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16-19 Programme of Study

All students who join Southgate School Sixth Form follow Level 3 programmes of study. We offer a broad range of A Level and Vocational courses to provide for varying prior attainment and career goals. Students usually follow either a vocational or academic path but some combine both to meet their current educational needs and future career plans. Please see the curriculum section of our website for specific subject information.

We are very proud that teachers at Southgate School provide excellent teaching for students in the sixth form and are incredibly supportive both in the classroom and beyond. This ensures that our students achieve their full potential and are ready to move onto the next stage of their education or employment. In addition to supportive teachers being available for one to one assistance or providing organised after school revision/catch up sessions, our PSHE Programme includes understanding how to manage stress as well as being organised and promoting a work-life balance. Our A Level Mindset Programme which encourages students to become independent learners who work towards their goals.

It is our aim that all students leaving Southgate School in Year 13 have sufficient qualifications to progress to higher education or to further training or employment. To this end, students study three Level 3 courses and also develop softer skills through our PSHCE programme and Enrichment offer which include the Gold Duke of Edinburg Award and the EPQ. Please see our Sixth Form Prospectus for more information about these opportunities.

Southgate School subscribes to UNIFROG which is an excellent tool for students to track their careers education and experience from Year 7 right through to Year 13. The wide variety of career guides, webinars, podcasts and online courses available on Unifrog provides students with personalised careers education. Work experience opportunities are promoted and encouraged regularly to help students develop the necessary skills and understanding of potential future careers. Much of this provision has been online since March 2020 using various providers. We will continue to support students to secure online placements that enable them to progress onto their chosen pathways, but hope that our work shadowing programme for Year 12 students will eventually resume.

All students receive 9 hours of teacher led learning for each of their subjects, plus a further 9 hours of supervised independent study. This amounts to 36 hours in school per fortnight. Provision is made for the very small number of students in Years 12 and 13 who have not yet achieved a GCSE grade 4 in English or Maths.

Post 16, SEND students are often supported through the provision of Access Arrangements ensuring they are helped to fully display their knowledge and understanding in exams. Sixth Form students with an EHCP receive pastoral and organisational support in the form of academic and emotional mentoring as well as bespoke support to help them achieve their desired goals when they are considering work or university courses.