Sixth Form Student Life
Our Sixth Form motto is “Embrace challenge. Strive to learn. Achieve your goal.” Students aspirations change as they develop and our aim is to support the development of high aspirations and thoughtful career paths. This can include work experience or volunteering opportunities to support job or university applications. Recent examples have been in medicine, nursing, law, engineering, childcare, journalism, photography, graphics, teaching, the media, business, ICT and computing o the list is as varied as our students interests.
We encourage each and every student to find their own niche in the Sixth Form, allowing them to grow academically and socially. This is partly achieved through enrichment time (either by accredited qualifications or general activities), excellent pastoral care, or the many social events organised by the Sixth Form students themselves.
Students have the opportunity to take part in curriculum based activities such as: Downing Street / Westminster and Political Party Conferences with Politics, West End shows with Performing Arts, Hothersall Lodge for a residential Biology field trip, famous art galleries with Art, “The Young Apprentice” with Business Studies, theatre trips with Literature and Performing Arts and field trips with Geography and Biology.
There are also many extra-curricular options available including; school band and choir plays and musical productions, charity and volunteering opportunities, team building, induction and ethos days, sporting activities (competitive and non-competitive), summer trip to Nepal, debate club, quiz nights and other social events run by the Sixth Form.
At St. Mary’s we are proud to have a strong sense of community with a positive and vibrant atmosphere. In the current Sixth Form, we have students from Cardinal Allen, St. Bede’s, St. George’s, Montgomery, St. Aidan’s, Highfield and Unity. These tutor groups provide a focal point for daily administration, and for tutor coaching of academic and personal progress.
A Classroom without walls - St Mary's Travels to Nepal
We are blessed to lead groups of students on a life-changing journey to Nepal every year. This is not just a typical trip, but an experience that has transformed the lives of students who have been on this expedition. They have gone on to make a difference in their community, travel more, volunteer abroad, and pursue careers that help others.
So, what makes Nepal so special? Kathmandu’s unique atmosphere and ancient temples have left an indelible impression on those who dare to explore them. The opportunity to volunteer abroad and teach children with aspirations beyond our imagination is truly inspiring and provides an unparalleled learning experience.
Our expedition consists of three essential components:
A thrilling itinerary that includes visiting Buddhist and Hindu temples, observing their rituals and practices, and experiencing the ancient Newari culture.
A challenging schedule of volunteer teaching for 12 classes of students at Shubyakamana Academy.
Personal development and leadership skills training for each team member.
Enrichment Qualifications
In addition to their chosen subjects, students at our Sixth Form are provided with a comprehensive curriculum enrichment programme, carefully designed to cater to their individual abilities and interests. This programme serves a twofold purpose; on one hand, it allows students to make informed choices that will help them develop transferable independent learning skills, which can prove valuable for higher education or future employment. On the other hand, it offers students the opportunity to earn additional formal qualifications, providing them with a competitive edge in the job market. To this end, we currently offer a range of enrichment options, including Further Maths, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and Wider Key Skills.