Welcome to our Sixth Form

There is no better time to be a part of our Sixth Form, with our comprehensive package enabling our students to achieve inspiring and varied destinations, as you can see in our prospectus and from our ‘highlights of 22-23‘. Sixth Form students at The Bicester School not only leave us for great employment or further education, but having had the benefits of a small learning environment with a strong focus on their personal development. Our Sixth Form is really ‘Your Sixth Form, Your Experience’: we encourage students to get involved, to feedback and to shape what we do so that they get the best out of this important stage in their education. We are very proud of our values of resilience, responsibility and respect, and as young adults, our Sixth Form students embody these values in all that they do. We are also very proud to be part of the ALET (Activate Learning Education Trust) group of schools and colleges, and on our journey to achieve the ALET Mission of ‘transforming lives through learning’.

We offer a varied range of academic and technical courses, with strong connections with employers, delivered in a small learning environment. Our Sixth Form students benefit from regular Enrichment days where they work with employers on industry relevant projects, learning transferable skills and experiencing a taste of the world of work. We also have careers advisors  permanently on site, and a well established programme of personal development, helping our young adults develop broader skills crucial for their next step. But our students tell us what they value highly about our Sixth Form is the campus feeling in our building. Set apart from the main school, it houses open common room spaces where staff are always on hand for support and guidance, quiet study areas and excellent facilities.  Come and see what we’ve been up to on our Instagram page, or visit our news page for student stories and articles.

 

Paul Marshall, Head of Sixth Form

 

APPLY FOR SIXTH FORM

Applications for sixth form open on Friday 8th November 2024. Please note, before this date the application form will not be live.

APPLY HERE

 

Our aim:

To prepare young people to be productive and happy members of British and global society; to give them the skills and knowledge to enable them to enter higher education if they wish to and to be successful in the workplace; to put in place the foundations for dealing with challenge in life; to provide a life-long love of learning for its own sake. To provide a curriculum that meets the needs of our students and provides progression for all. Developing opportunities and an ethos of support, growth and mental well-being.

 

Click on the buttons below for extra information, or visit our Padlet for opportunities and super-curricular options.

Sixth Form Transition Support Curriculum Personal Development Electives Student Support and Guidance Our Policies Summer challenge Extra-curricular Sixth Form Padlet How to use the Padlet (YouTube)

Sixth Form Council Welcome

A welcome from members of our Sixth Form council:

Prospectus

Anyone can learn for free on OpenLearn, but signing-up will give you access to your personal learning profile and record of achievements that you earn while you study.

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue

 

 

Professional Mentoring

Professional mentoring is the process by which an individual – usually either a student, recent graduate or working professional – guides or is guided by another professional. Aiding career progression; mentors can offer advice, support and assistance, with prior knowledge and experience in a wide range of topics and scenarios. A ‘mentee’ is a commonly used term to describe an individual receiving mentoring from a mentor.

We aim to provide all Sixth Formers with the opportunity to be paired with one of our professional mentors during their time here in our Sixth Form. The mentor program can be linked to one specific career goal or can be used as an opportunity to experience a number or sectors.

This support can be offered through the medium of meetings, phone calls, video calls or emails. The support offered can range from small and specific requests for assistance, such as dealing with a tricky or challenging situation in the workplace or can be more general support, such as the act of guidance in an industry or a role.

 

Curriculum

Sixth Form Curriculum Option Blocks 

 

THE BICESTER SCHOOL SIXTH FORM OPTION BLOCKS – SEPTEMBER 2025

 

Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4 Block 5
A Level  

 

Biology

Philosophy and Ethics (RS)

Economics

 

 Art

History

Further Maths

 Mathematics

English Literature

English Literature and Language

Geography

 French

Sociology

PE

Physics

Drama

 Psychology

Chemistry

Spanish
Applied Pathway 1:

Life Science

  

Applied Science

  

Health & Social Care

  

Applied Sport

  

Child Development
Applied Pathway 2:

Business

  

Creative Media

  

Applied Business

  

Applied Sport

  

Travel & Tourism

 

Please note that the option blocks may be subject to some minimal changes and classes run if only enough applications for the subject. Applicants must pick three subjects, and only one from each block.

There is an opportunity on the application form to outline any potential clashes between subjects that you would like to study, and once all the applications have been received, we may be able to address these issues.

Course Overviews

Applied pathway

 

Key dates for Sixth Form applicants

8 November 2024:

Applications for September 2025 entry will open. Applications can be done via the school website using the link above.

24 January 2025:

Applications for September 2025 entry will close, though we will still consider late applications.

February 2025:

Sixth Form interviews will begin. These will be held with one member of the Sixth Form Team during school hours. Letters will be sent out with appointment times.

April 2025:

Sixth Form interviews will finish. Offer letters will be sent out.

May 2025:

Final confirmation of offers for September 2025, which will follow students accepting or declining their offer. This will allow us to finalise the timetable and ensure we are ready for September.

21 August 2025:

GCSE Results Day, with confirmation of places in the Sixth Form for September 2025. On this day, students will be given a letter confirming their place in the Sixth Form if they have met the entry requirements agreed at their interview. If students have not met these entry requirements, a member of the Sixth Form Team or the Careers Advisor will be available to help them.

If you have any questions throughout this process, please do ask.  And if you’d like to apply but have missed the deadline, please contact alison.rosier@thebicesterschool.org.uk.