Sixth Forms
Academic > Educational Course > Sixth Form
Boys make a guided choice of four subjects from a wide range of 23 subjects which are then arranged in a block system which typically looks like this:
| Block A | Block B | Block C | Block D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greek | Class. Civ. | ||
| Latin | French | ||
| French | German | ||
| Spanish | Spanish | ||
| English | English | ||
| English | History | History | |
| Geography | Geography | Geography | |
| Religious Studies | |||
| Economics | Economics | Economics | |
| Economics | Business Studies | ||
| Business Studies | Gov. & Pol. | Gov. & Pol. | |
| Maths | |||
| Maths | Further Maths (with D) | ||
| Further Maths (with B) | Biology | ||
| Biology | Chemistry | Chemistry | |
| Physics | Physics | ||
| Computing | DT | ||
| Art | |||
| Art | Music | Music | |
| Theatre Studies |
Thus a wide variety of subject combinations is possible and virtually every sensible combination can be accommodated. Boys are advised that combinations involving two science/maths subjects plus two arts subjects are not generally a good idea.
In all blocks, twelve periods per cycle are allotted to each subject in the Lower Sixth and thirteen in the Upper Sixth, where boys continue with at least three of their Lower Sixth choices. In all subjects, the AS exams (usually three module papers per subject) are taken at the end of the Lower Sixth year and the A2 exams (usually a further three module papers per subject) at the end of the Upper Sixth year. The AS and A2 module results combine to give the overall A level grade.
Boys who are considering entry to Oxford or Cambridge are taught for an extra period or two per cycle in their main subject(s) from the Lent term of the Lower Sixth year. Additionally, many pupils will be expected to undertake further study, perhaps in the form of individual projects or research, with a view to developing and demonstrating their interest in, and commitment to, academic excellence in an area of their choice. In the A level year, one or two further periods may be used for Advanced Extension Award (AEA) preparation.
Sixth Form Seminar
Lower Sixth
In addition to the 48 specialist periods of the Block System, every boy has 4 periods of Seminar per cycle, in a group of about 10 pupils from varying specialisms. Two or three periods are used for lectures/presentations given by visiting speakers with first hand knowledge and experience of the topic, followed by one or two periods for further work on the topic presented. All topics are part of a structured framework of courses covering various aspects of life such as UCAS application, the GAP year, Careers, Film and the Arts, Crime and the Community, Philosophy, Charities, Drugs, and Interpersonal and Group Skills, amongst others - with an emphasis on moral and ethical dimensions.
The remaining 8 periods of the cycle are Study Periods for boys to work on their own in addition to evening prep times. Some boys use study periods for individual music lessons. Additionally they are required to spend time at weekends completing set work and preparing for the following week.
Sixth Form Parents' Evenings
A Parents' Evening is held for the Lower Sixth in the Lent Term when a boy's approach to A level work, his progress in the AS modules, and the academic application procedures for universities, sponsorship and direct career entry are outlined and discussed. The provisional choice of which three or four subjects to take on to A level is made in discussion with Housemasters after the AS modules have been taken in June and finalised when the results are known in August.
The Upper Sixth Parents' Evening is held in the Michaelmas Term when AS results can be reviewed, progress in the A2 modules, prospects in the A level examinations taken later in the academic year, and Higher Education and career prospects can be further discussed.
In addition, an Oxbridge Evening is arranged for boys in the Lower Sixth and their parents during the first term of the Lower Sixth at which Oxbridge-related issues are discussed and explained. Four Oxbridge admissions tutors are invited to attend the evening to speak to parents and boys.
There is also a Universities Evening for all boys in the Lower Sixth and their parents in the Summer Term and a Gap Year Fair held biennially.