Sixth Form

September 2013 Entry

Thank you for visiting our Sixth Form pages, and welcome.

The latest copy of our Sixth Form Prospectus is available to view online in flipbook format.

Simon Langton Girls’ Sixth Form offers a co-educational, vibrant environment in which to study and if you have an enquiry regarding Sixth Form entry for September 2013, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Perrian by telephone on 01227 463711 x 251 or by email: mperrian@langton.kent.sch.uk.  

Please see our Sixth Form pages for details on the subjects offered, course content and specific entry requirements etc. and we look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Dates for your diary:

  • Wednesday, 24th July: End of Term 6. 
  • Tuesday, 3rd September: Start of Term 1, academic year 2013 - 2014.
  • Wednesday, 30th January 2013: Sixth Form Open Evening for those students looking to join us in September 2013.  6.00pm start. 
  • Monday, 1st & Tuesday 2nd July 2013: Sixth Form Induction days

Simon Langton Girls’ Sixth Form offers you…

  • Academic success – consistently high examination results
  • A wide and stimulating choice of courses
  • Highly qualified and dedicated teachers
  • Support and guidance – from staff who really care how you are doing
  • Your own well-equipped Sixth Form Centre
  • Dedicated Careers Library
  • Opportunities to show responsibility, leadership and initiative to younger students

…support and advice when you need it

Adjusting to the greater freedom and opportunities of Sixth Form life can sometimes seem daunting. We do our best to make sure that you choose what is right for you. As well as attending an Induction Programme, you will also have a personal interview with a senior member of staff and the chance for you and your parents to discuss your course options with Heads of Department and subject teachers.

On joining the Sixth Form you will be given a Mentor and they stay with you for the two years of your course. Your Mentor is there to monitor and support you and to make sure you stay on target.

Study at Sixth Form level is a different style of learning and you will be encouraged to take greater responsibility for your own organisation and motivation. There will be times in the day when you do not have lessons and it is important to use this ‘free’ time wisely. Your success will depend on the amount of effort you are prepared to make. Mentors will discuss your progress with you regularly so that you know exactly how you are doing. You will have:

  • A personal timetable - to help you plan your study programme
  • Half - termly reviews and formal reports and Mock Examinations
  • One-to-one time with your Mentor- to assess your progress, identify achievement, set realistic targets and devise an action plan
  • Parents’ Evenings - so that you and your family can discuss your progress and respond to your Mentor’ comments

We operate an ‘Open Door’ policy, which means that the Head of Year of Sixth Form, if not teaching,  or the Learning Manager are always available for consultation

"Sixth form students play significant and responsible roles within the school. As with the rest of the school, the Sixth Form provides an all-round education with many activities to enrich the experiences."
Ofsted 2007

"Girls achieve outstanding examination results, which match the best schools both locally and nationally."
Ofsted 2007

Expectations

Sixth Formers do not wear school uniform but you are expected to dress in a businesslike fashion; for example, jeans are fine but not if full of holes or untidy. You will need a black or navy skirt or trousers and a white blouse or shirt with suitable footwear for formal occasions. There are other occasions when you will be asked to dress smartly, usually for conferences and work experience, and this means a smart and tidy outfit. A modest amount of jewellery is acceptable but body piercing, other than earrings, is unacceptable .

Education is free! - However, there is a small subscription to the Sixth Form Fund; also, some subjects can involve expensive visits and/or materials - check subject information details.

…a wide range of courses

At Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School we take enormous care to make sure that you study subjects you really want to and those you are good at. We offer such an extensive range of courses that you can take almost any combination of subjects. It is vitally important when deciding which course to take that you keep as many options open as possible.

In thinking about your Sixth Form programme, it is helpful to ask yourself some questions-

  • Will I enjoy this subject?
  • Will the pattern of learning and assessment suit me?
  • Which aspects will make best use of the skills I have?
  • How will my proposed programme fit in with my future career plans?

Above all, talk to your teachers, your parents, your friends, current Sixth Formers. Ask them about their perceptions of the workload and how it is spaced throughout the two-year course. What do they enjoy, dislike or find difficult? Try to get a balanced view. Ask more than one student studying a subject whether their choice of subject options is working well. Whatever you decide to do, we are there to help you choose what suits you best.

Entry Requirements

To enter the Sixth Form you will need seven GCSEs of at least Grade C including Mathematics and English and at least Grade B in the subjects you choose for A level. Each subject should count as one or two grades only.  Some subjects require specific GCSE subjects and grades so please refer to the information on each subject - with a summary given as a separate document at the bottom of this page.  Basic skills in numeracy, essay writing etc. will be taken into account as well as your ability and aptitude in your chosen subjects. Your final programme will depend upon discussion between you, your parents and school and on our ability to timetable your preferences.

Transfer from other schools

We receive an annual average of over 100 requests to join our Sixth Form from the full range of local schools. Certainly our diversified courses lend themselves to such transfers but at least Grade B in Higher Level GCSE papers is required in subjects to be studied at A Level. We like to interview in the Spring Term those who request transfer, and refer to their schools. It is hard for us to advise those of you we don’t know, so we rely a good deal on the views of your present teachers when finalising your programme. We can then give you an offer of a place which you should accept or decline. We like all ‘new students’ to attend Induction Week in July which gives them an opportunity to get to know their tutor groups and form tutors.


Planning Your Programme

A Levels are in two parts, each of which consists of two or three units. The first two or three units form AS and are examined at the end of Yr12 and grades awarded. Universities will consider these grades when offering degree places. The other three units (A2s) are examined at the end of Yr13. Together AS and A2 make up a full A Level. AS and A2 carry the same number of UCAS points but, because AS is examined at the end of Yr12, it will be intermediate in difficulty between GCSE and A Level.

In the Simon Langton Sixth Form, you will study four or five AS courses in Yr12 which you may continue into Yr13. You may prefer to change or drop a subject in Yr13 and we will be as flexible as possible to accommodate you. No subjects are compulsory although universities have specific requirements for degree courses.

Every programme consists of approximately 36 lessons out of 50 per fortnight spent in the classroom or other supervised activity, plus the fortnightly enrichment programme and PHSEE.

"Within the curriculum, the high proportion of girls studying mathematics and the sciences is both notable and commendable."
Ofsted 2007

Being a member of the Sixth Form is not just about academic achievement and success. It’s a great chance for you to discover and develop wide-ranging interests and skills. In addition to your chosen A Level subjects, you will attend enrichment programmes that will extend your horizons, broaden your general knowledge and give you new interest and enjoyment. Many students also study Critical Thinking AS Level very successfully together with the Extended Project Qualification for those who want to demonstrate their independent learning skills. Sporting activities are encouraged and there is a very well equipped Fitness Centre.

Getting involved…

The Sixth Form is a great time for finding out about yourself and taking your talents to a higher level. You will develop skills you never knew you had. You will get involved in a huge range of things that Sixth Formers do here:

  • Help younger pupils by acting as their guardians and role models
  • Get your opinions noticed by being elected to the School Council
  • Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
  • Edit the magazine
  • Debate important issues
  • Organise junior clubs in sports, dance, arts
  • Fund-raise for charity
  • Manage hospitality for all school events
  • Peer-group counselling
  • Dramatic and musical productions
  • Visits, lectures and conferences
  • Trips abroad
  • Run Sixth Form social events
  • Visit theatres, museums and galleries
  • Play competitive sport against other schools and be supported to take part in national competition
  • Community and local projects

Sixth Formers here make things happen and influence people

…after the Sixth Form

Whatever you decide to do when you leave Simon Langton, we will help you make the right choice. You will develop skills to cope with the demands of life after school. Working towards a career you will:

  • Join the ‘Challenge of Management Conference’
  • Have a personal interview with your UCAS adviser
  • Attend careers seminars and a Courses Fair
  • Increase your knowledge of higher education and work opportunities
  • Improve your interview and application techniques
  • Listen to visiting speakers
  • Visit college and university Open Days
  • Do Work Experience
  • Access a well-resourced careers library and the Internet
  • and....care doesn’t stop when exams are over; the school offers support and advice when results come and for postponed decisions about university or careers

"The Sixth Form is a supportive and challenging environment in which girls flourish and mature as fine young women."
Ofsted 2007

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