Sixth Form

Our Vision

At Beacon Academy Sixth Form, we offer a culture that is highly aspirational and ambitious for excellence in all we do. We offer our young people a learning experience that is designed to enable them to become independent learners with a world view that will allow them to achieve highly in whatever choice they make for their onward progression.

Our specialist staff provide exceptional tuition at the highest level, supported by specialist advice and guidance. Our students thrive academically, benefitting from a highly personalised and independent approach to learning that prepares them for the best universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, or high quality training and employment.

Life in the Sixth Form

Beacon Academy Sixth Form benefits from a dedicated site, with experienced and committed staff, specialist facilities and excellent ICT facilities.

The high expectations set at the lower school continue into our Sixth Form and students are expected to work hard, and demonstrate commitment, resilience and determination to support their success. You will work in partnership with staff to ensure that you are reaching your targets; with your peers in sharing your experiences; and with the wider community in supporting others. Staff will also work in collaboration with your parents and carers to ensure that you achieve the very best outcomes.

“Students really enjoy their studies and appreciate the more adult environment of the sixth-form study centre. Students feel safe and well looked after and conduct themselves maturely.” Ofsted

The Sixth Form Curriculum and how we meet the 16-19 study programme requirements

We offer students a high-quality academic experience where they will study three or more Level 3 subjects (A Level or A Level equivalent vocational), as well as providing them with the opportunity for them to develop as individuals through our enrichment and our work experience and preparation for Higher Education programmes.

The academic programme that students follow is tailored to their prior attainment, their interests and their career goals.

All students will complete 3 or more Level 3 courses and those who do not hold a GCSE in Mathematics and English are required to continue with these subjects as part of their study programme.

Once again we are celebrating another extremely successful year at Beacon Academy in both our academic and vocational qualifications. Our latest Ofsted inspection confirmed that we “offer excellent opportunities for students while also achieving excellent results.”

To view our 2023 A Level examination results, please visit our A Level Exam Results page.

Learning at Beacon Sixth Form

Students are supported with their academic progress by excellent teaching from a team of knowledgeable subject specialists. They are also provided with a programme of study options designed to enable them to become independent learners with a thirst for continued knowledge that extends beyond the bounds of the curriculum, and prepares them for the world beyond.

Students attend timetabled supervised study periods every week where they are encouraged to plan their work schedule and are given encouragement and subject specific resource ideas to allow them to extend their understand and skills in their subjects. They are encouraged to carry the skills they develop into their own independent study time that is not timetabled by working either in alternative silent study spaces or shared collaborative spaces that are available to them.

Enrichment

We believe that for our students to flourish, they must develop skills, interests and experience beyond the academic curriculum.

All students at our Sixth Form have the opportunity to take part in an extensive enrichment programme, earning credits towards achieving the Beacon Enrichment Certificate. Credits are earned through a broad range of activities and opportunities designed to help students stand out from the crowd and to develop independence and transferable skills that equip them for life beyond Sixth Form.

Enrichment activities on offer include The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), the Bar Mock Trial, Finance for Life, student mentoring, supporting KS3 student wellbeing groups, languages, creative writing, cooking skills, first aid and much more. Many of our students take part in an annual trip to The Gambia, benefitting enormously from the trip as a learning experience, enhancing their practical, organisational and decision-making skills.

Outside of Sixth Form, students are encouraged to earn credits by taking part in local clubs and volunteering within the community. All students are also given the opportunity to gain work experience, supported by our dedicated Work Experience Coordinator.

It is our aim that all Sixth Form students participate fully in Sixth Form life, to make it a vibrant and an exciting place. Last but not least we want you to enjoy yourself!

Find out more about our KS5 enrichment programme via our Life in Beacon Academy Sixth Form page.

Progression

The success of our students is demonstrated through the varied and prestigious opportunities available to them when they leave our school. We work tirelessly with our students, supported by our dedicated KS5 careers adviser and one-to-one UCAS support. This enable our students to follow the path that suits them best, whether that be to a high-level apprenticeship, an art foundation, into employment, or to university, where a substantial number of students achieve places at Russell Group universities and Oxbridge.

“Careers advice and guidance are effective because this support is independently delivered one-to-one and forms part of students’ study programmes. Students are given high levels of support in deciding on their next steps, including with personal statements for higher education places.” Ofsted

To read more about our student destinations please visit our Life After Beacon page.

Outstanding Student Support

As a school we know that strong pastoral support underpins everything we do. We know our students incredibly well, and care about their wellbeing and mental health.

We know that being 16-19 can come with its own unique challenges. We have a dedicated Assistant Head of Year responsible for each year group, an experienced team of tutors and a team of counsellors who are all able to support our students. We also have a Sixth Form Bursary that can support students financially.

Please visit our Funding and Travel page for further details

If you require any further information, please contact the following staff:

Mr Charles Howarth, Assistant Headteacher - Head of Sixth Form

Mr Robert Hutchison , Head of Year 12 and 13

Mrs Amanda Hilton, Sixth Form Manager or call on 01892 603018

Mr Gary Williams, Assistant Head of Year 12 and 13

Ms Lucy Gravell, Sixth Form Attendance Manager

Miss Abigail Akehurst KS5 UCAS and Enrichment Co-ordinator

Sixth Form Twitter Account

Please follow us on Twitter for all current activities @Beacon6th