Welcome from Head Students

Dear Year 11 students,

Your GCSEs are so important; they are stepping-stones that pave the way for you to study for A levels and other Key Stage 5 courses. These are exciting because the focus is on subjects you are good at, and that you have chosen.

You will learn these topics to mastery level which means you will have to grapple with much more intricate concepts and skills than you learnt in your GCSEs. You will also be expected to complete much more independent work.

Therefore, start building good habits now! A Levels focus more on evaluation, arguments, advanced application of knowledge and complexities, whilst our applied subjects focus on depth and real-world application.

We would advise that you research extensively what specific subjects entail, to ensure you thrive at Barnhill Sixth Form and within your chosen field of study.

Lessons will build and develop your core understanding, but with multiple study periods available on the Barnhill timetable, there will be plenty of time to learn content, collaborate with peers and consolidate learning outside your lessons independently. This is an expectation at Barnhill, but it is a fantastic experience, because it helps you to understand the topics you are studying in the depth that you need to, to achieve at Key Stage 5, in preparation for the next stage of your journey.

However, it also prepares you for university, where most of the learning takes place this way. The study room is always open after school at Barnhill, so there is always a quiet place to study if you need it. We have both taken a variety of subjects (Humanities, STEM, Sports) and can testify that subject teachers track progress through ongoing assessment and give you insightful feedback to help you improve to achieve your very best.

Great relationships with your teachers and their knowledge of your strengths and areas for development are the key at Barnhill, and it is this that sets our Sixth Form apart. The teaching and support you get is brilliant, our teachers go far beyond the syllabus, and you will find it useful to read the plethora of resources they give you to heighten your understanding of the subject and to help develop research skills and critical thinking.

Barnhill has the highest standards and expectations for its students. We are fully supported by an experienced and seasoned Sixth Form Team who will know how to guide you through a challenging but incredible two years. We wish you the best of luck in your time at Barnhill Sixth Form, when you make the right choice and join us next September!