ACADEMIC LIFE
A deep culture of intellectual curiosity and ambition defines your last two years of school. What new ideas are you keen to explore?
ACADEMIC LIFE
Sixth Form academic life is shaped by small class sizes and expert subject teaching. You are encouraged to take risks and develop self-belief, fostering confidence and resilience.
Our academic curriculum offers breadth and depth, with A Levels including Economics, Politics, History of Art and Psychology, in a programme of study reflecting your interests, strengths and future aspirations. Most study three A Levels, striking the balance between academic rigour and time for independent thinking and wider reading, while some choose a fourth: often Further Maths.
We also offer enriching opportunities beyond A Levels, such as our bespoke Westmacott Programme, the Futures Programme and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
Lower Sixth students are guided by their Upper Sixth peers to help develop confidence, effective study habits and a clear academic direction.
EPQ
The EPQ offers you the rare freedom to pursue an area of personal interest, extending well beyond A Level specification boundaries.
Worth half an A Level, the qualification encourages an enquiring mind while developing highly transferable skills, including independent research, critical analysis, academic writing and effective time management: excellent preparation for university study. All Lower Sixth students complete the Taught Skills element, with the majority opting to take the full qualification.
You can choose to write a 5,000-word essay (such as on the transportation of stones to Stonehenge, the future impact of biofuels or the partition of India) or to produce an artefact. Previous projects include creating a Regency dress, building a Formula 1 car model, designing a mastectomy bra and running a sustainable fashion show.
You will have access throughout your research process to our well-resourced library, extensive online academic databases and expert guidance from our EPQ Coordinator and School Librarian.
SEND
We support personal growth and celebrate neurodiversity as a valued strength within our community.
Our Learning Strategies Department works closely with subject specialists and the Pastoral Team to ensure the curriculum and opportunities beyond the classroom are accessible to all. We place great emphasis on developing independent learning skills, so that you can take ownership of your progress.
Thanks to small class sizes, teaching is highly personalised. We can also make appropriate adaptations so that everyone has the chance to thrive academically, access future educational opportunities and achieve at the highest levels.
Our Head of Learning Strategies will ensure a smooth, supportive transition for anyone joining Sixth Form with existing access arrangements or diagnostic reports. We also offer one-to-one support with specialist teachers for neurodiverse and SEND students.
DIGITAL LEARNING
Digital and analogue approaches to learning maximise understanding, focus and retention.
Students develop strong technological literacy for research, collaboration and presenting work, while also using paper-based techniques such as handwritten notes.
