Sixth Form
at St John’s School
stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk
A level results 2025-26
60%
85%
A* - A
A* - B
Welcome It is my great pleasure to introduce you to the Sixth Form at St John’s, as you consider the next pivotal and enriching phase of your educational journey. We pride ourselves on delivering both exceptional academic results and a comprehensive, wellrounded education that prepares our pupils for the diverse challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our Sixth Form journey is built around achieving three strong A level results, and an additional fourth option, ensuring each pupil reaches their full academic potential. However, we believe education extends far beyond the classroom. Our pupils excel in sport, music, drama, Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and our extensive co-curricular activities programme offers something for everyone. These experiences nurture individual talents and build essential skills such as teamwork, resilience, and creativity. Understanding the importance of future planning, we provide high-quality career and futures guidance. Our dedicated Sixth Form team supports each pupil with their aspirations, whether that is aiming for a Russell Group university, pursuing an apprenticeship, studying abroad or entering the workforce.
We are committed to helping every pupil navigate their own path with confidence and clarity. Our Sixth Form community is underpinned by a strong pastoral ethos, where kindness, empathy, and mutual respect are at the core of everything we do. Together, our experienced Sixth Form team, tutors and house staff ensure that every pupil is cared for; we understand how much more pupils thrive and achieve when they are happy. Through community engagement and volunteering, we foster a culture of giving back and making a positive impact. Leadership is another cornerstone of our Sixth Form offering. We offer numerous leadership opportunities including school and house prefectships, instructional roles in the CCF, academic and pastoral peer mentoring schemes, Eagle Community Holiday volunteering and more.
We provide a nurturing environment where every pupil is equipped to thrive academically, personally, and socially. Embarking on a new educational journey is exciting, and we hope this brochure gives you an insight into our Sixth Form, but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Rosalind Williams ASSISTANT HEAD (SIXTH FORM)
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Our Sixth Form
VISION
We believe that if pupils are happy, inspired and supported, they have limitless potential. Our aim is to create an environment that is kind, supportive and full of opportunity, where every pupil is equipped to thrive now and in the future. Our vision for the Sixth Form years is for pupils to attain excellent academic credentials, opening doors to leading universities and a wide range of future pathways and careers, while developing the confidence, resilience and adaptability to flourish beyond St John’s. Through our distinctive The Quad: Life Skills programme, alongside the breadth of opportunities available across school life, pupils gain the knowledge, skills and character needed to navigate an ever-changing world. This approach is underpinned by our three pillars of Academic Rigour, Community Leadership and Aspirational Futures.
Alex Tate THE HEAD
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2
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ACADEMIC RIGOUR
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
ASPIRATIONAL FUTURES
Our Sixth Form pupils are motivated to learn. Our outstanding teachers are committed to forging environments and lessons that enable them to develop an interest and passion in their subjects. We are committed to instilling study habits that ensure pupils can study independently to reach their full potential.
Our Sixth Form cohort are role models for our younger pupils. We are committed to creating a kind, inclusive and open-minded environment to allow pupils to contribute positively across all aspects of school life (be it music, drama, CCF, sport, or community service) and to support each other.
Our Sixth Form pupils have the confidence to aim high. We aim to equip them with a formula for success, encouraging them to use their time in the Sixth Form to build their repertoire of skills, experiences and contacts. This ensures they are futureready, confident and prepared for future careers.
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More than
ACADEMIC EX
All pupils study three A levels. In exceptional circumstances, such as if a pupil wishes to study a language (and they are bilingual) and those who study further mathematics, they may do four A levels.
Universities like the breadth this gives pupils, and with a high grade in their EPQ or Maths in Context qualification, pupils have previously received grade reductions from certain universities.
In this case, that would be their fourth option. All pupils (with the exception of those doing four A levels) do a fourth option which is delivered within their curriculum time.
Running alongside our core offering, we have created our bespoke High Five Programme - a programme designed to prepare our pupils for life after St John’s.
They choose from:
The High Five Programme sits within The Quad: Life Skills, St John’s whole-school framework for developing the confidence, character and skills pupils need to flourish in a rapidly changing world. Built around the principles of personal growth, critical thinking, communication, wellbeing and future readiness, The Quad: Life Skills ensures that pupils leave St John’s not only academically successful, but equipped to shape their own futures with confidence and purpose. In the Sixth Form, these themes are brought to life through our High Five Programme.
EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATION (EPQ) GOLD ARTS AWARD MATHS IN CONTEXT GOLD CREST AWARD PERSONAL FINANCE AWARD
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ENTHUSIASTIC AND WELL-PLANNED TEACHING ENABLES PUPILS TO ACHIEVE HIGHLY IN RELATION TO THEIR STARTING POINTS AND MAKE GOOD PROGRESS, ACHIEVING HIGH LEVELS OF SUCCESS IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS AT GCSE AND A LEVEL.
ISI Inspection May 2025
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CELLENCE
THE FIVE KEY STRANDS OF THE HIGH FIVE PROGRAMME 1
The basics of finance, how to set up a bank account, saving, mortgages etc.
2
Understanding the British political system, the key parties etc.
3
Importance of writing and speaking for life e.g. CV/letter writing, interview and presentation skills, and preparation for employer assessment centres.
4
5
Pupils pick from a number of ‘short courses’ which are each five weeks long. These are run by different academic teachers and are normally something which they are particularly passionate about, perhaps have studied themselves at undergraduate or master’s level. They are designed to be similar to university seminars. Preparing Lower Sixth pupils to thrive in the age of artificial intelligence through critical thinking, ethical decision-making and responsible academic practice.
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Passionate about
PASTORAL CARE
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In the Sixth Form team, we are passionate about the benefits of a truly collaborative pastoral and academic approach to education.
ISI Inspection May 2025
Every pupil is a member of a physical house where they are supported daily by tutors and senior house staff.
THE SCHOOL’S FOCUS ON KINDNESS IS REFLECTED IN EVERY ASPECT OF SCHOOL LIFE.
Sixth Form pupils see their tutor every morning and every afternoon and we quickly get to know them to provide them with a truly individualised education.
Daily support
Confidence & growth
Every pupil is known and valued as an individual.
Supporting every pupil to grow in confidence and independence.
A community where every pupil is known, valued and supported.
• Leadership opportunities • Reflection and goal setting
• House community • Peer mentoring • Individual pastoral support
• Daily tutor contact • Academic mentoring • Sixth Form guidance
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Wellbeing & belonging
Future ready Supporting every pupil to find their path. • Personalised university support • Bespoke careers guidance • Apprenticeship and employment advice • Professional skills development
Beyond the
CLASSROOM
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AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES ENABLES PUPILS TO DEVELOP THEIR INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS AND SKILLS.
ISI Inspection May 2025
Contribute
Explore
Lead
Sixth Form pupils become leaders, peer mentors and role models, contributing to the wider life of the School.
From the arts and music to sport, community and the house system, there are opportunities to discover new interests and develop existing talents.
Pupils take a full and active role in the cocurricular life of the School, participating in two activities per week.
181+ ACTIVITIES TO CHOOSE FROM EVERY WEEK
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Full of
OPPORTUNITY
Our Sixth Form offering goes beyond university counselling and careers and futures guidance, with specialised workshops, guest lectures and internship/work experience opportunities. Our expectation is for all pupils to do one week of work experience (normally in the summer holiday between Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth years) and we also encourage pupils to go beyond their academic subjects by completing MOOCs, essay competitions, residentials and workshops. Our schoolwide membership to Unifrog makes it easy for pupils to find and apply for these opportunities. Finally, and very importantly, we value our pupils engaging, contributing, volunteering and supporting the School and the wider community. In particular, every year many Sixth Form pupils volunteer to be part of our Eagle Community Holiday, a week-long residential holiday in the summer for children aged 10-18 with a range of complex special needs.
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LEADERS DESIGN ACTIVITIES AROUND A RANGE OF THEMES TO ENABLE PUPILS TO DEVELOP ACADEMIC, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
ISI Inspection May 2025
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Feeling
FUTURE READY
We want our pupils to leave St John’s feeling confident, ambitious and future-ready. Within our team, we have the Head of Careers and Pathways who gives personalised careers guidance as well as offering a number of in-house careers workshops such as business and marketing with Unilever, medical interview skills and hands-on law sessions focusing on different specialisms.
The map above shows university destinations for the last three years.
We also offer high-level support for the university application process, consisting of an initial presentation for pupils and parents from a university admissions tutor about the application timeline, a visit to university with mock lectures, personal statement drop-down day and a futures workshop all before the Upper Sixth year. Exceptional bespoke support is provided post-results by our futures team and senior house staff.
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Their Sixth Form
THEIR STORY Joe A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A* A* UNIVERSITY: UCL COURSE: Cancer Biomedicine
Phoebe A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A* UNIVERSITY: Durham COURSE: Politics and Economics
Jake A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A* UNIVERSITY: Cambridge COURSE: Music
Katie A LEVEL RESULTS: A A B UNIVERSITY: Reading / PwC COURSE: BSc PwC Flying Start Programme Accounting and Business
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“Work experience at the Institute of Cancer Research, arranged through the School, confirmed that this was the career path I wanted to pursue. Alongside my academic studies, I enjoyed being involved in the choir, orchestra and being a role model for younger people as a School Prefect in the Upper Sixth.”
“Financial Literacy helped me strengthen my CV and secure work experience, while Political Understanding inspired me to study Politics as part of my degree. Sixth Form gave me the confidence to really pursue my interests beyond the classroom.”
“The combination of academic challenge, house life and the opportunities available through music made my time at St John’s incredibly rewarding. Engaging with the scholarship programme and performing with a professional orchestra strengthened my passion for music. Leading the house part song entry, where we finished third, was a very proud moment.” “I enjoyed challenging myself and exploring a wide range of opportunities, from volunteering with the Leatherhead Youth Project to representing the School in sport. The house feeling in South and community was incredible. These experiences helped prepare me for the PwC Flying Start programme.”
Every pupil’s Sixth Form journey is unique. Here, some of our 2026 leavers reflect on the experiences, opportunities and moments that shaped their time at St John’s.
Charlie A LEVEL RESULTS: A A A UNIVERSITY: Bath COURSE: International Development with Economics
Lisara A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A* and EPQ A* UNIVERSITY: California, Los Angeles (UCLA) COURSE: Neuroscience (Pre-Med Track)
Emily A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A UNIVERSITY: Italia Conti COURSE: BA Acting (Musical Theatre)
Theo A LEVEL RESULTS: A A B UNIVERSITY: Middlesex / Unilever COURSE: B2B Sales Degree Apprenticeship
“Joining St John’s in the Sixth Form as a weekly boarder, I quickly felt part of the School community. Alongside my studies, rugby and life in the boarding house helped me build lasting friendships and settle in from day one.”
“Completing an EPQ allowed me to develop new skills and explore my interest in medical sciences in greater depth, while opportunities such as the Dubai netball tour, performing at Cadogan Hall and volunteering on the Eagle Community Holiday with some of my closest friends are some of my standout memories of my time at St John’s.”
“From House Singing to performing in the School’s musical productions, Sixth Form gave me the confidence to challenge myself and pursue a career in musical theatre. The Arts Award further developed my creativity and communication skills.”
“From volunteering and learning Chinese to house events and sport, Sixth Form encouraged me to make the most of every opportunity. The EPQ programme also helped me develop the skills and confidence needed for my degree apprenticeship. I have made friendships for life.”
SIXTH FORM TEAM Rosalind Williams
ASSISTANT HEAD - Sixth Form
Tom Hall
DEPUTY HEAD OF SIXTH FORM - Pupil Engagement
Catie Moon
DEPUTY HEAD OF SIXTH FORM - Head of UCAS and Futures (STEM and Social Sciences)
Lula Teunissen
DEPUTY HEAD OF SIXTH FORM - Head of Careers and Pathways (Arts and Humanities)
Gillian Lamb
FUTURES ASSISTANT - Stretch and Challenge
ST JOHN’S SIXTH FORM | Page 11
New Sixth Form Facilities - Opening January 2027 St John’s is embarking on our visionary plan to create a new Sixth Form area within our historic estate. The development will repurpose existing buildings to create a future-focused and more adult environment for our older pupils, further supporting their growing independence and preparing them for life beyond school. Scan the QR code below to view the fly-through of the new Sixth Form area.
September 2026
St John’s School T +44 (0)1372 373000 school@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk
Registered Charity No: 312064