Sixth Form Life

Students often say that Sixth Form is where they spend some of the most enjoyable years of their school life and St Philip Howard Sixth Form offers a vibrant and happy place to study. As a member of the Sixth Form you are joining a long established and successful Sixth Form with an excellent reputation in the community. 98% of our students receive all five of their University offers.

Sixth Form life is not the same as Year 11 study. Students are treated more as adults and are expected to take responsibility for their own learning, as well as setting a good example to the younger students with regard to behaviour, appearance and general attitude to work. You are taught in smaller groups, you have more independent study time and are given Sixth Form privileges.

We are here to ensure that you receive the guidance and support you need to flourish, both academically and personally. Students will be allocated a personal tutor with whom they will meet on a regular basis. The tutor is there to support you in your work, to oversee your progress, and to provide guidance on the choices you will make in the near future.

Assessment Periods

Each student will have 12 lessons per subject over a 2-week timetable. In addition they will have one Assessment Period lesson for each subject every two weeks. Assessment Periods are ongoing so students will sit a paper, under exam conditions, on a topic they are learning about at that time. The benefits of Assessment Periods is that students and teachers get a clear view of where they are in their learning, where the gaps might be and what they need to work on to improve.

Enrichment and Core RE

Every alternate Wednesday afternoon students are given time for enrichment. During this time students can do a number of things from sports activities, board games, following a first aid course, supporting students in younger years or volunteering within the community. Many students take this time as an opportunity to take part in activities that are going to boost their personal statement if applying to university, or application if applying to an apprenticeship.  During this period, talks and information sessions are also organised by our Careers' Advisor.

Once a fortnight all students are expected to attend a timetabled Core RE lesson.

The Sixth Form Café

Students are lucky enough to have their own dedicated Café, next to the Sixth Form Centre, which is run by the lovely Mandy. The café is only open to Sixth Formers and teachers and sells a variety of things including hot and cold food and drink, morning pastries, bacon butties, snacks, sweets, and a variety of fruit. Students are expected to work quietly in the Sixth Form Centre or study rooms (which are available for small groups).  Students can also work quietly in the café.

Travel

Trainline have put together a guide to the 16-25 Railcard (also known as the Student Railcard or Young Persons Railcard) to help students travel around the UK and save money on train tickets.

The link to use is:

https://www.thetrainline.com/trains/great-britain/railcards/16-25-railcard

Discount / Proof of Age Card - Totum

Below are a couple of links to find out more about Totum Membership, a popular student discount platform which can also be upgraded to a proof of age ID card. 

https://www.totum.com/am-i-eligible-for-a-totum-membership

https://www.totum.com/campaigns/school-6-form-college

Sixth Form Option Blocks 2023/24

These are the updated option blocks for BTECs and A Levels from September 2023.  A minimum of three subjects must be chosen, with only one subject from a block.  You can study four subjects if there is one from each block.

BLOCK A	BLOCK B	BLOCK C	BLOCK D
BTEC Applied Psychology	Art	German	Biology
Business Studies	Biology	Geography	Business Studies
Chemistry	BTEC Sport	BTEC Health & Social Care	Computer Science
History	Dance & Movement	Mathematics	English Language
Mathematics	Chemistry	Media Studies	English Literature
Music	Computer Science	Further Mathematics	Geography
Photography	Film Studies	Physics	Mathematics
Physics	History	RE: Philosophy and Ethics	BTEC Applied Science
Sociology	Mathematics	Psychology	Psychology
Psychology	PE	DT – Product Design	BTEC Travel & Tourism
Textiles (Fashion & Textile)	Politics
Theatre	Spanish

 July 2023