Sixth Form Life

The Sixth Form at High Storrs has a uniquely supportive ethos. Students are stretched and challenged, but in a positive way, catering for individual needs and abilities.

We believe that every student can, and should, achieve success. We work closely with families, especially if concerns arise and when praise is deserved.

But there is much more to Sixth Form life than academic achievement. Students enjoy all the opportunities of a well-resourced school, with a full package of extra-curricular and super-curricular activities.

Lessons

You will have somewhere between 15 and 20 hours of lessons each week depending on whether you are studying three or four A Levels. These lessons are taught in small classes by our specialist teachers who set high expectations and foster an in-depth passion for their subject.

What do our students like?

“Getting to focus on the subjects I like and am interested in.”
“It’s really nice to be more trusted in lessons/ school in general, and I’m really happy that the people who are in my classes want to be there – no disruptions from students who dislike that subject!”

Study Periods

Until A Levels, you will be used to having every minute of your day timetabled for you. At Sixth Form you will have between four and nine study periods a week. For the first term, your study periods will be in school, where you can choose from a range of different spaces to work in. Once we are confident that you have developed very strong learning habits, your study periods can be taken at home.

What do our students like?

“Having study periods make days much easier and enjoyable.”
“Study periods mean I can do most of my work in the school day, meaning there is less to do in evenings.”

Enrichment

As a High Storrs Sixth Former, we will encourage you to focus on five areas of enrichment to ensure your wider experiences are as diverse and varied as possible. Each half term you will pledge to pursue an activity in at least one of the strands. You might complete this on a Wednesday afternoon, which we dedicate to enrichment; use a study period; or complete your enrichment at a time to suit you outside of the school day.

You will also use the Unifrog careers platform to focus on your Post 18 options.

What do our students like?

“It’s good that we are directed to different activities and ideas. I have already done plenty of community activities and might not have considered health or super-curricular learning without the guidance we are given.”

Tutor Time

You will be in a tutor group, and you will see your form tutor each morning. They will be your first point of contact in most situations. Your form tutor also teaches your weekly PSCHEE Tutorial lesson. The Tutorial programme includes sessions on study skills, mental health and resilience, careers and relationships.

What do our students like?

“My favourite session so far was the Alumni talks. It was good to hear about career paths from ex-students – it made it feel possible for me.”
“There is a real breadth of content in Tutorial and my form tutor makes it interesting. It’s good that we are asked to share our own experiences as this allows us to have in-depth discussion and debate.”

Duke of Edinburgh Gold

We offer students the opportunity to undertake their Duke of Edinburgh Gold award at High Storrs School. We support the students in organising the different components of the award as well as training students in the lead up to their expeditions. The qualifying expedition takes place at the end of Y12 in Eryri National Park in Wales with the practice expedition taking place in the Peak District. The award allows students to demonstrate their commitment to a wide range of activities and interests as well as serving their local communities through voluntary work.