Support For Students
Extensive support is given to our students to help them achieve on their A Level courses. When students apply, they are given the opportunity, during an informal discussion with a member of the Sixth Form Leadership Team, to talk about any support needs that there may be. If necessary, our Special Educational Needs Coordinator may be involved in facilitating practical assistance for students who require further support.
All students experience close, personal tuition from highly academic and well qualified staff. We also have a highly-specialised leadership and pastoral team. Every student is allocated a personal tutor who they meet within a tutorial class for one lesson a week.
Students have easy access to a specialist 16-18 careers advisor, who can provide guidance on any career pathway, Higher Education course, or apprenticeships and internships. We have worked hard to establish highly effective links with many renowned, prominent employers in the area and nationally, who are invited into the College on a regular basis to discuss career opportunities with the students.
Our democratically elected Student Council, led by the Head Boy and Head Girl, is available to help all students with problems, and to liaise with the Sixth Form Leadership Team on day-to-day matters.
Wide-ranging support is given to all students who decide to apply for university or apprenticeships, including assistance with personal statements, writing CVs, and letters of application. Mock interviews are arranged for students if necessary, including MMI interviews for students aspiring to study Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine. Students have frequent opportunities to hear from external agencies, covering issues as diverse as Student Finance, budgeting, making job applications stand out from the crowd, managing mental health, and many more.
Revision sessions are run in the build-up to external examinations across all Curriculum Areas. A programme of these classes is released and students book on to the sessions. The revision sessions are free of charge. Additionally, most Curriculum Areas will offer extra classes outside of the College day – to allow students the opportunity to use facilities or to consolidate skills across A Level provision.
Health and Well-Being
As part of the Tutorial Programme, various external speakers are invited in to discuss health-related issues. Workshops on sexual relationships and health, drugs, sexting, domestic abuse within relationships, examination stress and coping with examination anxiety take place throughout the academic year.
All students are also involved in weekly tutorial sessions and benefit from time with their tutors in order to discuss personal and academic problems.
Students have access to the College counselling service operated through Waltham Toll Bar Academy if they need specialist assistance with personal difficulties.
Regular encouragement and some provision is put in place for students to participate in sport and exercise. This includes access to the Academy multi-gym, football and netball teams an annual Year 12 Vs Year 13 charity football, and a charity netball tournament.