Welcome to Sir William Perkins’s School Sixth Form; where small class sizes and excellent academic results are combined with increased personal freedom, life skills training and leadership development to give you a distinct advantage as you prepare for life beyond school. We take pride in providing our Sixth Form students with inspirational teaching, extensive extracurricular opportunities and outstanding pastoral care.
YOU WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO INSTIGATE,NEGOTIATE, CHALLENGE,
QUESTION AND LEAD –
You will be encouraged to become involved in the many co-curricular activities on offer, taking every opportunity to develop your interests and creativity, your interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills, to be forward-thinking and to reach into the wider community.
A SWPS student is encouraged to be:
CURIOUS ABOUT THEIR WORLD AND THEIR FUTURE.
AMBITIOUS FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR OTHERS.
GENEROUS WITH THEIR THOUGHTS, THEIR GIFTS AND THEIR TIME.
SIXTH FORM ETHOS
Underpinning our student successes are our core philosophies of Curiosity, Ambition and Generosity. You will leave at the end of Sixth Form imbued with these attributes, ready to challenge the status quo, affect change and contribute to the world. Our alumnae often refer to the ‘magic of SWPS’, their experiences staying with them, pulling them back to the school to support, motivate and inspire our current students. We trust that future Sixth Formers will enjoy their time here and return to do the same.
Our Sixth Form students understand that hard work, tenacity and academic curiosity are vital to success; and they accept this challenge with determination and good humour. At SWPS we cultivate ambition, fostering a desire to broaden horizons, push boundaries, ask questions and take calculated risks. Our alumnae enter a huge variety of professions, becoming CEOs, pilots, surgeons, journalists, actors and singers, barristers, scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers and athletes, amongst others.
A GUIDING HAND
Our experienced Sixth Form Team will prepare you thoroughly for whichever path you choose to follow beyond SWPS. In a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere they offer the support, advice and guidance required for you to explore your options, make informed choices and move forward with confidence.
JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY
Greater personal freedom. We will support you to find your voice and be yourself as you set out to make your mark on the world.
LEADERSHIP FOR LIFE
Standing out from the crowd. As a SWPS Sixth Form student you will be equipped to lead from the front, with many opportunities to assume responsibility.
EXPLORATION & CHALLENGE
High expectations. We will encourage you to take risks, challenge assumptions and explore new ways of thinking.
PURSUING AMBITIONS
Enrichment and support. Through one-to-one support and bespoke enrichment opportunities you will be able to pursue your goals.
EMPOWERMENT
You will be empowered to suggest ideas and given the tools and support you need to make them happen. From building projects to charity fundraisers – you will be encouraged to form working groups, lead committees and get things done. These entrepreneurial activities are invaluable for leadership development.
INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY
You will be encouraged to be inquisitive and hungry for knowledge, which promotes extracurricular enquiry and academic ambition. You will challenge ideas and question the status quo, forming independent opinions and developing confidence in yourself.
“
We welcome our students into an environment where they are valued and respected; and where they are encouraged to instigate, negotiate, challenge, question and lead.
“
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
2024 A LEVEL RESULTS
Our students’ most recent A Level results stem from a winning formula; they are testament to students’ determination and resilience, coupled with our excellent teaching resources
47% of grades achieved were A* - A
80% of all grades were A* - B
27% of students achieved all A*s and As
100% of grades awarded in Computer Science
100% of grades awarded in Art and Design, DT Product Design and Music seeing all students secure A* - A grades.
100 % of Geography grades were A* - B
94% of grades in English Literature were A* - B
71% of grades in Physics at A*- A
70% of grades in Maths were A*- A
You will leave with superb results, ready to take on your next challenge, be that at university or in a work-place setting.
AMBITION
SWPS is a place where students hold high aspirations, talent is nurtured and ambition is encouraged. Our students show tenacity in reaching their potential and are supported in attaining the best academic results in the right subjects for them.
We subscribe to the VESPA mindset which draws together current thinking from psychology, business and sport to inspire, motivate and support students ensuring they achieve their full potential:
VISION know what you want to achieve.
EFFORT understand the level of effort required to succeed.
SYSTEMS organise learning resources and time.
PRACTICE practice and develop skills continuously.
ATTITUDE respond constructively to setbacks.
“ I stayed on for Sixth Form because there are small classes and close student-teacher relationships. I get great access to all the help I need, when I need it
“
As a SWPS Sixth Form student you will be encouraged to challenge yourself wherever possible. We offer an impressive range of co-curricular and super-curricular opportunities which will give you an edge with prospective Universities and employers.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S GOLD AWARD
You will be able to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Gold Level. The Gold Award is a significant commitment, however participants have the opportunity to see the world through new eyes, learning to tackle challenges head on and enjoy truly unforgettable experiences. Universities see the award as an asset and it can prove beneficial when they are deciding between applicants.
MEDICINE, DENTISTRY AND VETERINARY SCIENCE SOCIETY
This club will prepare you for these competitive courses with a programme of talks, practical workshops, careers advice and admissions preparation, to get you one step ahead.
ROOM TO GROW
OUR STUDENTS TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR SIXTH FORM
There is a strong sense of camaraderie and you will enjoy collaborative working and learning from and with your peers. The Sixth Form Team fosters a sense of spontaneity and fun, where happiness is important and you will be given room to grow, take on challenges and be pushed out of your comfort zone in a positive and supportive atmosphere.
SOCIETIES/CLUBS
Our students are encouraged to set up and run any societies or clubs that they feel would benefit them during their time at SWPS. Our Female Lead, Diversity Society and Debating Club were all instigated in this way and launched to considerable success. We are very keen to support students in this venture.
SCHOOL MAGAZINE
You will be able to volunteer on the Editorial Team of the SWPS Magazine - valuable experience for careers in journalism and the media.
“ Lessons are always engaging - we’re encouraged to explore beyond the curriculum, question everything and challenge ourselves to be the best we can
“
Enabling you to develop your leadership potential is central to our philosophy at SWPS. Effective leaders communicate well, motivate others, delegate responsibilities, listen to feedback, and have the flexibility to solve problems. Universities and employers seek candidates with these skills, so we resolutely encourage development in this area for all students.
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The elected body of Head Prefects and deputies represent the student body, attending regular meetings with the Head chairing and managing Junior and Senior School Councils.
HOUSE LEADERSHIP
House Captains work closely with our Head Prefects Team, leading House meetings, managing communications and delegating responsibilities. All Sixth Form students are encouraged to actively contribute to their House.
WIDER SIXTH FORM OPPORTUNITIES
Tutor Group Representatives chair and run the Sixth Form Committee.
Prefects appointed to take on key roles throughout the school, acting as a conduit between staff and students.
Charity Prefects coordinate all aspects of fundraising activity.
Drama and Music Prefects are valued conduits between departments and students.
Form and House Assistants help run tutor presentations and manage groups of younger students.
Games Captains apply for this prestigious role and are full and active members of PE life within the school.
The Christmas Pantomime, Summer Ball and Yearbook are all undertaken by Sixth Form teams who plan, manage and implement large projects to deadline and on-budget.
Mentorship provision for Year 7s and ‘Study Buddies’ for other years.
DofE Gold Trainers, support Year 9s embarking on Bronze Awards.
SUPPORT
As a SWPS student you will benefit from access to experienced Higher Education and Careers staff. You will be given one-to-one support in choosing suitable courses and writing tricky UCAS personal statements.
Subject specific academic enrichment is ongoing and a number of universities run sessions for our students on-site at SWPS.
Expert staff support university applications (including applications to universities in the USA) and undertake mock-interviews.
An on-site Higher Education Fair attended by 40+ universities takes place annually, with a high turnout from Russell Group.
Our Careers Library is well-stocked and replenished annually, and you will have access to individual careers guidance from our Careers Advisor.
We aim to provide you with every possible opportunity to pursue your ambitions and achieve your aspirations.
CAREERS ADVICE
Our Careers Department is on hand to advise you on making the right choices to benefit your future aspirations. As well as one-to-one careers support and guidance, our dedicated Careers Suite gives access to careers guidance software, a comprehensive catalogue of university prospectuses and detailed information on the responsibilities, working conditions and payscales of different jobs. You will also be invited to attend careers seminars, interactive workshops and Q&A sessions.
ALUMNAE NETWORKING
You will be given opportunities to interact with our alumnae, known as ‘Perkonians’. They form an extensive network of former students and staff, many of whom have university and career experience that they are very willing to share with our current students. In recent years we have matched SWPS students with alumnae who can provide valuable insight into starting university.
“ I have taken advantage of so many opportunities to develop my leadership skills - it’s a big thing at SWPS as it’s so important for getting university places and good jobs.
“
OXBRIDGE AND ELITE UNIVERSITIES PROGRAMME
If you are looking towards making an Oxbridge or overseas university application, Our Elite and Overseas Universities Co-ordinator will support you in making a successful Oxbridge application built on four core pillars: exam success; super-curricular commitment; strong performance in Admissions Tests; and an excellent interview.
Our small Sixth Form, excellent academic standards, bespoke subject enrichment and provision of extra tuition for the most able, will provide you with the skills and confidence needed to shine and achieve success.
MEDICINE, DENTISTRY & VETERINARY SCIENCE (MDV)
SPECIALIST SUPPORT
–
You will benefit from your own bespoke programme of study; designed to enable you to achieve success. Small tutor groups and highly experienced tutors lead to excellent academic results.
Entry to any medical degree is challenging, and to succeed, you must demonstrate an outstanding academic profile as well as firstrate communication and problem-solving skills. At SWPS we have an exceptional programme of support to enable our MDV students to secure places. This includes membership of our MDV Society; dedicated application tutoring; admissions test and interview preparation.
EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATION (EPQ)
This qualification will provide you with an exciting opportunity to develop your project management skills. You will independently research and write about a topic of personal interest, reflect upon the process in a production log and be the ‘expert in the room’ as you give a presentation on your project to your peers, teachers and invited guest. You will build transferable skills including time-management, problem-solving, decision-making, planning and recordkeeping; presentation skills, research and more. Universities may make students with a good EPQ grade a lower offer.
SWPS DIPLOMA
The SWPS Diploma is a competency based, internal qualification designed in collaboration with major recruiters and the University of Birmingham to help SWPS students develop the skills for which universities and employers are looking.
SWPS ENTERPRISE
The SWPS Enterprise requires students to complete three enterprise tasks over a year (including entry to the Peter Jones Enterprise competition). Our certified programme is an invaluable experience for all those who participate.
LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS 2024
CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY Sport and Exercise Science
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY Law I Medicine I Architectural Engineering
DURHAM UNIVERSITY Religion, Society and Culture I Ancient History and Archaeology
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON Medicine
KINGSTON UNIVERSITY Biochemistry I Product and Furniture Design
MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY Primary Education
NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY Chemical Engineering
OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY Foundation Built Environment I Sport and Exercise Science
QUEEN MARY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON Pharmaceutical Chemistry
ROYAL HOLLOWAY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON Computer Science I Psychology I English and Classical Studies
SWANSEA UNIVERSITY Sport & Exercise Science I French and History
THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH History of Art and English Literature
UCL (UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON) Architecture I Geography
UNIVERSITY OF BATH Structural and Architectural Engineering (with professional placement) I Chemistry for Drug Discovery (with professional placement) I Mechanical Engineering I Robotics Engineering (with professional placement) I Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (with professional placement)
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences I Psychology I Psychology and Psychological Practice
UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON Psychology
UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL Social Policy I History I Psychology in Education
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER Accounting and Business with Industrial Experience I Mathematics I Sociology and Criminology (with a year abroad) I History
UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW Philosophy/Spanish
UNIVERSITY OF KENT Film (with a year abroad) I International Legal Studies (with a year abroad)
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS English, Theatre and Performance
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER Medicine
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER Music I Fashion Marketing
UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM Politics and International Relations I Criminology and Sociology I Architecture I Biochemistry I Veterinary Medicine I Natural Sciences with International Study
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH Biological Sciences with Foundation Year
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON Law I Mechanical Engineering / Automotive (with professional placement)
UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS English
UNIVERSITY OF SURREY Foundation Acting I Computer Science I Mechanical Engineering
UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX Anthropology with a Language
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK Physics I Biological Sciences (with professional placement) I Sociology I Biochemistry
ACADEMIC
The Academic Scholarship examinations are held at the school on a Saturday in November. You will be required to sit three papers: nonverbal reasoning; critical thinking and either an English or a Mathematics paper.
SIXTH FORM SCHOLARSHIPS
WE OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF SCHOLARSHIPS AT 16+
Scholarships are offered in recognition of achievement and potential, they may be worth up to 50% reduction in tuition fees for academic awards, and up to 25% for other awards.
Candidates for Art & Design, Drama, Music and Sixth Form Sport scholarships will be subject to the standard academic requirements for gaining a place in the school.
The Art & Design Scholarship process takes place at the school in November. You will be required to complete a simple still-life drawing or painting, using objects of your own choice, in an exam lasting two hours. You must also submit one sketchbook and a folder of up to five pieces of your artwork which best demonstrate your talents.
MUSIC
You should perform two contrasting pieces on your first study instrument or voice totaling around 5-6 minutes. After the performance, you will be asked to take a sightreading test and respond to some aural tests. This will be followed by a short interview. Applicants should be working at approximately a Grade 7 standard.
SPORT
You will be expected to nominate one sport for consideration for the scholarship which supports the school’s sports strategy of “engage, energise and excel”. ‘Excellence’ is deemed to be at least the equivalent of ‘County’ standard. Hockey, Netball and Rowing are the major sports at SWPS, however all sports will be considered
You will need to write a short essay which will be submitted at the audition. You will be sent a short monologue which you will prepare for performance at the assessment. You will also participate in a brief workshop, during which you will work together with other students to create an original piece of Drama.
ART & DESIGN
DRAMA
APPLICATION PROCESS
Join us, and you will be welcomed into an environment where you are valued and respected; and where you are encouraged to instigate, negotiate, challenge, question and lead, preparing you for success beyond school.
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.
JOIN THE SWPS COMMUNITY
FOR YEAR 12 (16+) ENTRY WE CONSIDER THREE THINGS
Your predicted GCSE results An interview A confidential report from your current school
The recent Good Schools Guide review says that SWPS provides “top-notch extra-curricular combined with unpressurised but robust academics, making this school a welcome antidote to some of the local hothouses. A golden ticket to a bright future, with lots of fun to be had on the way.”
We challenge our students to be the very best that they can be, however, our over-arching aim is for our students to achieve excellence (and not perfection) in a supportive and nurturing environment designed with their happiness and wellbeing in mind.
16+ Art, Drama, Music, Sport and Rowing Scholarship Auditions are held in November, as well as 16+ Academic Scholarship Exams.
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.
Conditional offers of places are made in December, with offers to be accepted in the New Year.
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.
For more detailed information about the Admissions process please visit www.swps.org.uk
GETTING TO US
Many students travel on one of our School coaches which cover much of the surrounding area.
The School currently operates seven coach services originating from the Camberley, Cobham, Esher, Twickenham, Walton, Windsor and Woking areas.
The return journeys depart School at 17.00 on Monday to Thursday, to allow Students to join in with co-curricular activities after school or with our supervised prep session, and 15.10 on Friday.
SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING
This is a tailored evening designed for prospective Sixth Form students and their parents, which usually takes place in September of Year 11. You will meet our Sixth Form subject leads, find out about UCAS preparation, and hear more about our extensive co-curricular activities. You will also have the opportunity to talk to our Head, and Director of Sixth Form. To register for this event please visit www.swps.org.uk/visit
“
With the amazing opportunities available at SWPS all of your goals are within reach if you put the work in.
