Sixth Form [NEW]

The A level course is spread over the two years of the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13). Most pupils study three or four A level subjects, and some additionally take the Extended Project Qualification. English Language and Mathematics courses are available for pupils who do not have GCSE level qualifications in these subjects.

St Lawrence College aims for educational excellence, and nearly all of the Upper Sixth will continue to Higher Education at University. Regular monitoring of progress is essential to ensure that each pupil realises his or her fullest potential. Work is formally assessed at frequent intervals and the results analysed so that advice and guidance can be made available in good time.

The option range is regularly enhanced with additional subjects, provided that there is evidence of a sustainable demand for a subject that will be regarded well by university admissions tutors.

The options currently available include Art and Design, Photography, Design Technology (Product Design), ICT, Music, English Literature, French, Spanish, Geography, History, Business, Economics, Philosophy and Ethics, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physical Education. German is available for native speakers of this language.

Option Blocks are created from pupils’ lists of preferred subject choices so that as many pupils as possible can be timetabled with their chosen subjects. Taught lessons are accompanied by Private Study sessions within which pupils develop the essential skills of research and self-study that they will need at university.

In addition, our Academic Enrichment Programme provides pupils with the opportunity to be intellectually stretched and develop general skills that will not only support their GCE studies but also help prepare them for entry to university or future careers. This course includes Careers and PSHE components and pupils are also addressed by visiting speakers on a variety of topics.

Subject Choices

All of our A-level courses are spread over the two years of the Sixth Form. Additional subjects such as the EPQ and LIBF certificate are usually completed by the summer term of the Lower Sixth year or October of the Upper Sixth Year. Our options range is regularly reviewed and enhanced with new subjects, provided that there is evidence of sustainable demand for a subject that will be regarded well by university admissions tutors.

The options currently available include:

Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Design Technology, Economics, English Literature, French, Further Mathematics, Geography, History, Mathematics, Media Studies, Music, Philosophy and Ethics, Physical Education, Psychology, Physics, Spanish. German is available for native speakers of the language.

Sixth Form Curriculum Information

A Level Results 2022

At St Lawrence College we primarily follow traditional, academic A Levels as the best route into top universities, with the top two individual performers in 2022 gaining results of A*A*A, and two also achieving A*AA.

Aggregate A Level results reflect the broad ability of intake, with excellent “value added” across the ability range; to allow comparison with academically selective schools, it is noteworthy that the A*- B % for the top third of pupils was 80%, which compares very favourably with academically selective schools around the country. High ability pupils gain excellent results, but pupils of lower ability are also supported to gain the results they need for university.

Results were particularly strong in a number of subjects, with grades A*- B % of 100% in English Literature, 100% in Further Maths, 100% in Art, 100% in French, Chinese and German, 80% in History and 100% in Music.

The A Level results in 2022, saw St Lawrence pupils gaining the grades to access a place at top universities – such as UCL, University of Glasgow, University of Birmingham, University of Southampton and University of Bath – for a diverse range of courses, and as usual almost all leavers went on to university.

Nearly all of the Upper Sixth at St Lawrence continue to Higher Education at University, with significant numbers aspiring to places at top universities (details of recent destinations can be found here)

We have a range of tools that we use to help our Sixth Formers find the right courses and institutions for them, whether they are expecting A*A*A* or CCC.

Unifrog

This is a platform that every pupil in the Lower Sixth will sign up to in their first week. It allows pupils to start exploring which courses, careers and destinations are right for them and has everything from personality quizzes to guidance on personal statements and free enrichment courses.

UCAS

For anyone applying to university in the UK, UCAS is the application platform that will be used. There are lots of resources available through the UCAS Hub and they also have some useful guides for parents.

VISIT UCAS

Competitive Courses Group

For pupils aspiring to the most competitive courses and institutions, we have the CCG. This is an opportunity for like-minded pupils to get together regularly to build their skills and broaden their horizons, undertaking challenges, research and presentation tasks to help them succeed in interview processes and beyond.

Competitive Course Programme 

Where have our 2022 Leavers gone to study?

Including gaining a place at University in the UK, some of our pupils went onto undertake Higher or Degree Apprenticeships or studies internationally including sports scholarships at US institutions.  

Enhancing Study Skills

As you transition to the Sixth Form, your educators will entrust you with a higher degree of responsibility for your own learning. Given your autonomy in selecting your subjects, active participation in lessons, diligent review of coursework, and timely completion of assignments should be regarded as the bare minimum.

A noteworthy shift from your GCSE years to the Sixth Form is the introduction of gaps in your timetable, where formal lessons are absent. At St. Lawrence, these intervals are designated as study periods, during which you are expected to utilise the library for relevant academic pursuits, enrichment activities, or research. At the outset of your Lower Sixth year, your tutor will dedicate time to cultivate independent study skills and expand your academic toolkit, ensuring that the time you invest yields maximum effectiveness. Many of these skills are transferable and will serve you well in your future university studies and beyond.

Social Engagement, Activities, Leadership, and Opportunities

Within the Sixth Form, a dedicated space within the College, complete with common rooms and a kitchen, is at your disposal. Throughout the school day, these common room areas offer opportunities to socialise with students from various houses during breaks and lunchtimes. Over the course of the academic year, a multitude of social events, including the highly anticipated Sixth Form Dinner in the Lent term, awaits your participation.

Aligned with our holistic approach to education and the core principles of High Performance Learning, we emphasise the development of qualities such as perseverance, empathy, resilience, and collaboration. Consequently, we anticipate your active involvement in the opportunities afforded to you as a member of the College community. One of the avenues for honing these skills is participation in our activities program, which occurs twice weekly and encompasses a wide spectrum of interests, from debating to baking.

You will find ample prospects for leadership roles, both at the house level and within the broader school community. These opportunities are made available through our prefect system, participation in the CCF, and support for events geared toward younger pupils, such as STEM day. We hold the expectation that each Sixth Form member will make a constructive contribution to the larger school community, recognising that such contributions not only benefit others but also enrich their own experiences.

The EPQ provided the opportunity for pupils to extend their abilities beyond the A Level syllabus, stand out and prepare for University or future career.

In completing an EPQ pupils learn about subjects that they do not cover in lessons and/or participate in topics that they might not otherwise study. It can also be useful to earn extra UCAS points.

This is an independent research task and involves either writing an extended essay of about 5,000 words or creating a product with an accompanying shorter essay of about 1,000 words. There is a free choice of topic, this must show that it is academically useful, either related to current course of study, or future career.

EPQ News Story