SIXTH FORM
WELCOME
to Sixth Form at Royal High School Bath
Whether you’ve been with us for years or are considering joining our community for the first time, you are about to step into an exciting new chapter of your education.
Sixth Form is all about independence, deeper learning, and the freedom to dive into the subjects that really spark your interest. Our Sixth Form is more than just a place of learning; it’s where laughter is shared, and lifelong friendships are formed.
What makes Royal High so special is our inclusive and welcoming community. Here, mutual support is at the heart of everything we do, and student wellbeing is prioritised. You will have unique opportunities to lead, inspire, and to really make a difference across the school, whether as a subject mentor, a prefect, or through our vibrant House system.
Alongside your academic studies, you’ll discover myriad opportunities to enrich your experience with our diverse range of clubs and activities. Whether your interests lie in dance, drama, art, sport, music, photography, or even beekeeping, there’s something here for you.
With a dedicated team of teachers and staff by your side, you will have all the guidance, resources, and encouragement you need to thrive academically and personally, and to achieve your goals.
We look forward to welcoming you to Royal High Sixth Form.
Mrs Mandy Ladbury-Webb MA (Cantab) PGCE
Something I love about this school is that they are always so encouraging for you to forge your own path. They make it very clear that it’s your journey, and they’ve really helped me find mine.” Poppy, RHB Alumna ’24
FUTURE CHANGE MAKERS START HERE...
Our Sixth Form is part of the only all-girls’ through school in Bath, and this is our superpower. Why?
Our Sixth Form is an integral part of a whole-school culture which respects, nurtures, challenges and empowers girls.
We are proud to be a member of the GDST (Girls’ Day School Trust), founded over 150 years ago by a group of pioneering women to challenge the way girls were educated, arguing that girls should be entitled to the same academic education as their brothers.
GDST all-through day schools provide a learning environment specifically designed for, and dedicated to the development and empowerment of successful, confident and adventurous girls.
GDST research is consistently updated, enabling our school to react to a changing world and to provide excellence in modern education and pastoral care for girls.
A girls’-only Sixth Form offers a space where you can truly be yourself, completely uninhibited by the expectations and stereotypes placed upon gender.
As
an all-girls’ school it’s just such a comfortable environment. I’ve loved feeling so comfortable in class, being able to ask questions, discuss things so openly and share a lot of laughter with my classmates.”
Liv, RHB Alumna ’24
Being at an all-girls’ school has been so empowering. You are never afraid to express your opinion or communicate what you need.”
Pelagia, RHB Alumna ’24
Being at an all-girls’ school has given me opportunities that I might not have had otherwise. I don’t think that I would have had the confidence or the opportunity to be the one chosen to go to the debate competition, making it through to the Oxford Schools Debating Final. I know it has given me the confidence to put myself forward again in the future.”
Anya, RHB Alumna ’24
85%+
Sixth Form students choose to study STEM subjects
12%
GDST Sixth Formers avoid certain activities because of their gender compared to 25% nationally.
The Girls Futures Report 2024
A LEVELS or IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
Your choice of academic pathway…
We are the only Sixth Form in Bath to offer you a choice of two pathways of study:
A Levels or the IB Diploma Programme.
A Levels
Our A Level Programme allows you to select and focus on three main subjects, with the addition of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), helping you to build your broad academic profile.
We aim to offer the richest educational experience possible and, as an A Level student at RHB, you will have the unique opportunity to benefit from our IB Diploma Programme offer, by selecting additional enrichment subjects to study at IB Standard Level, alongside your A Levels.
or
There’s so much scope for independent work and I think universities really value that. You can study anything you want as your coursework. At RHB you never feel lost, you have regular meetings with your tutors and great support along the way.”
Jess, RHB Alumna ’24, who achieved a top score of 45/45
IB Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme (IB) is an exciting alternative pathway, known and respected internationally. It allows you to maintain breadth at Sixth Form by choosing six subjects across different disciplines, with the three core parts of the diploma studied by all IB students: Theory of Knowledge (TOK); Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS); and the Extended Essay.
IB is a progressive model of education, where critical thinking and curiosity are rewarded. There is greater focus on coursework, and a wider variety of forms of assessment than in the A Level programme.
Universities regard the IB very highly due to the skills students develop. It will help you to really stand out from the crowd when applying for your next steps.
Our IB Students become global citizens by studying this international qualification, with many of our alumnae going on to study across the world.
TheCommunity Form th
When asked what makes RHB Sixth Form special, our students consistently reply “community”.
Whether studying for IB or A Level, as a boarding or day student, joining our Sixth Form, you will be welcomed into this close-knit community. This is a place that celebrates difference, where you can truly be yourself, pursuing your own interests and passions, while being part of this strong and supportive collective.
Our bright and modernised Winfield Sixth Form Centre is a hub of activity. As well as hosting classrooms for a number of lessons, it brings both year groups together with plenty of communal space to bond, including a kitchen and a spacious Common Room, with doors opening onto the Sixth Form gardens, surrounded by trees.
You will also be able to find quiet space for focus, with the silent study areas and the Sixth Form Library, offering access to over 4000 subject specific books and resources, as well as a range of fiction and non-fiction for further study or enjoyment.
The Sixth Form Café, located in Gloucester House Boarding, is open to all our Sixth Form students for break and lunch, and can also be used as a social space or for group study sessions.
The main thing that makes this Sixth Form so special is the sense of community. Everyone is so close with each other across both the year groups, and so supportive and kind. It’s such a wonderful space to be.”
Anya, RHB Alumna ‘24
The social environment is just
so
good. It’s great
to hang out and chat in the Common Room.
We are a small Sixth Form, but that means that we feel comfortable with each other.”
Lily, RHB Alumna ‘24
BOARDING & FLEXI BOARDING
Boarding at RHB Sixth Form has really
helped me grow and become very independent and prepared for
university life.”
Liv, Sixth Form boarder from Ireland
These friends are going to be your new family in England. They will support you through the tough times when you feel homesick but also cheer you on when you’re achieving your best.”
Katie,
Sixth Form boarder from Germany
The boarding community is so international. The boarding staff are so lovely and so amazingly supportive.”
Billie Sixth Form boarder from Sweden
Boarding at RHB is a place to build friendships for life, while developing independence in a nurturing environment.
We welcome students from the UK, and across the world, to join us for full-time boarding or a range of flexiboarding options, including weekly boarding, a few nights a week, or just the occasional overnight stay.
Our inclusive Sixth Form community, which combines both day and boarding students, provides the perfect environment for international students to immerse themselves in English. At the same time, local day students benefit from the international community and form strong friendships with peers from around the globe.
Gloucester House is our modern and comfortable Sixth Form boarding house, where girls benefit from greater independence and freedom to prepare for university life after school.
Scan to find out more about boarding at RHB.
Pastoral
At RHB we understand that some students may need a little more time and support to achieve their academic potential.
The Sixth Form staff team, with their wealth of experience, are passionate and dedicated and will work together to guide and support you through the next two years of your education.
Our primary focus is on bolstering your self-assurance and belief in yourself, empowering you to handle the challenges, not only of the curriculum, but also of life outside the classroom.
Individualised attention for each student is a cornerstone of our approach. With small class sizes our teachers truly understand each student and adapt their teaching to the needs of the group.
When you join Year 12 you will be assigned a Sixth Form tutor who you will quickly get to know, meeting for a 1:1 session every fortnight, ensuring consistency throughout your time with us.
Although there is a lot more independence, the teachers are always there for you to back you up.”
The strength that we have as a collective just makes you feel so safe every day, that the idea of the big outside world is not an intimidating one.”
Y12 Induction
The Sixth Form team has really brought me out of my shell. When I first arrived in Year 12 I was quite shy, but I know I have grown so much in confidence in my time here.”
During the first weeks of Year 12 you will set off for a memorable few days with your peers and Sixth Form staff at the beautiful Osmington Bay, on the Dorset coast.
Through a variety of team-building activities such as dragon-boat racing, zip-line and rock climbing, you will have the chance to experience a fantastic adventure, while really bonding with your peers. This wonderful trip plays a pivotal role in initiation into the life of Sixth Form.
There’s so much freedom to develop your own interests in Sixth Form. No one will judge you, everyone is just so supportive.”
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Our pioneering, individuallytailored, whole-girl approach fosters life-long curiosity and an ongoing aptitude for excellence.
Arriving here is a new beginning and a real change in your educational life. You will quickly discover what makes it so exciting and so different from your earlier experiences of school. Firstly, the lessons have a new emphasis, with more importance placed on your academic curiosity and independent research. The classroom experience will be embedded with discussion and debate; a space for you to offer your own perspective.
The GDST’s research clearly reveals the extent to which students thrive in an all-girls’ Sixth Form. This shines through in the academic success of our students, and the results speak for themselves.
You have a really positive relationship with your teachers in Sixth Form, and can talk about issues in the real world, not just what’s on the curriculum. There’s a great discussion and debating environment in my classes, which I really like.”
A-Level grades A*- A in 2024
43% 69% 47% 36.24
2024 cohort have secured places at Russell Group Universities
2024 leavers are going on to study Medicine and STEM subjects at university
IBDP average point score against a global average of 30 in 2024
RESULTS
We are enormously proud of all our students who, on top of consistently achieving outstanding academic results, leave us at the end of Sixth Form as confident, well-rounded individuals with a global network of opportunities ahead of them.
Over the past years our A Level and IB Diploma Programme results remain significantly above average, telling the story of academic curiosity, hard work and dedication of our students during their time at our inspirational Sixth Form.
I feel RHB has really prepared me for the adult world. It has helped me grow as a person and discover my passions.”
Lily, RHB Alumna
For a detailed breakdown of our recent student cohort results scan here:
Destinations
Our girls go on to pursue many different passions and specialise in a wide range of exciting and innovative areas in their higher education and careers, demonstrating their spirit and individuality.
75%
- 90% of RHB students who apply to university and higher education are successful in gaining entry to their preferred course and institution.
As an all-girls’ school we excel at encouraging girls to embark on careers in STEM with 47% of our recent leavers going on to study Medicine and STEM subjects at university.
We continue to see students benefiting from our internationally recognised IB Diploma Programme, choosing to take up places in international institutions.
The diverse list of subjects studied in further education reflects the broad strength of our offer, with pupils recently pursuing degrees in subjects including:
Medicine
International Relations
Sport Science
Marine Biology
Liberal Arts
Mathematics
Fine Art
Law
Game
Art
Fashion
Biochemistry
Acting
English Literature
For a full list of our recent student cohort destinations scan here:
LEADERSHIP TRAILBLAZERS WELCOME!
The world needs more female leaders, and at RHB Sixth Form we do everything we can to give you a taste of leadership as you prepare for life beyond school.
Responsibility and leadership at are the heart of our Sixth Form. There are so many ways in which our students can play a key role in the running of the school, providing inspirational leadership to girls across younger year groups.
When you’ve found your feet in Year 12 there will be the chance to put yourself forward as a candidate for Head Girl, Deputy Head Girl, and a wide range of Prefect Team roles, including Charities Prefect, Sustainability Prefect, Boarding Prefect, and Student Voice Prefect.
You could also put yourself forward for one of our important student mentoring roles, which include mentoring tutor groups in years 7 and 8, or helping to support students throughout other younger year groups by being a Subject Mentor.
Being a Royal High girl is about being a leader. This school definitely helps you grow as a person.”
Core Sixth Form Co-Curricular Subjects
RHSE Education for Life
The RHSE programme, which runs fortnightly for an hour right through Sixth Form, ensures that you have time to consider and engage in wellbeing. It fosters the values of respect and tolerance that make for healthy relationships and communities. In these sessions we look at societal and female-focused topics like female health and wellbeing, issues around social media, relationships, drugs and alcohol, and first-aid awareness.
We also use these valuable sessions to cover a wide range of career-focused activities, often welcoming visits from speakers from business and industry and our Alumnae network to present to students on a range of helpful subjects, such as interview and presentation skills, leadership skills, working with charities and communications.
Sport and Physical Education
The aim of our Sixth Form Sport programme is to provide a range of opportunities for all students at any level, to be able to improve health and wellbeing. We want students to leave the Sixth Form feeling confident and able to continue to pursue sport and physical activity into adulthood.
In Sixth Form you will have a timetabled games afternoon each week, with a choice of sports on offer.
If you are interested in playing competitive sports and representing the school, we offer teams and competitions in hockey, cross country, netball, swimming, athletics, cricket and tennis.
If you are looking to focus on general physical activity we offer fitness-based classes such as Zumba, kickboxing, strength and conditioning, badminton, rounders, tennis and rugby.
Enrichment
Wherever your interests lie, we are confident that you will find your niche in our co-curricular offer. You will be able to fully immerse yourself in life beyond the classroom to experience the richness and diversity of all that Sixth Form has to offer.
There’s
so much freedom to develop your own interests in Sixth Form. No one will judge you, everyone is just so supportive.”
Georgia, RHB Alumna
There are a wide range of clubs and societies to choose from, from Cyber Club and Dissection Club, to Dance and Theatre Tech, from Medical Society to Bee Keeping. You will be able to build a programme that is completely unique to you around your studies, and we will support you to excel in your passions.
There is a real sense of purpose in our Sixth Form and our students are compelled to give back through charity and volunteering. Our Sixth Form girls lead and inspire the younger years in charity fundraising initiatives, organising events such as A Night at the Musicals.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is very popular across our school, and many of our Sixth Form students complete their Gold Award while in Year 12.
Several Sixth Form students take part in Bath Schools Model United Nations every year, an exciting three days full of great debate and collaboration with other schools.
As part of the GDST our students have access to GDST-wide events and activities throughout the year. This includes the GDST LEAD (Leadership Enterprise Advanced Diploma) Programme, run in partnership with LSE, which encourages Sixth Form students to create real change for the future.
Everyone is so willing to express who they are and has the space to be themselves.”
Chloe, RHB Alumna
YOUR NEXT STEPS…
UCAS
We are immensely proud of the unparalleled programme of support we offer our students to help them plan their next steps beyond school.
Our experienced Higher Education, Careers and Tutor team, led by Head of HE, Mr Hardcastle, will support and guide you through the entire UCAS application procedure. We are confident in offering you the best possible help to ensure you gain the university place most suited to you.
We offer a tried and tested timeline of Higher Education support, starting early in Year 12, with our Next Steps Evening for both students and parents. The UCAS process is personalised for you, to take you smoothly through to the Autumn Term of Year 13, when it is time to make your UCAS application. Find out more about our UCAS procedure here:
I felt really supported and was able to keep on track through the UCAS process which could have been so confusing.”
Coco, RHB Alumna ‘24
Careers
Being a GDST girl is about being curious. Wanting to forge your own path in the world.”
Poppy, RHB Alumna ‘24
Joining our Sixth Form, you will have access to our unique Careers Education and Guidance programme which aims to address the needs of every student and will support you to make bold and informed career choices.
Our Head of Careers, Melanie Whalley, is a Level 6 qualified Careers Advisor and is available to offer individual careers advice three days per week, every week of the school year.
Students can engage with GDST wide events held across the school year, covering subjects such as Alumnae in Law, Applying to American Universities and Learn to Network.
The GDST’s CareerStart programme partners with a range of organisations, including the Bright Network and London School of Economics, to organise events that give students an insight into the working world.
What does it mean to be a GDST Girl? Supported. Because you’re part of a massive network, and it’s like a huge family.”
RHB Alumna ‘24
Alumnae Network
It’s so amazing that there can be so many different types of Royal High girl.”
RHB Alumna ‘24
As part of the GDST family we can connect you to 70,000 professional women all over the world, offering help, advice and work experience placements.
Our Sixth Form students also benefit from our amazing RHB Alumnae who regularly visit to give talks, workshops and mentoring sessions in school.
We have so many unique and empowering opportunities as GDST girls.”
RHB Alumna ‘24
SCHOLARSHIPS & BURSARIES
Bursaries
GDST schools have a proud history of providing financial assistance towards school fees, ensuring that girls from all backgrounds have been able to access a GDST education.
We are committed to recruiting students who we believe are most likely to flourish at RHB Sixth Form, regardless of their means.
Scan here to find out more about applying for a Bursary at Sixth Form:
Scholarships
For entry into Year 12, both current RHB students and new joiners can apply for one of our Sixth Form scholarships: Academic Scholarships –for girls taking A Level or IB Diploma Programme.
Specialist Scholarships –in Art, Dance, DT, Drama, Music and Sport.
Find out more here:
CURRICULUM OPTIONS
A Level Subjects
Choose any three subjects:
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
Classical Civilisation
Computer Science
Design Technology
Drama and Theatre
Economics A
English
Fine Art
French
Further Mathematics
Geography
German
History
Latin
Mathematics
Music
Music Technology
Photography
Physics
Physical Education
Psychology
Religious Studies
Spanish
A Level students can also select an Enrichment subject from Group 6 of our IB Diploma Programme (see over page), worth up to 28 UCAS points, more than AS Level, and taught for 5 hours per fortnight.
There’s so much integration whether you’re doing IB or A Level, or in clubs outside of lessons like sports or Leadership teams. It means that everybody knows everyone, and that’s a really lovely place to be.”
Anya, RHB Alumna ’24
IB Diploma Programme Subjects
Choose one subject from each Group, three at Standard Level, three at Higher Level:
Group 1
Language A:
English Literature
Group 2
French B
German B
Latin B
Mandarin B
Spanish B
Group 3
Economics
Geography
History
Philosophy
Psychology
Group 4
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Physics
Design Technology
Sports, Exercise and Health Science
Group 5
Maths: Applications and Interpretation
Maths: Analysis and Approaches
Group 6
Music
Theatre
Visual Arts
Elective (Second subject from Group 2, 3 or 4)
Sixth Form Team:
Head of Sixth Form
Mrs M Ladbury-Webb, MA (Cantab) PGCE
Deputy Head of Sixth Form
Mrs K Newman, BA (Hons)
IB Diploma Programme Co-ordinator
Mrs H Pagnamenta, MA (Cantab) PGCE
Head of HE
Mr T Hardcastle, BSC (Hons)
Head of Careers
Mrs M Whalley, BSC (Hons)
Sixth Form Administrator
Mrs R Amies, BSC (Hons)