What is something you wish you had been taught in school? Money management? Better career planning? How to keep abreast of current affairs?
At Dame Allan’s Sixth Form, part of Dame Allan’s Schools in Newcastle, students benefit from lessons on all of the above, and much more. Alongside their academic studies, students undertake regular Enrichment lessons, with topics as varied as applying for university, apprenticeship and interview advice, disability awareness workshops and driver safety.
Students are also encouraged to get real world experience and try as many new things as possible, either through volunteering within the local community, getting involved in co-curricular clubs, mentoring younger pupils, or even by setting up their own business as part of a Business Enterprise module. Access to state-of-theart facilities, including an art space, dance studio, and science labs, also help students to grow academically and within their cocurricular pursuits.
“Dame Allan’s is dedicated to developing the ‘whole child’ and our comprehensive Sixth Form curriculum ensures that our young people are confident, resilient, and curious about the world around them.” commented Mrs Karen Fletcher, Director of Sixth Form at Dame Allan’s. “It is fantastic to see our students leading in the school as role models for our younger pupils, as well as getting stuck into sports, debating and dance. We value, guide and nurture every young person in our care and help them make the choices they want for now and for their futures. It is very much about what is right for the individual, and the essential strands of academic and pastoral guidance allow our students to become the best versions of who they want to be.”
When it comes to career planning, Dame Allan’s Sixth Form students can benefit from one-on-one advice and guidance from the schools’ dedicated career team, including university application advice and interview preparation. The Sixth Form also offers bespoke Early Entry advice for pupils looking to pursue entry into Oxford and Cambridge Universities, as well as competitive subjects like medicine and veterinary medicine.
Volunteering and community service too are woven into the ethos of the Sixth Form. Students arrange internal charitable activities, such as the Harvest Festival collection for local food banks, and are encouraged to pursue individual charitable interests, with previous students volunteering at local charities and elderly care facilities.
Dame Allan’s enrichment, volunteering, and co-curricular programmes run alongside a robust academic timetable, which includes a range of Sixth Form exclusive subjects, including business and economics, politics, and psychology. In recent A Level exams, more than a fifth of A Levels sat by Dame Allan’s students were awarded A* grades.
“We are exceptionally proud of our Sixth Form students, many of whom go on to further education to chase their dream careers.” enthused Karen. “Most recently, we have had four students head to Oxford and Cambridge Universities, as well as students admitted to prestigious conservatoires for dance and music, and a wide range of Russell Group Universities. No matter what your passions, we are confident that we can help you achieve them at Dame Allan’s – it is such a joy to see students’ happiness when they open that results day envelope.”
“We’re always working to improve the school experience for our students.” continued Karen. “We recently refurbished our Sixth Form building, The Queen’s Building, to provide an even better learning space, with new classrooms, both silent and group study areas, meeting pods, and an exceptionally popular cafe! It offers students more of a ‘university-style’ experience, allowing them a vital degree of independence as they tackle the last, important years of their schooling.”
Booking is now available for Life in the Sixth Form at Dame Allan’s Schools, an Open Event designed for prospective Sixth Form students and their families. Visit from 5.45pm – 9.00pm, Thursday 7 November 2024.
www.dameallans.co.uk