Our Sixth Form Open Evening took place on Wednesday (11th October) and it was great to welcome so many students and families to the school, both from our current Year 11 cohort but also a great many students who attend other schools and are considering joining us in September 2024.
Sixth Form Open Evening is only the start of the journey into our Sixth Form but the buzz and vibrant atmosphere as students and families listened to staff explain courses and demonstrate their passion for their subjects was a real pleasure to be a part of.
In the presentations staff and – more importantly – students talked about the distinguishing characteristics which make Wallingford School Sixth Form so strong. Clearly results are crucial. For last year’s Year 13 at A Level 31% of grades were at A*/A, 62% at A*-B and 100% at A*-E; equally, outcomes in vocational subjects were excellent. This was not simply one great year of results but reflects a consistent pattern over time.
Our course offer is broad and all-encompassing reflecting the school’s determination to serve its community. We have a very broad range of A Level courses with realistic entry requirements, a fine range of vocational options and an access route for those students who require extra support at the age of 16. We are proud of this offer and what is says about our school.
We talked about destinations after students leave our Sixth Form. Most of our students go on to university with last year’s destinations including Oxford and Cambridge, competitive courses at Russell Group and other research-led universities and a whole range of other really interesting courses which will lead on to some fascinating careers. Equally, the breadth of courses which students study is astonishing from Medicine to Maths, Engineering to English and a whole lot more. We also increasingly have students going on to study higher level apprenticeships and the opportunities in this area are continually developing.
Our students talked about their Sixth Form experience. The programme of enrichment and extra-curricular activities they experience is simply outstanding. It is impossible to comprehensively list but includes visits to Lyon and Barcelona, to Sorrento and Iceland, ski trips and languages exchanges, social events and fixtures and whole lot more. This is about memorable experiences, personal development – and fun!
Perhaps most importantly, our Sixth Formers are the most wonderful role models for our younger students both around the school, for example as peer supporters, and in lessons through the subject ambassadors’ scheme, and of that we are very proud.
- Mr Marston, Headteacher