School Life - Sixth Form Life

Moving into the Sixth Form is an exciting time, heralding change and offering a whole range of new opportunities. Sixth Form students have a number of privileges not available for younger pupils, such as the use of the Sixth Form Common Rooms and Study areas. They are treated as a young adult by tutors and teachers, and gradually, under guidance, given much more independence and are expected to take on the responsibilities that go with this.

Support from the Sixth Form Team

One of the major strengths of our Sixth Form is the Pastoral Care and all the additional support offered. The Sixth Form tutor team work very closely together and our main objectives are to give support, advice and encouragement to enable students to achieve their goals. We are also there to listen to concerns and to track academic progress, trying to iron out any problems before they become too serious.

A structured Personal, Social, Health and Education (PSHE) programme runs throughout the Sixth Form, with lessons held every Monday afternoon. The programme covers such diverse areas as current affairs, money management, driving standards and personal safety, plus much more. Specialist speakers are often brought in to highlight topics and to add variety.

Excellent careers guidance is given throughout the Sixth Form (see Careers pages) and students are encouraged to visit different universities and to take part in relevant work experience. Universities and employers are always looking for the extras that applicants do above and beyond their academic work, asking such questions as: What are your outside interests? Are you a good team player? Do you have leadership skills? How good is your time management? How independent are you? .…. Here, St David’s has much to offer.

Careers Convention

Running the Tuck Shop

Many extra curricular opportunities are available; students just have to get involved. Whether it is working towards gaining a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, joining the public speaking team, acting in the school play, taking cooking lessons, learning about photography, playing an instrument, taking part in extra sporting activities, or being on the social committee, the choices are endless. Alternatively, if the student herself wishes to start a new club or activity, help and advice will always be available.

In the Spring Term of Year 12 students will spend Wednesday afternoons doing some form of Community Service. In the past students have worked with the elderly, listened to children read in the Prep School, helped in a charity shop, worked with animals, and worked at Ashford Hospital.

Many opportunities are offered to build leadership skills. All Sixth Form students are expected to take on some form of extra responsibility, ranging from the prestigious position of Head Girl to being involved in House Teams or being responsible for monitoring younger girls at lunch; all very important skill building activities.

Speech Day	Prom

Ultimately a student’s time in the Sixth Form at St David’s should be academically challenging, at times they will think that they been given far too much homework, or that some aspect of the A level course is just too difficult. At other times their social life will seem more important and their ‘work-life’ balance will not be quite right. This is all normal in the life of a Sixth Form student and we offer, at St David’s a safe, and supportive environment to help them cope with and overcome these stresses and strains. Their time as a Sixth Form student should be a happy, growing and learning experience that has stretched them academically and enabled them to mature socially into an independent and responsible young adult ready to take on their next challenge.