The first priority of all students entering the Sixth Form is to achieve excellence in their chosen field of study. We aim to provide courses that are suited to the aptitudes and aspirations of all our students, and which will enable them to progress towards their chosen career path at the age of 18. All courses provided in the Sixth Form can lead to either Higher Education or employment.
Students with an average GCSE points score of 5.0 – 5.9 will take 3 subjects from the above list together with AS General Studies and may choose whether or not to continue with the latter subject in Year 13. Students with an average points score of 6.0 and above will take 4 subjects from the list above, dropping to three subjects in Year 13, although a small number may choose to continue with four subjects. Decisions about curriculum load in both Years 12 and 13 are made in consultation with the student, taking into consideration GCSE performance, advice from subject departments, and (where appropriate) career aspirations.
Enrichment Opportunities
The Sixth Form at John Port School offers students many opportunities to enrich their education, and these are the kinds of experiences which encourage personal and social development and are regarded as invaluable by Admissions Tutors to Higher Education as well as by employers. This enrichment is provided in a number of ways:
… through self-management
We aim to encourage students to develop the ability to become independent in decision-making, and the Sixth Form Council is an important aspect of this. Each Sixth Form tutor group elects a representative to the Sixth Form Council, which in turn elects representatives onto the whole-school Student Council. The Council is encouraged to discuss issues of concern to the Sixth Form and make recommendations to the Director of Sixth and the Leadership Team.
… through extra-curricular activity
There are many opportunities for students in the Sixth Form to participate in activities beyond those provided within the formal curriculum through:
- The Young Enterprise Scheme
- The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme
- Drama performances
- The Bar National Mock Trial
- A range of sporting activities: basketball, swimming, squash, football, hockey, netball
- Exchanges, theatre visits and field trips
- Music: Wind Band, Jazz, Saxophone and Brass ensembles, Orchestra, Swing Band, Choir
… through involvement in the wider life of the school.
We hope that all students in the Sixth Form will offer their skills and enthusiasm to the wider community, both in and out of school. As senior students, they inevitably ‘set the tone’ by their adherence to school policies on uniform, attendance and behaviour around the campus. In addition, they can:
- support younger students through work in subject lessons (e.g. Science, English, Drama, Mathematics)
- support the PE and Leisure Faculty both in lessons and in extra-curricular activities (there are opportunities to gain life-saving qualifications and some coaching awards)
- take a lead in the Student Council
- take a lead in the organisation of the annual Charities Day
- assist in showing visitors around the site
- assist staff in the Curriculum Support Department by working with students with specific learning difficulties (e.g., buddy reading)
- participate in the Peer Mentoring scheme with Year 7 & 10 students
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