Entry to the Sixth Form is expected of all those St. Martha’s pupils who achieve the entry requirements of 5 A* to C grades at GCSE level.  Places are also, normally available for students entering directly from outside the school. These are offered on the basis of GCSE results, a personal interview and the student's previous academic record.  It is a requirement for most subjects that a grade B is obtained in the subject, or similar at GCSE.  There are exceptions to this which can be discussed with each department individually.
On entering Sixth Form our aim is for you to achieve the highest grades possible.  Most of the time is spent attending lessons, studying and completing assignments.  However, education does not stop there.  It is also important that the widest possible range of opportunities is offered that will help to develop new talents, skills and qualities.  This is crucial in preparation for the university application process.

The Curriculum
The curriculum in the Sixth Form is designed to provide a successful transition from school to university or employment.  We are able to provide a quality curriculum that reflects the pupils’ needs.

Choices
The school offers a wide range of courses.  It is assumed pupils will take at least four subjects in Year 12 and most will continue with three into Year 13.  It is expected that all our leavers will secure a place at university.                           

Monitoring Progress
In the Sixth Form we invest in the ALIS+ value added scheme which provides us with invaluable data on student performance.  This allows us to establish appropriate expectations of the pupils’ performance.  In keeping with our school assessment policy, the pupils are monitored closely in terms of achievement and effort.  In recognition of the importance of the partnership between home and school a regular assessment is completed by each teacher which is then shared with home and tutors.  This information is for discussion with the tutor and head of sixth form, in the form of tutorials, and, where appropriate, action is taken.  Suitable support is put in place for those students experiencing difficulties. 
We have two Parents’ Evenings and two full reports per year.

Pastoral Care
In the Sixth Form, students are assigned to a small tutor group.  The tutor, who operates as a learning manager, is responsible for encouraging personal development in a variety of ways.  In the first instance help is given in developing organisational skills which are essential at this level.  Progress is monitored by assessment and tutorials where targets are set by mutual agreement.  The tutor also encourages the acceptance of responsibilities around school.

Each girl meets her tutor on a weekly basis and whenever a need arises.

Teaching Groups
Teaching groups are small in the Sixth Form, which we see as essential for effective teaching and learning.  This provides an opportunity for discussion and small group work as well as ensuring a high degree of individual attention from the teachers.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Enrichment Programme
At St. Martha’s we have long recognised the importance of the curriculum beyond the classroom.  Our Enrichment Programme allows our pupils to use the opportunities presented to them to develop their skills in a wide variety of areas.  On a Wednesday afternoon, for example, our pupils come off timetable to engage in a wide range of activities.  The enrichment opportunities include:

• Aerobics
• Art Appreciation
• Community Service
• Dance
• Duke of Edinburgh
• First Aid
• ICT
• Lower School Mentoring
• Martial Arts
• Music Technology
• Primary School Support
• Prue Leith Cookery Programme
• Sign Language
• Swimming
• Swiss Ball
• Work Shadowing
• Yoga

Pupils are encouraged to become leaders in the House System, engage in community service and be actively involved in drama, choirs and orchestras.  Topics covered by guest speakers in recent times have included:

• Drug Awareness
• Interview skills
• Life Skills
• Personal Safety
• Stress and Time Management
• Student Finance

Community Service
With our school motto, Serve the Lord with Joy, we put a great emphasis on developing our pupils’ appreciation of their responsibilities in the community.  This is currently reflected in the work being done in the Millennium Volunteer Bureau.  This is a DfES initiative to encourage, support and recognise 16-24 year olds who volunteer to benefit others.
It is in the nature of St Martha’s pupils to do this type of work and we are currently engaged in a range of activities involving:

• Class Support in Primary Schools
• Guardian Angel (mentoring)
• In-School Support
• Inter-house Events
• Old People’s Homes
• Volunteering in Oxfam Shops

The Millennium Volunteer Award is issued by the Minister for Young People for every 50 to 100 hours of service.  For 200 hours service they receive an Award of Excellence from the Secretary of State for Education and Skills.

Team Building Day
At the beginning of the first term a team building day is attended by Sixth Form; this year again the programme included Year 7.  Each Form worked with their Head of House and another Senior House Captain.  This is an excellent way to foster stronger ties between the lower and the top end of the school.  This allows the pupils to get to know each other in a friendly and enjoyable environment.  It also provides them with an opportunity to develop an understanding of teams, co-operation in and between teams, developing working relationships, interpersonal co-operation, organisational skills and creative problem solving.  The day is also used as the first Inter-house competition for the year and sets an example for the whole school.  This is a great day that is thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Privileges
The Sixth Form at St Martha’s is also seen as a special stage in the development of the pupils’ careers.  In recognition of the transition to adulthood, pupils have a dress code that promotes good dress sense in a manner befitting the workplace. 

It has long been the tradition that our Sixth Form pupils may organise study at home when their timetable allows this.  This is done in consultation with parents and the Head of Sixth Form.  It is also dependent on the achievement of suitable assessment grades.  Our Sixth Form pupils can also sign out at lunch time with the proviso that they are punctual on return.

The Sixth Form pupils enjoy the use of their own Common Room.   This area is a place to meet their peers, relax, read, play chess or just chat.  They have their own drinks machine.  The pupils can use the Common Room for study but must also attend the individualised private study sessions in the supervised Learning Resource Centre as recommended by their Head of Sixth Form.  The area is on our wireless network and laptops are available at most times.

Posts of Responsibility
Sixth Form pupils are leaders of our community and are expected to be fully involved in its activities.  Pupils are encouraged to apply for posts of Head Girl, Deputy Head Girl, Head of House, President of the Student Council, Fundraising Captain and Sports Captain.  In a school where these posts are demanding, it is an honour for the pupils who are appointed.  Most pupils in the Sixth Form are School Prefects.

Careers
St Martha’s is a member of the Independent Schools Careers Organisation (ISCO) and takes full advantage of their services. ISCO offers an advice service and run various courses for students.  Pupils who have opted to participate in ISCO’s ‘Futurewise’ scheme in Year 11 can continue to enjoy its benefits during the Sixth Form.

The School also organises its own programme of careers education and guidance for pupils in Years 12 and 13.  Throughout Year 12, guidance is partly delivered through the PSHE lessons where CVs can be brought up to date and future career options are considered.  In addition, there will be an interview skills day where employers come in to school and carry out a professional interview followed by an individual debrief.  Pupils are also introduced to the Careers Library (housed in the Learning Resource Centre), so that they can familiarise themselves with university courses which may interest them.  They are able to use the School’s specialised software and access specific internet websites which provide information on careers and courses.  Besides school-led sessions, there will also be an opportunity to attend an in-school Higher Education conference hosted by a university student recruitment officer.  They will also have a careers interview with an advisor from Connexions.  Information is provided about university Open Days which can be attended by pupils during the Summer Term.

In Year 13, PSHE lessons continue to have a careers element during the Autumn Term. CVs are further updated and university Open Day visits continue to take place.

At this time there is an emphasis on working on personal statements for UCAS applications and a university admissions tutor comes into school to talk to the pupils about applying for university on line. Role-play mock interviews help pupils to prepare for university interviews.  In the Spring Term, pupils are given a talk on student finance by a representative from a university and they are introduced to an on-line student finance learning tool. Throughout Year 13 the emphasis is on the courses and careers.  It is reassuring for the ‘Futurewise’ participants to know that they can continue to receive advice and guidance up to the age of 23.

Trips & Events
As you might expect in the Sixth Form, the Advanced Level courses include a wide variety of study trips and cultural events.  These range from theatre trips and workshops for Art, English and Drama; field and museum trips at home and abroad for Geography, Biology, and Classics; skiing trips in Europe and North America.

A Catholic Sixth Form
Exploration of Faith is never more important than in the final years of school.  Religious Education in the Sixth Form is compulsory for all students.  In Year 12 pupils study for the new Edexcel ARCS (Award in Religion and Contemporary Society) and the focus is on human rights.  The course is intended to enable students to apply Church teaching to many of the key issues in today’s world.  In Year 12, the focus of study is Human Rights.  In Year 13, pupils study Bioethics.

Religious Education in the Sixth Form is compulsory for all students. Lessons will largely take the form of discussion and debate, but there are a number of pupil presentations. 

On successful completion of the course, pupils will be presented with the Certificate of Catholic Studies in Year 12 and they will receive the Diploma of Catholic Studies at the end of Year 13.  The Diploma comes with the added bonus of 60 UCAS points. As an alternative, pupils can study for AS Religious Studies over two years (see the subject description for details). Lessons will largely take the form of discussions and debate, but there are a number of written assignments.  All these assignments are completed in lesson time, therefore not impinging on their other studies.   

The pupils are encouraged to take a leading role in the Chaplaincy of the school.  This is seen in our assemblies, morning prayers, services and at special times in the school and Church liturgical calendar. 
Within the framework of a Catholic school, opportunities are presented which allow contribution to the school and wider communities.  Many pupils are involved in this aspect of the school participating in fund-raising events, helping the younger pupils in class and organising the Inter-house events. 
The Sixth Form is a very important time in the life of the pupils where they can explore and develop their own moral theology in a safe secure environment.  We see the Sixth Form as a critical time of preparation for facing modern society’s demands.

Retreats
As a Catholic school we prize the spiritual development of our pupils as highly as their moral and academic achievements.  Taking inspiration from the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert before his denunciation, we encourage all our students to take time-out from their studies.  A day retreat, in small groups, allows pupils to think about: who they are; how they experience their faith and what direction they want to go in.
The SPEC organisation Speculum Vitae, a mirror of life, based at the Pastoral Centre in London Colney, provides a beautiful location. The day is led by a very special group of young people who know about the conflicts that will face our pupils as part of today’s society. The overall aim is to give each participant the strength and courage to continue their spiritual development, after they leave the confines of this protected environment.

UCAS
Towards the end of the Lower Sixth, pupils begin their preparation for entrance into university.  A number of outside speakers will come in and they will hear talks on topics such as Admission, taking a Gap Year and University life. In the beginning part of the autumn term, subject teachers will be asked to complete an academic reference on each of their students.  The information received will be used to inform their UCAS references.  They will also be given guidance on how to complete their personal statement. Pupils attend the University Careers Fair at Middlesex University and they will also be able to make an appointment with a Careers adviser in school.