Sixth Form Information - Ribston Hall High School

Ribston Hall High
School
Sixth Form Information

Welcome
At Ribston Hall, we are very proud of our Sixth Form. Our Sixth Form students are the very best of Ribston Hall and reflect
our commitment to the highest academic standards and to developing well rounded, confident young adults. Whether you
are a current Ribston Hall student or are joining us from another school, I know that by coming to Ribston Hall Sixth Form
you will be embarking on an exciting and rewarding stage of your academic and personal development, one which will
equip you to enjoy future success.
Amanda Chong
Headteacher
Dear Students,
I hope by visiting us or reading our prospectus, you get a true feeling of what we can offer you through the next crucial
stages of your education. Our aim is to provide you with a challenging, stimulating and supportive learning environment.
One that offers the breadth and depth of curriculum to develop you to your full potential, equipped to pursue your chosen
career.
Sixth Form students are at the very heart of Ribston Hall. Leadership roles such as Head Girl, Prefect, Peer Mentor and
Subject Captain enable you to develop lifelong employability and personal skills. Similarly, every student has many
opportunities to belong to clubs and societies and take part in numerous extra-curricular activities. You will be an
excellent role model to younger students, helping to raise their aspirations and achieve your own.
Your Personal Mentor, and the Sixth Form team will be a strong and caring support network throughout your two years.
They are there to offer academic and career guidance, help you set personal targets and of course celebrate your successes.
The Sixth Form social calendar is also a key part of student life. Led mainly by students, the Sixth
Form team will encourage you to enjoy a balance of academic study and social events. Sixth Form is a
warm and welcoming community and new students joining us always comment on how quickly they
settle and make friends. It really is a very special place to be; you will undoubtedly make friends for
life. There is something for everyone at Ribston Hall and I hope you will join us to complete your A
Level Studies. If you are looking for an exciting, rewarding enriching experience, we look forward to
receiving your application.
Lisa Jones
Head of Sixth Form
Dear prospective students,
I have the honour of representing Ribston Hall High School through my position as Head Girl and it has been a fantastic
experience. I have enjoyed being at Ribston since my first day as a Year 7 student, so it is such a privilege to have an input
into the school that has shaped me into the person I am today.
My role within the school entails working closely with the Sixth Form Leadership Team as well as managing the Senior
Prefect Team consisting of twenty-five students, which is a challenging but rewarding responsibility. The organisation of
social events such as the Leavers’ Ball also makes up part of my role and is one of the aspects that I enjoy most.
Through my role, I have become a more organised and confident individual, although it is the caring encouragement from
staff and students of Ribston Hall that has enabled me to develop into a student who is capable of
taking on the position. Furthermore, it is the dedication from the school to help their students achieve
their best that has allowed me to succeed both academically and personally.
I would urge anyone who has the opportunity, to join our Sixth Form and I am sure you too will have an
experience at Ribston Hall as valuable as mine.
Samantha Harris
Head Girl 2012/2013

The Sixth Form Team
Mrs L. Jones - Head of 6th Form
Mr D. James – Head of Year
Mrs J. Watts – Head of Year
Miss E. Danks – Sixth Form Administrator
Personal Mentor & Support Network.
Students are allocated a Personal Mentor with whom they will register every morning. We consider registration to be
a crucial time of the day when students discuss and log Learning Conversations they have with their mentors. These
meetings allow students to share any concerns, seek advice if they are having difficulties, and share their successes. The
Personal Mentor is able to help students set personal targets and advise strategies enabling students to make progress.
Some students find the transition from GCSE to A Level daunting. The Personal Mentor is there to support, guide and offer
practical solutions to help students through this phase. The Personal Mentor also contributes significantly to UCAS and
career references and so will play a pivotal role in the Sixth Form journey of all students.
The Sixth Form team offers the very best Pastoral care and has the support of Sue Brewster, the School Counsellor should
students require extra or specific support. Similarly, students looking for Careers or Higher Education advice can arrange
to see our Independent Careers Advisor, Samantha Brown for one-to-one meetings.
In addition, all Sixth Form students participate in a comprehensive Personal Social Development Programme which
is carefully designed to empower students as young adults. Staying safe and being healthy, financial management
and understanding rights and responsibilities are crucial elements to becoming independent young men and women.
Furthermore, we ensure all our students have the information available for them to make the right choices for them
through our Post 18 programme in which students work closely with employers and universities.
We aim to develop the ‘whole’ student giving them the skills, resilience and determination to succeed in their chosen
careers and the personal attributes to lead healthy and purposeful lives.

The Sixth Form Curriculum
Subjects offered at Advanced Level:
Art & Design
Business Studies
Dance
D.T Food
D.T Textiles
Drama
Economics and Business Studies
English Language
English Literature
Film Studies
French
Geography
German
Government & Politics
History
ICT
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Music
Philosophy & Ethics
Physical Education
Psychology
Science: Biology
Science : Human Biology
Science : Chemistry
Science : Physics
Sociology
We are proud of the breadth and depth of curriculum we
are currently able to offer our Sixth Form students. We
have subject specialists in all areas offering quality indepth
teaching which challenges and encourages students
to excel. All students should be aspirational about what
they can achieve at Ribston Hall and the teaching staff are
committed to providing a rich learning experience that
enables everyone to achieve their potential.
Students entering the Sixth Form select 4 AS Level
subjects and continue with 3 at A2 Level. At A2 students
also opt for an enhancement qualification such as the
EPQ, Citizenship or the full AQA Baccalaureate. (Please
check the entry requirements carefully and do your
research by asking subject staff and others for advice
before you commit to your subjects. Also, make sure you
have researched carefully if you have a particular career
path in mind.)
For full course details visit
the Sixth Form section of the
school website or scan the QR
code here:
Jess Hayward – Year 13
A2 Psychology, Biology, Physical
Education
“I love my lessons in Sixth Form, the
work is difficult but we have smaller
groups and supportive teachers to
help us”

Sandeep Patel – Year 12
A2 Psychology AS Economics &
Business, Biology and Chemistry
“I know I made the right choice
coming to Ribston. I have made lots
of friends. I feel really lucky to be
here”
Victoria Worrall– Year 13
A2 Mathematics, Biology and Drama &
Theatre Studies
“The Sixth Form team are so
approachable and accessible, we
know we can go to them with any
problem no matter how small”
Enhancing Our Curriculum
In addition to an A Level programme of study,
Sixth Form students have the opportunity to
extend their learning through studying for the
AQA Baccalaureate. This qualification consists
of 2 key components, the Extended Project
Qualification (EPQ), and AS Level Citizenship,
which students opt to study in Year 13. The
EPQ, an independent research project, is the
first real taste of university style assignments
for most students, while AS Citizenship offers
a combination of a practical element requiring
students to be Active Citizens in the community
with academic study of contemporary issues. We
have been delighted with the originality of EPQ
projects and the endeavour students have shown
in volunteering, including for some, a trip to Uganda to help renovate a local hospital. These are just some of the life skills
and opportunities the Baccalaureate offers. It is an internationally recognised and valued qualification and we are very
proud of the results from this course.

Ribston Hall Sixth Form beyond the Classroom
We believe it is important our Sixth Form students try new experiences and broaden
their horizons. There is so much available to Ribston Hall Sixth Form students
outside of the classroom. Students can get involved in Drama Productions, Sports
Fixtures, Dance, Choir, Orchestra, and Debating Competitions to name but a few
activities. Sixth Form students take a leading role in running their own extracurricular
activities but are supported by staff where necessary. Furthermore, there
are numerous international study trips available to Sixth Form Students for example
the History Study Tour to Krakow, Music Tour to Florence, Debating at the European
Parliament in Strasbourg and undertaking a World Challenge Expedition to Borneo.
By joining Ribston Hall Sixth Form, students are opening up a whole world of
opportunities and experiences that will shape them for years to come.
University & Careers
We realise that Sixth Form is a stepping stone for our students’ future careers. Students pursue a range of options upon
leaving Ribston Hall including study at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities, Further Education, Higher Apprenticeships
and Gap Year Programmes. We support all students and parents through what can be a daunting and confusing process
of finding the best options. Students undertake a comprehensive university and employment programme which through
working with universities and employers, empowers them to make informed decisions about their future.
Jondalar Smith - Ribston Hall Student 2010-2012
A2 Results History A, Government & Politics B, English C
“Ribston Hall has given me such fond memories. I made some very good friends. My teachers helped me
to achieve really good A Levels and to try things I would never have done before. Teachers were always
helpful and supportive. I am looking forward to pursuing History
at university in 2013.”
Children in Need November 2012

Student Leadership and Responsibilities.
We feel our Sixth Form is unique in the number of Leadership opportunities available. These opportunities, covering the
Academic, Pastoral, Community and Extra Curricular life of our school enable students to learn valuable skills which will
help them well beyond their years at Ribston Hall. Our Sixth Form Students are Leaders within the school community
who younger students aspire to emulate. The Student Leaders pride themselves on working alongside staff, acting as role
models and mentors for younger students.
Whilst the Head Girl and her Deputies are the most senior students, the Prefects are appointed to specific year groups
providing tutorial support across the school. Additionally, there are opportunities for leadership in all academic areas.
Subject Captains are ambassadors for each subject area, who help younger students to develop and support teaching staff
across the curriculum. Our Year 12 Peer Mentors undertake a specially designed training programme to give pastoral
support to younger peers.
All Ribston Hall students make a considerable contribution to local and national charitable causes. Being actively involved
is one of the key characteristics of being a student at Ribston Hall.
“As Deputy Head Girl specialising in Charity events, I have organised a variety of occasions
from Children in Need events, to Movember moustache wax offs! We are strongly committed
to helping the local and wider community which is why our Sixth Form Winter Ball this year
also helped to raise money for ‘Wellchild’, a Gloucester based organisation aiming to improve
the lives of sick children. There are so many more charities out there to get involved with; it
would be fantastic if you could be a part of it.”
Beth Thomas Year 13
Deputy Head Girl (Charity) 2012/13
The difference between GCSE & A Level – Advice for Students
Many students ask how different A Level study is to GCSE. This will vary depending on the subject you choose to study.
You will find that you will be set longer, more extended pieces of work. Additionally, to keep up with the pace of A Levels
you will need to study more independently to ensure you have understood everything covered in lessons. This may mean
doing extra reading, note-making and consolidation even when homework hasn’t been set. Generally, you should be doing
approximately five hours of study per subject, per week. You will be expected to be able to demonstrate the higher order
skills of analysis and evaluation much more than was required at GCSE level. There are always past papers and mark
schemes available to students online through our Virtual Learning Environment. Naturally, your teachers are always there
to offer study tips and advice.
How to Apply
We hope you have made the choice to apply for a Sixth Form place at Ribston Hall. To apply, please
access our application form online at www.ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk selecting the Sixth Form Link.
Alternatively please scan the QR Code opposite to access the form through a handheld device.
Guidance for completing the application is included on the form.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Laura Jane Weaver Year 11 Student
“I love being part of Ribston Hall and I couldn’t imagine leaving. The teachers know me and
have helped me a lot. We are always pushed to be our best. I can’t wait to start Sixth Form!”

Ribston Hall High School
Stroud Road
Gloucester
GL1 5LE
Tel: 01452 382249
Fax: 01452 308833
E-mail: rhhs@ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk
Web: www.ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk
Design: Lore Creative 0844 879 7332 www.lorecreative.co.uk