Whatever path they choose, they leave us with a firm footing, academically, personally and spiritually, ready to make their way in the world with resilience, poise and purpose.
Discover the St Edmund’s
Liam Woodward Head of Rhetoric, St Edmund’s College, Ware
The Sixth Form at St Edmund’s is known as ‘Rhetoric’ and we are deeply proud of our Rhetoricians. It is with great anticipation that we see them progress each year to the world’s leading universities and the country’s most competitive apprenticeship schemes.
Rhetoric prepares students for life beyond school, ensuring they leave as confident, independent, and enthusiastic young people who are fully equipped for the demands of the modern world. Students are encouraged to embody the values of St Edmund: to work hard and support one another, prepared to use their talents in service of others.
Whatever path they choose, they leave us with a firm footing, academically, personally and spiritually, ready to make their way in the world with resilience, poise and purpose. Rhetoric equips them not only with the qualifications they need, but with the strength of character, clarity of ambition and moral compass to thrive in all they go on to do.
Our curriculum is academically rigorous yet forward-thinking, tailored to meet the individual needs of each student. In the Sixth Form, learning is focused more intently on developing intellectually agile and curious learners, with students encouraged to ask and answer challenging questions in equal measure. Greater onus is also placed on independent learning; students have supervised study periods and access to personalised support to help fully realise their potential.
Our ambitious and diverse Enrichment programme ensures all students are nurtured, challenged and recognised as unique individuals with their own innate and God-given talents. Rhetoric life draws on the outstanding expertise and care of a dedicated team of subject teachers, tutors, Housemasters and Housemistresses, and senior staff who work in close partnership with parents. We see our role as one of support and collaboration, cultivating each student’s academic, moral and spiritual growth within a community of shared values.
Service
CORE RE
(Critical Thinking, Oracy, Religious Education, Ethics)
Supercurricular (EPQ, Guest speakers)
Leadership
Entrepreneurship
Careers & Life Skills
Wellbeing (Sport, Health, Relationships)
Scholarship
Academic subjects sit at the core of the Rhetoric programme. Students have the options of a wide range of subjects and both A Level and CTEC qualifications. Surrounding this is a dynamic Enrichment programme, nurturing every aspect of student growth through super-curricular opportunities, tailored careers and life skills support, a robust focus on wellbeing and our CORE RE sessions that sharpen critical thinking, ethical understanding, and oracy. Wrapped around everything we do is a purposeful ethos of personal development that is rooted in service, leadership, scholarship, and entrepreneurship, supported by an extensive range of Period 7 and co-curricular opportunities.
Students in Rhetoric are encouraged to focus on academic subjects that they enjoy and which play to their strengths.
We offer a range of subjects and qualifications to ensure that students can tailor their academic programme to best fit their interests and aspirations. Our A Level and Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications sit at the heart of our academic curriculum.
• Three A Level subjects remains the most conventional pathway for students in Rhetoric and across the UK. The Higher Performing students who have the capacity will often supplement this with an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
• A small minority of students will sit four A Level subjects. It is a requirement that students achieve all Grades 8-9 at GCSE to ensure that they can cope with the significant and demanding workload if this is their desired pathway.
• Given that they are equivalent to two A Levels, those wishing to pursue one of our CTEC courses will either study one CTEC and one A Level, or simply a CTEC qualification supplemented with an EPQ or other independent projects.
• We also regularly support students with specialised, bespoke programmes to accommodate high-level sporting or musical commitments. These flexible arrangements ensure students with professional aspirations can achieve qualifications in a way that is suited to their individual needs.
We currently offer the following subject options:
A Level
Art
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Computer Science
Design and
Technology
Drama Theatre
Economics
English Literature
French
Further Maths
Geography
German
History
Mathematics
Media Studies
Music
Physical
Education
Cambridge Technical (CTEC)
Business
Sport and Physical Activity
Physics
Politics
Psychology
Spanish
Theology
There are no set entry requirements for overall admission into Rhetoric, rather specific conditions that are dependent upon students’ desired courses. For most A Level subjects they are required to achieve at least a Grade 6.
There are no grade specific entry requirements for either of the CTEC courses which we offer in Rhetoric, however, we do require students to demonstrate a keen interest in their desired course, as well as enthusiasm and a willingness to commit to its considerable demands.
Scan for further information on our A Level subjects and CTEC.
“After completing my GCSEs at St Edmund’s, I was offered a professional football scholarship. This opportunity meant committing to a demanding training and match schedule while still wanting to pursue A levels. Thanks to the tailored support at St Edmunds, I was able to commit to both my sport and my studies.
The school designed a bespoke, flexible timetable that allowed me to balance both commitments effectively. Additional academic support was provided where needed, and I completed my A Levels successfully, achieving A* grades in Business and PE and an A in Mathematics. The flexibility and support offered by the school were key in helping me achieve my sporting and academic goals.”
Joseph S, Old Edmundian
At St Edmund’s, we believe that high performance isn’t reserved for the few – it is a habit that can be learned by all. This is why we have embraced High Performance Learning (HPL), a pioneering educational framework that equips pupils not only with academic rigour, but with the values, attitudes and attributes they’ll need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Backed by over 40 years of research from Oxford University and developed by renowned education expert Professor Deborah Eyre, HPL gives every child – not just the top percentiles – the tools to think deeply, learn strategically, and grow confidently. It is about stretching ambition, not narrowing opportunity.
St Edmund’s is proud to be one of a select group of World Class HPL Schools worldwide – a distinction that recognises our commitment to academic excellence and holistic education. As part of the Fellowship and Global Community of HPL Schools, we stand alongside some of the most forward-thinking and ambitious schools across the globe.
Here, HPL is more than a framework: it forms a thread that runs through what we do, shaping pupils who are problem-solvers, intellectually curious, emotionally intelligent, and quietly self-assured.
Find out more about HPL.
Rhetoric Enrichment is carefully designed to complement rather than add additional workload and comprises a mix of taught lessons and individual opportunities.
In addition to their academic subjects and independent study, students will follow an Enrichment programme to support personal growth, develop soft skills, and broaden their academic and professional horizons.
This is carefully designed to complement rather than add additional workload and comprises a mix of taught lessons and individual opportunities based on the following four strands:
• Supercurricular: the development of academic research skills and the delivery of the Extended Project Qualification.
• CORE RE: designed to foster intellectual and spiritual growth, CORE RE builds knowledge and skills in critical thinking, oracy, religious education and ethics.
• Careers and Life Skills: preparing students for life at university and beyond, whilst supporting their progression towards being young professionals.
• Wellbeing: our Sport, Health and Relationships curricula establish a secure foundation of physical and emotional wellbeing.
Of growing interest to universities are the ways in which students demonstrate their intellectual curiosity beyond the classroom, and indeed the confines of a course syllabus.
Supercurricular activities are an excellent way for students to hone their academic interests, demonstrate their commitment to learning and develop a deeper and more scholarly understanding of their work. Digital technology continues to provide young people with a vast library of content and students in Rhetoric are encouraged to dedicate a portion of their study time to exploring any books, podcasts, documentaries or online courses that can help to enrich their learning. Students also receive a subscription to MySuperCurricular, an online database containing thousands of links, articles, podcasts, events and competitions for them to explore.
Equivalent to half an A Level and valued by universities and employers, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is an independent research project that allows students to investigate a topic of their choosing. The EPQ develops a range of transferable skills, such as critical thinking, academic writing, time and project management, and independent research. It encourages intellectual curiosity, fosters a love of learning, and often strengthens university and job applications by demonstrating initiative, subject interest, and readiness for further study.
Examples of report-based EPQ titles:
• Is trial by jury still a fair and effective method of delivering justice in the UK?
• How effective are rewilding projects in combating biodiversity loss in the UK?
• Should gene editing technologies like CRISPR be used to prevent inherited diseases?
Examples of artefact-based EPQ titles:
• Create a portfolio of original fashion designs inspired by the work of Coco Chanel.
• Design and build a working prototype of a smartphone holder for wheelchair users.
• Write and stage a short one-act play exploring a contemporary social issue.
Supercurricular activities are an excellent way for students to hone their academic interests, demonstrate their commitment to learning and develop a deeper and more scholarly understanding of their work.
• Research Skills: Regardless of whether they plan to pursue the EPQ pathway, all students are taught the value of academic research skills. Fortnightly Enrichment lessons will teach them how to source information, think critically about its validity and reliability, and avoid the pitfalls of AI and plagiarism.
• Lecture Days: Many universities and organisations run lecture days for Sixth Form students which are frequently attended by our Rhetoricians. These are an excellent way of preparing students for higher education, expanding their academic horizons, and exposing them to new themes, theories and thinkers.
• Academic Societies: The number of academic societies run through our co-curricular programme continues to grow; they are the perfect opportunity for students to further refine their presentation, debating and critical thinking skills. Student-led sessions typically explore a chosen theme, discuss weekly reading and promote intellectual autonomy and independence.
• Academic Competitions: From the John Locke Global Essay Prize Competition to the Biology Olympiad, and UK Maths Challenge to the Young Geographer of the Year Award, academic competitions are an excellent way for students to challenge themselves, demonstrate their ability and further demonstrate to potential universities and employers their interest in a chosen field.
• Guest Speakers: Our weekly guest speakers programme has previously welcomed lawyers, politicians, engineers, economists and scientific researchers, all of whom have encouraged students to think about challenging ideas, new and emerging schools of thought and real-world applications of the subjects that they study.
Equivalent to half an A Level and valued by universities and employers, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is an independent research project that allows students to investigate a topic of their choosing.
CORE RE provides students with a valuable opportunity to explore and debate a range of topical global issues.
Through the lens of religion, philosophy, and ethics, students are encouraged to engage critically with the world around them and consider different perspectives on complex questions of justice, human rights, conflict, identity, and the environment.
In doing so, CORE RE supports the development of key skills and knowledge in the following areas:
• Critical Thinking: evaluating arguments and drawing reasoned conclusions.
• Oracy: developing confidence and clarity in spoken communication and respectful debate.
• Religious Education: deepening understanding of major world religions and their impact on society.
• Ethics: exploring philosophical ideas about right and wrong, and how these shape society.
Student wellbeing is centred on knowing our students well, working closely with them to ensure we can provide the highest levels of personalised support whenever it is needed. This is complemented by our Health and Relationships programme and the promotion of healthy living through our sport and activities programmes.
Regular sessions aim to equip students with the confidence to safely explore and build their understanding of the complex social issues they are likely to face, so that they have the self-awareness and maturity to address these both during Sixth Form, and as they move on to university and the professional workplace.
Examples of topics:
• Privacy and consent
• Sexual harassment in the workplace
• Online dating
• Gambling and online gambling
• Safe driving
• Mental health
• Money matters
• Personal safety and situational awareness
We are committed to the spiritual development of every student –regardless of their religious background. As England’s oldest Catholic School, values, prayer and reflection underpin all that we do.
These values, and our Edmundian Virtues, are universal, reaching across students and families of all faiths and of no faith at all.
Service and leadership are central to all aspects of College life and Rhetoric students are active in supporting others through volunteering and charity work.
Our Grade I Listed Pugin Chapel and the Chaplaincy are at the heart of the College, helping pupils in the spiritual and reflective aspects of their lives. All pupils attend Mass on Holy Days and key Edmundian Feast days, and boarders attend Mass on Sundays.
Find out more about spiritual life at St Edmund’s.
Whether for competition or leisure, to improve performance or just as part of a healthy lifestyle, being active is a key feature in Rhetoric life. All abilities and levels of interest are catered for with the option to do more or less depending on the student’s interest whether this is playing a team sport, taking part in organised activities, working out in the gym or simply walking the school grounds with friends.
Sporting provision in Rhetoric also extends to the following:
• Opportunities to represent Senior teams across all major sports
• ‘Aspiring Athletes’ pathway
• Personalised Strength and Conditioning programmes
• Open gym sessions
• Healthy living and nutrition coaching
• Opportunities to gain professional qualifications (eg coaching, refereeing)
Our Careers provision is thus central to the two-year Rhetoric programme, with each student having access to bespoke coaching and guidance from our Careers Officer.
It is inevitable that as students edge towards adulthood and life beyond school their focus on careers and their professional aspirations begin to sharpen.
Our Careers provision is thus central to the two-year Rhetoric programme, with each student having access to bespoke coaching and guidance from our Careers Officer, and personalised support from their tutor and Rhetoric staff.
• Career Coaching: Whether they have clear plans or goals or no idea where to start, students receive outstanding care and support from our Careers Officer, an experienced careers counsellor who is dedicated to helping students to draft CVs, refine letters of application, explore work experience opportunities and reflect on their strengths and areas for development.
• UniFrog and University Guidance: Students will receive subscriptions to both UniFrog and the UCAS Hub, which they can use to explore university institutions and courses, build shortlists and complete psychometric tests.
• Apprenticeships: Alternative pathways to university are becoming increasingly popular nationally, and we are proud of the students who have progressed from Rhetoric onto highly competitive degree apprenticeship schemes with organisations including JP Morgan Chase, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Airbus, Amazon, CGI London and the Civil Service.
• Interview Skills: Taking place in November, our Interview Skills Morning is a highlight on the careers calendar. We are fortunate to welcome a range of visitors from an array of industries to provide each student in Rhetoric II with a 30-minute mock job interview. Students frequently comment on the value of this initiative and the usefulness of the feedback they receive.
• Visiting Speakers: Our programme of guest speakers often touches on areas relating to academics or PSHE, but frequently also has a strong careers focus. We have previously welcomed war photographers, press officers, solicitors, financial advisers and university lecturers to share insights into their work and discuss their career progression.
The following gives an indication of the breadth of universities and courses that our 2025 leavers have gone on to pursue.
City, University of London
Cornell University
Durham University
Kent and Medway Medical School
King’s College London
Lancaster University
Loughborough University
National Taiwan University of Arts
Newcastle University
Nottingham Trent University
Queen Mary University of London
Royal Holloway, University of London
The University of Edinburgh
University of Bristol
University of Cambridge
University of East Anglia UEA
University of Exeter
University of Florida
University of Leeds
University of Nottingham
University of Southampton
University of Warwick
University of York
Scan here for our most recent results.
Finance
International Relations, Law
Medicine
Biomedical Science, English, Law
Computer Science
Geography with Economics, Geography and Sport Science, International Business
Chemical Engineering
Architecture, Graphic Design, Mechanical
Engineering, Real Estate, Sport and Exercise Science
Engineering
Comparative Literature and Culture
Business with Marketing, Medicine
Psychology in Education
Natural Sciences
Psychology
Geography, Media and Communications
Fashion Marketing
Cancer Sciences, Liberal Arts, Medicinal and Biological Chemistry
Accounting and Finance
Economics, Economics and Management, Mathematics, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), Psychology
Engineering, History and Politics
Whether it is visiting galleries for Art, theatres for Drama, conducting fieldwork for Geography or Biology, or even the world-class CERN facilities in Geneva with the Physics department, academic trips are fundamental in providing Rhetoricians with real-world experiences and understanding.
In addition, we run several cross-curricular trips that are exclusive to students in Rhetoric focused on promoting independence, resilience and cultural awareness including international trips to New York and India.
Alongside the academic and enrichment programmes Rhetoricians have the chance for further personal development through our extensive co-curricular programme.
The Period 7 co-curricular programme remains a cornerstone of a St Edmund’s education; however, in Rhetoric, students are granted greater independence and responsibility. All students in Rhetoric I are expected to lead or support the running of at least one weekly activity, in line with the College’s mission of service to others. The programme offers unparalleled scope for academic enrichment, personal growth, and the development of essential leadership and organisational skills.
Below is just a sample of the extensive activities and opportunities on offer to Rhetoric students through Period 7:
• Junior Award Scheme for Schools (JASS): Each year a team of Rhetoric I students is responsible for the planning and delivery of the JASS Award in our Prep School. Often described as a junior version of DofE, the Rhetoricians mentor Form 5 students on a weekly and one-to-one basis providing them with the guidance and confidence to navigate each stage of the programme.
• Model United Nations (MUN): The ideal activity for anyone with an interest in Politics, Law, Geography, Economics or Philosophy, or simply for those with an interest in sharpening their skills in research, debate, public speaking and negotiation, Model United Nations gives students a deep appreciation of global affairs, governance and diplomacy with the opportunity to form a delegation at conferences organised nationally and overseas.
• Combined Cadet Force (CCF): Leadership, discipline, service and a huge amount of fun are at the heart of the CCF programme. Rhetoric students play a key role as senior cadets, learning how to instruct and guiding younger years through field exercises, and practical training.
• Young Enterprise: This hands-on programme gives our budding Rhetoric entrepreneurs the chance to devise, set up and operate their own business. Students allocate leadership roles within their teams, develop a product or service, manage their finances and market their brand. With guidance from business mentors, they learn how to problem-solve, calculate risk, and adapt to real-world challenges.
• Off-site community service: Our off-site community service programme allows Rhetoric students to make a real and lasting difference in the wider community. Students make a weekly visit to either a local care home or rehabilitation centre for vulnerable people. These visits can be challenging, but always bring out the best in our students, who demonstrate impressive levels of empathy, social awareness, and civic responsibility.
• Academic societies: Led by Rhetoricians with a passion for their subjects, and supported by expert staff, our academic societies range from Engineering to Law and Medicine to Architecture, providing a forum for discussion, debate, and enrichment beyond the classroom. Whether exploring contemporary debates, emerging issues in their field, or academic literature, these societies give students the chance to deepen their subject knowledge and inspire one another.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of Period 7 activities on offer, with many others available to Rhetoric students across Music, Drama, Art and Sport.
Weekly and flexi-boarding are popular options in Rhetoric, offering a flexible structure that eases the pressure of commuting and encourages personal responsibility.
Boarding at St Edmund’s is an exciting opportunity to develop maturity, independence and resilience; skills that will serve students well at university and beyond. Whether full, weekly or flexi, boarding provides a vibrant, supportive community where students of all ages can thrive academically and socially.
Weekly and flexi-boarding are popular options in Rhetoric, offering a flexible structure that eases the pressure of commuting and encourages personal responsibility. Students can stay overnight on selected days, making the most of co-curricular opportunities, additional supervised study time and the facilities on site. For many of our Rhetoricians it is the perfect stepping stone between home and university life.
Boarders at St Edmund’s get a rich and varied experience that goes beyond the classroom. Living independently with their own bedroom in the Sixth Form, students have quiet space for study and relaxation, and communal areas to forge lasting friendships. The boarding houses are separate for girls and boys, comfortable and well-equipped with personal desks, storage and Wi-Fi.
Find out more about boarding.
There is no application process to follow for existing St Edmund’s students, who will automatically transition into Rhetoric upon the completion of their GCSEs.
Tailored support is available to students throughout their Poetry year, with Housemasters/Housemistresses, the Rhetoric team, Careers department and wider academic staff all available to ensure students are able to make informed decisions about their future pathways and subject choices.
Key dates and points of contact:
• October: Poetry Parents’ Evening and Rhetoric Options Evening
• November: Initial subject preference submission
• February: Subject choice submission
• June: Rhetoric induction
• August/September: Subject choice confirmation and enrolment
Each year we welcome many new students into Rhetoric from other schools. Prospective families are welcome to visit at any time throughout the academic year and we encourage anyone interested in applying to speak to our admissions team to arrange a tour of the school and an informal meeting with the Head of Rhetoric.
They can be contacted via admissions@stedmundscollege.org with more information available on our website.
Once they have registered and submitted an application, candidates will be invited to interview to discuss their suitability to St Edmund’s and their Sixth Form aspirations. Places offered to external candidates are conditional on GCSE grades and confirmed upon the publication of results in August. Any candidates holding an offer will be invited to take part in our Rhetoric programme that takes places in June to ensure a smooth transition into the St Edmund’s community in September.
Click here to register for the Sixth Form.
No matter which year you are applying for, our entry process consist of the following stages:
1
2 3 4 5 6
7 Come for a visit to the Prep, College or Sixth Form.
Submission of online registration form and non-refundable registration fee.
Submission of scholarship or bursary application form(s) if applicable.
Interview
Assessment day
Offer a place, if criteria have been met.
Acceptance of a place at the Prep, College or Sixth Form.
Each year we award a number of scholarships on entry into Rhetoric and welcome applications from both current students and external applicants. The Cardinal Allen Scholarship is awarded for Music, Art, Sport and Academic merit and can offer a reduction in school fees of up to 20%.
All awards are subject to a scholarship interview, and to be eligible, students should be in line to achieve mainly Grades 9-7/A*-A grades at GCSE. The application deadlines and forms can be found on the College website:
Scan here for Sixth Form Scholarships.
St Edmund’s College & Prep School
Old Hall Green
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG11 1DS
T: 01920 824247
E: admissions@stedmundscollege.org
stedmundscollege.org
We are situated just off the A10 London to Cambridge main road. At the A120 roundabout on the dual carriageway (signed to Stansted, Bishop’s Stortford and Puckeridge), take the exit signposted ‘Old Hall Green’. Follow the signs to St Edmund’s College and enter through the main gates.
The College is approximately fifteen minutes’ drive from Ware, Hertford or Bishop’s Stortford main line railway stations. Regular, fast train services run to and from London, taking approximately thirty minutes.
St Edmund’s is situated approximately twenty minutes by car from Stansted, forty-five minutes from Luton, and just over an hour from Heathrow Airport.
The School offers an extensive network of bus routes, stretching from North London and Essex to the south, right up to Cambridge to the north, with all towns along the A1, A10 and M11 corridors included. New routes can be added to the network on request, where there is sufficient demand.
