Welcom

e to The QK

S S

ixth Form

After more than 25 successful years,The Queen Katherine School Sixth Formis established in a dedicated, state ofthe art building.

The Sixth Form is an exciting, thrivingcommunity which welcomes anystudent who can benefit from our rangeof courses, wherever they havepreviously studied.

Our reputation is built on high qualityteaching, careful monitoring of eachstudent’s needs and a strong pastoralsupport programme. Students benefitfrom both our academic and socialprogrammes and the excellentrelationships with staff. We offer awide range of opportunities in sports,music, drama, culture, community,residential experiences and other extra-curricular activities, as well as a fullspectrum of Advanced Level courses.

The Sixth Form offers the opportunity tohave fun as well as developing initiative,a sense of responsibility, independenceof mind, tolerance, self discipline andthe ability to work without supervision.

We are proud of what we offer and theway that students respond.

Excellent teaching and facilities

The Queen Katherine School SixthForm is a friendly, inclusive group wherehard-working staff and studentstogether create a vibrant community.Given appropriate support, studentsmature rapidly between the ages of 16and 18 and the school tries to create anatmosphere in which young peoplecan enjoy learning about themselves,their chosen subjects and the worldaround them. Emerging adulthood is anexciting but challenging period and oursuccesses demonstrate that we havethe resources and the sensitivity tomotivate and support the vast majorityof our students.

Staff are well qualified and experiencedand they enjoy teaching at AdvancedLevel. Because most have taughtthroughout the school, they understandthe students’ prior learning and haverealistic expectations about the point atwhich students begin A level courses.

They want to create varied and interestinglessons where students are guided andsupported in a much more friendly andinteractive atmosphere than they havepreviously experienced. Students thrive in the Sixth Form finding the courses hardwork but more personalised than their11 - 16 school experience.

Anyone who looks at league tables or listsof top schools in the press knows thatThe Queen Katherine School achievesexcellent results. What might not beapparent from the league tables is thatstudents with modest achievement atGCSE often make outstanding progress.

“The Sixth Formprovision isoutstanding.Students achievestandards that areexceptionally highand achievementis excellent.”

OFSTED

High q

uality supp

ort and guid

ance

While the press are apt to focus on thestudents with 5 ‘A’ grades at AdvancedLevel who are going to Oxford orCambridge, here at QKS we take equaldelight in the students going to topuniversities who joined us with mainly B and C grades at GCSE. About 90%of students leaving our Sixth Formprogress to Higher Education, often aftera gap year. For those students whodo not wish to continue in full timeeducation, employment opportunitiesin this area are limited.Thus the highproportion of students from this groupwho leave The Queen Katherine Schooland gain jobs with good prospects isa particular achievement.

Much of our success rests on the qualityof monitoring and guidance in the SixthForm. All students are allocated to a smalltutor group with whom they will spendboth registration time and the weeklytutorial lesson. Initially the tutorialprogramme focuses on the development

of good study skills and the transitionto Advanced Level learning, movingthrough a range of topics including:healthy living, guidance for highereducation or achieving employment,the debating of political issues,preparation for interviews and guidanceon finance. Alongside the weeklysessions, one to one interviews withtutors are a regular feature. Here bothstudents and tutors can discusssuccesses and problems and careful

monitoring systems mean that tutorsget monthly feedback on the progressof all students.

The Head and Deputy Head of the SixthForm are closely involved in the guidanceprocess.Their offices open onto theatrium area that students use for privatestudy and therefore there is ready accessand an easy relationship with SixthForm staff. We see Sixth Form educationas a partnership between our students,their families and the school staff.We encourage students to attendconsultation evenings with their parentsand students have an input to subjectreports. Most students have goodrelationships with families who are eagerto support their children whilst they arein the Sixth Form. We enjoy positiverelationships with parents and we believeit is important to keep in touch whendifficulties arise.

“Students areexceptionally wellsupported and thosefacing considerabledifficulties aregiven exceptionalsupport to ensurethey completetheir studies.”

OFSTED

A w

ide range of other op

portunities

“The Sixth Form that QKS hascreated, has allowed ourdaughter to find her strengthsand make fantastic progress.”

A PARENT

Many of our students are very activepeople.They balance study, paid workand socialising with making the best useof the range of opportunities the SixthForm has to offer. Many enjoy theexcellent music facilities, playing ingroups or singing in school choirs.Charity fund-raising and activities likethe anti-bullying group appeal to somewhile others enjoy representing theschool in sporting fixtures.

Each year the school musical and dramaactivities involve large numbers of SixthFormers. On one afternoon each week,Sixth Form teaching is suspended toallow a wide range of ‘enhancement’activities: volunteering in the community,working in primary schools, YoungEnterprise, cookery for students, editingthe school magazine, completing aSports Leadership Award are examplesof the opportunities offered.

Most students in year 12 will betimetabled for 23 periods but those who study fewer subjects will beexpected to broaden their experience.Working with staff in supportingyounger students, working in the LRC,undertaking alternative courses at otherinstitutions are possible options.

Sixth Form education is a partnership.Students and staff work together tocreate a collaborative environment andSixth Form students can expectsupportive and open relationships withstaff built on mutual respect. In returnstaff expect students to be in school at8.50 am for morning registration and toremain at school until 3.20 pm unlessalternative arrangements have beenagreed by their tutors and parents.The excellent Sixth Form study areasare not permanently supervised;students are trusted to be sufficiently

responsible to engage in quiet privatestudy if they are not timetabled for alesson. Students are allowed to leavethe premises for short periods duringthe day, often for short refreshment trips.We believe that students shouldcomplete 10 - 15 hours private studyper week outside the school day, thus werecommend that paid employmentshould be limited to 12 hours each week.Many of our students are probably notaware that we have guidelines on dressbecause we rarely need to discuss them.Our experience suggests that almostwithout exception, Sixth Form studentscan build up a wardrobe that reflectspersonal choice and is appropriate fora school environment.

Students’ Questions Answered

Is it worth staying on into the SixthForm? Wouldn’t I be better offleaving school and getting a job,looking for an apprenticeship orgoing to college?

It depends what is best for you as anindividual, taking into account yourcareer intentions, your level of maturity,and your ability and aptitude. Clearly, ifyou plan to study A levels with a view togoing on to higher education, the QKSSixth Form is the place for you; you willbe with like-minded friends and teacherswith a proven record of success.

As a new student joining the school,how easily will I fit in?

Approximately 20% of our Sixth Formcomprises students who have joined theschool at 16. Many students come fromSettlebeck, other local secondaryschools and the private sector as wellas further afield.

It rarely takes longer than a few daysto settle and existing students are very

welcoming. We encourage visits fromprospective students and offer themthe opportunity to meet staff as well asstudents who themselves joined theschool as Sixth Formers.

How do I go about choosing myA level subjects?

You will find specific advice about this inthe relevant subject sections. You shouldchoose subjects which interest you,which you are good at and which willmeet the requirements of your highereducation and career plans. Don’t forgetthat you can start some subjects in theSixth Form even if you haven't studiedthem in Years 10 and 11, and that thepreliminary choices you make now canbe changed later on.

Do I have to commit myself nowto joining the Sixth Form and tocertain subjects?

No. We ask you and your parents tocomplete an application form to join theSixth Form, which will give us anindication of your requirements andintentions so that we can begin to plan

our courses and timetable. You will havean interview with Mrs Earle, Head of SixthForm or Mrs Samuel, Deputy Head ofSixth Form when your proposed coursewill be discussed. As soon as theexamination results come out at the endof August, there will be opportunities foryou to discuss your plans again.Your final commitment to any coursewill not be until you enrol in September.

Can I change my subjects once I’vestarted and can I leave at any time?

The answer to both parts of the questionis “Yes”, but we would expect you todiscuss your intentions with your tutorjust as you would any other academicor related matter, as soon as you sensethat you want to make a change.

My question hasn’t been asked,or answered.

There is a simple answer to that one:ASK! Mrs Earle or any teacher would behappy to answer any other questions.

Choosingto joinQKS SixthForm...