Sixth Form Department

Year 12 Prep Tasks

Sixth Form Bulletin May 4th 2020

The typical day at Saint Felix starts with registration in the tutor groups, followed by either assembly, chapel or tutor time.

Students will then attend their timetabled lessons which are 35 minutes in length; most sessions will be taught as double periods. In addition to timetabled academic lessons, students will also have timetabled careers and enrichment activities. We also have timetabled assessment periods; this is so that time in the classroom with our subject specialist teachers is dedicated to teaching and learning and any assessments do not take up valuable teaching time.

Students will receive classroom, laboratory or workshop tuition (the average number of students per class is 6) and are encouraged to work independently, undertaking research for topical projects, frequently outside school hours. There is a Sixth Form only Study Centre, where students can engage with their learning outside of lessons. Educational visits form part of the timetable.

Students can get refreshments throughout the school day from The Refectory, which includes free access to tea and coffee. Lunch is served in the school Canteen (https://stfelix.co.uk/about-us/catering/)

Students at Saint Felix School make outstanding progress.

Saint Felix School has been graded the best school in Suffolk for performance 2019 at A Level in the official government league tables, where pupil progression has been rated in the top 5% of schools in England. The league table is comprised of all 51 schools and colleges which offer post-16 qualifications, including all the other independent schools. Progress is the most important indicator of the strength of our work ethic, teaching and learning and curriculum design, and our placing at a local and national level means that we can confidently say that we provide our students with excellent teaching and learning that promotes significant growth in academic skills and subject knowledge.

Our excellent academic results speak for themselves and we were named as a Telegraph and Times top Independent School for A Level Results 2019.  In 2019, over 77% of grades awarded were A*-C, over 31% A*-A and 56% A*-B

These results are well above average progress and reflect the outstanding teaching and learning experience available to our students. We have a robust assessment and intervention programme to ensure that all students are supported in reaching their full potential.

At Saint Felix all Year 12 and Year 13 students will have timetabled career sessions.

Excellent career and university advice are provided and the school endeavours to ensure that the Sixth Form prepares the students thoroughly and successfully for their adult life. Saint Felix also offers a bespoke preparation course for students with aspirations to study at top universities. 

Our aim is to support students in making the right decisions as to where to move onto after leaving the school.

Student Destinations 2019

Link to UCAS website

Link to SACU website

We also want to ensure that our students are prepared for the different challenges and responsibilities they will face in their post-18 life. To this end when students arrive in the Sixth Form they are given an increased amount of freedom. This starts with coming out of school uniform and into formal work wear, where individuality can be expressed. Initially students are supported to manage their time and their work, however as they progress over the two years, they are expected to take on the management of this themselves. Students are closely monitored by their tutor and the Head of Sixth Form to ensure that they have the balance correct and support and guidance will be given where necessary.

At Saint Felix we strongly believe that there is more to being a Sixth Former than just academic study; that there is also the responsibility of developing skills that will support life outside and beyond the school gates.

As an independent school, we can enhance the curricula to meet a student’s particular requirements. The curriculum includes an enrichment programme covering mindfulness, financial capability, critical-thinking and leadership skills, supported by an excellent range of extra-curricular activities. This includes:

• Choirs
• Orchestra
• Music Theory
• Drama productions
• LAMDA
• Sports Clubs
• Sport Afternoons, including use of the gym and team sports.
• Charity leads

In the Sixth Form we expect students to take on supporting and leadership roles throughout the whole school. Students will spend time supporting the younger students in both curriculum and extra curriculum areas, with many working directly with Pre-Prep and Prep school teachers. In Year 13 students can apply for a number of senior student positions and take on whole school leadership roles, including Head of School and Head of Charity.

At Saint Felix we aim to help students develop into independent young adults ready to face the challenges when they leave to attend University, Apprenticeships or the world of work.

To this end when students arrive in the Sixth Form they are given an increased amount of freedom. This starts with coming out of school uniform and into formal work wear, where individuality can be expressed.

Initially students are supported to manage their time and their work, however as they progress over the two years they are expected to take on the management of this themselves. Students are closely monitored by their tutor and Head of Sixth Form to ensure that they have the balance correct and support and guidance will be given where necessary.

The typical day starts with registration in the tutor groups and then either assembly, chapel or tutor time. Tutor time will consist of discussions and debates on key and current news articles. There is also regular tracking meetings with individual students which will highlight areas of support needed and set manageable targets for the following weeks. Students will then attend their timetabled lessons or work in the study centre or relax in The Refectory.

In the Sixth Form we expect students to take on supporting and leadership roles throughout the whole school. Students will spend time supporting the younger students in both curriculum and extra curriculum areas, with many working directly with Pre- Prep and Prep school teachers. In Year 13 students can apply for a number of senior student positions and take on whole school leadership roles.

All students are allocated a personal tutor and will have regular meetings to discuss areas that the student is concerned about.

We work closely with the Enhanced Learning Department for students who need additional support with study skills or organisational techniques, so that every student can achieve his or her personal best at A Level. All students will have regular tracking meetings with the Head of Sixth Form which will highlight any areas where students may require some additional support.  Short-term and precise targets are set with a focus on tangible outcomes for students and personalised intervention can be put in place to support students in reaching their personal and academic potential.

PSHEE is not taught as a separate subject but will form part of the career and tutor programme that is delivered.  We have a Medical Centre (San) on site which is run by three registered Nurses. Sister Anita Carr is also Head of Student Welfare (https://stfelix.co.uk/about-us/medical-centre/). Students are also free to speak to the Head of Sixth Form and any of the nursing staff in the San at any time if they wish to.

On entering the Sixth Form, our students will typically choose 3 A Levels.

However, due to the cancellation of the GCSE examinations in Summer 2019, we are conscious that students will join Year 12 without the experience of a full programme of external examinations. We plan to reintroduce AS Level examinations at the end of Year 12 to offer students an experience of formal examinations to help them develop their confidence in being assessed in this way, before taking their final A Level examinations at the end of Year 13. This will also give students a formal indicator of their progress during the first year of Sixth Form, allowing for personalised intervention and support to ensure students are achieving their full academic potential by the end of Year 13. 

This also presents the option of students being able to choose to study 4 subjects in Year 12 at AS Level and continuing with 3 into Year 13 and A Level. This will allow our most able students to be challenged further in their studies and also presents students who are uncertain about their future career plans with the opportunity to study a range of subjects in Year 12 prior to making their final A Level choices

Students who have not met the minimum national standards in GCSE Mathematics or English Language will also have weekly timetabled classes in these subjects. Where it is appropriate students will follow the IGCSE English curriculum.

All overseas students when they arrive will be given English Literacy tests and will have either timetabled IELTS lessons or be given the option of taking GCSE English Language. Students will also be given the chance to take the A Level of their first language.

Bridging the Gap Year 11 2020