THE SIXTH FORM IN THE GIRLS DAY SCHOOL TRUST
Maureen Bosch, the external relations manager of the Girls’ Day School Trust, writes about opportunities available right across the country
Sixth Form – reaping rewards
The sixth form is a transitional period for all students – a time when you acquire more independence, responsibility and confidence, and prepare for your future.
So what is it that today’s sixth former wants and values from this stage of their education? It is a question that we ask ourselves in the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), but, more importantly, one that we ask our students. They tell us they want the sixth form to be new and different, and that they value a diverse experience, one that equips and prepares them for the next stage of life at university or in a career. Sixth form is undoubtedly a dramatically different experience, and to achieve your full potential you need to get involved in all aspects of school life – in sport and leadership, and take advantage of all the entrepreneurial, social and cultural opportunities that come your way.
Independent learning skills
Academically, your own research and reading, and all the other aspects of independent study, become much more important in sixth form, and your relationship with teachers becomes more personal and equal. Whether you are continuing with subjects that you studied at GCSE, or taking the opportunity to try something new that is only available in sixth form, consistency of performance from the start of your AS level studies is crucial now that universities can access modular marks. So it is important to hit the ground running to achieve the best results.
Generic and transferable skills
With so many students seemingly achieving excellent exam results, what will make you stand out from other candidates when you are applying for universities or jobs? In our experience, sixth formers relish the chance to experience leadership whether as part of the Head Student team, or as sports captains, producers and directors of student drama, school magazine editors, ball and party organisers, or in other roles in their local and wider community.
In many sixth forms, you have the chance to take part in Young Enterprise and the Community Sports Leadership Award, this allows students to develop their entrepreneurial skills and participate in activities that involve teamwork skills. In GDST sixth forms you also develop transferable communications skills, the ability to manage your money, and acquire presentation and interview skills through our unique CareerStart programme, and our Minerva Network of 60,000 former students that offers a huge range of advice and contacts.
Access to expertise
To get into your first choice university, and to follow the career of your dreams, you need the right support and contacts.When it comes to choosing a career, the key is tailored, individual support, based on a sound knowledge and understanding of what different universities, professions and careers require. GDST schools have great in-house careers staff and buy in additional support from the Independent Schools Careers Organisation (ISCO), which specialises in providing careers advice and support to independent schools.
Increasingly, top universities and colleges are introducing their own entrance exams in order to select the best candidates and preparation is vital if you are to do your best. It is not a question of cramming, but it is important to know what is expected and to have thought about what your degree course involves. For this reason, after a successful pilot last year, we are organising workshops and seminars for all medical and legal applicants GDST-wide, in advance of the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) and the LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law).
At all-through schools, the people who will be writing your all-important UCAS reference will have known you for many years and be able to positively describe your achievements, attributes and personality.
Through the Minerva Network, the GDST has contact with students at dozens of universities studying hundreds of courses. They are often delighted to show our sixth formers around and give them the low down on what it is like to live and study at their institutions – which has benefited many students.
Global and international links
It is clear to us that schools need to provide a greater international dimension to students’ education so that they will have the confidence and the competence to play a full part in a global society. To us this means expanding horizons and opportunities for students and staff, giving our young people a wider understanding, and ensuring that they have the relevant high-quality language skills, which allow them not only to be understood, but also provide them with an insight into the mindsets of other cultures.
Considering global trends it is plain that the role played by China and India in the world is growing rapidly and that by building links between our countries we can help our students in the UK and in Asia to take on leadership roles in our increasingly global society. Therefore, we plan to twin all of our GDST schools in the UK with an international partner in Asia and elsewhere.
We recognise that a number of UK universities and schools are fostering links with their counterparts overseas. We have helped to cultivate some of these links through our partnership with HSBC Global Education Trust in an annual summer school at Nottingham University.
Students from GDST schools, UK state schools and Chinese schools gather to develop teamwork and leadership skills. Last year’s summer school was held at Nottingham University’s campus in Ningbo, China, and involved 85 students and staff from GDST and HSBC schools and 30 Ningbo students: a wonderful experience for all involved!
In sixth form, as in life, it really is a case that you get out what you put in. So if you are looking at sixth form options, choosing the one that gives you the widest range of choices – not just academically, but also in terms of social, leadership and cultural opportunities – will be, in the long term, the safest bet.