Where futures are formed Freemen’s Sixth Form
Introduction:ContentsOurSixth Form Lead RestoringFreemen’sthePast, Transforming the Future Free Minds Extended Project Qualification Live Co-curricularFreemen’sand Enrichment Results and Destinations Join GettingFreemen’stoFreemen’s 27252319171513531
It is very true that you will only get out of the Sixth Form as much as you put in. Freemen’s Sixth Form will offer you remarkable opportunities: to develop your knowledge, skills and expertise in your chosen subjects; to participate in senior games and physical activities; to take leading roles for your House; to take part in high quality music and drama performances; to take leading initiatives in the Sixth Form and the rest of the School; and, to develop interests and talents you may not have previously discovered. All these and many other possibilities will be available to you. Form
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Freemen’s Sixth Form offers so much more than a focus on exceptional achievement.
The Sixth Form at Freemen’s is special. It is about so much more than A Levels. You will grow as an individual and flourish academically. We hope that you will tackle the challenges set before you with purpose and a positive attitude. You will make life-long friends and we hope that in two years’ time you will not only take with you some great memories of your time in the Sixth Form but also that you will feel more confident in tackling the challenges that life will throw at you.
Our Sixth
Academic excellence is strived for but we recognise the importance of a whole-person education. We will help you to become complete and rounded young adults ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
Lead Freemen’s
In her Prize Day speech, Head of School Katie explained: “One of my favourite aspects of School life, is it’s student led nature. It is really inspirational to see so many of my peers striving for excellence in many difference areas, whether it be raising money for charity, setting up a co-curricular club or beginning a new initiative in the School. The environment in which myself and my fellow pupils grew up in at Freemen’s is one that fosters creativity and leadership, allowing us to learn from each other for the future. When I was thinking about what I would miss most about the School, there were several things that stood out to me. The great teaching, the guidance and support and the long-term friendships I have formed are something that I will never forget. But the most unique thing about my Freemen’s education has been its all-round nature.”
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The Sixth Form at Freemen’s offers you a first-class education but will also challenge you to think creatively. You are encouraged to have enquiring minds, to be aware of your place within society and, crucially, are given the opportunity to develop into highly employable young men and women and the leaders of the future.
The aim of the Sixth Form at Freemen’s is to give you, our students, the confidence to tackle the unknown.
4 “Stellar results at both GCSE and A Level give the school the reputation as the best in the locality academically.” The Good Schools Guide
Main House is the hub for Freemen’s Sixth Form students, providing catering facilities, teaching, study and social spaces, and remains a focal point for pupils across the School. Students and staff together enjoy teaching rooms, quiet spaces, break-out facilities and conference rooms against a backdrop of restored historic architecture, hand-in-hand with the best in modern facilities.
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Restoring the Past, Transforming the Future
Once host to the first pupils of the School when it was established following a re-location from Brixton in 1926, the Grade II* listed Main House has become synonymous with Freemen’s and has, over the course of history, provided a myriad of functions central to the School’s operation. From the original purpose of providing boarding, this much-loved building has entered the next phase in its long history, to provide a state-of-the-art learning and teaching environment for the Freemen’s community.
Main House, the iconic 18th Century building proudly occupying a central position in the Freemen’s 57 acre site has undergone one of the most exciting and innovative restoration projects in the Freemen’s Estate Development Plan.
A traditional, panelled library forms the focal point of the ground floor, adorned with sumptuous materials and a calming, dark colour palette, to provide a technology-free, quiet space, allowing contemplative study.
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Restoring the Past Transforming the Future
The transformation of the original building has seen the incorporation of the original architectural features with modern technology to provide the very best facilities for our students. Social interaction, independent and collaborative learning environments are at the heart of this vision.
The formal Dining Hall makes way for an informal café, flexible dining and lounging spaces for students to meet, to socialise and to collaborate within.
The internal architecture has been developed with a philosophy of space and a love of learning, providing you the opportunity to grow in independence and develop skills for your next stage of learning. Open and spacious shared spaces, providing both social and learning environments, occupy the ground floor.
“One of the first things that I noticed about Freemen’s when I arrived was the sense of community, which I was quickly and warmly welcomed into. This is something I have seen present countless times since, particularly amongst our fellow classmates, who create such a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere in the Sixth Form Centre.” Sixth Form Student
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The Old Headmaster’s study provides one of many quiet, independent study spaces.
9 Room to Learn, Room to Lead
In the Orangery, the original lofty glass ceilings provide a light-filled, open study space with a multi-functional aspect for delivery of lectures, hosting art exhibitions and parent gatherings. The loggia entrance at the front of the Orangery provides a glorious space with views across the cricket pitch and an ideal entertaining venue.
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“Friendly was the single most uttered word used to describe the school by students, while parents report that their offspring are happy. Kind and non-judgemental, we also heard, with support on tap.”
Good
The Schools Guide
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Independent Living, Skills for Life Independent living spaces, accessed by a new lift and staircase, are provided for up to eight Sixth Form students.
Hosted for a week at a time, you can enjoy university-style lodgings with a kitchen space thoughtfully designed to provide a communal social area and facilities to teach independent living.
Graduate Assistants are in residence at the heart of the student community accommodation, equipping Sixth Form students with catering and budgeting skills for life beyond Freemen’s.
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Expanding Horizons Media suite rooms equipped with the latest technology bring the world to Freemen’s, with connections to external visiting speakers and resources beyond the classroom. You will benefit from a facility which will enhance your learning experience and expand horizons by providing a window on a world beyond Freemen’s.
Collaborative and Independent Learning
With breath-taking views across Surrey and an eye on life beyond the classroom, facilities on the first floor are dual purposed, with flexibility for both learning and teaching. Providing break-out group spaces to think creatively and work in teams, spaces encourage the collaborative learning ethos of the building. Facilitated by the design of the teaching environment, the classroom set up provides a ‘react and respond’ environment in response to how you learn. Comprising both teaching rooms and quiet spaces, two contemplation rooms provide you and your peers with space to think and reflect while Harkness-style teaching rooms will create a tutorial / university environment to prepare you for your next phase of learning.
This programme is not about exam results, even though it is academically rigorous in its own right. This programme is about learning for the sake of learning, so that you can explore a wide range of themes, subjects and viewpoints along side your A Levels, whilst taking an interest in the wider world around you. You will be invited to choose five courses, one from each ‘faculty’ area. Each course will last for six weeks and consists of a one hour seminar per week. ‘Faculties’ include The Arts, Foundations, Languages, Science and The World. You may choose to learn how to compose music for film and TV; involve yourself in lecutures discussing topics such as medical ethics, media ethics and relationships; absorb the history of literature in six hours; study different memory techniques which all have practical applications to your A Level studies and beyond, or take part in the Mock Trial course which will introduce you to procedures in Criminal Law, developing your understanding of the English Legal System. This sort of course is exceptionally highly regarded by employers and universities. It builds on the great academic strengths of the teachers at Freemen’s who hold over 100 degrees in a wide range of disciplines.
Free Minds
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Free Minds is special - a programme of study to enhance your personal development beyond A Levels.
Celebrating Imaginative Learning Roland Martin “Our motto is to lead, learn and make a difference. Nowhere is this more important than in the Sixth Form. We want our Sixth Formers to be articulate, knowledgeable, rational and tolerant of others’ viewpoints. We want them to be imaginative and not narrowly focussed in their learning.”
An opportunity for you to extend your abilities beyond the A Level syllabus and to demonstrate an area of personal interest or activity outside your main programme of study. help you through the whole process. The research process is all recorded in your Production Log and, finally, you will deliver a presentation. During the process, you will develop as an independent, reflective learner and acquire knowledge and transferable skills that are invaluable for further study at university and eventually in the workplace. You will be assessed on the product of your project and on the whole research process itself. The EPQ is classed as a full AS Level qualification – it is possible to gain an A* grade, which is equivalent to 28 new UCAS points.
The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a standalone, student driven qualification designed to extend and develop skills in independent research and project management.
The EPQ is regarded as excellent preparation for both university and a future career. It will enable you to demonstrate a capability of working independently and under your own initiative, having the freedom and responsibility to select topics and projects in which you are really interested – it may be a topic that is connected with a new subject you wish to study at university, or one linked to a future career, or it might be looking into much greater depth a topic you are already studying at A Level.
When completing a project qualification, you will follow a clearly structured process: you will plan and research your topic, and from that create a product. You will also be given a supervisor to
Extended Project Qualification
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Sixth Form Student
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“The skills that you learn are exactly the skills you need at university. I went into the interview with knowledge of my subject beyond the A Level syllabus and it meant that I could talk about something that I was passionate about and that I’d really enjoyed doing, and I think that genuine passion and enthusiasm comes across in the interview process.”
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Live Freemen’s
Because numbers are small, the staff will get to know you well and every Walbrook pupil benefits from individual attention and care. It also allows for greater integration across the School.
The Boarding House (Walbrook) is a home-from-home for our pupils. It provides a safe, happy, family-like environment in which pupils and staff work together to promote a positive and supportive atmosphere.
• developing integrity, judgement, initiative, loyalty and leadership skills.
• providing you with a calm, caring, safe and supportive family atmosphere in the Boarding House in which you can develop self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
• promoting mutual respect, good behaviour, responsibility, self-discipline and develop independence of action and decision-making;
The aims of Walbrook are consistent with the School’s aims:
andCo-curricularEnrichment
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Co-curricular activities are available to all pupils in the School. There is no minimum, maximum or ideal number of activities for pupils; each individual is encouraged to develop interests, stretch their understanding and challenge themselves at a rate that is right for them.
There are around 170 different activities on offer each week at Freemen’s including sports team training sessions, ‘beyond the classroom’ academic enrichment, drama productions, music group rehearsals and opportunities to learn and develop new skills. Many of the activities also offer leadership opportunities, where pupils in the Sixth Form will assist pupils lower down the School. Some clubs, such as Comic and Digital Art and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are run by older pupils, under light staff supervision, for the benefit of their peers or younger pupils. Leadership of a School activity provides excellent evidence for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and many pupils work towards the Student Leader Accreditation Awards.
We want pupils at Freemen’s to learn, to lead and to make a difference, and this phrase from our mission statement is embodied in our wide and varied Co-curricular Programme.
The Combined Cadet Force (CCF), along with the CCF Marching Band contribute to many whole School events and our peer mentors and well-being prefects meet regularly to support members of the School community.
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Freemen’s pupils are encouraged to make a difference in our own School community as well as the local community. On site the Eco group works across all areas of the School to ensure we respect and protect our environment as best we can.
Make a difference
Our Enrichment programme, which takes place during curriculum time enables pupils to make a difference in the wider community, and these activities include visits to local care homes, helping children in the local primary school with reading, tea parties for the elderly and developing and growing produce in our own Bothy garden. Activities will change from time to time, dependent on staff availability and student interest, but the following pages show some of the activities that may be on offer in a typical Freemen’s week.
Sports Activities Squash – Ranging from beginners to team players, with opportunities for fixtures. Sport Activities – Football, Netball, Rugby, Swimming, Boys’ Hockey, Girls’ Rugby, Girls’ Hockey and Indoor Hockey.
Comic and Digital Art Club – Pupil-led club building skills in comic drawing and digital art.
Student Leader Accreditation – A nationally recognised certificate in leadership.
Batchelor Society – Discussions on hot topics. Biological Sciences Group – Extension topics in biology; videos and talks.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – Run by Sixth Form pupils, for those who already have experience in the art.
Music Groups – Buskers, Polyphony, Choir, Senior Chamber Music Groups, Senior Orchestra.
CCF Marching Band – A wind band that will rehearse regularly to march with the CCF on special occasions.
French Club – Developing language skills. Functional Fitness – Fitness for Senior pupils.
Debating Society – Practice research and public speaking skills. Dissection Club – For Sixth Form biologists. Fencing – Epee, Foil and Sabre.
Leadership Activities Running Club Leaders – Train young runners in technique and assist in race timings. Bridge Club Leaders – Organising and coaching younger pupils in the skills and tactics of bridge and mini-bridge. Sports Leaders – Coaching younger pupils. Junior Orchestral Groups Leaders – Coaching younger pupils, and opportunities for musical directing and conducting. Sketchbook Club Leaders – Coaching sketching.
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Scriptwriting Club – Opportunity to develop and perform drama scripts.
Learn and improve Basketball – Recreational basketball with occasional fixtures against local schools.
Drama and Music Edinburgh Festival Rehearsals – Available to pupils preparing for the Edinburgh Festival.
School Musical – Rehearsals for the cast and crew of the whole School musical. Musical Theatre Club – A range of musical styles. Walbrook Play – A play performed by members of the boarding house.
German Club – Developing language skills. Modern Languages Book Club – Preparation and discussion of important non-English texts.
Political Film Club – For Senior School pupils, an opportunity to explore political issues highlighted in film.
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Results and Destinations
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(44%) reflects
resilience
two
3 or more A*s 59%
A*- B grades 89% One in four
3 or more A*s and As Across all grades, boys and performedgirlsequally
A*-
A*
A Level
A*- A grades 74% 89%
Freemen’s Sixth Form students celebrated impressive A Level results in 2022, despite the disruption of the last years. of all grades achieved were B and the percentage of grades awarded the shown by students. Results of grades achieved were C of grades achieved were of grades achieved were of grades achieved were students achieved of students achieved
2022: 99%
A* grades 44% 74%
grades 99% 44%
89%
24 Destinations of Sixth Form Graduates 2022: 5 students are going on to study performance art courses 4 students have been accepted to study Medicine International Destinations: University of Chicago, McGill University, Montreal 3 students have been accepted to study at Oxbridge Most popular universities of 2022 Sixth Form graduates
However if you are not taking eight or more GCSEs, assessments take place in November of Year 11. us, and you will be challenged to expand your horizons and socially to prepare you for life beyond school.
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At the end of your Year 11 autumn term, our first round of offers are made. Applications after this date may be accepted, if places remain available.
For Year 12 (16+) entry we consider four things:
16+ Music Auditions are held in November, as well as 16+ Academic Scholarship Exams.
For more detailed information about the Admissions process please visit www.freemens.org/year12entry or to apply online visit https://freemens.openapply.com.
Application Process
On GCSE results day in August we ask that you contact us with your results to confirm your place, so that you may join us in September.
Join Freemen’s Join
• Your predicted GCSE results (if you are studying eight or more GCSEs). For overseas applicants we consider a UKiset report and entrance examinations in English, Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning (if you are studying less than eight GCSEs). A Sixth Form questionnaire. An interview. A confidential report from your current school.
Conditional offers of places are made in December, with offers to be accepted by 31 January.
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academically
You will have the opportunity to visit the School again in November for your individual interview (interviews will be conducted online for overseas candidates), which is when we also receive a confidential report from your current school.
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“Freemen’s has a great atmosphere and environment which makes the pressures surrounding exams reduce massively. All of the teachers here will give up their free time and go above and beyond to assist or support anyone who needs help.”
Sixth Form Student
Sixth Form Student
“Being at Freemen’s is so much more than just achieving first class exam results. I feel that I am benefiting from a rounded education due to all of the co-curricular opportunities that I’m able to take advantage of.”
A service that starts in Claygate and goes through Hinchley Wood, Esher and Cobham on its way to School, and back in the afternoon.
Getting to Freemen’s by car are less than 10 minutes away from Junction 9 of the M25, which makes reaching us by car very easy. We are also just off the main routes to Epsom and Leatherhead.
The School works in partnership with Zeelo to offer a carbon neutral bus service to Freemen’s. The service offers tracking support. bus services
A return coach service that runs from Banstead and Kingswood through Tadworth and Tattenham Corner.
Our current
• A return coach service that runs from Epsom.
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live vehicle
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For more information on how to book and pricing details, please scan the QR code to the left or visit https://zeelo.co/rides/city-of-london-freemens
Getting to Freemen’s
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• A return minibus service that runs from Oxshott Village.
We
and 24/7 customer
• In addition, we also offer a minibus from Ashtead train station in the morning and back to Ashtead train station in the evening, both straight after school and again after Co-curricular clubs and sports squads have finished.
• A return service that runs from Wimbledon.
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A return coach service that runs from Merrow through East Horsely, Bookham and Fetcham.
“A down-to-earth, friendly school that’s comfortable in its own skin rather than relentlessly trying to show off its most polished side and is all the better for it. Just the ticket for parents after a high-quality, stress-free route for their academically bright sons and daughters from age 7 right through to 18. Almost unique around here. Schools
” The Good
Guide
