Chs 6th form prospectus 2015

WHY OLD GIRLS SAY CHS SIXTH FORM WAS THEIR BEST DECISION

BY FAR SIXTH FORM EXCLUSIVE

TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE!

Swathy and Clara, medal winners at Young Leaders’ Conference.

ON COURSE FOR SUCCESS!

Croydon High School ESTD. 1874

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2015-17 Subject Guide EXCLUSIVE

YEAR 13 SPEAK OUT What is life really like in the Sixth Form Centre...

Croydon High Sixth Form. Only girls allowed.

Welcome to HIGH...your chance to find out a little more about the Sixth Form at Croydon High. Your 2015-17 Course Guide provides the detail on your individual course options, but HIGH is intended to give you a flavour of why we believe Croydon HIGH is simply the best choice a girl can make for her sixth form years.

Head of Sixth form Mrs Mester (fondly known as Frau) tells us why Croydon High is so special to her…

Mrs Leonard

Message from Mrs Leonard I am delighted that you are taking a closer look at Life in the Sixth Form at Croydon High. Those two years will fly by, believe me, but we hope they will become among the happiest and most memorable years of your lives.

Joining the Sixth Form at Croydon High is a very positive choice, based on lots of different factors and no doubt, a great deal of advice from family, friends and teachers.

Having made this choice, please take the opportunity to grab every single opportunity that will be made available to you. Your experience of Sixth Form life is what you make it, so don’t miss out!

Our aim is clear; we will do everything we can to support you in releasing your full potential and preparing you for wherever you want to go. I am completely confident that the outstanding teaching and individual care you will enjoy here will ensure you achieve the A Level results you are capable of. The teachers are all totally dedicated and their enthusiasm and patience inspires me as much as I know it will inspire you.

You may have heard about the planned changes to A Level courses in terms of their content and assessment. We have spent a great deal of time looking at our Sixth Form and planning our curriculum. I am totally confident that any changes we make will only be to improve your options and maximise your potential. You will have an opportunity to hear more about this at our Open Evening where I hope I will answer any questions you may have. If you or your parents want to meet with me to discuss anything in more detail, then you know my door is always open.

We are absolutely committed to enabling you to develop your own personal strengths and passions in in an atmosphere where you will be stretched, challenged and supported every step of the way.

Years 12 and 13 will be full of choices and chances. I believe that taking the first step and deciding to go to Croydon High Sixth Form is your chance to make the very best choice for you and for your future.

To wonder, to be inspired, to ask questions and to develop a thirst for learning and love of knowledge is integral to our ethos in the Sixth Form at Croydon High. Girls not only work hard to reach their academic potential and enjoy the rigours of their courses, they also develop the vital skills necessary for success in higher education and beyond. Developing leadership and research skills, independent thinking, critical reflection, networking abilities…all this leads to an understanding of who they really are. And all these skills are delivered as part of our curriculum.

Girls learn the importance of confidence, compassion and curiosity but also the need for resilience, risk-taking and the importance of having a voice and being able to consider and debate at an academic level. To be able to express an opinion – and back it up with reasoned thought and argument – is a fundamental life skill and our girls excel in this.

The challenges faced by the demands of KS5 mean that the learning curve from the beginning of Year 12 to the end of Year 13 is steep and, to ensure a successful transition, the pastoral team works extremely closely with individual pupils to support them.

It is a nurturing environment where girls feel safe, cared for and where above all they feel that everyone is on their side. A happy student will thrive and the laughter that can be heard in the common room every day is testament to the wonderful place our Sixth Form is.

We would love you to join us!

Frau Mester – always ready to go above and beyond!

GO for it!

Croydon High Sixth Form. Only girls allowed.

Life in the Sixth Form

by Amy and Kate

The phrase “work hard, play hard” suims up Croydon High Sixth Form.

Each one of our dedicated girls heartily pursues her academic life, whilst making the most of what the school offers in terms of the more social side of things and enjoys a busy and fulfilling schedule every single day.

Challenged to always take our ideas one step further, we benefit from a rigour of study which thoroughly prepares us for university-level learning. The mature rapport between sixth formers and teaching staff at CHS and the engagement they encourage – including trips to highly regarded universities and a thorough, personalised UCAS application process – ensures that every student, whether she later elects to or not, has the option of attending practically any higher education establishment she sets her sights on.

Croydon High is, in this way and others, all about opening doors. Alongside our academic studies, we gather at biweekly tutorials on important aspects of professional life, such as interview skills and effective networking, which teach us how to make the most of ourselves and what we develop during our time at school.

Careers Advice is a big part of sixth form, with opportunities to make contacts in a wide range of careers through the school’s rich Ivy Link Network of alumnae, alongside the annual Careers Conference or Seminar Programme. The school’s aim is to guide us through Year 12 and 13 in such a way that, come the end of our time here, we’re more than ready to enter the next stage of our education, and more than excited to be doing so.

What makes CHS so special is the community spirit underpinning everything; from Maths revision to school plays, CHS girls pull together and pull it off. This, combined with the enthusiasm and devotion of our teachers, means nowhere could be better for forming the sort of solid, supportive bonds which not only lead to success, but last a lifetime too.

So, school life after Year 11 will be very different.

It will certainly be stimulating and academically challenging and it will also be extremely exciting.

At Croydon High Sixth Form, we believe you will have the very best opportunity to make the most of your individual potential, your time and your talents. Sixth Form is all about taking more control over your own education and the way you learn so knowing yourself and recognising what inspires you, what drives you and what makes you happy is a very important part of the process.

Being able to be yourself is the best part of life in the Sixth Form at Croydon High. There is plenty of room for every ‘type’ and one of the things we are most proud of is that there IS no Croydon High stereotype.

Girls are valued and treated as individuals and this contributes to the totally supportive atmosphere which allows everyone to find their place.

But don’t just take our word for it We asked some recent Croydon High leavers what they thought and this is what they told us…

Kitty, who has just graduated from Exeter with a First in English told us I’m glad I chose Croydon High Sixth Form because...

1. I already knew my way around. Having already been in the senior school, I knew I’d be able to hit the ground running and give it my best shot.

Olivia is reading German and Russian at Clare College, Cambridge and has just returned from a language course in St Petersburg.

Here are her five reasons why Croydon High was right for her: 1. T he teachers and teaching – all the teachers are brilliant and you develop a close relationship with them

2. I t was flexible. From subjects to study space, I felt I could choose exactly what I wanted.

2. The small size – small class sizes make learning more effective and the intimate atmosphere in the Sixth Form is like having another family

3. T he size suited me. Big enough to offer lots of different opportunities and responsibilities and small enough to stop me feeling like a small fish in a big pond. Everyone knew each other and helped each other.

3. T he opportunity for responsibility – taking on Prefect, House Captain roles etc.

4. I could ask for help... And not be made to feel stupid or silly or unreasonable!

My teachers and fellow students were equally brilliant and supportive.

5. I could be myself! There’s no set mould, and a combination of all the things above meant I could flourish without feeling I had to subscribe to certain norms or stereotypes.

The one thing I wish I knew in year 11?

To always try something. Whether you think it’s hard or not for you, you can’t know how you like something until you give it a go. (Also – boys are stupid and friends are more important, but that goes without saying :-) )

4. T he breadth of education in the Sixth Form – being able to take subjects like Politics, and to do an EPQ in Year 12 5. The constant support from all the staff I didn’t affect me too much because I stayed, but I wish I’d known in Year 11 how hard the Personal Statement process is and that it is such a major part of Sixth Form.

Having such supportive teachers really helps and also teachers who already know you well (or take the trouble to get to know you well if you are new).

Here is Olivia with fellow Croydon High ‘oldie’ Jess Payn at the Clare Ball

Freddie is in her third year at the University of Nottingham studying German and Russian and currently on her year abroad. She’s in Russia for 3 months, going to ‘uni’ there and also teaching English.

5 reasons I’m glad I chose Croydon High Sixth Form.

1. T he support system at Croydon High is one of a kind, the teachers really do care so much about you 2. The guidance you get with UCAS applications is amazing 3. E very single teacher is dedicated to helping you achieve the best that you can.

They are always available for any help that you need, even if it’s the morning of the exam!

4. The fact that you get to organise your grad ball means you can make it exactly how everybody wants it!

5. The fashion show – definitely the ‘funnest’ thing you’ll get to do before you leave school!

One thing I know now that I wish I’d known in year 11: It doesn’t matter if you don’t have an answer to the question “what do you want to do in the future?” Just stick to what you’re good at and what you enjoy.

Emma is at Pembroke College, Oxford, reading English Language and Literature. We asked her for five reasons why she chose Croydon High Sixth Form: • The small class sizes meant that I knew I would be able to get personal attention whenever I needed it. Teachers were always willing to help if I was having trouble with something – whether this was during class-time, in my lunch-break and after school.

• I was conscious that my university application would need to be more than just academic results and Croydon High gave me lots of opportunities to gain other valuable skills through the vast range of extra-curricular and enrichment programmes.

To name but a few, the EPQ programme, the GO-ON programme, mentoring younger pupils, music, drama and sport were all activities they actively encouraged me to get involved in.

• I knew that there would be a large number of leadership opportunities, whether this was being on the senior prefect team, having House responsibilities or spending time with a form lower down in the school.

• I knew that I wanted to go to an all-girls school for sixth form to ensure that I wasn’t distracted, but didn’t want to jeopardise any opportunities to socialise. Events such as the annual Fashion Show (organised with Whitgift School) meant that I was able to balance socialising with academic work.

• There

was a fantastic sense of community in the sixth form. The teachers were always very friendly and really got to know everyone. I never felt isolated or alone and knew every face in the sixth form common room.

One thing I know now that I wish I knew in Year 11?

That it is never too early to start thinking about your university application. The time between the end of your GCSEs and the moment you submit your university application absolutely flies by and you want to make sure that you are giving the best possible picture of yourself when that moment comes.

Croydon High were great for helping me prepare – directing me to activities or books that would help strengthen my application, constantly re-reading my personal statement, organising interview practice and so on. Ultimately, however, it comes down to you and you don’t want to regret not having given it your all.

Where do you want to go?

Of course, one of the most important functions of a really good sixth form is that it enables you to move on to where you want to go and to achieve your dreams. Our record on this is outstanding, with the overwhelming majority of our girls receiving offers and accepting places from the universities of their choice. We believe their success is due to a number of factors; inspirational teaching, excellent advice and support throughout the application process and most importantly dedication and sheer hard work on the part of the girls themselves.

Yet again, in 2014, most of the girls went on to Russell Group Universities, considered to be the country’s elite educational establishments.

Opportunities to GO beyond the Curriculum Academic excellence and outstanding results are, of course, what we are all aiming for in the Sixth Form. But, we believe it is equally important that the girls leave us as accomplished, well-informed women who have high aspirations for their futures.

To us, that is what makes a Croydon High girl special and what sets her apart from others who may achieve similar levels of academic success. We believe it is why so many of our girls get such good offers from universities too – they really stand out.

That is the thinking behind initiatives like the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and our GO-ON programme of learning.

The EPQ represents half an A’ Level, which is more than some AS qualifications and it requires a great amount of self-motivation and discipline. Girls choose a topic of personal interest, outside their A Level syllabus and research and report on it both in writing and through a formal presentation.

It certainly seems that the EPQ course helps girls in the university application process. In some cases, EPQ girls were interviewed for traditionally over-subscribed and highly competitive courses, such as Veterinary Science, with their commitment to EPQ perhaps giving them the edge over other applicants.

Similarly, our GO-On programme of learning is proving to be a popular and effective way of encouraging intellectual curiosity.

These sessions are led by members of the teaching staff on subjects they have a particular passion for. Amazing topics such as “Theatre of the absurd: Harold Pinter and the revival of 20th Century British theatre” or “Is MIND the fundamental structure of reality?” are discussed and absorbed.

These courses are inspirational and exciting, with opportunities for the girls to visit galleries, plays and museums adding to their learning experiences and self-confidence.

Best of all they are a chance to learn about incredible thing from inspirational people.

What happens in Year 12?

• Higher Education evening – in-depth advice from a university admissions tutor • MedSoc for aspiring medics and an Oxbridge Evening for applicants to Oxford and Cambridge • Careers fairs, talks, lectures and Open Days as they arise • Excellent training sessions on preparing those all-important applications with lots of practice!

• Advice on everything from presenting yourself well at interview to taking a Gap Year • Career Start – a programme provided through the GDST Alumnae Network helps develop leadership skills

YEAR 13…now it’s getting serious!

• Continuing advice on UCAS applications • Sustained individual support and advice as university offers arrive. (Cue lots of shrieking and celebrating in the common room!)

• Visits from University Admissions Officers giving advice about budgeting for student life and applying for student finance.

• F antastic support continues right up to Results Day…and beyond.

I t’s not what you know, it’s who you know…(actually it is both) • Girls stay in touch through the Ivy Link, our vibrant ‘Old Girls’ network which all leavers automatically join.

• Remember, whatever stage of life, you will have a network of like-minded people who can offer a support, advice and in some cases really valuable contacts.

• The GDST Alumnae network is a growing community of over 60,000 former students and staff from GDST schools around the country.

• This unique offering to GDST girls is another incredible opportunity to ‘tap in to’ advice from women of all ages and walks of life, who are willing and able to offer advice.

Croydon High Careers Convention 2014

by Annette Azu Last February, the school was taken over by the biggest careers convention Croydon High has ever hosted. The Main Hall, Lower and Upper Dining halls were filled with over ninety different stalls all representing different career ideas, ranging from The Armed Forces and Police to Healthcare and Science. Twenty-one of the delegates were ‘old girls’ who seemed to enjoy seeing the school and one another as much as they enjoyed talking to us. They were really inspiring!

The whole experience was very helpful for us and having the opportunity to speak to professionals with first-hand experience in the field really gave us an insight into our potential future careers.

I personally had the privilege of talking to Mr Graeme Blair from Goodman Jones about Accounting and Finance. If there had not have been a queue of people behind me waiting to talk to him, I think we would have chatted for the whole evening. Even though I am still unsure of the career path I want to venture into, speaking to Mr Blair helped me realise that Accounting is a career that I could consider.

Some of the students had some thoughts on the evening.

Ask not what your Careers Office can do… what can YOU do?

“For me I’ve always known that nursing is the career I want to pursue.

Speaking to two paramedics at the convention was really useful for me as it showed me what this vocation involves. It was helpful to talk to them about work experience as I wasn’t too sure about what experience I needed to have. Helena Rowley

Take opportunities to join careers seminars after school,when various visiting speakers share their personal study and career experiences

“I spoke to, Guy Clapperton, a freelance journalist. He explained to me that the number one rule in journalism is to be nosy and persistent.

Create a blog, read newspapers and be well informed. His advice helped me to realise that this vocation needs to be taken seriously.

After our discussion, I was definitely sure that Journalism is the career that I want to pursue.” Jessica Martins

You can access ICT-based support, including Higher Ideas, eClips Software and Centigrade, all designed to help you choose your degree courses and plan your future careers.

I am very grateful that I was able to be a part of the careers convention and I definitely looking forward to next year’s event.

Careers Our fantastic new Careers Room situated opposite the Library offers a comprehensive collection of up-to-date reference materials to inspire and inform you.

Our Head of Careers, Mrs Gower, is available to discuss your options and offer advice most lunch times.

As a Croydon High student, you are automatically members of ISCO (The Independent Schools‘Careers Organisation) who offer a range of valuable Taster Courses and who are available for

advice at any time. Every two years, our Careers Convention provides girls with an opportunity to meet a wide variety of employers face to face and hear about the reality of life in their profession.

Many of our own Croydon High ‘old girls’ take time here to share their experiences of university and beyond, as Annette Azu’s report above on this year’s fantastic event shows.

NEW GIRLS IN TOWN My name is Rose, and I joined Croydon High School in Year 12 this year. I moved here from a local state school because I wanted the challenge of a new environment and the opportunity to learn in small classes.

Before I came to Croydon High, I didn’t know any of the other students. So my first day was a bit nerve racking, I walked in feeling just a tad anxious and sat down, attempting to appear calm cool and collected.

After what felt like hours, but was actually just a few moments later, two beaming smiles welcomed me to the Sixth Form and before I knew it I was introduced to an overwhelming number of new faces, who I now count amongst my close friends.

Over the following weeks I have felt so settled that I can’t imagine being anywhere else to do my A levels. I’m studying Biology, Drama, English Lang Lit and History. When I got into my first lesson I couldn’t believe how intimate the classes were compared to my old school. I really did appreciate how much more attention you are able to get from the teachers and how they help you anytime during (and after) the day, if you ask.

When I had a situation where I didn’t know if I wanted to swap one of my subjects for another, I experienced how supportive the teachers really are. I had someone to talk to about my problem; I don’t know who I would have gone to in my old school. This made me realise that Croydon High teachers and students are always looking out for

A number of girls join CHS Sixth Form every year from other schools. Rose and Shelley tell us how they are settling in.

each other. They want you to be happy and to do your best.

There are so many great extra-curricular activities that you can do at lunch and after school; I am in the school choir, Chamber choir and sometimes help out with salsa. I have seen plays, visited Glyndebourne and am off to Berlin in December.

I can’t wait to spend my Euros at the Christmas market!

Half a term on, I feel like I have been here for years. I have some amazing friends, who were so welcoming and helpful to me and excellent teachers who would go out of their way to support me and encourage me to achieve my goals.

rose, shelley and kirsty all new to chs this year

MY NAME IS SHELLEY and I joined CHS Sixth Form this September.

Naturally I was nervous about completely changing my schooling environment from a co-ed academy to an all-girls independent school but all the support from all the teachers and peers helped me to settle in effortlessly.

welcomed upon arriving and taken to the Sixth Form Centre were everyone was friendly. I was shown to my form room where everyone was supportive. All the students were happy to help me find any of my subject rooms and due to this support, I was able to quickly remember the layout and structure of the school building with ease.

Now that I have made the transition I cannot imagine changing back. I am now excited to spend the rest of Sixth Form here.

The Sixth Form offer a vast range of academic subjects such as History, Psychology, Economics and R.S. Philosophy and Ethics which I am currently taking for my AS.

Starting a new school, especially a sixth form, can be tough, but fortunately the transition was as smooth as can be. On my first day I was warmly

I first considered joining the Sixth Form at Croydon High School in March, which is often considered a late time to apply, but Croydon High School was

happy to help. I was provided with a detailed pack, including an extremely helpful prospectus. The school even organised for me to visit on a normal school day which included a brilliant tour by some current sixth formers and AS lessons of the current syllabus. I then took my entrance examination, I was able to do this in my two chosen subjects, which I did not have to take for AS. Upon beginning the Sixth Form subjects, the teachers were really supportive in allowing me to make the transition between GCSE and A levels.

In one of my subjects I did begin to struggle but the teachers were extremely happy to help and now I am now back on track to achieve success at Croydon High School.

Leadership Skills put to the test Marketing Prefect Louisa Rowland tells us all about an inspiring weekend she spent recently with members of the prefect team…

In September, five of the senior prefects travelled to The Royal High School Bath, a fellow GDST school, for the Young Leaders’ Conference. We heard inspirational speeches from Tracey Edwards and Ann Franke, two successful and admirable women. Both shared their experiences from their very impressive careers, but also how they still suffered setbacks and challenges because of their gender. They motivated us to find a balance between our home and work life and to never let being a woman limit our success.

We divided into teams and took part in team-building challenges supervised by members of the British Army. We were then given our main task, to design and market a charity fundraising event in an ‘Apprentice’-style competition. Each team was assigned a charity and we prepared to present the idea to judges on Sunday morning.

On Saturday, we developed ideas, planned and filmed a thirty second promotional video. We also went into Bath city centre to carry out market research. In order to fund our event, we had to pitch our idea to potential sponsors asking for their support.

That evening, there was a formal dinner which provided a networking opportunity for us to form links with GDST girls all over the country.

Croydon High Girls Shine!

Finally it was presentation time. Despite it being nerve-racking to speak in front of the judges and hundreds of other girls, it was a fantastic experience. Clara and her group were very successful and made it to the semi-finals with their idea of children dancing in cages to raise money for The Children’s Society.

Swathy and her group were the overall winners of the whole challenge with their unique idea of taking selfies in underwear with the hashtag; #checkingyouout, to raise money for The Eve Appeal, which aims to tackle all five types of gynaecological cancers.

We were extremely proud of both of them as they stood on stage to be presented their medals by Helen Fraser, Chief Executive of the GDST. It was a fantastic weekend and we came away inspired to be successful and to be great leaders. New friendships were formed and useful links were made in what was a very rewarding few days.

Roles and Responsibilities HEAD GIRL Our main roles include managing the senior prefect team, liaising with teachers and organising school events and being a role model to the lower school. We are also expected to give speeches at major school events such as prize giving or open days, and giving visitors tours around the school is a weekly occurrence! By far the biggest bonus of being in this role is enjoying cake and juice every Friday with Mrs Leonard!

Swathy Satheskumar, Head Girl HOUSE CAPTAIN Being a House Captain means that you get to interact with girls not only in the Senior School, but right down to the girls in Reception in the Junior School. You receive opportunities to give assemblies along with your Head of House and your Vice House Captain. What is also really great about being a House Captain is you have the chance to help with organising events, competitions and encouraging all the girls with a little fun and friendly competition!

Jennifer Favre, House Captain of Seacole CAREERS ASSISTANT I was appointed as Careers Assistant starting September 2014. This role involves helping other girls if they have any questions or concerns about what they want to do in the future. I work alongside Mrs Gower, Head of Careers, getting the girls thinking about their futures early and with plenty of time, preparing them for the world of work. I also write the termly newsletter about careers which is available to girls in years 7-10.

Helena Rowley, Careers Assistant PREFECT Being a prefect is a great responsibility, you get a lot of opportunities that you would not get otherwise, such as the organisation of Graduation Ball (and the ever popular weekly cake with Mrs Leonard).

Although being a prefect is great fun, there are also many serious aspects to the role, there are lots of after school events to attend such as parents’ evenings and concerts, as well as individual roles for specific prefects, for example the marketing prefect is responsible for the NCYW conference which this year is on domestic violence. The Pastoral prefect organises the peer listening scheme and the special 140th prefects are heavily involved in the concert at the Fairfield Halls. Overall being a prefect is a rewarding experience, but very hard work.

Hannah Marsden, Year 8 Prefect ECO COMMITTEE As a member of the eco committee we are involved in making sure the school is as sustainable as possible. This has involved taking part in events such as Waste Week at the end of the last academic year and encouraging girls to think more about the resources the use.

Abinaya Lingeswaran

Tackling difficult issues In 2012, Croydon High became a member of the National Council of Young Women and we are now the hub for NCYW events in the south. We see this as a way of opening the girls’ eyes to a range of subjects, some hard hitting and all very important, giving them a chance to understand the issues involved. We host an annual conference, only open to sixth formers, to which we invite other local and GDST schools. In the last two years we have looked at Trafficking, hearing directly from a victim in a powerful session and last year Female Genital Mutilation.

Fashion Show or Panto – it is a Night to Remember… (oh yes it is…)

As we keep saying, Sixth Form life at Croydon High is far more than just study. Those who gain most from their two years are those who are prepared to ‘have a go’ and perhaps try something they have never done before. And there are plenty of opportunities to do just that.

One of the biggest and most memorable events in the Sixth Form calendar has always been the Fashion Show where Years 12 and 13 organise every detail, choosing the charity they will support, designing and making the outfits, choosing the music, choreographing, lighting, front-of house, selling tickets…the list goes on.

This year, to support our 140th anniversary celebrations, the sixth form are putting on a fashion themed item in the special concert at Fairfield Halls in Croydon. That’s a very big audience…but we know the girls will do us proud.

We chose the topic of FGM long before it began receiving great press attention, but by March 2014 when our Conference took place, it was a very hot topic. We were delighted to get a letter of support from David Cameron, who asked that we keep him informed on our debate. It was an amazing day, hearing from carers, survivors and specialists and we all came away feeling angry…but informed.

To keep up with the fundraising and for the first time this year, the Sixth Form are putting on a Panto with a little help from the Whitgift boys. From what we’ve heard, it sounds like some people think it’s going to be even more fun than the Fashion Show!

Next year’s Conference is already in the planning stages and it looks like being another amazing event.

So what will happen next year? Maybe you will help decide…

Ask Aunt Jemima anything; a problem shared is a problem halved.

Supporting you through your two years is something we do really well.

Pastoral prefect Jemima is just one of many people willing to lend an ear.

Dear Aunt Jemima, I am joining your 6th form from another school and I am worried about making new friends, will it be okay? From Anna

Dear Anna Don’t worry. New girls join our 6th form every year, and it is very easy to make new friends. Clubs and lunch time activities means you will meet girls with similar hobbies to you. Be confident, chat to girls and by the end of the first week you will have new best friends.

Dear Aunt Jemima, I am worried about the workload in 6th Form, will it be too much? From Catherine

Dear Catherine A levels are a big step up from GCSEs but everyone in your year will be going through it as well. All of your teachers know that there is a jump and they will ease you into A levels gradually. There is also amazing pastoral support in Croydon High 6th form. You have the lovely Frau who will help you to plan your time or have a chat if you need to talk. So, don’t worry it might be hard, but CHS is the best place to do it.

Dear Aunt Jemima, I am planning on studying History, Chemistry, Art and French. I am worried that my subjects do not lead to a specific degree or job, will it be a problem? From Cassie

Dear Cassie Most people don’t know what they want to do until after university. It is good to have some idea as to what you want to do at university but by the end of 6th form it is likely that that idea will have changed.

It is good to do a range of subjects that keeps all your doors open. Do what you love and do what you’re good at!

Dear Aunt Jemima, I am thinking of leaving Croydon High because I really want a change but I am worried to leave my friends, what should I do? From Sarah

Dear Sarah There is no need to leave Croydon High because you want a change! From Year 11 to Year 12 there are so many changes! Teachers treat you more as adults and you are given a lot more freedom to organise your time; go out at lunch, swim, use the gym – or just have a coffee when you want to. Private study time means your school day completely changes and your learning is a lot more independent. Staying at Croydon High will allow you to stay with your old friends and make new ones from the year above.

Sixth Form Style

Frau says YES!

Where to shop?

There are many affordable and stylish places you can shop in, and still keep Frau happy!

Frau says NO!

H&M is a favourite amongst the 6th form and personally we think there should be a CHS loyalty card. New Look also offer many pretty blouses and skirts well within a budget.

Topshop is popular for tailored blazers and edgy trousers.

Of course who can forget good old Marks and Spencer’s, which contrary to popular belief sells more than just the skirts your gran wears!

At its beating heart, our excellent Sixth Form is a place where people care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical and expect more than others think possible.

Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon, South Croydon CR2 8YB ďżź www.croydonhigh.gdst.net admissions@cry.gdst.net 020 8260 7500