Sixth Form Study Programme

Here at Carmel the Sixth Form Curriculum comprises of the following elements which build to make a personalised programme of study for each student:

A Levels: Students can choose three or four A Level subjects dependent on prior attainment from a range of 21 different subjects.

Vocational Level 3 Courses:  Students can choose one, two or three subjects. We offer 9 different subject vocational subjects.

GCSE Maths and English Language: All students who have not reached a grade 4 prior to joining us will be expected to resit these qualifications.

Level 3 Core Maths: Students who do not wish to take A Level Maths have the opportunity to take this subject alongside their main 3 subject choices.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): Students can choose to undertake the EPQ as an additional qualification. This allows students to show a depth of study in one particular area of their studies which enhances their UCAS and job applications.

Super Curriculum: The super curriculum takes the subject studied in the classroom beyond that which teachers have taught or set for homework. Our Super-Curriculum encapsulates all those activities that foster academic endeavour beyond the measurable outcomes of examination results. It includes (but is not limited to) wider reading, debate, public speaking, research, lectures and study trips. Each department will provide a range of subject specific enrichment opportunities designed to enhance students’ interest and understanding.

Our subject specific super curriculum is designed to:

  • Enhance students’ understanding, enthusiasm and love for their subjects.
  • Develop a wider knowledge of the subjects students study and the broader issues surrounding them.
  • Develop independence and promote students to become proactive learners.
  • Promote innovation and creativity.
  • Promote opportunities for wider-reading that can then be used for personal statements and job/university interviews.
  • Encourage students to aim high and develop drive and ambition.

The key message from universities and employers is that they want to see what students have done to show their dedication towards studying their subjects, and these opportunities are a perfect example. Each curriculum area will be allocated one hour per fortnight.

Directed Study: To further support the rigours of A level study, every week students will be allocated directed study time in the silent study room. During these directed study periods, students should explore their A level subjects in greater depth and do further reading or skills practice to deepen and broaden their knowledge and understanding.

Tutor Programme: All students follow our tutor programme, providing structure to the week and ensuring students are self-motivated, keeping up to date with current affairs and continuing to consider their future.

Monday: Attendance is checked by the form tutor and students are held responsible for any missing lessons or days which allows the tutor and sixth form team to observe emerging patterns in attendance. We also follow our PSHE programme. Throughout KS5 PSHEE we try to prepare our students to manage their lives now as well as prepare them for their future. Topics include: public speaking, time management, tax, democracy, alcohol and drug awareness, mental health, career pathways, CV writing, SRE, stress management, presentation skills and safe driving.

Tuesday: Assembly is delivered by a mixture of external speakers and staff in college. Topics vary from sharing extra opportunities in college, safety on nights out and other topical issues as they arise.

Wednesday: Well-Being Wednesdays give students the opportunities to rejuvenate their mind, body, and spirit through a range of engaging activities designed to nurture their mental health and personal growth.

Thursday: Thought for the Day provides an opportunity for students to discuss in form groups. Topics include advice from former students, inspirational TED talks and current topics in the news.

Friday: Future Friday is shared with students to give an example of a career that they may be interested in and signpost students to all careers opportunities in college.

The tutorial programme supports the UCAS and careers programme to ensure students have clear progression strategies in place following their results in August of Year 13.

Enrichment Programme: All students have the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities which comprise of many sporting and cultural activities. Students also receive extension careers support, which includes work experience amongst other career enhancing activities. By the end of Sixth Form all our students are prepared to leave home for the first time and live as independent adults. Increasingly, future employers are asking potential employees not only to describe their key skills and attributes but also to evidence where they have demonstrated competence in applying them, for example describing when they have taken on a variety of roles within a team or led a team to a successful outcome. Our

extensive enrichment offer is one of the vehicles that provides our students with the opportunity to evidence these skills and attributes.

Core Enrichment: Religious education is a statutory requirement for all registered students in Key Stage 5 who are registered in a school with a sixth form. Core Enrichment provides a safe place to explore spirituality and ethical moral decision making, in the context of philosophical enquiry and dialogue. The CES states:  Religiously literate young people are able to engage in a fully informed critique of all knowledge, "leading, for example, to an understanding of the relationship between science and religion or history, and between theology, sport and the human body.” Core Enrichment broadens and enhances the curriculum by giving students the opportunity to consider a wide range of religious, philosophical and ethical issues and to develop and analyse their own codes of belief. Through this, sixth form Core Enrichment caters for and affirms a range of learning styles, individual interests and gifts and talents of students. Students have a one-hour Core Enrichment lesson each week.

The Study Programmes our students follow at Carmel Sixth Form will:

  • Lead to qualifications that hold currency for employers and for entry to higher education.
  • Fulfil statutory requirements.
  • Meet the needs of young people of all abilities.
  • Provide equal access for all students to a full range of learning experiences beyond statutory guidelines.
  • Prepare students to make informed and appropriate choices at the end of KS5 and beyond.
  • Help students develop lively, enquiring minds, an ability to question and argue rationally and an ability to apply themselves to tasks and physical skills.
  • Include the following characteristics: breadth, balance, relevance, differentiation, progression, continuity and coherence.
  • Ensure continuity and progression within the school and between phases of education, increasing students’ choice during their school career.
  • Foster teaching styles which will offer and encourage a variety of opportunities for students to gain and consolidate key knowledge and concepts.
  • Help students to use language and number effectively.
  • Help students develop personal moral values, respect for religious values and tolerance of other races’ beliefs and ways of life.
  • Help students understand the world in which they live