Sixth Form

The Sixth Form at The Leys comprises the Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth, with approximately 100 pupils in each. We teach A levels only, and do not offer the IB.

80% of our Sixth Formers are boarders or home boarders, and 20% are day pupils. About 20% of our boarders are international pupils. Sixth Form boarders either join one of the five mixed-age Boarding Houses or one of the two Sixth Form-only Boarding Houses. All Boarding Houses are fully integrated with the rest of the school.

Entry Requirements

Pupils will normally be admitted to the Sixth Form if they have achieved above an average of 5.5 at GCSE over their best 8 GCSEs and at least a grade 5 in Mathematics and English Language. A grade 7 or above at GCSE is the preferred requirement for starting an A level subject. Individual support and guidance is also given so that pupils make choices which will allow them to be successful at A Level.

Scholarships are available for academic subjects, Art, Drama Music and Sport.

The Sixth Form Open Evening takes place each year in late September for both internal and external candidates. Please visit our Admissions Department for further information about applying to The Leys.

Ethos

The School is proud of its Sixth Form pupils and of what they achieve. Helped by committed teachers, they are encouraged to make the transition from ‘dependent’ to ‘independent’ learners. It is also hoped that they will acquire adult social skills along with academic qualifications appropriate to their abilities and aspirations. As part of this process, and within clear and firm guidelines, they are accorded greater freedoms in dress, study, time and movement. This changed status is also reflected in relationships with staff: there is a heightened sense of common purpose, of working together as adults, and of shared commitment. Treated as adults, Sixth Formers are expected to behave as such, sharing an increased responsibility for the smooth running of the School and of the Houses, behaving with courtesy and consideration to all within the School community.

Academic Progress

The main purpose of the Sixth Form at The Leys is academic study. The Sixth Form programme is designed to ensure that pupils settle quickly and work to the best of their ability. Tutors and teachers work with tutees on study and time-management skills. Formal assessments of progress are made at each half term, and pupils and teachers write formal reflections on pupils’ development throughout the year. Full reports (Records of Work) are sent out each year. There is also a Parents’ Evening in the Lent term where parents can discuss their son/daughter’s progress with their teachers.

Tutors and Support

All Sixth Formers meet regularly with their Tutor. Tutors are responsible for advising, monitoring progress and helping pupils to make full use of School resources. In addition, pupils have easy access to the Director of Studies, the Head of Sixth Form, the Careers Department, their teachers and their Housemaster or Housemistress.

In addition to the A level courses, there is a programme of PSE lessons in which pupils study a variety of topics, including Personal and Learning Skills, Careers and University Preparation, Politics and Citizenship, Relationships and Personal Health issues. The course is tailored to the needs of pupils in the Sixth Form and is designed to provide mature insights into these important areas.

For pupils who require extra support with their studies, both the Learning Support and International Support departments have highly experienced teachers to help them.