Samuel Ward Sixth Form

Choosing your Sixth Form provision is just the start of an exciting and transformative journey. The Sixth Form experience shapes the person you will become and informs the next stage of your learning and future career. It is my commitment that the refreshed Sixth Form at Samuel Ward Academy will represent the very best we have to offer as a school; prospective Sixth Formers can look forward to high quality enrichment opportunities, engaging academic and vocational courses, leadership roles across the whole school and much more besides.

Over the past months there has been significant investment in the leadership, curriculum, facilities and resources to ensure that Samuel Ward Sixth Form is an integral part of our warm, welcoming school, at the heart of our community and committed to creating rich and fulfilling futures for everyone. We ensure that our students aspire to be their very best, tackle challenges bravely and work together with compassion to build an inclusive community in which each individual can flourish.

These three values are central to all that we do, underpinned by our well-planned curriculum and excellent pastoral care. We want to support our sixth form students so they can develop the independence needed to reach their full potential, make a positive contribution to society and lead enriching and interesting lives.

Our aim is to provide an excellent education, excellent care and excellent opportunities as part of an ‘all-through’ education; from early years to A-Levels. As part of the Unity Schools Partnership, we work closely with colleagues in other schools and Sixth Forms across the region to share best practice and develop innovative approaches.

At Samuel Ward Sixth Form we really want to make a difference to young people, and we very much look forward to welcoming you and your family so that you can become one of our many successes of the future.

Tom Johnston- Headteacher

Headteacher, Samuel Ward Academy and Sixth Form

While we have passed our January application deadline, we do invite late/further applications or expressions of interest (contact us using - sixthform@samuelward.co.uk).

The transition from school to sixth form and beyond is an exciting time and one which brings many opportunities and challenges. At Samuel Ward Sixth Form, we will support you to embrace the change, offering you the opportunity to develop your independence and succeed.

We will understand your individual needs - Former students have again and again said that the thing they missed most about Samuel Ward Sixth Form was the care and support of their teachers. Your teachers will fully understand your learning needs. We know that, when you feel safe and well cared for, you are able to achieve your full potential.

We’ll support you every step of the way - We will support you every step of the way, from your Sixth Form induction to your leavers’ celebration. We’ll teach you how to use your study time effectively and will keep in regular touch with you and your parents about your academic progress. We’ll continue to do anything and everything to help you to achieve.

In order to support you to succeed, Samuel Ward Sixth Form provides you with:

An Academic Tutor and access to our Student Support Team

A timetabled Supra-Curricular programme of enrichment, student futures guidance and personal development

Regular opportunities for one-to-one subject support

Post-16 Bursary (for students who meet the criteria)

Samuel Ward Sixth Form offers a range of A-level and other BTEC/Diploma/AAQ courses to give you the freedom and flexibility to build an individualised study programme that reflects your priorities and ensures that you maximise your Post-16 experience and realise your ambitions.

Although it sounds complicated at first, we have three pathways available with differing entry requirements so that we can be as inclusive as possible.

• Pathway 1: Five or more GCSE grades 5-9 (including English Language and Maths) for an A-level study programme
• Pathway 2: Five or more GCSE grades 5-9 (aiming for a 5 in English Language and Maths) to study two A-level subjects and one Level 3 Diploma/AAQ
• Pathway 3: Five or more GCSE grades 4-9 (resitting English Language or Maths if needed) to study one A-level and two Level 3 Diplomas/AAQs or three Level 3 Diplomas/AAQs

Sixth Forms in the Unity Schools Partnership offer students a Supra-Curricular programme of activities alongside their chosen academic subjects. This “Supra” programme aims to go above and beyond specific academic course content, enhancing the curriculum through subject based stretch and challenge, while also enabling our students to be “Future ready”, by offering timetabled personal development and enrichment opportunities along with support for post-18 choices.

Supra-Curricular is different to an opt in extra-curricular programme (we still have these clubs and societies), as it combines and timetables different strands of activities and opportunities to offer students life skills and better prepare them for university life, apprenticeships and future employment.