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Newlands
Girls’ School

Enrichment Opportunities

Once you join the Sixth Form at Newlands, a whole world of new and exciting opportunities is opened up to you.  In addition to the extra-curricular activities you can enjoy throughout school, there are many activities which are exclusive to Sixth Form, including:

  • Sixth Form Bulletin Editorial Team
  • Eco-Committee
  • Gold Duke of Edinburgh
  • EPQ
  • OxBridge preparation and links with Dr Organ from Brasenose College, Oxford University
  • Inspirational speakers
  • National Citizen Service – NCS
  • Sixth Form Book Club
  • School trips

Next year we are looking forward to offering more trips for our Sixth Form students, Community Service where you might support in a local school or help in a care home (the opportunities are endless) and developing our facilities so that you will have your own canteen. We are continually shaping what is on offer and responding to feedback, with a view to enhancing what we do.

Each year new clubs and societies spring up, many created and run by our Sixth Form: all the evidence shows that well-rounded students who pursue interests alongside their studies are the happiest and most successful, both academically and in other aspects of their lives.

Sixth Form students are superb role models and, as such, have the opportunity to become leaders as soon as they enter Sixth Form.  We encourage everyone to consider applying to become a Prefect, Sports or Music Captain, Deputy Head Girl or Head Girl. There will also be opportunities to become House Captains and subject leaders next year, all of which contribute to rich and varied leadership pathways for you.

EPQ - Extended Project Qualification

The Extended Project qualification is available to all students in Year 12 and forms an additional qualification to the subjects being studied.   The EPQ allows each student to embark on a largely self-directed and self-motivated project.  Students must choose a topic, plan, research and develop their idea and decide on the finished product.   The EPQ is examined through AQA and is co-ordinated by Mrs L. Allaway, Assistant Headteacher.

We encourage creativity and curiosity. A project topic may be directly related to a student's main study programme, but should look beyond the specification. A finished product may take the form of a:

  • Research based written report
  • Production* (eg; charity event, fashion show or sports event etc.)
  • An artefact* (eg; piece of art, a computer game or realised design)
  • A written report must accompany these options.
“I decided to take an EPQ in order to pursue my interest in an area that I hadn’t chosen at A-Level. I only take science related A-levels and so was eager to do research into a topic that was completely different. My topic is Neuroaesthetics - looking at the psychology behind art. I hope to do some paintings to complement my written essay, and I am really enjoying the research into an area I am so interested in! Your mentor helps you so much along the way, making it a really enjoyable and inspiring process!”  Year 12 student

                                                                                                                                                                         OFSTED 2018

The Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award is a national award and is co-ordinated by Mrs S. Vaughan in the Sixth Form at Newlands.  Students undertake an expedition, service, physical activity, a skill and a residential trip to achieve the award.  Many students complete The Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award lower down the school, which leads onto the Gold Award, whilst others are direct entrants into the programme.  For more information on what the award entails, please see www.dukeofedinburgh.com

National Citizen Service - NCS

NCS is a four-phase programme specifically designed to provide students with an exciting range of new experiences.  The scheme comprises a residential trip in the summer holiday where students work together on a collaborative project, which develops presentation, team work and evaluative skills.  The school link is Mrs G. Walton, Assistant Headteacher, and students can apply to take part from March in Year 12, when there will be an assembly by NCS.  For information please see www.ncsyes.co.uk

Helping students to prepare for their next steps

Students are encouraged to support their own learning using a range of external sources.  These include: 

  • MOOCs
  • Ted Talks
  • Radio 4 (BBC Sounds)
  • Work Experience/Work Shadowing
  • Opendays.com
  • Taster Days
  • Volunteering
  • Debating

Summer Schools

Many universities have summer schools in between Year 12 and Year 13.  These are publicised directly to the students via email during the course of the year.  Please see below for a few ideas.

www.summer-schools.info

“Varied extra-curricular activities mean that students play a rich role in school life. Many students participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and in the National Citizenship Service. Sixth Form Prefects act as role models, and several students mentor younger pupils. Consequently, Sixth Form students develop their leadership skills and build their self-confidence so that they are well-prepared for life after Sixth Form.”
OFSTED 2018