Pipers Corner Sixth Form - The Opportunities, The Challenges, The Advantage... by Pipers Corner School

SIXTH FORM LIFE

APPROACH TO TEACHING

STUDYING A LEVELS AT PIPERS

Unlock your potential in a bespoke and flexible Sixth Form where your strengths, interests and opinions are highly valued as a student and a leader at the top of the School.

Develop your intellectual strengths and interests through a unique blend of independent learning and expert guidance. Benefit from small class sizes, vibrant class debate, shared by passionate teachers.

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

Foster a more advanced skillset. Our wider Sixth Form Curriculum enables all students to cultivate skills that extend far beyond the conventional curriculum.

ENRICHMENT BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Discover your distinct difference and carve your unique path to success and fulfilment through participation in extensive extra-curricular and leadership opportunities which further develop critical social and emotional learning.

PASTORAL

Grow in confidence in a secure and happy where students find a genuine sense of belonging and camaraderie. By prioritising wellbeing alongside academic study, students from Pipers find that they are better equipped to navigate challenges, maintain motivation and cultivate positive working practices at school, at university and beyond.

STUDYING A LEVELS AT PIPERS

Unlock your potential in a bespoke and flexible Sixth From where your strengths, interests and opinions are highly valued as a student and a leader at the top of the School.

THE SCHOOL HAS DONE SO MUCH TO ENSURE THE TRANSITION FROM GCSE WAS AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE

STUDYING A LEVELS AT PIPERS

As a member of the Sixth Form you are in a supportive environment which will help you to achieve your true potential. You will belong to a Tutor Group of approximately eight students, led by a Personal Tutor whose role is to oversee both your academic and pastoral development.

We encourage our students to take three AS Level qualifications - although a small number do take four - which are externally examined at the end of the Lower Sixth. In the Upper Sixth they will usually continue with three subjects at A Level.

You will be encouraged to aim high when planning the next stage of your development and experience after Sixth Form – whether that is moving on to

potential and to widen access, ensuring as many talented students as possible are able to take advantage of the excellent education that Pipers Corner provides.

The number of Scholarships and Bursaries awarded varies year-on-year depending on the quality and circumstances of the candidates. In 2024 our Scholarship provision has been broadened to include specialist academic scholarships in addition to our

Develop your intellectual strengths and interests through a unique blend of independent learning and expert guidance. Benefit

Tutor Groups

Small groups (approximately 7-10) with the same Personal Tutor for the two-year course. Tutor Groups are made up of students studying across a range of disciplines to allow them to gain experience of different ideas, varying viewpoints and quickly developing valuable relationships.

Sixth Form Centre and Library

During independent study periods you will have access to a suite of laptops and dedicated Sixth Form work space and an extensive variety of resources.

Twice Daily Tutor meetings

Contact with Personal Tutors who provide exceptional pastoral care and oversee academic development.

Twice-weekly extended Tutor Time

This complements the Enrichment lessons and ensures a strong delivery of study skills, current affairs and additional support with UCAS and vocational applications.

Enrichment lessons

Lessons each week to ensure that students are developing skills for life, university and in the workplace.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Highly-valued and respected by Russell Group Universities and future employers. A Level qualification for which students are required to complete a piece of detailed, individual research on a subject of their choice. Encourages students to work independently with initiative, think creatively and approach their studies strategically.

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

Foster a more advanced skillset. Our wider Sixth Form Curriculum enables all students to cultivate skills that extend far beyond the conventional curriculum.

Our Academic Enrichment curriculum serves as a crucial bridge, facilitating a seamless transition for students from GCSE to A Level studies. Beyond merely supplementing, our enrichment opportunities are designed to transform and exceed our students’ capabilities, transcending their own expectations.

Every student enjoys the benefit of dedicated weekly Life-Skills sessions, coupled with twice-weekly extended Tutor sessions, which are curated to amplify not just study skills but also their readiness for university and the professional world. This deliberate focus nurtures their independence and resilience as learners.

Recognising the significance of preparing students for life beyond the Sixth Form, the enrichment opportunities at Pipers are a dynamic blend of academic development and practical exposure, including insightful careers talks and engagements with industry and university representatives:

THE OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM AND THE SUBJECTS WE ARE STUDYING ARE ENDLESS. WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO BE GREAT AT EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT

confidence and competence in problem-solving. Ideal for students in subjects like Business, Psychology, and Sciences, it imparts essential skills useful for academic, professional, and daily life.

AS Level Further Maths:

Designed to fill the gap for high achieving students by assessing their higher order mathematical skills, particularly in algebraic reasoning, in greater depth, thus preparing them fully to maximise their potential in further studies at Level 3.

AS Level Photography:

AS Photography helps students develop creative thinking and independent expression through visual media. Study areas include practical projects and international trips to experience historical and contemporary photography first-hand through workshops and guided tours.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT

OPPORTUNITIES TO

Pipers Radio | Lead in production, direction and presentation of daily radio shows.

Gold and Silver Arts Award | A nationally recognised qualification offering 16 UCAS points at Gold Level.

LAMDA | Opportunities to achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold medals that equate to UCAS points (30 UCAS points for a Distinction at Gold level).

Support Physical Health and Emotional Wellbeing

Sport | A variety of PE activities, House Teams organisation, umpiring and coaching junior sport.

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Wellbeing Clubs and support programmes led by our in-house Head of Wellbeing

CAREERS SUPPORT

We are privileged to have a dedicated Head of Careers exclusively focused on supporting students through pivotal decisions and guiding them through every phase of their journey including:

One-to-one meetings for advice.

• Help with work experience placements.

• Planned programme of preparation for university applications.

• Individual support with personal statements.

• Advice on employability skills.

• Education Fairs and Open-Day co-ordination support.

A comprehensive array of talks and seminars form a part of our Sixth Form program, covering diverse pathways to higher education, including degree-apprenticeships and undergraduate studies, all additionally supported by our Head of Sixth Form.

UNIVERSITY CHOICES

A SELECTION OF OUR STUDENTS UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS BETWEEN 2020 - 2024

This year the 100% pass rate saw over a third of results achieving the highest A*-A grades, with three quarters at A*-B and over 20% of the year group achieving straight A* or A in all of their subjects. Over half of all students achieved at least one top grade out of their three or four A Level courses and 85% students will be heading off to their first-choice universities this autumn.

The University of Edinburgh

and Spanish, Finance and Business & Medical Sciences

University of York

University of Leeds Food Science and Nutrition, German and Chinese & Nursing

University of Manchester Sociology and Criminology, Psycology, Midwifery, Architecture & Finance

University of Liverpool Geography

University Centre Reaseheath

Conservation and Ecology

University of Birmingham Biomedical Science, English & Modern Languages

University of Warwick

Biomedical Science, History, Psychology, English and History, English and Creative Writing Philosophy, Politics and Economics & Sociology

Oxford Brookes University Architecture, Early Childhood Studies, Engineering, Equine Studies & Physiotherpay