Sixth Form Curriculum

STAGS Sixth Form offers a breadth of subjects and learning opportunities that allow all students to be prepared for life beyond Sixth Form. The daily diet of our Sixth Formers allows them to explore subjects ranging from Sociology to Physics to Fashion and Textiles as well as enrichment experiences such as debating, EPQ, food skills and trips and visits.

STAGS Sixth Form is a space for all to thrive and develop into independent, resilient young adults. Our full list of subjects can be found here. 

Subjects

EPQ

The Extended Project Qualification is a Level 3 qualification which requires entrants to produce a single piece of work of their own choosing.

Students will need to show skills such as planning, preparation, research, independent working, analysis and evaluation. The project could be a report of an investigation, a design, a dissertation, a model or performance, The qualification allows the student to select a topic of specific interest to them. The recommended time required to undertake the EPQ is 120 hours. 

Benefits to students include gaining a qualification which is worth half an A Level. The EPQ enhances students applications to university and employment as well as giving the opportunity to learn a variety of valuable skills which will be of use in the future. Completing the EPQ shows universities and employers that the student has a high level of motivation to study a subject of interest in greater depth. 

Students in Year 12 who opt to undertake the Extended Project Qualification will start the course in the January of Year 12 and it will be completed in the October of Year 13. 

AQA Extended Project Qualification Specification

Speaker Programme

The Speaker programme forms an integral component of the Step Up Programme for STAGS Sixth, enriching students' understanding of society and offering an invaluable networking platform.

Speakers share their insights and personal experiences on a range of important topics; social issues, environmental concerns, humanitarian and economic challenges. Past speakers have represented the organisations such as:

• United Nations
• Samaritans
• Ollie Foundation 
• Oxfam 
• Authors and Podcasters 
• Psychologists
• Civil Service
• Neuro-diverse and Autism advocacy
• Business Leaders

Students will have the opportunity to attend 10 speaker sessions per year, allowing them to broaden their perspectives and connect with influential individuals in various fields.

Step Up

Step Up curriculum is a bespoke programme that provides students with an opportunity to study personal development and develop key life skills to equip young people in 21st Century Britain. Sessions are timetabled to take place for 1 hour each week and each week will cover a topic from one the following themes. 

• Study Skills: Note taking and Time management
• Personal Health & Wellbeing: Sexual Harassment. Healthy Relationships. Contraception. 
• Social Awareness: Global, Environmental and local contemporary issues. 
• Post 18 Next Steps: Careers, Apprenticeships and University. 

Each session provides an opportunity for students to measure their progress, discuss and debate topical issues and pose anonymous questions to develop further knowledge and understanding. 

All materials and supplementary materials are provided for students to access directly on their Google Classroom.  

Step Up Learning Journey

Prospectus

See our full prospectus below:

Sixth Form Prospectus

Teaching and Learning

The Sixth Form Team and A Level Teachers are committed to facilitating and enhancing the learning experience of the KS5 students. High Quality Teaching is at the heart and some of the key initiatives that underpin our provision are:

Learner Voice

The Sixth Form Learner Voice which takes place termly encompasses the thoughts, views and opinions of students on their KS5 educational journey. It is an integral part of ensuring that our learners receive an outstanding educational experience and that students feel empowered to be active in either making curriculum or whole Sixth Form changes.

Study Skills Coaching

 Students have access to a bespoke range of presentations found as a tile on Student’s RM Unify and as part of the Step Up programme. The resource encompasses guidance, activities, templates and website links all designed to fine tune certain Study Skills from some of the best advice found on the internet.

The Post 16 Teaching and Learning Group

Representatives from a range of A Level subjects meet on a half termly basis to share KS5 Quality First Teaching and Research. Some aspects of teaching for discussion and new initiatives this year have been Assessment for Learning, Blended Learning and Student Directed Learning.