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
The right option for you might be our Food Science and Nutrition Certificate programme. 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.
