Welcome to the Sixth Form from the Headteacher

St Bede's has a large and successful sixth form offering a wide variety of courses to students from a faith or non-faith background. In March 2023, Ofsted concluded that St Bede’s school remains ‘Outstanding’ and they highlighted areas of real strength in the teaching and learning, pastoral, post-16 guidance and enrichment opportunities available in the sixth form; we are proud that students in Years 12 and 13 ‘achieve very highly’.

"Students in the sixth form appreciate the way that
the guidance they receive from staff is tailored
to their needs and experiences. This includes an
excellent package of careers advice and support with
their post-16 options."

“Students in the sixth form regularly support with activities in the lower school and are involved in helping pupils with their reading and working alongside form tutors to provide mentoring.”

Ofsted Inspection, March 2023

In the sixth form, students receive an outstanding education where they are able to flourish academically, socially and personally. We are privileged to have expert teachers who build on the knowledge of all our students as individuals, and who are committed to excellence.

The sixth form team prepares students for the next stage of their lives guiding students through competitive applications for university, apprenticeships and employment. Although the majority of our students go onto university, we also have more each year securing impressive degree apprenticeship places. Each year we have students applying to medicine and Oxbridge courses and all students receive personalised support, academically and pastorally, throughout their time in the sixth form. Students are encouraged to be determined and resilient, modelling our BEDES values during their time in the sixth form..

"We just wanted to thank you so very much for everything you and all the sixth form staff have done to help X get where he is today. We are both so grateful for everyone’s tireless commitment, encouragement and hard work that helped X achieve his excellent A Level results.
All his teachers kept him so inspired and engaged throughout the course. His confidence and independence have also grown over the last two years, so the sixth form has really helped prepare him for his next chapter in life. It is such a pleasure to see your child achieving what they aspire to do and feel passionate about. Attending their first choice of university certainly makes the transition so much more exciting with fewer feelings of apprehension."

fORMER yEAR 13 PARENT, sEPTEMBER 2023

The pastoral curriculum guides students when looking beyond St Bede’s. We offer mock interviews, talks with industry experts, university and apprenticeship fair visits, sessions on self-regulation and metacognition and individual mentor meetings throughout a students’ time in the sixth form. Year 12 also spend a week on work experience in the summer term and gain not only an insight into the world of work but also an understanding as to different demands in industry and the valuable transferable skills that can be gained. Recent placements have included local businesses, East Surrey Hospital, Jellyfish, PwC, the West End, Aston Martin, Met Police, National Trust, M&S, House of Lords and Sky News.

There is an emphasis on professional partnership in the sixth form. Students are successful and determined, they take responsibility for their learning and they seize every opportunity available to them, enrichment, service and extracurricular. Our senior students organise events for the sixth form and the wider school including our annual RAG week (raising over £17,000 in March 2023). Year 12 and 13 take part in pupil voice, music and drama groups, sports and mentoring opportunities with our younger cohorts during tutor or lesson time; they are inspiring role models for the lower school. Students are nurtured and supported, whilst also awarded increased independence to learn and grow as a young adult. 

The sixth form is overseen by a number of key academic and pastoral staff that work hard to support each and every student. Under the leadership of Mrs Woodroofe the sixth form at St Bede’s continues to go from strength to strength. There is a strong sense of community in the sixth form and we look forward to welcoming you. 

Adam Powell, Headteacher

Who joins our Sixth Form?

The great majority of our own students from Year 11 continue to study with us in the sixth form, where they are joined by students from all local schools (and some further away). Any student who is qualified for the courses we offer is welcome to be a sixth former at St Bede's. We do expect that you will play your part within this inclusive and friendly Christian community - but we respect and value everyone's own journey in faith and understanding - you certainly do not need to be a Christian or a church-goer to be a full member of our community.

Our documents below 'Celebrating St Bede's Sixth Form' and Sixth Form Prospectus 2024 will give you an overview of what is on offer here at St Bede's.

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