A
MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR OF SIXTH FORM, MR TOBY CLOUSTON
It is a real pleasure to welcome you to Effingham Sixth Form as we stand at the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the life of our sixth form. For the first time, we are proud to be a truly co-educational community, with a vision built on academic excellence, outstanding preparation for the future, and the development of character that will serve your child for life.
At the heart of our sixth form is a commitment to academic achievement of the highest order. Our track record speaks for itself: year after year, our students achieve excellent results, gaining places at some of the world's most competitive universities. We also recognise the diverse skills and wide-ranging interests of our students whose ambitions are varied and reflected in the prestigious apprenticeships and professional pathways that some choose to pursue. This success does not happen by chance. It is the product of expert teaching, appropriate class sizes, a culture of ambition, and an environment where students are both challenged and supported to reach their full potential.
But we believe that excellence is not just about what happens in the classroom. It is also about preparing our young people for life beyond school, and it is here that our careers programme truly sets us apart. Every student will benefit from tailored, one-to-one careers guidance from experienced staff, alongside a rich programme of workshops, networking events and seminars that focus on employability skills and, preparing our young people to be future ready whatever area of interest and pathway they want to pursue.
We are equally proud of the rounded experience we offer our sixth formers. In a world that increasingly values what you know and who you are, we believe it is vital to educate the whole person. Our co-curricular programme is rich and varied: students might be representing the school on the sports field, leading a society, volunteering in the local community, performing in a concert or play, or setting up their own social enterprise. These experiences build resilience, leadership, creativity, and compassion qualities that employers, universities, and society need now more than ever.
It is also through this wide experience that we nurture kindness and hard work two values that sit at the very core of our community. We believe that academic excellence means little if it is not matched by a commitment to be good citizens people who approach the world with empathy, integrity, and a desire to make a difference. We expect a great deal from our students: to work hard, to be considerate of others, to show courage and ambition, and to take full advantage of the extraordinary opportunities available to them. In return, we offer them an environment where they are known, supported, and celebrated for who they are and who they are becoming.
I am also excited by the energy that our new co-educational intake brings. We know that a mixed environment reflects the world our students will go into, and fosters richer, more diverse ideas, conversations, and friendships. It builds understanding and respect qualities that will help them to thrive both personally and professionally.
Thank you for trusting us with the next, crucial chapter of their lives. It is a privilege to ensure your child has a successful, memorable and happy two years at Effingham Sixth Form.
Toby Clouston Director of Sixth Form
BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF EFFINGHAM SCHOOLS TRUST
Notice to Parents
Please note that our Governing Body is made up of the following Governors, all of whom may be contacted through Mrs Claire Minikin, Director of Finance and Clerk to the Governors, at the following address:
Cranmore School
Epsom Road West Horsley
Surrey KT24 6AT
Tel: 01483 280340
Email: c.minikin@effinghamschools.org
Mrs Annette Turner (Chair)
Mrs Sue Walker (Chair Pastoral & Safeguarding Committee and Cranmore Designate Safeguarding Governor)
Mrs Sally Hayes (St Teresa’s Designate Safeguarding Governor)
Mrs Angela Higgs (Chair F&GP Committee)
Mr David Williams (Health & Safety Governor)
Mr Michael Agius
Ms Sally Hall
Mr Damian Honey
Ms Margie Kieran
Mr John Rourke
Mrs Geraldine Sims-Brassett
The Reverend Canon Paul Thompson
September2025
SUMMARY
In this booklet we enclose all necessary information relating to your daughter/son’s entry to Effingham Sixth Form in September. In this package you should find information regarding:1. Induction Day/Arrival in September
13. Use of Images of Students
Please ensure that you complete the online form using the link on each section or, using the links below:
Daily School Transport
Health Questionnaire
Extra Music Lessons
LAMDA Lessons
Transport Application Form
Health Questionnaire
Music Application Form
LAMDA Form
Student Contact Details Contact Details Form
Internet Access
Computer System & Internet Form
Use of Images of Students Use of Images of Students Form
Please can you complete the relevant forms by Monday 2nd June 2025; in particular the transport form as the routes are very popular.
We trust that the information provided will be helpful. If there is anything else we can do to help you and your daughter/son please do not hesitate to contact out Director of Admissions, at a.charles@effinghamschools.org
INDUCTION DAY
WEDNESDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER 2025
Effingham Sixth Form Day Students are asked to arrive in Sixth Form Reception at 10.00am on Wednesday 3rd September.
They will be met by the Director of Sixth Form and will spend the day starting to prepare for the term ahead. Please come to collect them from Sixth Form Reception at 4.00pm.
All students will receive a very warm welcome and everyone will do all that they can to help new students to settle in happily and quickly.
All students should wear Effingham Sixth Form dress code
– 9.55am Period 2 9.55am – 10.55am
10.55am – 11.15am
Period 3 11.15am – 12.15pm
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SCHOOL YEAR 2025 - 2026
AUTUMN TERM 2025
Monday 1 September
Tuesday 2 September
Wednesday 3 September
Thursday 4 September
Thursday 25 September
Friday 17 October
Sunday 2 November
Monday 3 November
Friday 12 December
SPRING TERM 2026
Monday 5 January
Tuesday 6 January
Friday 13 February
Sunday 22 February
Monday 23 February
Friday 27 March
SUMMER TERM 2026
Monday 20 April
Staff INSET Day
Staff INSET Day
Staff INSET Day/Boarders arrive/ Induction session for Year 12
Term begins
Sixth Form Open Evening
HALF TERM begins (4.15pm) (Boarding closes at 5pm)
Boarders return
School resumes
Term ends (4.15pm) (Boarding closes at 5pm)
Staff INSET Day/Boarders return
Term begins
HALF TERM begins (4.15pm) (Boarding closes at 5pm)
Boarders return
School resumes
Term ends (4.15pm) (Boarding closes at 5pm)
Staff INSET Day / Boarders return
Tuesday 21 April Term begins
Monday 4 May
Friday 22 May
Sunday 31 May
Monday 1 June
Saturday 4 July
May Bank Holiday (Schoolclosed,Boardingopen)
HALF TERM begins (4.15pm) (Boarding closes at 5pm)
Boarders return
School resumes
Term ends (Boarding closes at 2pm)
UNIFORM
The dress code for Effingham Sixth Form is business attire
The expectation is to look professional and smart, so all students will wear a business suit with polishable shoes.
Male students will wear an Effingham Sixth Form tie but beyond that all students have the autonomy to choose their attire as they see fit so long as they present as professional and smart in their business suit. The Sixth Form team feel it is important that students have independence and responsibility when making decisions about how they present themselves.
In terms of hairstyles, jewellery and make-up, wear what is appropriate for a formal interview Any attire that distracts and causes unnecessary attention is inappropriate.
Games kit
All students will have Games every Wednesday afternoon. There is an Effingham Sixth Form games kit that is available to purchase from School Blazer (https://www.schoolblazer.com). If you purchased new games kit during year 11 for your child’s current school, and it still fits, that kit can be worn instead of the Effingham Sixth Form kit.
Any kit for fixtures against other schools will be provided by Effingham Sixth form and does not need to be purchased.
GIRLS’ BOARDING AT EFFINGHAM SIXTH
FORM
We currently have around 50 girls who board in some way – either full, weekly or flexi. This gives them access to the school’s excellent facilities after the school day and, also, the benefits of living and working with friends.
Academically, boarders benefit from increased access to the school’s ICT, Library, Swimming Pool, Sports, Music and other facilities as well as help and support with homework. For Sixth Form students, boarding offers a structured environment which is highly conducive to successful study and revision without the potential distractions.
Socially, flexi and weekly boarders can take part in the clubs and activities on offer after school. Boarding helps girls build a sense of community and friendships and, teaches them to live in harmony with others.
Flexi boarding is an option open to all girls at Effingham Sixth Form and offers a guaranteed bed on a regular one, two or three nights per week. School life suddenly becomes more relaxed when girls gain precious extra hours for study, sport, music or drama.
For parents, boarding offers the reassurance of a stable, happy environment where the girls are encouraged to develop new interests and adopt a mature attitude to their studies. It is not all work, of course, and there are many opportunities for trips and outings. Parents can be assured that their daughters are safe, well cared for and supervised as they work or, while they have fun with their friends. We will do our best to accommodate any night or combination of nights. Just let us know what would suit you and your family best.
If you would like to hear more about any of the boarding options available then please do call Mrs Zoe Wragg, Head of Boarding, on 01372 750205 or email boardingstaff@st-teresas.com
TRANSPORT
Please complete our Transport Application Form if you require transport to and from school for your daughter/son.
Effingham Schools Trust continues to invest in improving the school transport service, which is essential to the daily life of all three schools, particularly given our semi-rural location. Our transport fleet plays a key role not only in the daily home-to-school journeys for over 600 students, but also in supporting school trips, PE fixtures, the Duke of Edinburgh programme, Combined Cadet Force, and a wide range of extra-curricular and inter-trust activities.
Since 2023, the Trust has partnered with Vectare Limited, a professional school transport operator, to improve the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the service. All drivers have received enhanced training in safety checks and the maintenance of accurate passenger records.
Current users of school transport will be able to register for the Vectare Travel App (VecTive). This allows parents to:
• Track school buses and minibuses in real time
• Receive alerts about delays
• View and manage bookings
• Access up-to-date timetables and route information
Registration must be completed online at effinghamschools.vectare.co.uk using the same parent email address held by the school.
New users will be invited to register once bookings have been confirmed and contact details added to the school system.
Parents wishing to use school transport in 2025/26 must complete the booking preference form. It is essential that all students are booked onto transport before travelling, as unbooked passengers may not be able to board if vehicles are at capacity.
For general queries or support, contact the transport team at transport@effinghamschools.org or 01372 750255
For technical issues with the app or registration, email effinghamschoolstrust@vectare.co.uk
TRANSPORT ROUTES - SEPTEMBER 2025
You can find our bus routes on our website by following THIS LINK
Important Information
Please pre-book spaces on all routes, including Zone 1 services, in advance by using the Vectare App or contacting the Transport Department: transport@effinghamschools.org
Students must keep luggage to a minimum for safety reasons, due to a lack of storage on the school vehicles. Ad hoc journeys may be taken subject to availability. Ad hoc journeys will be charged in arrears. Students travelling on buses must be a minimum of Year 3 (except on accompanied routes). Seatbelts must be worn at all times.
Note: All times shown in the timetable are departure times. Please aim to be at your stop at least 5 minutes prior to departure.
Please provide one full term’s notice for the cancellation of school transport.
MEDICAL
Please complete our Health Questionnaire for your daughter/son.
The School Medical Centre is staffed by registered nurses who provide medical cover from 8:30am to 5:15pm, Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, our School and Boarding Staff, who are qualified first aiders, offer support. We take a holistic approach to student care, addressing their physical, emotional, and psychological needs. We work closely with students to encourage them to take responsibility for their health and collaborate with teaching staff to help them reach their full potential. Medicals are offered to all students and may include a blind height and weight measurement if they consent.
We are always happy to speak with parents or guardians about their daughter/son’s health, either by phone or in person. We also welcome students to approach us, sometimes in confidence, and we respect this, except when there are concerns for their welfare. School counsellors and ELSA are available to all students as needed.
If a student is too unwell to remain in school, the nurses will contact parents/carers/guardians to arrange collection. We have a “48-hour off-school” policy for vomiting and diarrhoea illnesses.
If a student’s emergency contacts are unavailable, we ask that parents complete the Temporary Guardian Form before traveling, ensuring we always have up-to-date contact details.
Please inform the school of any health, mental health, medical conditions, special educational needs, disabilities, or allergies your daughter/son has or develops, including infections and vaccination dates. We may require evidence of up-to-date tetanus vaccinations for school trips. This information helps us create Student Care Plans to ensure the best possible outcomes for all students.
Information shared on the health questionnaire is confidential, but we will share information on allergies and diagnoses with teachers/staff where necessary. We ask that you keep us informed of any changes to your daughter/son’s health status. We send an annual Health Questionnaire at the beginning of each school year, and a termly Holiday Health Form for boarders. Parents/guardians are responsible for updating and returning these forms, as emergency treatment may be limited without up-to-date information.
URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION
In the event your daughter/son requires urgent medical attention, we will, where possible, seek your consent beforehand. If we are unable to contact you, we will make decisions on your behalf regarding urgent treatments, including anaesthesia, surgery, or blood transfusions (unless you’ve previously notified us of objections). If your daughter/son needs hospital care, parents or guardians should meet Boarding staff at the hospital to take over care.
MEDICATIONS
Parents must complete the Medicine Permission Form for any student taking medication from home at school. The school provides some non-prescribed medications, like paracetamol, so students should not bring these into school or store them in their rooms. All medications should be stored in the Medical Centre or with Boarding staff, unless approved by the medical team. Non-prescribed medications will be administered only with prior consent, and parents will be informed when applicable.
Asthma: All asthmatic students in the Sixth Form must carry an inhaler with them at school and on trips. There are generic salbutamol inhalers available on-site for emergencies. Please ensure inhalers are up-to-date and include a spacer. All asthmatic students will need an Asthma Care Plan.
Allergies: Students who carry auto-injectors (e.g. EpiPens) should have one on their person at all times, and ideally two. Sixth Form students are encouraged to carry their auto-injectors with them, but they may also store a spare in the Medical Centre if desired.
EpiPen Care Plan, Jext Care Plan, Emerade Care Plan
Two auto-injectors are required for all school trips. Emergency auto-injectors are available at several locations onsite. Spot checks will be conducted each term to ensure that students are carrying their auto-injectors, care plan, and any required emergency medication and, that the auto-injectors have not expired. Auto-injectors stored in the Medical Centre will also be checked termly to ensure they are still in date.
Prescribed Medications: Any prescribed medication brought into school must be reported to the School Nurse, with a completed Medicine Permission Form. All medication should be clearly labelled with the student’s name and stored in the Medical Centre.
Self-Medication: Boarders and day students going on residential trips wishing to self-administer medication must be assessed and sign a Self-Medication Form in compliance with School, Ofsted and ISI guidelines. A consent form must accompany all prescribed medications (please email medical@st-teresas.com for the form).
IMMUNISATIONS
Please inform the School Nurse of any immunisations your daughter/son has received prior to starting here. Letters requesting parental consent will be sent prior to these vaccinations. Students are encouraged to get the flu and COVID vaccines if available
DENTIST AND OPTICIAN
Routine dental and optician appointments should be arranged during the school holidays
UNWELL AND INJURED STUDENTS
If your daughter/son arrives at school with an injury (e.g. crutches) or illness (e.g. a cold), please inform the nurses by emailing medical@effinghamsixthform.org so we can carry out a risk assessment and plan any support they may need. We are unable to provide crutches.
CIRCUMSTANCES FOR KEEPING YOUR DAUGHTER/SON AWAY FROM SCHOOL
The school may require your daughter/son to stay at home due to a health risk, either to others or from others, or due to a virus, pandemic or other health/mental health concerns. In such cases, we may ask them to remain at home until the risk has passed or the necessary safety plans are in place. We will attempt to continue education remotely if appropriate. Boarders must be collected by parents or guardians and remain in their care until they have recovered.
If you have any questions please contact:
Sarah Papageorgiou
School Nurse
Email: medical@effinghamsixthform.org Direct Line: 01372 750235
MUSIC LESSONS
Please complete our Music Application Form if you require musical instrument or singing lessons for your daughter/son. On completion of this form, a music teacher will contact you in order to set up lessons with your daughter/son at the school.
Please be aware that when you sign the form you are entering into a contract with the teacher who will bill you directly for the payment of fees.
Years 12 and 13 have their music lessons during breaks, private study periods, before or after school.
The fees for 2025-2026 will be set by individual Visiting Music Staff so may vary from one teacher to another. There are usually 10 lessons of 30 minutes each per term but this may vary according to timetables. There will be a total of 30 lessons in one year.
All Extra Curricular Music Lessons are provided by self-employed visiting music staff. As such they are subject to a separate agreement between the parents/guardians and the visiting music teacher. Separate invoices will be issued by the teachers concerned and payment should be made directly to them.
A full term’s notice will be needed in order to end the music lessons and this should be made, in writing, directly to the music teacher.
For any other information please contact the Music department or by email to office@effinghamsixthform.org
LAMDA LESSONS
Please complete our LAMDA Form if you require LAMDA lessons for your daughter/son. For more information contact office@effinghamsixthform.org
LAMDA is hugely popular and our students have benefited extensively from the skills and knowledge they have learnt in LAMDA. Many have found these skills have benefitted them in other school subjects including English Language, English Literature and Drama, but also in life skills including delivering presentations, public speaking, interviews, communication and confidence. The students’ outstanding exam results are a testament to the excellent teaching the students receive.
If your daughter/son is interested in LAMDA then please read the following information and complete the form confirming that your daughter/son would like to start. Further details about the lessons and payment are on the form.
LAMDA courses on offer at Effingham Sixth Form:
• Acting
• Devised
• Musical Theatre
• Verse and Prose
• Public Speaking
• Reading for Performance
Years 12-13
Students receive one half-hour lesson and are taught one-to-one.
Years 12-13 Students’ LAMDA lessons are during a study period in their timetable.
WHAT ARE LAMDA EXAMINATIONS?
L.A.M.D.A. (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) is a world-renowned drama school, based in London. Besides training the next generation of actors, LAMDA is also a world-renowned examining board for examinations in Speech and Drama. They focus on two groups of exams in Performance and Communication.
VALUE OF THE EXAMINATIONS
• We find that students taking these exams often take a big stride forward in their skills, confidence, progress and status within their school groups. We believe that this is because the tuition allows them to have their skills honed on an individual basis, so that they are prepared to take more risks in their work; their motivation rises; and their confidence grows.
• Better world-wide communication - many elements of these exam preparations are similar to those of old-style elocution lessons. We teach students how to communicate with varied pronunciation and better diction, so that they can communicate with the widest number of English-speaking communities in the world.
• Anyone who is serious about pursuing the Performing Arts, as a career option, should start taking LAMDA exams. This is because the qualifications are good to have on a CV, when applying for courses, but also because it gives the student audition pieces to apply with and some individual help in improving their standards and awareness - as well as a solid foundation in stagecraft.
• There will be a positive impact upon a student`s general literacy skills at school – particularly in Speaking and Listening which could enhance all areas of their daily school life and future endeavours.
• This increased spoken skill helps with interviews for jobs, courses and work experience with an added awareness of presence and how to approach different situations.
• We teach the students study skills, to assist them in learning their pieces, which are easily transferable into other subject areas and can have considerable impact upon abilities to learn and revise and therefore ultimately helps their progress and attainment at school, in many curriculum areas.
• LAMDA exams are accredited by the government and as such are worth `credits` but are also worth UCAS points, useful for university and college entrance, in their higher grades (Grades 6, 7 and 8).
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT EXAMS?
Students can apply for as many exams as they wish, at the discretion of their individual teacher, and we run exam days every term to give more flexibility. This allows students more freedom to progress quicker or to allow more time to explore ideas before taking the exam. Students start their course at a grade that is suitable for them based on ability and age; this is due to subject material being more advanced and a larger workload as we start to climb the grades. The different exams are as follows:
Performance –
Acting – The most popular exam here. Students perform 2 speeches for grades 1-6, then 3 for grades 7 and 8. There is also a duologue option for those who wish to work in pairs.
Devised – Very similar to the acting in that students will perform the same number of speeches depending on the grade, except rather than working from set scripts, they will write and create their own piece of drama based on a specific stimulus given by LAMDA. This exam can also be taken by an individual or a group.
Musical Theatre – This follows the same format as the acting exams only performing numbers from musicals as opposed to speeches. This can be either solo or as a pair.
Communication (all for individual students):
Verse and Prose – A very good exam for younger applicants that focuses more on the technical approach to speaking. Students will recite a passage of prose and a piece of poetry. Students will learn valuable skills in how these pieces of writing are put together and how they are meant to be performed.
Public Speaking – Designed to develop the skills for effective oral communication and public presentation through devising and writing their own speeches based on either a specific stimulus from LAMDA or a topic of their own choosing.
Reading for Performance – This exam develops the skills necessary for reading aloud and devising a recital that follows a specific theme through verse, prose and dramatic texts.
CONTACT DETAILS
Please complete our Contact Details Form
It is essential that we have up to date contact details whilst your daughter/son is a student here.
Please can you complete the Contact Details form to ensure we have the correct information before your daughter/son joins us and, please email a.charles@effinghamschools.org if there are any changes whilst they are a student at Effingham Sixth Form.
If your daughter will be a boarder here, and you live overseas, we must have details of her UK based guardian so please ensure you complete those details on the relevant form.
INSURANCE SCHEMES
The following pupil insurance schemes are available:
• Pupils’ Personal Accident Insurance Scheme – cost included in fees
• Pupils’ Absence Insurance – cost to be advised by email
• Pupils’ Personal Effects Insurance – cost to be advised by email
The Personal Accident Insurance Scheme provides cover for all injuries involving permanent disability, not occasioned by School negligence, and therefore, ineligible under the normal School Insurance Policy. Cover commences on the first day of attendance at the School and extends to cover holiday periods for as long as the pupil remains on the School Register. The Governors include all pupils within this Scheme at no extra cost to parents.
The Absence Insurance and Personal Effects Insurance are optional and available to all parents with children in full-time education.
Leaflets giving full details and an application form will be emailed to you by the Finance Office before the start of the Autumn Term
INTERNET ACCESS & PERMISSION FORM
Please complete our Computer System & Internet Form with your daughter/son.
All students at Effingham Sixth Form are given access to the school computer network and provided with an email account when they join. In order to ensure their safety and the security of the school network we ask that they abide by the rules set out in the ICT Acceptable Use Policy, a summary of which is on the reverse of this letter.
When your daughter/son joins Effingham Sixth Form, they will be given an induction course on using the network, including relevant aspects of E-Safety, when will be provided with a full copy of the ICT Acceptable Use Summary. They will also be guided on how to access email and documents stored on Microsoft Office 365.
Your daughter/son will be given access to their email account when they start at Effingham Sixth Form provided that the Computer System & Internet Form has been completed. It is imperative that the form is completed and that all parties understand its content.
For more information please contact:
Mr J Matthews, Head of IT at: j.matthews@effinghamschools.org
USE OF IMAGES
Please complete our Use of Images of Students Form
The School makes various uses of images of students during their time at school. Some of these are necessary for administration and the safety of students, such as the use of CCTV and for your child’s school security.
Image uses, including photos of students at work or playing games, may be included on the School website, social media sites, display stands and school production material or, as part of a school prospectus or magazine.
Please indicate on the online form if you consent for the time being to your daughter/son’s image being used in the ways mentioned above. Where appropriate, owing to the student’s age or nature of the use, we will also seek the verbal or written consent of a particular student before publishing any image where that student is a particular focus of the shot, or identified by name, but not usually when included as part of a larger group or team shot.
Please be aware that objecting will not necessarily mean that the School will not continue to process images of your child that are either necessary for administration of the School or, where the School requires it and is otherwise lawfully entitled to do so. It may not be possible to change printed publications, such as the school magazine, prospectus, or other publications. Please see our Privacy Notice on our website for further details.
