Sixth Form Curriculum
At Roundwood Park we are passionate about helping every student to achieve the best grades they can in their A Levels or BTECs, but we also believe our students should have access to a much broader experience.
From the enrichment programme, extra curricular activities, sport and community events to involvement in the running of the school through the Student Leadership Government (SLG), all students have the opportunity to learn beyond their core subjects.
Enrichment Options
In addition to their core subjects, students in our Sixth Form are encouraged to broaden their curriculum choices by opting for an additional qualification, or course, in Year 12. They can choose from the following Enrichment Subject Options:
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Core Maths
Certificate in Financial Studies
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
More information on these courses can be found in our Sixth Form Prospectus.
Student Leadership
The Student Leadership Government (SLG) is democratically elected each year to take on leadership roles within our school. There are approximately 40 positions of responsibility; each with a different purpose for driving school improvements and engagement in extra-curricular, community and charity work both in and out of school. Our Head Student, House Captain, School Captain and Curriculum Captain roles are integral to Roundwood Park and as such they:
- enable the student voice to have influence in shaping the development and future of the school
- offer students opportunities to develop leadership skills and gain invaluable leadership experience and training
- provide greater exposure to leadership opportunities to more students, featuring in many post-18 applications
- connect sixth form student leaders with the entire student body enriching school experience for our younger students
We are incredibly proud of the work that our Sixth Form leaders achieve during their tenure. We nurture students to be confident and capable individuals by allowing them to project manage school events, present in assemblies, liaise with outside charities and organisations and run parliament meetings. This gives them invaluable experience for life, but also to talk and write about in future university and job applications.
Future Options Programme
Our Future Options programme in Year 12 aims to ensure students are regularly seeking opportunities to help them decide on their future choices. A placement week in the summer term provides students with an opportunity to gain invaluable work experience within their chosen vocation. The programme is provided by our careers team, you can find our more about them > HERE
We encourage students to apply for taster courses and attend university open days and apprenticeship/university fairs. They are given opportunities to meet employers and make contact with professionals from areas of the commercial sector. This helps to develop the abilities and skills that employers look for in industry.
We also provide extensive support with applications, whether it is for a university course, degree apprenticeship, apprenticeship or employment. We have considerable experience supporting successful applications to Oxford and Cambridge Universities, as well as other competitive universities and courses, including medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry. We run a Competitive University Programme, provided by dedicated staff who run seminars, masterclasses and additional mentoring and support for students applying to Oxbridge. We also run a Competitive Apprenticeship Programme, designed to support students in identifying and applying for these sought-after positions.
Our leavers go on to a variety of destinations including university, apprenticeships, gap years and employment. Please see our destinations maps > HERE
Here are a number of links that are useful when looking at opportunities and options beyond school:
Scholars Programme
Our long-established Super-Curriculum is designed to help students develop into confident, independent and reflective learners – someone who truly embodies our ASPIRE values. Sixth Form students have the option to ‘Build your own Super-Curriculum’ – a flexible and personalised route to becoming a Roundwood Park Scholar. Find out more > HERE
Academic Tutoring, Mentoring and Employment
We value our Sixth Form student’s ability to engage and support our younger students, with many becoming academic tutors, teaching GCSE students in their lunchtimes or after school. Others prefer pastoral responsibilities, like mentoring Year 7 students. This allows them opportunity to help others through a structured and supportive mentoring programme.
Our school thrives as a family community and Sixth Form students are offered paid employment in our canteen and sports centre in their spare time, giving them valuable work experience within a safe and familiar environment.
Tutorial Sessions
Our Sixth Form tutorial and assembly programme supports students in their transition to adulthood, it provides a safe platform for them to explore current affairs, spiritual and moral decisions, equal opportunities, study skills and much more. Each week they debate and discuss topics, allowing them to appreciate and understand their place in the world around them.
Sixth Form Sport
We have many successful senior sports teams including netball, trampolining, rugby and football. Additionally, our Year 12 students enjoy a fun, timetabled Games session once a week, which helps to establish new friendships and provides students with a reminder of the importance of healthy living and activities to support wellbeing.
Community
We value our local community and give back where we can. Each year our Year 12 students gain the RPS Community Award, where they complete 15 hours of voluntary work within the school. They undertake sports coaching, mentoring of other students, site management tasks, become Art Assistants and much more. In addition, our Year 12 students host our Senior Citizens Christmas Party each year, and each year we find ourselves bursting with pride at their kindness, patience and attentiveness to our wonderful guests.
Other community events include our Christmas Concert at St John’s Church and our ‘Warrior Packs’ Appeal – you can find out more about RPS in the community – here
