Sixth Form Information

A Supportive  Environment

We believe that our Sixth Form is the ideal size; large enough to offer a wide range of courses, small enough that you feel part of a community where you are known and supported. Every student is part of a small form with a specialised Sixth Form tutor. Their role is to ensure that every student receives the personalised support they need to successfully make the step from GCSE to Sixth Form studies.

We believe that one of the keys to academic success is to help students form a clear plan for where they want their Sixth Form education to take them. All students have access to the Unifrog progression tool which helps them to plan for the future and they also work with subject teachers to set personalised targets and track their academic progress.

An International Perspective in the heart of the West Country

Each year the boarding house at Shaftesbury School brings students from around the world to study in the Sixth Form. Studying with students from Europe, Asia and Africa gives students a wider perspective on the world and allows them to learn how people from other countries perceive Britain.

We are proud to hold the International School Award and have links with schools in France and Spain which allow our language students to take part in exchange visits each year. The sports department regularly take part in international tours such as the Ski Trip to Austria.

Charity work is another important aspect of Sixth Form life and each year through our RAG day and events such as fashion shows, quizzes and sports competitions we raise thousands of pounds for charities. Each year we support different local or national charities, but for the last eight years we have raised money for Refugee Action, Children in Need, Cancer Research UK, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, CLEVaH and the Brain Tumour Charity campaign Headsmart.

A Tradition of Success

The Sixth Form can trace its origins back to the creation of a Grammar School in Shaftesbury in 1630. Today our dedicated and experienced team of teachers are committed to ensuring that every student achieves their full potential. Our students achieve excellent headline results with nearly half of all grades being A*- B.

For us Sixth Form is about more than just achieving a set of results, we invest time and effort in the personal development of our students and in ensuring that their time in the Sixth Form helps them to progress to exciting opportunities for further study and employment. For the last five years we have sent students to universities in the World Top 10, including Oxford University, Cambridge University, University College London’s Medical School, Imperial College and London School of Economics. We are equally proud of the students who have successfully gained jobs and apprenticeships. Therefore, whether you are aiming for Oxbridge or to enter employment after Sixth Form, Shaftesbury and Sturminster Sixth Form will help you make the best of yourself and achieve the qualifications you need.

Work Experience Placements

We expect all our students in Year 12 to undertake a minimum of 30 hours work experience over the course of the year. Work experience is an opportunity to introduce young people to the reality of working life within a willing organisation, to help them to secure and sustain employment. The aim is to provide learning and insight into working life by exposing the young person to a variety of tasks and experiences. Research shows that the more contact young people have with employers, the better their chances of finding stable employment. Departments within both schools also offer internships throughout the year.

Enrichment and Wider Studies

Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons are given over to allowing students the opportunity to take a break from their studies and try out new experiences. Options vary across the two schools and from year to year, but often include:

1. Extended Project Qualification – students gain a qualification in a topic which interests them. It is worth half an A-level (maximum 28 UCAS points) so can be used to earn extra UCAS points.
2. Sport (fitness suite, basketball, football, netball, dance, badminton and more…)
3. Duke of Edinburgh Award   •  Core Maths  •  Arts Award
   Cooking  •    Young Enterprise Company Programme
4. UCAS and Careers surgery    Guest speakers – a variety of information to aid progression beyond Sixth Form 

How the Partnership Works

The partnership works through a common timetable which allows students based at either school to access lessons at each institution.  Lessons are usually in two hour blocks and there is a free bus service connecting the two sites between each block. As well as being members of the joint sixth form, students are still members of one school community or the other, and each have access to social and study facilities and play a leadership role in their own school.