16-19 STUDY PROGRAMME PRINCIPLES
Each student comes to Overton Grange Sixth Form with individual aspirations. Our role as a Sixth Form Team is to help support our students in achieving their potential so that they can progress to Higher Education, employment or training. We will support and mentor them throughout their time here, and advise and guide them on a range of both academic and wider issues, including university applications and employment opportunities.
Ultimately, we want each of our students:
To achieve their academic potential
To be well prepared for life beyond the Sixth Form, be that at university or employment
To feel part of the school community by participating in a wide range of activities and enrichment opportunities
To become responsible young adults and positive role models for younger students and in the wider community
At Overton Grange we aim to provide an excellent learning programme. We offer both A-level and BTEC Level 3 pathways following the successful completion of Level 2 GCSE and vocational courses at KS4. Students can study three (or four, depending on the GCSE average point score) A-levels, BTECs, or a combination of both when they select their progression route post-16. Both routes will allow access to university or employment.
The entry requirements for both routes requires a minimum of five 9-4 grades at GCSE, including English and Maths (with an additional grade or a Distinction in BTEC Level 2 courses in the subjects chosen where specified) for A level study. Where a student has not yet achieved a grade 4 in English or Maths GCSE, the sixth form is able to offer them a taught programme of study before resitting these qualifications.
The sixth form works closely with the school’s dedicated careers team to deliver a one hour timetabled careers advice session to all students in Year 12 on a fortnightly basis which provides up-to-date labour market information and offers support in finding work experience, CV writing and making job applications. In addition, Year 12 participate in the sixth form’s Future Focus programme which advises on higher education and apprenticeships, and all students attend a Universities and Careers Fair. Year 13 students receive at least one careers interview in the Autumn term and support throughout the university (UCAS) application process, as well as help with applications to specialist colleges such as Art and Performing Arts colleges.
At Overton Grange we value the personal development of all Sixth Form students beyond their academic progress. The Sixth Form provides excellent opportunities to develop intellectual, sporting and creative interests and all students are expected to participate in extra-curricular activities to develop their whole self. To enable this, all Year 12 and 13 students follow an Enrichment programme every Wednesday afternoon where students are given the opportunity to participate in a range of sporting activities, clubs or outreach work with, for example, Primary Schools and local care homes. We also offer students the chance to become mentors, STEM, and Safeguarding Ambassadors, and to participate in the National Citizen Service. Every two weeks there is also a Citizenship session where outside speakers deliver a range of stimulating and interesting talks to students on such varied issues as Cyber Crime, Driver Education and Drugs Awareness. We also offer the highly regarded and nationally recognised Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Sixth Formers also play an important role in school life and are expected to have a positive impact on the younger students of the school who look to them for inspiration and leadership. We encourage sixth formers to take part in our Sixth Form Committee which works with the Sixth Form Leadership Team to organise key events such as the Sixth Form Prom. We also have a strong team of Prefects and House Captains who take the lead in school and House events, developing their organisational, personal and leadership skills. We also have two elected student leaders and two deputies who support the leadership team, lead key charity fundraising campaigns and represent the school at public events.
