Our sixth form has been recognised by Ofsted as a place where ‘students achieve well and successfully go on to chosen university courses and apprenticeships.’ Our consistent focus on learning throughout the school and our constant academic drive enable students to achieve incredible results. Ofsted also noted that ‘students have high aspirations for their futures and are determined to achieve highly.’
At the heart of everything we do are our students. Our curriculum is student-centred and we aim for their education to be inspiring, stimulating and challenging. Our staff are appointed for their passion, their enthusiasm and their imagination in communicating with children to ensure that every single child in their classes is engaged, excited and challenged by the learning experience. Our vision is to empower students so that they are able to take control of their own future and have enhanced life chances as a result of learning with us.
We want our students of all ages to become independent learners, who are critical in their thinking, informed in their choices and confident in their ability to succeed in the modern world, who are respectful and tolerant, driven and confident and who strive for the best. In addition to their academic lives, we also want our students to benefit from extra-curricular experiences in the arts, sport and culture which will help them become well rounded balanced adults. Ofsted noted that ‘opportunities for enrichment are wide and students were vociferous in their enthusiasm for the opportunities the sixth form provides.’
We have a dedicated team of tutors and staff that work specifically with sixth form students and look forward to encouraging and celebrating students’ achievements in all aspects of school life as well as the wider community. Each of our students has much to offer and we are excited to help support them in fulfilling their ambitions.
We have a consortium arrangement with City of London Academy Islington and therefore Highbury Grove students may take some of their subjects at City of London Academy Islington if they wish. This allows students to access a wider range of courses. Both schools have aligned timetables and transitioning between sites is quick and easy.
Our unique offer
- Students take part in a programme of workshops including personal statement writing, Workshops on CV writing, UCAS applications and applications for apprenticeships, subject-specific HE advice, Personal Branding developing your CV, Networking for a job and interview skills in Year 12.
- Students attend a series of talks from employers and professionals. In the last year examples include speakers from the Ministry of Justice, The Treasury, TFL, Trade Unions and The Brokerage.
- Careers interview with a qualified Careers Advisor.
- Students take part in a Mock Interview day with local employers run by Making the Leap.
- Students attend Workshops delivered by Deloittes on work experience preparation.
- Students take part in a careers interview with a qualified and impartial Careers advisor.
- Students take part in a visit to a university.
- Students use Unifrog to apply for apprenticeships and university places.
- Students take part in a programme of workshops including personal statement writing, Workshops on CV writing, UCAS applications and applications for apprenticeships, subject-specific HE advice, Personal Branding developing your CV, Networking for a job and interview skills in Year 13.
- Students attend a series of talks from employers and professionals. In the last year examples include speakers from the Ministry of Justice, The Treasury, TFL, Trade Unions and The Brokerage.
- Careers interview with a qualified Careers Advisor.
- Students take part in a visit to a university.
Whilst academic success is key in ensuring that students have opportunities after they leave us, it is essential that students are rounded individuals with a range of different interests. The Academy offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities and enrichment opportunities. Visits, residential trips and experiences are part of our provision and we encourage all students to take part. In order to ensure that our students are rounded individuals, all Year 12 students will need to enrol into at least one enrichment activity. Enrichment activities are timetabled and are an essential part of the Academy’s provision. Covid-19 restrictions may mean that some enrichment activities have to be adapted or postponed. We will endeavour to ensure that students are able to access as many opportunities as it is safe to provide.
Our enrichment offer is under constant review to ensure that we are offering opportunities that our students enjoy and will benefit from. Timetabled opportunities include:
- The Duke of Edinburgh Award
- The Extended Project Qualification
- Debate Mate
- Sports for wellbeing.
In addition to the timetabled options listed above, there are also opportunities to take part in:
- Choir
- Instrumental lessons
- Ensembles and orchestras.
There are also a range of additional enrichment opportunities that are available to Sixth Form students in partnership with other organisations and institutions. These include:
- Cultural visits
- Visits from guest speakers
- Student leadership opportunities
- Work experience programme and internship opportunities
- National Citizen Service
- The Access Project
- Mentoring.
We encourage our Sixth Form students to pursue their passions with drive and energy. Therefore, we also look to support them in developing clubs to share their interests.