The Lifestyle Sep - Oct 2021

Preparing Sixth Formers for life
beyond school
Hurst College explains to Worthing Lifestyle why it is important
to encourage Sixth Formers to step outside their comfort zones
from day one...
The Sixth Form at Hurst College is
focused on preparing students for the
next step after school. The last two years
of a student’s educational journey are key
to providing a plethora of opportunities
and experiences to complete their
passage of self-discovery. By the time
they complete their A-levels, students will
have developed a keen sense of self and
have made the right decision about their
true purpose in life.
The journey begins on day one as Sixth
Formers step outside their comfort zones
with off-site adventure training. They take
part with a whole host of challenging
activities where they swiftly need to form
working relationships to succeed as part
of a team. By the end of the day, they
have truly bonded as a year group.
The fun continues with a Lower Sixth
dinner and quiz, followed by the first
Mystery Bus Tour of the year. Students
take a risk by signing up for a trip to an
unknown location and are rewarded with
activities such as go-carting, curling and
glow-in-the-dark mini-golf.
The Lower Sixth year is a careful
balancing act, when students are
assisted and monitored by their tutors to
ensure they get it right. The priority for
each student is to complete their core
academic responsibilities to the best of
their ability and to make time for wider
intellectual enrichment as they engage
fully with all that is on offer beyond the
classroom.
When they enter the Upper Sixth,
students move into St John’s - the co-ed
hall of residence - to begin their transition
to post-school life as undergraduates.
The year kicks off with an Icebreaker
Disco and by the end of the night they
have settled into their new house and are
ready for the academic challenges that
lie ahead.
Hurst prides itself on a unique system
of Upper Sixth academic tutoring. Each
student is allocated a subject specialist
depending on their desired post-school
path. They have access to, and support
from, someone who knows the specific
subject demands and who can help
ensure UCAS applications are the best
they can be. This is also the one teacher
students will have most contact with - in
and outside normal lesson time. Upper
Sixth Formers often see their tutors
daily, to discuss subject-specific matter
for A-levels and are also encouraged to
deepen and widen their knowledge base
beyond the syllabus.
All students recognise that membership
of Hurst’s Sixth Form is a privilege. They
are given multiple opportunities within the
school week to make a wider contribution
to the wellbeing of their community and
the wider world. Many work towards the
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, with
its emphasis on leadership, community
service and personal development.
Others take command roles in the largest
school Combined Cadet Force in the
southern counties or lead the school’s
own community service programme.
The Lower Sixth Young Enterprise
Programme provides an opportunity for
students to create and run their own
business from scratch. They can also
contribute to the school’s student-run
magazine or lead the many intellectual
clubs and societies. Charitable action
is highly valued, with the student body
raising around £30,000 a year for worthy
causes, and Sixth Formers are expected
to take the lead.
The Sixth Form is a time when
significant decisions are made, and
Hurst is unashamedly ambitious for all
its students. The priority is to ensure
the next step after school is perfectly
suited to each student’s aspirations and
aptitudes. Sixth Form tutors are trained
executive life coaches, investing time
and expertise to draw out an individual’s
values and motivations. Most students
choose to apply for a place at a leading
British university, but the college
also embraces the alternatives, from
professional sport and the performing
arts to entrepreneurship and aid work.
Pastoral care is second to none, with a
huge focus on wellbeing. Should they
need to speak to someone, students
have easy access to their housemaster/
mistress, school counsellors and
student guardians. Sixth Formers play
an important role in school leadership,
with a varied assembly programme
when they are encouraged to discuss
relevant topics. The aim is to ensure that
they leave Hurst as happy, well-rounded
young adults, ready for the challenges
and excitement of life beyond school.
The college operates a bus route to and
from Worthing to accommodate flexi/
weekly boarders and day students from
the area.
For further information please call
01273 836937 | www.hppc.co.uk
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