Sixth Form

Aims Our aim at St John's is that the Sixth Form experience should be a challenging one that places special emphasis on the development of self-discipline and responsibility. The challenges result from the specific demands of the AS/A Level courses, from the broad range of extra-curricular activities that form an integral part of Sixth Form life and from the opportunities for leadership that the majority of Sixth Formers will be given. A further challenge derives from the co-educational nature of the Sixth Form as this will be the first experience of mixed classes and activities for most boys and girls.

Entry Requirements The basic requirement for entry into the Lower Sixth Form is six passes (C grade or above) at GCSE, with at least four at B grade (or above); where applicable the B grades should be in the chosen A Level subjects. Individual subject details will specify any additional requirements for studying a particular subject. We expect most students to have significantly better achievements at GCSE than indicated above, with a good spread of A*, A and B grades. About 25 places annually are available to girls wishing to enter the Lower Sixth Form and, usually, there are also places available to boys wishing to the join the School at this level. In order for students to proceed from the Lower Sixth Form into the Upper Sixth Form, they must achieve at least pass grades at AS level in the three subjects they wish to continue to A level. Any student not meeting this requirement may be permitted to repeat the Lower Sixth year.

Co-Education

Co-education in the Sixth Form has many advantages - the most obvious one being in terms of the preparation it gives students for life away from home at university. The atmosphere, both in Sixth Form classes and in the activities, is a stimulating one and it is our experience that boys and girls react extremely positively to the challenge of working and living alongside each other.

Girls have been in the Sixth Form at St John's since 1989 when there were originally 12 students. At that time, the girls' house was located in one building, Hallaton. The numbers have now grown steadily. Seven years ago, the School purchased another building, over the road from Hallaton. This is called Fairfield and was used as the base for day pupils in the House. However, we simply did not have enough space to accommodate the number of girls who wished to board. In September 2003, the Governing Body decided to redevelop the Fairfield site. The combination of Hallaton and Fairfield is now known as South House.



The Sixth Form Programme

We fully endorse the aims of broadening the post-16 curriculum and of equipping students with the key skills they will need to succeed in their chosen professions. We also place a high value on the experiences and opportunities we are able to provide outside the classroom, which make a unique contribution to developing the whole person.

Our present General Studies programme provides a broadening component to the Sixth Form curriculum. It exposes students to ideas from the Arts, the Sciences, Religion, Philosophy and the Social Sciences. Those wishing to apply to Oxford or Cambridge are allocated an academic tutor who will oversee a programme of extra work. For students new to St John's, who have not benefited from the extensive ICT programme in the lower school, support in ICT is available. And, the careers programme in the Sixth Form includes Careers Evenings attended by representatives from a broad range of careers.



Effective Use of Time

Being able to make effective use of the two years spent in the Sixth Form depends on setting the right priorities from the beginning. Students are expected to spend a minimum of four hours per week study time, outside of the timetabled lessons, on each of their AS level subjects, increasing to six hours per week for each A level subject. Part of a student's study time will be spent in timetabled Private Study periods. In the Lower Sixth, these Study Periods usually take place in a the Sixth Form Study Centre and are supervised by a member of staff. Once students reach the Upper Sixth they will be given the freedom to work in the Library or in their Studies.

While academic studies are of paramount importance, the Sixth Form is not just about obtaining good examination results. A carefully planned programme of sporting and other extra-curricular activities can provide relaxation and also contribute to personal and social development. Each student has a tutor with whom daily meetings in small groups are held. The tutor oversees academic work and progress, participation in activites and general well-being.