PSHE
Our Sixth Form programme brings learning to life by connecting students with experienced external speakers and Abbey alumnae who speak about topics including managing mental health and share insights into life at university.
Teacher-led sessions consider the essential life skills needed beyond school, from understanding basic car maintenance and knowing what to look for when renting a property, to managing personal finances with confidence. The aim is to support students to feel prepared, informed, and ready to navigate adult life with confidence and purpose.
Careers and futures
Our philosophy
Our primary aim with Careers provision at The Abbey is simple - to ensure that all of our students are “future ready”!
Whether this is by providing opportunities for students to develop their employability skills or to introduce them to speakers from different industry sectors in order to discover how they got to where they are today, future readiness takes many forms and is completely personalised to each and every student to suit their needs, interests and aspirations.
Our programme
Our comprehensive Careers programme is built around the use of the Unifrog platform, which all students and their parents have access to, and is fully-embedded into our curriculum at all Key Stages, As well as specific Careers-related information, students have the opportunity to access our comprehensive Enterprise and Enrichment activities. These are all designed to help our students discover and explore opportunities outside the classroom which contribute to development of all the employability skills that employers are looking for.
This starts for students in the Junior School where the focus is about avoiding the stereotypes that children start to develop at a very early age and continues when students join the Senior School where they are introduced to personality and aptitude profiling to help them begin to understand what their preferences are and what subject choices they might make.
Opportunities to find out about different career pathways are provided during “Skills4Life” sessions, assemblies, careers talks and as part of their normal academic curriculum. In addition, every student in the school will participate every month in our “Careers Thursday” programme to explore age-group relevant careers-related skills and information that are aligned to the Careers Development Institute learning pathway.
As well as being introduced to age-relevant materials, each year, students will update their profiles and look at how this might have altered the pathways available to them, as they mature and develop a wider range of employability skills.
Parents have the opportunity to access Unifrog with their own account. This links to their daughter’s account, allowing them to keep up to date about recent activity on the platform. Parents will also be able to search Unifrog as if they were in the same year group as their daughter, to allow them to experience fully what their daughter has access to.
KS1 and 2 - Junior School: “Avoiding stereotypes”
Research shows that by the age of 6, children start to be limited by career stereotypes and by the age of 9, they start to abandon fantasy careers and adjust their ambitions to fit perceived constraints. In such a fast-changing careers landscape that we live in, where traditional roles and job titles are being replaced by employability skills pathways, this is limiting the future potential of our students.
At the Junior School, we counter this by adopting an “anything is possible” attitude and challenging the stereotypes that continue to exist within our society. Utilising a wide range of tools that present opportunities as being available to anyone – no matter their gender or background – we explore the world outside the school gates and open the eyes of our students to these possibilities.
By the time they leave our Junior School, our students will remain open-minded about what they might be able to do in the future and prepared to be curious to discover what might be and how they might get there.
Compliance and outcomes
The Abbey Careers programme is designed to provide appropriate information at different stages in the journey of students through the school that complies with all of the relevant government advice and statutory guidance:
Gatsby benchmarks
Throughout, the programme is aligned to the eight Gatsby Benchmarks that underpin a fully rounded and well-designed approach to Careers and ensures that the school is filling the students with confidence, providing a clear purpose to everything they are doing and encouraging a positive and joyous environment for them to explore who they are and what they want to do with their lives beyond the school gates.
Baker Clause
As part of various events and activities, such as our Careers Fair, the Lower 5 Futures Week and ARCH events, the school provides opportunities for external providers and employers to access our students to provide them with information and advice about all the options available in the future.
Green skills and careers
In line with the recent Government strategy for Sustainability and Climate Change, our Careers programme ensures that “green skills and careers” are at the forefront of the opportunities available to students.
In a simple phrase, we are making sure that all our students are “future ready”!
Careers and futures
Our philosophy
Our primary aim with Careers provision at The Abbey is simple - to ensure that all of our students are “future ready”!
Whether this is by providing opportunities for students to develop their employability skills or to introduce them to speakers from different industry sectors in order to discover how they got to where they are today, future readiness takes many forms and is completely personalised to each and every student to suit their needs, interests and aspirations.
Our programme
Our comprehensive Careers programme is built around the use of the Unifrog platform, which all students and their parents have access to, and is fully-embedded into our curriculum at all Key Stages, As well as specific Careers-related information, students have the opportunity to access our comprehensive Enterprise and Enrichment activities. These are all designed to help our students discover and explore opportunities outside the classroom which contribute to development of all the employability skills that employers are looking for.
This starts for students in the Junior School where the focus is about avoiding the stereotypes that children start to develop at a very early age and continues when students join the Senior School where they are introduced to personality and aptitude profiling to help them begin to understand what their preferences are and what subject choices they might make.
Opportunities to find out about different career pathways are provided during “Skills4Life” sessions, assemblies, careers talks and as part of their normal academic curriculum. In addition, every student in the school will participate every month in our “Careers Thursday” programme to explore age-group relevant careers-related skills and information that are aligned to the Careers Development Institute learning pathway.
As well as being introduced to age-relevant materials, each year, students will update their profiles and look at how this might have altered the pathways available to them, as they mature and develop a wider range of employability skills.
Parents have the opportunity to access Unifrog with their own account. This links to their daughter’s account, allowing them to keep up to date about recent activity on the platform. Parents will also be able to search Unifrog as if they were in the same year group as their daughter, to allow them to experience fully what their daughter has access to.
KS5 - Sixth Form: “Planning for the future”
In the Sixth Form, students continue to review their personality and aptitude profiles on Unifrog, along with conducting more detailed research into university subject choices and exploring Apprenticeship options.
A structured Higher Education programme is provided, where details of Universities, the UCAS system and entry requirements for all courses are fully discussed.
Students who are interested in exploring a Degree Apprenticeship as an alternative to the traditional university pathway are fully supported in terms of encouraging them to explore the opportunities available and how to approach the extended application processes adopted by businesses to find the right people for their school-level entry programmes.
The school also hosts a biennial Careers Fair and continues to provide opportunities to hear from and speak to representatives from multiple industry sectors and across multiple skills-based roles. This allows students to make soundly-based, well-researched informed decisions that reflect their interests and the latest information available to them from universities and employers.
Compliance and outcomes
The Abbey Careers programme is designed to provide appropriate information at different stages in the journey of students through the school that complies with all of the relevant government advice and statutory guidance:
Gatsby benchmarks
Throughout, the programme is aligned to the eight Gatsby Benchmarks that underpin a fully rounded and well-designed approach to Careers and ensures that the school is filling the students with confidence, providing a clear purpose to everything they are doing and encouraging a positive and joyous environment for them to explore who they are and what they want to do with their lives beyond the school gates.
Baker Clause
As part of various events and activities, such as our Careers Fair, the Lower 5 Futures Week and ARCH events, the school provides opportunities for external providers and employers to access our students to provide them with information and advice about all the options available in the future.
Green skills and careers
In line with the recent Government strategy for Sustainability and Climate Change, our Careers programme ensures that “green skills and careers” are at the forefront of the opportunities available to students.
In a simple phrase, we are making sure that all our students are “future ready”!
Pathways
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Activity
Sporting and physical opportunities to excel or have fun
KS5
- Senior Games Programme
- Regular clubs
- Access to gym
- House competitions
- Regular external matches and competitions: speak to PE about the season’s highlights for videos, podcast with the national champions reflecting on their tournament
Adventure
Opportunities to cultivate skills and discover new parts of the world
KS5
- Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award (walking or canoeing): video: practice, May 2025; assessed, August 2025
- Languages trips to France, Germany and Spain: video: trips week June 2025
- L6 University trip to Bristol: video: trips week June 2025
- Slovenia expedition: video: July 2025
- Costa Rica expedition
Spirituality
Opportunities to develop morally and spiritually
KS5
- Service initiatives and charity events e.g. dress up day, donating to harvest, fundraising
- Chapel space: prayer, meditation and mindfulness
- Wellbeing walk or session e.g. counselling, Chaplain 1-1, sixth form well-being walk
- Performances and exhibitions (music, art, sport, theatre): participation in and/ or attendance at e.g. House Music and Drama: video, October 2024, Interludes, Carol Service, Musical / Play
- Clubs e.g. Christian union, Chaplaincy chat, Eco Club: see Mrs Sweet, Mrs Jest or Miss Harris
- Reflection assembly: see chaplain (Mrs Jest) about participating, Miss Tull about performing
- Kindness for Christmas calendar: Mrs Jest
- School officer roles: Charity, Chaplaincy, Head Girls, Deputy Head Girls, House Captains, Upper School, Lower School and Junior School prefects
- L6 Conference: the chance to discuss volunteering and working with charities: video: June 2025
Service
The chances to help others and improve our communities
KS5
- School officer roles, including Charity Prefects, Upper School, Lower School and Junior School prefects
- L4 Leadership Conference: Advise the L4 on opportunities for leadership and service: video, June 2025
- L6 Conference: the chance to discuss volunteering and working with charities: video: June 2025
- European Youth Parliament UK competition, discussions on how to improve the world: video or sound files, TBC, likely to be Feb or March 2025
Leadership
The chances to create positive changes in the school and outside, building presentation, teamwork and critical thinking skills
KS5
- School officer roles, including Head Girls, Deputy Head Girls, House Captains, Upper School, Lower School and Junior School prefects
- House Music and Drama: video, October 2024
- Regularly lead assemblies: ongoing, see George Morton and Kimberley Jest for details
- Work in groups to plan important events, such as the Leavers’ Ball and joint events with Reading School: videos, see Charlotte Hart for details
- L4 Leadership Conference: Advise the L4 on opportunities for leadership: video, June 2025
- L6 Conference: the chance to discuss tackling life’s opportunities and challenges with experts
- Senior Debating Society: Mondays at 4pm in SF8
- European Youth Parliament UK, Oxford Schools and Cambridge Schools competitions: video or sound files, TBC, likely to be Jan to March 2025
Knowledge
Chances to encounter new, challenging ideas, and to develop independent knowledge and skills
KS5
- Interesting Miscellanea Emails: see Enrichment Emails
- IPortfolios
- Detailed Advice From Departments, In Person And In Writing, On Enrichment Opportunities: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s3ZdFqgr7TzHwvsAbm4DnCCZXCH6GFPP/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104411662506034589064&rtpof=true&sd=true
- Summer Projects: documents and videos, October 2024, see Phil Gannon for details
- Unifrog Courses
- University Preparation Clubs: video and sound: ongoing: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sQjGTaEvcvaT7kJ2dzXHL7VQSPvDUUhtZehVNQKzQt4/edit?usp=sharing
- Half day of university preparation with departments: video: June 2025
- UCAS day: video, sound files and pictures: trips week, June 2025
- Fourth A-Level
- Extended Project Qualification: documents and videos: ongoing, see Phil Gannon for details
- Enrichment Bites Talks: videos, ongoing, see Phil Gannon for details
- Internal and External UCAS Fairs: videos, internal, November 2024; external, May 2025
- Enrichment Classroom
- Clubs and Activities
Enterprise
Opportunities to develop the skills to build a career and experiences building successful teams
KS5
- Peter Jones Foundation Tycoon Enterprise Competition: ongoing, speak to Charles Lovibond
- Social Enterprise Scheme: ongoing, speak to Charles Lovibond
- Individual Guidance From Tutors And The Head Of Careers And Futures: ongoing, speak to Charles Lovibond
- Seminars From Experts In Specialist Careers
- Mentoring Through Applications For Apprenticeships: ongoing, speak to Charles Lovibond
- Unifrog Accounts, Questionnaires and Courses
- Support for work experience placements
- Business club: video or podcast, ongoing, speak to Charles Lovibond
Creativity
Activities in Art, Drama, Music, and beyond, to excel or have fun
KS5
- School officer roles, such as Art, Drama and Music Captains: video: year round
- Music lessons
- Orchestras, choirs, bands and ensembles
- House Music and Drama
- School Musical
- Upper School Play
- Poetry competition
- Senior choir
- Podcast with a cake
- Journalism club and the Shout: publication or podcast: speak to Jeffrey Hickman
Results and Destinations
Students routinely take places in the most competitive UK and world universities. However, their interests are broad. Some students every year access the highest-level degree apprenticeships. Others go on to art foundation, drama school and other creative pathways.
We’re proud of our track record, but what we care about, and what brings every teacher so much reward, is each individual outcome. Whatever you want to do next, we are here to back you every step of the way.
The true test of outcomes are alumnae events. Each one is full of deeply impressive, genuine, warm and passionate adults working in hugely diverse fields. And each alumna has access to a lifelong network of support. An Abbey education supports outcomes far beyond university.
Support
We value students’ happiness and mental wellbeing extremely highly and joy is a key focus in all that we do. We embody this in everything: in lessons, co-curricular activities and form time.
However, we know that things aren’t always easy as students navigate their teenage years, so we have wonderful support in place if things aren’t going quite right.
Tutors are the first port of call if a student is struggling – they see their tutees every day and can identify changes quickly. Always available for a one-to-one chat, tutors are the key person in each student’s daily life, supported by the Assistant Director and Director of Sixth Form.
There is an open door policy at the Wellbeing Hub, where students have access to the school nurses, the counsellor, and the chaplain. We can arrange wellbeing appointments, or counselling sessions dependent on need, with the aim of supporting students through any difficult periods of life.
Perhaps the greatest sense of wellbeing in teenage years comes from the group of friends you make. Students pride themselves on the warm, friendly Common Room where everyone is always welcome. We can’t wait for you will find a spot where you feel comfy and at ease with the company around you, and make friends for life in your two years at the school.
Our support enables girls to succeed to the very best of their ability. Uninhibited, they become confident leaders, ready to take on new challenges. The girls-only Sixth Form environment is key to this and we champion their progress every step of the way.
Skills for Life
Everyone does Skills for Life on the same day and at the same time across the whole school: that’s how important we feel it is. But Skills for Life in Sixth Form is probably a bit different to lower down the school. We regularly invite in external speakers, such as Dr Shilpa McQuillan, who spoke to our students about female health, fertility and the menopause and Ria Kalsi from Matriarch, who provides workshops on topics such as diversity, equity and inclusion, grief, and mental health. Time is also spent working closely with tutors on personal finances, first aid and safe driving. Our aim is for students to head off to university, or the wider world of work, with confidence and a clear understanding of the fundamentals in life.
Mental Health First Aid
As part of our commitment to wellbeing, 20-30 Year 12 students are trained each year as Mental Health First Aiders. There is always a huge amount of interest in this course, and by ensuring that our students are well-versed in first aid they can support each other, and alert staff if they have concerns about friends or peers.
Opportunity
There is so much for you to get involved with beyond your studies. Every day is busy with clubs, activities, talks, leadership opportunities and much more besides.
Art, drama, music and sport are huge in Sixth Form. We run a major school show every year – it alternates between a musical and a Gym and Dance Spectacular. The other annual highlight is the epic whole-school House Music and Drama: HMAD, where Sixth Formers lead a party of performance and celebration for the whole school. But in and among the big events there is always the chance to take part in a show, do a rehearsed reading, set up an ensemble, perform in a concert, get out onto the courts.
The same is true for clubs. Some are massive: Gold DofE, for example, or our enterprise schemes. We run Tycoon and our own Social Enterprise Programme in partnership with Reading School and Henley School of Business. Others might be tiny: a few students with a shared interest, some cake, plenty of laughter. If you have a passion and there is no club yet, in Sixth Form you can just start it yourself or with friends – there is always a teacher who will advise, guide and help you out.
Meanwhile there are lots of trips, from optional sign-up expeditions halfway around the world, to day events and the Year 12 residential. Highlights include the Physics trip to CERN, the Languages trips abroad, the Economics trip to Amsterdam, music tours, ski trips and many more.
The Abbey Award
Lower VI (Year 12) students have the opportunity to work towards The Abbey Award, which offers students the chance to undertake activities in three categories:
- Challenge
- Leadership
- Volunteering
Students will decide on their activities to fulfil each part of the award with their tutor’s help and log their progress term by term. Perhaps volunteering at the Prep School appeals, or leading an assembly for the Lower School? Maybe there’s a charity 5k you’d like to sign up to? Whatever it is you’d like to achieve, we will help you to achieve your goals, and build your wider activities ahead of applying to university.
Games
Games in the Sixth Form is a wide and varied programme. Teaming up with Year 11 means there are many opportunities on offer. Perhaps you’d like to do some quiet Yoga? Or tear up the pitch on the Hockey field? The vast array of options means there is something for everyone, and you might find yourself doing some of the following:
- Badminton
- Fitness
- Football
- Gymfinity
- Hockey
- Netball
- Programmable Gym
- Rock Climbing
- Rowing
- Running
- Spinning
- Table Tennis
- Yoga
We have a flexible programme, which means that if there is demand for a new option, we’ll try our best to make it happen, and we make use of the wonderful facilities in Reading like Palmer Park, Reading University and Reading Rowing Club alongside our own courts and astros.
Partnerships
Working in partnership with other schools is a key priority for us because in Sixth Form students broaden their horizons and begin to look outward. We have wonderful partnerships with a range of local schools, including Reading School, Kendrick School, The Holt and many more besides.
Activities range from joint social events to extracurricular activities like Poetry Society to future-facing campaigns and careers events like our flagship Advocating Girls programme with five other girls’ schools.
There is something for everyone.
Student leadership
A key benefit of The Abbey Sixth Form is the leadership opportunities that it presents. Our Sixth Formers really are the leaders of the school. In Year 12 they run the lunch queues every day, take visiting families on tours, act as peer mentors to younger students, and give up their time to help run events such as our entrance assessment, scholarship days and curiosity clubs.
We are always wowed by the kind and generous way in which they lead, interacting with our youngest students and visitors to make everyone feel comfortable and happy.
There is nothing more heartwarming than seeing an 11-year-old being guided by a 16-year-old, smiling and having fun.
Prefects
In the Spring Term of Year 12, the time comes to apply for Prefect positions. Whilst we have the traditional Head Girls and House Captains, we also have great scope for a wide range of Prefect roles, reflecting the interests of the year group. There are Charity, Marketing and Social Prefects as well as DofE and Debating Prefects.
In fact the Prefect system within The Abbey provides the chance for Sixth Formers to create and apply for roles that don’t yet exist, but which they feel passionate about – allowing the team to change and evolve alongside the Sixth Form.
Student Voice and School Council
The chance to develop those leadership skills, which are so important in the world of work, is built into the Prefect programme. Our students are pioneers in their specialist areas, helping the school to move forward. This means that student voice is at the heart of everything we do. We ensure that our Prefects take the lead on School Council, Eco Committee and EDI. They drive change, developing the school, creating an inclusive and supportive community by working together and galvanising their peers into action alongside them.
Extension
Extension opportunities
We offer perhaps the most rounded and varied Sixth Form education on offer anywhere, thanks to our programme of Extension - Sixth Form Plus. The courses and experiences in this programme are optional, giving those students who wish to the chance to stretch their wings in all sorts of ways.
Whatever you want to do after Sixth Form, universities, colleges, and degree apprenticeship providers are looking for students who are curious, interested, motivated, and great researchers. So that’s exactly what we give you the opportunity to become.
Sixth Form Plus
Students who would like to select a broader curriculum can pick an additional option of study from the range of courses available in the Sixth Form Plus programme. You can pick from either an AS Level, a Food Science and Nutrition Certificate, an Abbey Certificate, or an Abbey Taster. For an even more varied curriculum offer you could take a range of these options, such as an AS and a Certificate, or a Certificate and a Taster, or an AS, a Certificate and a Taster! The options are wide and offer you excellent scope to pursue what’s important to you.
You can choose as much or as little as you wish from this strand. It is equally acceptable to choose nothing from this strand, and focus instead on your three or four core A Levels. You must choose what works best for you.
AS Level
It is possible to take an AS Level in a fourth subject, where that qualification choice is available. This may be a good option if a student wants to keep their hand in with a subject that complements their studies, or if they want to keep going with a subject which they would otherwise have dropped because it doesn’t quite fit with their chosen career path. We see this option as enriching, but a lesser commitment than a full fourth A Level.
Food Science and Nutrition
This is an externally accredited Level 3 qualification (A Level equivalent) and is perfect for those who wish to try something more practical. Places on this course are limited and if there is more demand than availability, places will be assigned giving preference to those who have studied Food at GCSE level. Please don’t let that discourage you: this option is open to everyone.
Abbey Certificate
Some students might like to take an Abbey Certificate in a subject. These comprise a quarter of a full A Level subject (two double periods per week in the Lower VI) and there will be an internal examination set at the end of Lower VI as a final assessment. This might be a good option if you want to carry on with a subject, but would prefer a lesser time commitment than an AS or full A Level. Please note that this is an internal Abbey qualification which is not publicly certified.
Abbey Tasters
Abbey Taster courses run as one double per week throughout Lower VI. These courses will be offered once students begin their studies in the Lower VI. There will be a range of Tasters available so keep your eyes peeled once you start in the Sixth Form – there may be something that ticks all the boxes for you. You may choose to take these courses alongside any other combination of options that you have chosen, whether that’s an AS, an Abbey Certificate, or something else.
Additional extension
In Year 12 you are guided towards all the wonderful wider reading, university resources, podcasts, lectures and courses out there. When you know where to look, the opportunities are boundless. Teachers open the doors, but students step through themselves, discover exactly what interests them, pursue their own interests and take their learning to the next level.
Students record their academic enrichment throughout the year, and this forms the basis of the university personal statement.
The Abbey Scholars’ Award
All students in the Sixth Form are invited to complete an independent project over the summer holiday of Lower VI. Whilst this might support a qualification such as the EPQ, it might be a stand-alone piece of work completed for the sheer joy and love of learning.
Projects might be essays, pieces of art, film, lab projects: whatever supports each individual’s passion. Students are encouraged to roam far off the beaten track, under their own steam, following their own adventure in scholarship.
The best projects are nominated for a Scholar’s Award. These awards, which also take into account previous academic track record, are worth £1,000 towards study in higher education. It is pretty competitive to win an award – but everyone who submits a project benefits from having something all of their own of which they can feel really proud.
Preparation for next steps
University and other degree course preparation is a huge part of the Sixth Form programme. We have fantastic support in place for every single student, and each year our students are rewarded with wonderful university offers.
Once a year, our wonderful department staff host a subject fair where students can find out what it takes to be successful at university. Recommendations for wider reading, essay competitions, advice on podcasts to listen to, and which admissions tests you might need to consider, all form a part of this event. Students should come out armed with the knowledge they need to excel in their subjects and be university ready.
This is complimented by regular support from departments in the form of university preparation clubs and a Google Classroom specifically geared towards wider reading and exciting opportunities as students begin to get ready to apply.
Finally students are treated to half a day off timetable in the summer term where they choose from different activities organised by departments, which are sure to help them find their niche interests as they approach their applications.
Unifrog will be familiar to existing Abbey students but it comes into its own in Year 12. A fantastic online platform, students use it to research universities, create shortlists, and explore their career options.
It is hugely beneficial when it comes to enrichment activities. Our students regularly complete MOOCs (massive open online courses) in subjects that they intend to explore at university, and the ‘Read.Watch.Listen’ feature is especially popular with Year 12.
Engagement with these tools demonstrates students’ thirst for learning, which is exactly what universities are looking for in their applicants. Similarly the personal statement tools are wonderful, and help students to create impactful statements which will really impress.
In the spring of Year 12 all students attend the UCAS Discovery Event, where almost all the universities in the country are represented. This helps students to move their long list into a short list, speak to the universities themselves, and make decisions about which ones they want to explore further.
We encourage students to attend open days for those universities on their shortlists. Students are permitted to take three days off school to attend open days alongside opportunities at weekends and in the holidays. Helping students to plan for these days includes preparing questions in advance and thoroughly researching courses, accommodation and location.
It is essential that everyone fully understands the UCAS system, so we run two separate events in the year with a presence from different universities at each. One is in the early Summer Term for parents and their children where we outline the structure of applying to university and the support that is available at The Abbey.
The second event is later in the Summer Term, where students spend a whole day beginning their applications in earnest. Hearing from admissions staff from top universities at both of these events gives students the insight they need to wow in their applications.
Our students are ambitious and each year we have success with Oxbridge and Medical admissions. This is testament to our students’ love of learning and their curious minds, combined with the expertise of our dedicated staff.
Students who understand the requirements and expectations of these universities and the degrees on offer have a good chance of success, and we devote time to preparing for college choice, admissions tests and interview preparation.
This begins early in each student’s school career and builds as students enter Year 12, led by experienced and knowledgeable staff.
Individual careers support is available each Thursday morning during Form Time. Aptly named ‘Thursday Careers’, students can book a time with our Head of Careers, or just pitch up, and discuss their ideas, options, thoughts and concerns. It is so useful to have someone to listen and point you in the right direction.
Unifrog is a brilliant tool for careers as well as university research. It encourages students to think broadly, consider how they can apply their skills to a whole range of industries, and have back up plans. Resources range from videos from professionals to case studies, details of career progression, and information about the working environment.
The Lunchtime Lecture series compliments these offerings, as a variety of professionals come in and speak to our students about their own career, giving specialist insight into the industry. Students also have the opportunity to attend a working lunch with our visitors and ask plenty of questions, forging those connections which are so helpful when they are just starting out.
Learning
The most notable aspect of education in the Sixth Form, and The Abbey as a whole, is the focus on self-motivation, curiosity and genuine enthusiasm for learning. Students read widely, engage in class discussions, and pursue activities beyond the syllabus in their own time. The level of interest and passion is really special. Students take joy in their learning, and that’s evident every day in the way they go about their work.
Throughout the school, we offer remarkable Learning experiences, enhanced by the most stretching and fulfilling Extension activity. In Sixth Form the whole curriculum is built around these two strands: Learning in the Sixth Form Core, and Extension in Sixth Form Plus: a whole additional set of courses providing extraordinary breadth of experience.
Above all the combination provides personalisation and freedom of choice, which has always been the hallmark of the Abbey Sixth Form experience: each student will follow the pathway that suits them.
The Sixth Form Core
Three or Four A Levels
A Level students typically embark on three subjects at the beginning of the Lower VI year. Three subjects is the standard combination of A Levels on which universities base their offers and allows students to complete the required independent study (five hours per subject per week) outside of lessons, to achieve creditable grades. The goal of A Level study is to achieve three excellent grades for entry to university.
Fourth A Level
If a student is clearly on track to achieve highly, and has the capacity to do so, they may take a fourth A Level. This is particularly recommended, but not required, for students who have their sights set on highly competitive courses at university.
Alternatively, some students choose a fourth A Level to keep their options open and they may intend to drop it at some point during Lower VI (or at the end of Lower VI). This is a good option for those who are unsure about their subject choices and want some flexibility.
Further Maths A Level
All students who wish to study Maths and Further Maths at A Level must take two other A Level subjects.
Extended Project Programme (EPQ)
Everyone will have the opportunity to study our new EPQ Programme, and it’s up to you whether you go on to complete the whole project. So you could try out a fourth A Level or AS Level alongside the EPQ should you wish, and keep whichever one you prefer once you’ve had a chance to try them all out.
Students completing an EPQ project may find that they receive lower university offers from some universities, if they achieve an A grade in the EPQ. Many students therefore find taking an EPQ more valuable than taking a fourth A Level or AS Level.
Subjects on offer
Making the right choices
Choice of subjects at Sixth Form level is important, but what matters is that you choose the right courses for you. Subject teachers, parents and tutors will support you in these choices but ultimately it is your decision which subjects you would like to pursue.
The high level of in-depth study required at A Level will ensure that you are more than adequately prepared for university. We would recommend the following guiding principles when choosing your subjects:
- Choose subjects that you enjoy
- Choose subjects that you will want to spend time on
- Choose subjects that will facilitate your move to higher education
The Sixth Form team are always more than happy to speak with students to advise on possible subject combinations to help achieve success at A Level, and ultimately entrance to higher education. What is most important is that each individual feels happy with the courses that they choose and enjoys their time in Sixth Form.
Life after Sixth Form
University preparation is a huge part of the Sixth Form programme. We have fantastic support in place for every single student, and each year our students are rewarded with wonderful university offers.
Unifrog
Unifrog will be familiar to existing Abbey students but it comes into its own in Lower VI. A fantastic online platform, students use it to research universities, create longlists, and explore their career options.
It is hugely beneficial when it comes to enrichment activities. Our students regularly complete MOOCs (massive open online courses) in niche subjects that they intend to explore at university, and the ‘Read.Watch.Listen’ feature is especially popular with Lower VI. Engagement with these tools demonstrates students’ thirst for learning which is exactly what universities are looking for in their applicants.
Similarly the personal statement tools are wonderful, and help students to create impactful statements which will really impress.
Department Support
Once a year, our wonderful department staff host a subject fair where students can find out what it takes to be successful in that area. Recommendations for wider reading, essay competitions, advice on podcasts to listen to, and which admissions tests you might need to consider, all form a part of this event. Students should come out armed with the knowledge they need to excel in their subjects and be university ready.
This is complimented by regular support from departments in the form of university preparation clubs and a Google Classroom specifically geared towards wider reading and exciting opportunities as students begin to get ready to apply.
Finally students are treated to a day off timetable in the summer term where they choose from different activities organised by departments which are sure to help them find their niche interests as they approach their applications.
UCAS Conference
In the spring of Lower VI all student attend the UCAS Discoveries conference, where almost all the universities in the country are represented. This helps students to move their long list into a short list, speak to the universities themselves, and make decisions about which ones they want to explore further.
Open Days
We encourage students to attend open days for those universities on their shortlists. Students are permitted to take three days off school to attend open days alongside opportunities at weekends and in the holidays. Helping students to prepare for these days includes preparing questions in advance and thoroughly researching courses, accommodation and location.
UCAS Day and Parent Evening
It is essential that everyone fully understands the UCAS system, so we run two separate events in the year with a presence from different universities at each. One is in the early Summer Term for Parents and their children where we outline the structure of applying to university and the support that is available at The Abbey.
The second event is later in the Summer Term, where students spend a whole day beginning their applications in earnest. Hearing from admissions staff from top universities at both of these events gives students the insight they need to wow in their applications.
Oxbridge & Aspirational University Courses
Our students are ambitious and each year we have success with Oxbridge and Medical admissions. This is testament to our students’ love of learning and their curious minds, combined with the expertise of our dedicated staff.
Students who understand the requirements and expectations of these universities and the degrees on offer have a good chance of success, and we devote time to preparing for college choice, admissions tests and interview preparation.
This begins early in each student’s school career and builds as students enter Lower Sixth.
Careers and the Lunchtime Lecture Series
Individual careers support is available each Friday morning during form time. Aptly named ‘Friday Careers’, students can book a time with our Head of Careers, or just pitch up, and discuss their ideas, options, thoughts and concerns. It is so useful to have someone to listen to you and point you in the right direction.
Unifrog is a brilliant tool for careers as well as uni. It encourages students to think broadly, consider how they can apply their skills to a whole range of industries, and have back up plans. Resources range from videos from professionals, case studies, details of career progression, and information about the working environment.
The Lunchtime Lecture series compliments these offerings, as a variety of professionals come in and speak to our students about their own career, giving specialist insight into the industry. Students also have the opportunity to attend a working lunch with our visitors and ask plenty of questions, forging those connections which are so helpful when you are just starting out.