What to expect from the Sixth Form
Pocklington Sixth Form offers students a carefully balanced combination of challenge and support with the aim of preparing them effectively for their next steps after school . Through nurturing our core values – Courage , Truth and Trust – in our students , we encourage each young person to be aspirational in setting their personal goals ; independent , enquiring and self-motivated in their studies ; and in possession of the integrity , resilience and compassion needed to become responsible young adults . Diverse academic and co-curricular opportunities , coupled with a support network of specialist staff , ensure our students are well prepared for future happiness and success in life , work and further study .
CHOICE AND INDEPENDENCE
Sixth Form study offers students the chance to develop greater levels of independence and autonomy , by introducing a wider element of choice and self-direction into the structure and content of their study programmes . By devising personalised programmes of study from a wide range of A levels , and a carefully selected range of BTECs and enrichment courses , we encourage our students to refine their personal areas of interest and aspiration , enjoy learning for its own sake and be able to learn independently .
STRUCTURE AND SUPPORT
Knowing and supporting our students as individuals is at the very heart of Pocklington Sixth Form . All Sixth Form students , including boarders , are members of one of four school day houses : Dolman , Hutton , Gruggen and Wilberforce . Each house has four tutors who are the first point of contact for pastoral and academic support for each student ; one of the tutors in each house is also the Housemaster or Housemistress . Tutor groups are small , usually 10-12 students , meaning that plenty of individual support and guidance can be given .
House staff are important figures in each student ’ s school life ; they monitor and support progress and are there to advise , encourage and guide . When the time comes to apply to university or to plan alternative post-18 routes , they will help with compiling applications and with the completion of personal statements .
The relationship with Tutors and Housemasters / mistresses is vital , but is augmented by staff with a range of specialist expertise . In addition to subject teachers , our Careers Adviser is on hand to offer guidance on a wide range of post-18 options , with further specialists providing support with Oxbridge and other competitive courses . Our students also become part of the community at and beyond school as part of the Old Pocklingtonian Association and Careers and Business Network
Your academic programme
OVERVIEW
The Sixth Form academic programme at Pocklington School is designed to enable each student to create a personalised programme from a wide range of options , tailoring their subject package to suit their aptitudes and to help them prepare for university , further training or the workplace . Our expectation is that students will build a core programme of A level or BTEC qualifications from a wide range of subject options , and will complement this by selecting one further qualification from a range of enrichment choices .
CORE PROGRAMME
Most students will opt for three A levels as their core academic programme . There are over 25 subjects to choose from , and this booklet is designed to provide students with useful information about each of the subjects available to them in order to help them make appropriate choices . Some students will prefer to select a BTEC National Diploma or National Extended Certificate , equivalent to two or one A levels , and study this alongside one or two further A level qualifications as their academic core .
All A levels are now studied as linear qualifications , meaning that all external examinations are taken at the end of the Upper Sixth . Studying these subjects in a linear structure provides greater opportunity for breadth and depth of study , as well as allowing students ’ study skills and specific academic skills to refine and mature before final examinations are taken . Academic and pastoral support , as well as ongoing internal monitoring , enables students to fulfil their potential . This includes rigorous internal examinations at the end of the Lower Sixth .
SUBJECT CHOICES
All subjects are usually taught in mixed ability groups of 16 or fewer . Initially students have a free choice from the list of subjects offered . Individual choices must be submitted on the form enclosed to the Head of Academic Administration by Friday 4th February . Choices blocks are then formed which attempt to match as many combinations as possible . Not all combinations may be possible , but
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