Entering King Edward's Sixth Form is an important time for all pupils. King Edward's School offers excellent academic success, a broad range of extra curricular activities and a supportive and caring teaching staff who help and encourage pupils towards achieving their future goals.

One of the strengths of King Edward's Sixth Form is its excellent track record of academic success. The quality of teaching is exceptional and is designed to enable all pupils to discover their strengths and make the most of their talents.

King Edward's School recognises that pupils need advice and guidance with their university applications. There is a pro-active programme of careers counselling, external conferences, speakers from business and an extensive careers and higher education library to help students make informed choices about their future direction.

The atmosphere of the Sixth form is very special. Pupils who join from other schools are made to feel very welcome with a helpful induction to Sixth form life at the beginning. There is also a designated Sixth Form area where all Sixth form pupils can get to know each other in a supportive and social environment.

At King Edward's School we believe we should prepare students for their lives after School in the broadest sense. By the time students leave our Upper Sixth Form we expect that they will have acquired more than academic knowledge; they should have developed an ability to study independently, as well as social, personal and time management skills to see them through higher education and, for many, demanding careers.

Pupils in King Edward's Sixth Form are encouraged to show leadership within the School by being responsible for and supporting younger members of the School. There are opportunities for making a contribution to the wider community also by taking part in community service activities each week. Many pupils visit hospitals, care homes and charities in and around Bath, as well as being enjoyable pupils find it develops their self-confidence and they make great friendships too.

The Sixth Form is an important stage in a student's education. For the first time students can choose their own curriculum, select subjects which match their own interests and abilities and take charge of their own studies. The Sixth Form is a crucial point of transition to higher education, adult life and employment. The emphasis must be, therefore, on learning rather than on teaching, and on independent study and research.

Our aim is to allow all students in the sixth form to develop a sense of responsibility for their work, for their choice of activities, for their fellow students, and for the wider world outside.

All students should leave the Sixth Form committed both to developing their own academic, creative or sporting abilities and to contributing to the wider society of which we are a part. We wish to develop a firm sense that we form part of a larger global society, not just in our power to communicate, but in our responsibility for welfare and happiness of all human beings.

The emphasis will be less on a set of rules than on an enthusiastic membership of a society. We wish to create an environment in which every individual may flourish and develop, in which the talents, latent or overt, of every student are encouraged and nurtured, and in which there are many opportunities for the kinds of achievement only possible when human beings join in some greater common enterprise.

We wish all our students to leave school with a firm sense of the unlimited world of the arts and natural science, the greatness of the human spirit, the beauty of the natural world and a sense of awe and wonder.

A Level teaching is very different to what you will have experienced so far in your school career. Pupils are able to study the subjects that really interest them.  King Edward’s aim is to be as flexible as possible, providing an extensive range of A Level and AS Level subjects, giving students the option of choosing a wide range of subjects.

Class sizes are small which enable students to gain extensive personal attention from teachers who will both guide and encourage pupils throughout their studies. Students benefit from studying alongside highly motivated peers. Academic study is enriched by lectures from visiting experts, from attending conferences and going on numerous study trips. 

King Edward’s is amongst the very best academic schools in the country. This success has been achieved through the very highest standards in teaching and helping our students to realise the full potential and pursue successful careers and happy lives. While we are justifiably proud of our exam success (with over 85% of students getting Grades A and B) it is how successful students are in relation to their own potential that gives us our greatest pleasure.

Breadth and depth of Academic programme

• 26 subjects on offer at AS/A2
• A programme of life skills ensure pupils are prepared for life beyond school
• Personal attention from tutor and subject teachers guides pupils throughout their studies

Academic success

• Over 100 students go on to University each year, over a quarter of which move on to one of the top 10 institutions as listed in ‘The Sunday Times University League Table’
• Excellent GCSE and A Level results

Future planning

• Careers advice is available throughout the year
• An extensive careers programme is designed to help students prepare for their future and to equip them with important skills required to follow their chosen subject or careers path

King Edward's Sixth Form offers all students a unique blend of individual attention, personal guidance and support. Our approach makes a vital difference in the personal development and academic progress of our students.

Recipe for success:

• Individual attention
• Personal guidance and support
• Small classes

Tutorial Support
Every student has an individual tutor who looks after and supports them through their studies. Pastoral care is important to every student's well-being so pupils meet with their tutors twice a day.

Progress Review
Subject teachers and tutors help guide students as they study ensuring that during the course of the year their progress is reviewed and advice given to help them maximize their success in their studies.

Sixth Form Mentors and a warm community
The friendly and relaxed atmosphere of the sixth form together with sixth form mentors assigned to welcome new members into the sixth form creates a vibrant and sociable sixth form community.

The Sixth Form Centre forms an attractive environment for life in the sixth form.

Social hub
The main atrium is the social heart of the sixth form centre. Imaginative use of materials has created a warm and relaxed ambiance for students to relax and socialise.

Café bar
This is a convenient place for students to get refreshments. Fresh coffee, baguettes and light snacks are served throughout the day.

Private study
Personal study space has been created, equipped with the latest IT technology to facilitate independent learning.

Learning resources and careers research area
Students have access to both on-line and off-line study materials in a dedicated learning resources and career research area.

Life in the sixth form offers more than just academic success. At King Edward’s there is a wide range of extra curricular opportunities which will not only enhance your applications but stand you in good stead for life. Activities are available in creative, sporting and recreational interests. Some of the most popular ones for sixth formers include:

Amnesty

Debating Society

Ichthus

Model United Nations

Expedition Society

Duke of Edinburgh

Combined Cadet Force

Ten Tors Challenge

Drama Productions

Environmental Action Group

Socrates

Student magazine

Chess Club

Please see sports and activities programme for more information.

King Edward's attaches great importance to the provision of high quality academic accommodation and are continually investing to provide quality resources of a high standard.

Library
The Porter Library is a further information resource available to students throughout the day. Here students have access to books, journals, electronic resources and up to date computing facilities to support your study and research. In addition, there is an enjoyable selection of fiction and topical current affairs material for students to enjoy. The Librarian is on hand to provide guidance on everything from finding the latest novel to tracking down a scholarly article.

IT Provision
Extensive computer and specialist information technology facilities are available both within the Sixth Form Centre and throughout the school.

Sports
Fitness is positively encouraged for personal well being and social recreation. Provision for all the main sports; rugby, hockey, netball, tennis, cricket and athletics are available to students as well as many additional recreational sports including; football, martial arts, dance etc through the extra curricular programme.

Sports facilities are excellent. King Edward's has an astro pitch and netball courts on the main campus plus extensive additional recreational space at Bathampton playing fields. The Rutherford Sports Hall provides an indoor sporting venue which also accommodates the Fitness suite equipped with the latest fitness equipment.

Arts
The Arts department comprises a suite of art studios containing separate studios for design and photography. The art department is well resourced with computers, scanners, colour printers, LCD projectors, specific art software and on-line resources. The art department also holds an extensive art library for inspiration and reference. There is also TV/Video equipment in all art rooms for screening relevant video material. The TAG Gallery provides a flexible exhibition space for displays of art by existing students and external artists and there is programme of art activities each term.

Drama
Drama and Theatre Studies presents a varied and dynamic programme of performances every term. There are many opportunities for students to take part in these productions both as part of the cast and on the technical side. The Wroughton Theatre and the Drama Studio are the principle performance spaces.

Music
There are plenty of opportunities to develop your musical interests at King Edwards. Music is thriving within the school with many musical ensembles, all of whom welcome new members, these include: Swing Band, Brass Group, Choir, Chamber Choir, Senior Orchestra, Intermediate Orchestra, Baroque Group, Early Music Group and Cello Club.

Individual music lessons are available and the school is an authorised centre for the Associated Music Board examinations. The music suite is well-equipped with PC-based workstations using Logic, Cubase and Sibelius software.

Students are encouraged to show leadership within the School by being responsible for, and supporting younger members of the school and by making a contribution to the school and wider community.

Prefects
All Year 12 pupils have the opportunity to become Deputy prefects before an elected body of students are called upon to lead the School. The prefects are assigned to a particular form where they both support the form teacher as well as provide a helpful pastoral role for younger members of the school. Senior Prefects take a lead role in school events and act as ambassadors for the School within the wider community.

Student council
The Student Council is a group elected by the students to support the interests and welfare of King Edward's student body. The purpose of the Student Council is to ensure that student issues and concerns are discussed and included as part of the ongoing improvements and overall management of the School. The Sixth Form Committee also oversees a number of student social and charity events.

Activities Week
Activities week is one of the most looked-forward to events within the school calendar. Many sixth form pupils enjoy the opportunity to get involved by helping on the many adventurous activities which take place during Activities Week.

Volunteering in the community
Many of our sixth form students are keen to employ their talents to contribute towards the benefit of others in the community. Pupils volunteer to help at the Peggy Dodd Centre, the Royal United Hospital, Bath Cats and Dogs Home and King Edward's Pre-Prep. Helping others is a valuable experience for pupils. Many students grow in confidence as they see how they can make a positive contribution to the lives of others, they develop their interpersonal and communication skills helping people of all ages and backgrounds and possibly most rewarding of all they learn how enjoyable it can be to put others before self.

There is a vast array of career options open to students these days. To help pupils to decide which career route they are best suited for, King Edward's provides a detailed programme of careers advice including; careers counselling, external conferences, speakers from business and an extensive careers and higher education library to help students make informed choices about their future direction.

One-to-one careers advice
Much information and advice is delivered on an individual basis with the aim being that courses and options are matched to students' qualities and strengths. Students are helped to develop their ideas; although almost all our students go on to a higher education, advice equally given on direct entry to careers with training.

Careers Programme
A structured programme of specialist advice, workshops to develop key skills such as interview technique and completion of application forms for higher education and employment, visits to careers and higher education conventions, conferences and seminars with expert speakers all benefits students as they explore their future opportunities.

Specialist advice for Oxford and Cambridge entry is available.

Virtually all our students go on to university, and around 90% of those read their degrees at the world's top universities. Degree choices reflect the breadth of student strengths in a wide range of disciplines, roughly equally divided between the sciences and humanities.

King Edward's has an active and global alumni community and during your time as a student you will have many opportunities to meet with alumni and benefit from their experience.

Aftercare extends well beyond the formal ending of schooldays, and former pupils frequently return socially as Old Edwardians and to give advice to existing pupils as part of the careers programme.

For details of the Old Edwardians Association please see the Old Edwardians section of this website or contact:

Claire Davies
Development Officer
Email: development@kesbath.com
Tel: 01225 820357