Supporting Students and Parents

We are a small Sixth Form, which means that all of the team get to know our students. From the Head of Sixth Form to our tutors - there is always support available.

The step up to post-16 education is a challenging one. A-Levels, in particular, are very difficult qualifications when compared to GCSEs. As such, a different type of support is required when you reach Sixth Form, and we work very hard to be that supportive partner to both students and parents. 

Academic Support

All students in the Sixth Form have access to our Sixth Form Academic Mentor during their regular study sessions. Students can seek support from them on a wide range of academice issues including tackling difficult content, revision strategies, and organisation. They will be able to guide the students towards improved ways of working for more complex qualifications, and signpost them to the right people to support them with subject specific issues. 

Wellbeing Support

Students in the Sixth Form have a team of staff on hand to provide them with wellbeing support, including our Sixth Form Pastoral Mentor. They will see their tutor each morning, and they will be many students' first point of contact if they are having issues. Our Pastoral Mentor is on hand to provide wellbeing support throughout the school day in the Sixth Form block. Throughout the year, we also invite a range of external organisations into the Academy to provide advice, guidance, and support on a wide range of personal issuesl; from mental health and wellbeing services, to sexual health, drug and alcohol advice, and others. Our Pastoral Mentor is also the go to member of staff for students in the Sixth Form with SEND, Exam Access arrangements, broader health needs, or caring responsibilities.

Financial Support

When students move from Year 11 into Year 12, some sources of support change. For those students who are currently classed as ‘Pupil Premium’(PP) - this source of additional financial support ends once they leave Year 11. It is replaced by something called the 16-19 Bursary (read more about it here). Whereas, students receiving Free School Meals (FSM), continue to receive them in the same way - a set amount is credited to your School Gateway account (the cashless catering system) each day.

Careers and Futures Support

The Sixth Form team are very experienced in providing support and guidance with regards to post-18 options. Students can speak with any of the Sixth Form staff about future options, and they will be able to provide guidance and signposting, and they also have access to our independent careers advisor. Throughout the two years, students will have a wide range of interactions with business and industry, local organisations, universities and further education providers, and advice and guidance organisations. You can find out more about some of the events that take place throughout the year on our Futures Week page.

We’re about finding solutions to problems - we recognise that not all of them can be fixed, but it won’t stop us trying.