Why Sixth Form at St Mary’s

Our bespoke Ignite programme is at the heart of a student’s experience in St Mary’s Sixth Form.

It introduces three enrichment strands that form a key part of the programme. Each strand has been designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to thrive as independent A Level learners, to explore their interests, and to begin shaping a vision for life beyond St Mary’s.

The structure of Ignite also enables every student to personalise their pathway, ensuring they can pursue areas that inspire them and develop their strengths.

The approach to Sixth Form splits this important two years into six pillars which give students the flexibility to make their Sixth Form their own, shaping their experience and making choices to ensure their journey supports their future aspirations. Our experienced and passionate Sixth Form Team is on hand to offer advice, guidance and support every step of the way.

Achieve

Our students choose three A Levels from a wide range of subjects. Our smaller class sizes mean that everyone in each lesson benefits from being able to express their opinions, ask and answer questions, and receive the support they need to achieve their personal best. Our learning environment will prepare you to achieve your goals in your assessments and examinations, and also for the university tutorials or team meetings you will attend once you leave school.

Extend

We offer three additional qualifications alongside the A Level subjects, and students choose one of these, depending on their strengths and interests. Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
is worth half an A Level, it requires students to research and produce either a 5,000-word report or an artefact and present their work to a live audience. The Cambridge OCR Oracy Level 3 course also provides UCAS points, but more than this it supports you in developing confident spoken communication, analytical thinking and academic independence. The third option is Further Maths, for students taking Maths A Level, to take as an AS Level or an A Level.

Lead

All students are expected to take on leadership roles through their time in the sixth form. Opportunities in Year 12 include acting as mentors for younger students, including those in the Prep School, and taking on Vice House Captain roles to support the prefects in Year 13. Halfway through Year 12, you are encouraged to apply for the Head Student Team, comprising Head Student, Deputy Heads and Games Captain as well as for one of the prefect positions that mean leading a particular aspect of school life, such as Charities Prefect, Year 7 Transition Prefect or Eco Prefect. There is a leadership role to suit everyone’s interests.

We know the benefits that holding a student leadership position brings for all students. You will develop confidence and improve your ability to articulate your thoughts through leading and collaborating with your peers, with teachers and the Senior Leadership Team, as you work together to achieve a common goal.

Engage

The jump from GCSEs to A Levels can be daunting, and so our SMART programme, grounded in cognitive science and psychological principles from sport and education, equips students with the mindset, habits and learning strategies needed to succeed as proactive, independent Sixth Formers. This is followed by the Luminary Series: lectures and workshops from experts and professionals who share insights into a wide range of careers, personal development themes and current issues, building social and cultural capital.

Explore

Helping students plan for life beyond Sixth Form is one of our greatest strengths. Whether you are considering university, an apprenticeship, or entering the workplace, you will receive personalised guidance from our Director of Futures – not just once, but throughout your Sixth Form journey. Together with the Director of Sixth Form and our dedicated tutor team, we will get to know your ambitions, support your decision-making, and help you choose the pathway that is right for you.

Enhance

We know how important skills and knowledge are for your future. In an increasingly competitive and technology-driven world, young people who have the ability to connect with others and their work will be successful in the world of work.

In Year 12, all students take part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme which provides an exceptional opportunity to develop the skills and experience that universities and employers value most. As part of a team, you will create, manage and grow your own business, taking on real responsibilities and making meaningful decisions. From developing a product or service and managing finances to marketing, sales, and customer engagement, this programme is built into our curriculum, with a role for everyone to take part. Later in Year 12, our Digital Human course connects students with an appreciation of the wider world and how artificial intelligence is shaping how we live and work.

In Year 13, our Life Skills programme support you as you prepare to live more independently. Practical cooking skills, financial education and ‘life matters’ such as registering at a doctor’s surgery and changing a tyre are all covered in this programme.