06
Academic provision & the timetable Lower Sixth Sixth Formers take four subjects in the Lower Sixth involving eight periods per week per subject. Linguists will have extra conversation classes, and students studying Art, Photography and Design Technology are expected to spend a proportion of their private study time working on their projects in the relevant department area. We believe that starting with four A Levels enables students to maintain breadth and ensure that they make the right choices. The majority of our Sixth Formers elect to drop one of their A Levels during or by the end of their first year, although some students will continue with four subjects throughout. All Sixth Formers have two periods of enrichment each week, as part of our Diploma Programme, and two periods of Games (on Wednesday afternoons) leaving four private study periods per week for most Sixth Formers to pursue their independent learning. Private study periods enable students to develop sound working habits and learn to manage their time wisely. In the Lower Sixth, private study periods should be spent in the Sixth Form Centre study areas, or (with relevant staff permission) in the departmental study areas or the main library. If we believe a Lower Sixth Former is underachieving then we may place them on supervised private study, which requires them to spend their private study periods under the supervision of a member of staff.
Dropping an A Level subject Sixth Formers, after consultation with the Head of Sixth Form or Deputy Head of Sixth Form, may select to drop one of their A Level subjects in December or after the February half term, although many continue with the fourth subject until after the end of year exams in June and some continue with four A Level subjects all the way through. The decision to drop from four A Levels to three A Levels is taken on an individual basis and reflects the interests and ambitions of that student. We are unlikely to permit subject drops outside of the prescribed dropping windows during the academic year. Sixth Formers must achieve at least a grade C in their exams at the end of the Lower Sixth to guarantee continuing with the subject into the Upper Sixth. All decisions around A Level subjects are taken with great care and after thoughtful discussions about future pathways. Where Sixth Formers require extra support for special educational needs, this is provided in school through our Learning Support professionals as well as through our Clinical Psychologist, if required.
Upper Sixth Most Sixth Formers take three A levels in the Upper Sixth, as this is generally what universities require and it gives the best chance of achieving the highest grades. Most Upper Sixth Formers, therefore, have an extra eight periods per week for independent study. Some do keep all four subjects and do not gain extra free periods. Upper Sixth Formers are free to use private study periods as they wish, unless they fall behind with work or its quality is poor, in which case they will also be required to register for supervised private study.