT facilities help students produce strong applications, while additional guidance is provided on open days, careers exhibitions, job opportunities and personal statement or apprenticeship application writing. This structured and ambitious programme ensures every student is well prepared, well informed and confident in taking their next steps beyond Sixth Form.
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PART OF THE SUCCESSFUL HARRIS FEDERATION The Harris Federation is a not-for-profit charity with 59 primary and secondary academies in London and Essex.
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The founder and Chairman of the Harris Federation is Lord Harris of Peckham. His vision of delivering happy and successful education is brought to life by an excellent team of teachers and leaders. The Federation regularly tops academic studies and national league tables measuring progress and performance.
Harris secondary academies are known for combining traditional standards of manners, discipline and uniform with the best of modern teaching and technology. We send many of our Sixth Formers to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities as well as to top apprenticeships and competitive vocational courses. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of students will go on to achieve.
APPLY FOR A PLACE How do I Apply to the Sixth Form? If you are interested in a place, please come to one of our Open Events. We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible and showing you what makes our Sixth Form such a special place.
Our full admissions policy – together with the dates of our Open Events – are set out on our website.
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Croft Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 5RN t. 01268 794215 e. info@harrisbenfleet.org.uk
www.harrisbenfleet.org.uk