Life at STAGS Sixth

STAGS Sixth

Life at STAGS Sixth

STAGS Sixth is a vibrant, caring and exciting community. As well as our outstanding academic opportunities, students have a broad range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities to participate in. Student leadership is extremely important to us and all Sixth Formers play a full role in the life of the school. There are a varied and wide range of leadership roles which meet the needs and interests of our Sixth Form students.

In preparing our students for life Post 18, we have a key focus on developing those employability skills so important in a competitive environment. Sixth Formers select two enrichment classes from a wide selection of options and our leadership roles allow our students to often run clubs for younger years.

Step Up Programme

We extend our students' understanding of the wider world through the Step Up Programme; an extensive Speaker Programme, where we have welcomed a number of high profile guests to speak with our Sixth Form and our links with the local community. The Step Up Programme is an hour timetabled lesson each week for Years 12 and 13, where students embed & develop their PSHE learning into Key Stage 5 ready for the wider world. The curriculum revolves around Wellbeing & Personal Awareness, Study Skills, VESPA and Next Steps. The curriculum for Step-Up allows students a safe space to discuss key RSE topics with experienced teachers to support them.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity

We are dedicated to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, further enhanced with our involvement in the Great Representations project with Herts for Learning. This project allowed us to discuss, debate and share best practice around EDI with schools from across the county with the aim of ensuring that EDI is embedded throughout every facet of our school community. More information on EDI at STAGS can be found here.

Facilities

Our excellent facilities which include a quiet study room, group study area and a common room with its own coffee shop give students the ability for independent study in their free periods.

Celebrations

On the last day of Year 13, our students get to dress up in outfits of their choice in their friendship groups and celebrate their journey here at STAGS. Students take their outfit planning very seriously and younger students love to see them as they walk around school.

We can't wait for you to join us to celebrate your time here too!

STAGS Sixth Formers

Good attendance to school is intrinsically linked to high attainment and positive wellbeing. Therefore, at STAGS we place huge importance on our students attending school every day.

Students in the Sixth Form at STAGS are highly respected by the school community, and as such are expected to behave in an appropriate manner. Sixth Formers are expected to dress in a manner appropriate for study in school and abide by the dress code; maintain exemplary attendance and punctuality.

Attendance

It is very important that Sixth Form students aim to attend school every day and are only absent when they are physically too ill to come into school. Our school target for attendance is 96%, and we set all students this target. Attendance in each year group meets this target, and we are very proud to say that many of our students have a 100% attendance record.

Research shows that students who attend school regularly are happier learners than those who miss school on a regular basis. A Level students who miss school often fall behind with their studies and this will significantly affect results. We monitor attendance very carefully, and you will be contacted if your son/daughter's attendance falls below target. We want all students to be happy to attend school and if you feel that your son/daughter is becoming reluctant to attend school then please do not hesitate to contact one of the Sixth Form team.

Please see more information in our Attendance Policy by clicking here.

Unavoidable Absence

In the case of unavoidable absence, parents should telephone the school before 8.30am and on the day of return to school should provide a letter/email explaining the reason for the absence.

All Year 12 and 13 students are encouraged to fully utilise our study facilities when not in lessons.

All students need to wear their lanyard and follow the 'signing out and signing in' procedure
Sixth Form students are allowed to attend 3 University Open days during the school week in an academic year
Driving lessons, dental and medical appointments cannot be arranged during timetabled lesson times

Punctuality

We believe that attendance and punctuality in the Sixth Form is vital to the well-being and future prospects of our students.

Sixth form students are expected to be on time to all of their lessons, ready to learn and with the correct equipment.

Dress Code

Lanyards

All students are required to wear lanyards at all times. Click here for more information.

Facilities

Our extensive facilities give students the space needed for quiet, independent study as well as an area for socialising with their friends. We have a friendly, caring and supportive environment. Our excellent and spacious facilities, tailored specifically for our Sixth Form students, include a Quiet Study room, Group Study area, Common Room and Coffee Shop.

Coffee Shop

This Autumn term we opened our brand new Sixth Form Café area adjacent to our Common Room. Exclusively for the use of Year 12 and 13 students, it is a wonderful space to come together with friends and includes our incredible coffee shop serving up a range of hot drinks, baked goods and sandwiches.
A hot chocolate with a vegan flapjack is highly recommended!

Computers & Chromebooks

We have computers available in the quiet study room and students are also able to borrow iPads or Chromebooks for use whilst they are studying.
We believe that this will be very beneficial in supporting everyday learning, both in school and at home and assisting the development of independent studies, so vital in gaining success at A Level.

Wi-Fi

We have Wi-Fi access around the school and students are welcome to bring their own mobile devices, at their own risk, which can be charged in the Sixth Form Study area and used across the school.

Student Support

Here at STAGS we pride ourselves on our extensive pastoral support, that ranges from form tutor to director of learning, to external mentors to the student support area we have within the school.

Student Support hub is a base for our students to go if they need a moment to decompress, reflect or chat with one of our incredible student support officers. Our expertly trained student support officers offer guidance and nurturing to ensure all our students are equipped to manage their learning, as well as their wellbeing.

The student hub also offers exam wellbeing support, where students can ask questions about how to manage their workload alongside their life. We know it is imperative that students strike that work/life balance, readying them for the wider world, and that is where our pastoral structure truly shines!

Form tutors meet with the students each day in registration and there is an 'open door' policy in the Sixth Form giving students access to advice and pastoral care.

Subject Review & Intervention

Subject Reviews for sixth formers are an opportunity for students to reflect on their progress to date, and to consider what they need to do in order to reach their aspirational targets. Students complete the sections in their student planner in detail before Subject Review Week.

Students then meet with one teacher for each subject for a few minutes at some point during the week which will be the opportunity to discuss what is going well and how students can progress even further. These meetings take place twice a term.

Assessment and Monitoring Student Progress

We continuously monitor students’ progress to ensure they meet their potential at A Level. Progress is measured using the Advanced Level Performance System (ALPS), which is a National benchmark created from GCSE results to give an aspirational target. Students are monitored against these targets by the Sixth Form team, Subject teachers and Form tutors throughout the year.

A range of opportunities to support and nurture progress take place in the Sixth Form throughout the year including subject reviews that take place twice a year, form tutor review days and parents evenings.

In addition, we will ensure there is regular communication with home to remedy any issues as they arise and we welcome contact from parents so that there is a supportive team around the student at all times.

Bursary

This fund is designed to help and support students who face financial barriers to participation in education, such as costs of transport, food or equipment.

The fund is divided into a Nominated Bursary and a Discretionary Bursary.

The Nominated Bursary will be available to those who are:

Young people aged 16 and 17 in care
Care leavers
In receipt of Income Support
Disabled

The Discretionary Bursary is available for those who are in receipt of:

Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’

More information can be found on the government website here

Bursary Claim Form

Bursary Guidance Form 2024 - 25