Copthall School offers you the best start to any future career, be it employment or higher education, by combining the guidance and support of well-qualified staff with the chance to study a wide range of new and interesting subjects, in a structured school environment Students leave Copthall as young women with more academic qualifications and more social, personal and work-related skills than when they entered it. Copthall expects the very highest standards of achievement from its students. Every girl who wants to join the Sixth Form, be she in our Year 11 or from other state or independent schools, has an individual interview with an experienced member of staff to choose the options best suited to her talents and abilities. The Sixth Form is a chance to start afresh, but within a firm framework of support. All students spend an exciting one day induction course in June which aims to introduce them to life as a Sixth Former and gives them the opportunity to get to know one another better and to make new friends. ‘The teaching is excellent. There’s a good social network and loads of opportunities.’ (Sixth Form student) 
Copthall tries to accommodate individual requirements whenever possible and offers a wide-ranging curriculum to meet the needs, aspirations and abilities of every student. Your GCSE results may decide which course you take but it is important to – • Choose subjects you really enjoy: A Levels are intellectually demanding and you may be studying a subject for 2 years – be sure you think that you will go on enjoying it for 2 years. • Choose subjects you are good at: You will need a point score at GCSE of approximately 5.3 or more if you want to do A Levels and 4.9 if you want to take 2 or AVCEs (point scores are calculated – A* = 8, A = 7, B = 6 etc., and the total divided by the number of GCSEs taken). • Be sure your choice is compatible with any career you want to follow: Leave the widest possible range of options open if you are unclear what you want to do next. • Examine all options: If you think you will not be able to cope with A Levels, explore other vocational courses. Whatever you decide, Copthall will do the very best to help you choose what is right for you. 
Life as a Sixth Form student is a new and challenging experience. You are encouraged to take greater responsibility for your own learning, self-motivation and self-organisation. To help you, you will have your own Personal Tutor who may or may not teach you, but who will discuss your progress with you regularly and advise you on good study and working practices, helping you to plan and organise your work so that you achieve your very best. Smaller classes provide an opportunity for more discussion and a closer relationship between you and your subject tutor. 
Copthall is committed to encouraging every girl to get the very most out of her time at school by providing as much opportunity as possible for girls to experience a variety of stimulating activities. Work experience is an integral part of your education at Copthall. Every Sixth Former has the opportunity to participate in work placement in commerce, industry or in community services. All work experience and work shadowing placements are closely monitored to ensure that you gain the maximum benefit. A wide variety of interests and abilities are catered for, giving you an insight into employment as well as widening your awareness of opportunity available in the community. ‘You have a much closer relationship with your teachers and tutors. They work for you as much as you work for them.’ (Sixth Form student) 
Our Personal, Social and Health Education programme has been especially designed for you as a young woman – to help develop skill which will enable you to meet and cope with the demands and challenges of life today, confidently and with self-assurance. Careers guidance, study skills, a well-woman cycle, equal opportunities and sexual harassment are just some of the topics covered. You will be encouraged to take part in debates and discussions on current affairs as well as contemporary moral and ethical issues and to explore aspects of religious belief. 
You are given progressively more autonomy and independence and expected to take more responsibility. There is no school uniform, you have your own common room with a well equipped kitchen, a computer room and study areas. Achieving the correct balance between work and other activities is important. There is ample opportunity for you to make a valuable contribution to the whole life of the school and the local community. All Sixth Formers attend a Sixth Form assembly every week and are sometimes invited to other assemblies to give presentations. A Sixth Form Committee meets regularly to discuss ways of improving life in the Sixth Form and students organise many events during the year to raise money for charity and also help the elderly, the disabled and those in hospital. Sixth Form representatives are key members of the school council which meets regularly to discuss issues relating to all the students in the school. Sixth Form students support younger pupils and bilingual students in lessons and help in local schools by reading with children for one hour a week, or supporting numeracy lessons. Sixth Formers are encouraged to initiate clubs and societies and take part in a scheme to befriend and help younger pupils with particular difficulties. Students have the opportunity to play hockey, be involved in dramatic and musical productions, sing in the Staff and Sixth Form choir, play in the school orchestra, participate in television programmes – the list is endless. Copthall enables you to deepen your knowledge in your chosen field of study and helps you to develop on a personal level so that you acquire the necessary skills for the future. |
