Key Stage 5 Curriculum

Sixth Form Curriculum Overview

Writhlington School Sixth Form is part of the Midsomer Norton Partnership Sixth Form which offers a comprehensive Sixth Form education to students in the local community and beyond. We endeavour to support students who wish to continue onto an apprenticeship or into the workplace after Sixth Form but also to support and encourage students to aspire to study at universities and further education colleges which are further afield. We are exceptionally proud of our strong destinations for students. We regularly have 100% of Year 13 students leaving with a confirmed destination and we also have a high rate of confirmed destinations after two terms which is consistently above the national average.

This is largely due to the curriculum offer which is in place for the Sixth Form. Students have the unique opportunity to combine Vocational qualifications with A Levels, allowing students to tailor their curriculum to their individual needs and interests. All students take three courses in Year 12, although some students opt to take four, for example Further Maths is offered as a fourth option.

In Year 13, students have the option to take the Extended Project qualification as an additional enrichment option to demonstrate their independent learning and study skills to future employers and universities. 

Both the MSN Sixth and Writhlington Sixth Form site offer a very similar curriculum offer with a combination of BTECs and A Levels available for students to pick from. The Mendip Studio School Sixth Form offers a different curriculum with a much more vocational offering. Mendip offers students the opportunity to take larger vocational qualifications such as Engineering and Childcare within a supportive small school environment. 

More details on the sixth form provision, curriculum and qualifications on offer and content covered is available on the Writhlington section of the MSN Sixth Form site and Virtual Open Event website

Please find a list of our KS5 courses on offer. 

"Students benefit from a wide range of vocational and academic subjects. As a result, many students go to university or take routes that enable them to follow their chosen careers."

Ofsted 2023

Tutor time

All of the Sixth Forms offer students a comprehensive PSHE programme through their tutor sessions. These cover all the statutory requirements for Sixth Form. In addition to this, students have PSCE, a super-curricular session timetabled weekly to support skill development and compliment the curriculum. 

Topics covered include:

Year 12

  • Introduction to Sixth Form life
  • Study Skills including note taking, and revision.
  • Time management
  • Managing screen time
  • Sixth Form Mindset
  • Mental Health support strategies and Mindfulness
  • Sex and Relationships Education
  • Careers – planning for next steps/ HE guidance
  • Revision skills

Year 13

  • Reading skills and note taking strategies
  • Sixth Form Growth Mindset
  • Destinations – support for HE or Apprenticeship applications
  • Mental well being and emotional awareness
  • Study and revision strategies
  • Student finance

GCSE English and Maths

Students who do not have grade 4 or above at GCSE in Mathematics and either English Language or Literature, will also continue their studies at GCSE level. There are regular lessons for students to allow them to make progress to their next steps. 

Extra Curricular and Enrichment

We believe it is our duty to develop our students’ character as well as their intellect. We offer a range of extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities to develop students’ character, skills, attitudes and confidence – all designed to support an individual’s progression and next steps. 

Work Experience Placement

We provide a week within the academic calendar for students to complete a tailored work experience placement to give them the opportunity to develop their career and future choices, and to apply their skills in real-life working conditions/situations.

Extended Project Qualification

Another important aspect of our enrichment programme is preparing students for the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) which is extremely valued by universities. The EPQ encourages students to pursue an independent academic interest, develop their research and presentation skills and produce a product that is authentic to the topic studied.

Educational Visits

Across our curriculum, students benefit from a range of residential and day trips including, theatre, visit to the Law Courts and the Houses of Parliament in London, and the opportunity to listen to inspirational and motivational speakers.

A Levels

In the Sixth Form, we offer a broad range of A level courses across all three sites which cater for a wide range of students. You can find more information on each of these courses, including the curriculum covered in each year, on the Virtual Open Event.

We also offer a range of vocational qualifications for students looking for a work-based pathway. 

BTECs are rigorous, advanced qualifications that equip students with transferable knowledge and skills. These qualifications are for students who want to continue their education through applied learning. BTECs can be taken alongside A level qualifications. You can find more information on each of these courses,  including the curriculum covered in each year,  on the Virtual Open Day 

If you require any further information on the Curriculum, there is more detail on the Sixth Form Virtual Open Day.  Alternatively you can contact the Sixth Form team.

 

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