Sixth form

Creating Your Future

Ofsted

“The dedicated and passionate leadership by the head of sixth form and the wider school team has ensured a highly effective sixth form. As a result, students are positive contributors to the school community and engaged citizens able to take their

place in society with an impressive level of maturity and understanding of the wider world.

The sixth form is part of an 11-19 experience in the school and is integral to the school ethos. As such, the provision in the sixth form and the leadership of the sixth form are similar to that found in the main school. Students make outstanding

progress and achievement is very strong.

The curriculum is responsive and meets the needs of students. The sixth form is popular and encourages students to continue in education to remain on a formal learning ‘pathway’. Students who join the sixth form from other schools are

welcomed equally and settle into school life quickly. Students are supported well through the process of university applications and are given clear guidance in moving on. Students appreciate the opportunities and the high level of care they receive in the school. Clear and effective planning and evaluation by the leadership, increasing examination success and the willingness of students to contribute to the wider school are all factors in the positive development of the sixth form.”

Quote from our latest inspection in September

Year 13 Forensic Science Trip

On the 22nd September – after some very dodgy minibus driving by Dr Ruffle - 11 A2 Biology students joined Thomas Hardye’s and Sherborne School in the Biosciences Department of the University of Exeter, where we were able to carry out an experiment to analyse DNA.

As we have learnt in our studies, Forensic Science is an important and accurate way to analyse genetic material and is commonly used in crime scene investigations. The experiments we carried out involved collecting samples of cheek cells (by rinsing our mouths with foul tasting liquid) and then multiplying the DNA using a process called the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). After transferring the DNA into wells of an agar gel block, we passed a charge through it, which should have resulted in fragments becoming visible to us in the form of bands.

Unfortunately our experiment didn’t work correctly and the DNA fragments didn’t separate. Of course this was obviously the fault of the university not us! However the University also provided us with campus tours and a good insight into University life at Exeter which proved very useful for those considering it as one of their choices.

Lauren Ellis, Year 13

Life Drawing Success

20 students attended a series of evening life drawing sessions in the Thornton Pearn Studio organised by Head of Art and Digital Technology, Mr Vine. Aimed at honing their skills the sessions provided particular support for their AS and A2 Level Art and Design studies.

Students started each session with a series of short warm up drawing exercises before developing their observational skills on a long pose.

“We firmly believe that providing this sort of additional opportunity for students is crucial to their growth and development as an artist, building confidence in their own abilities and a better understanding and appreciation of Art,” commented Mr Vine. The work will contribute towards the students’ A2 Level portfolio which will also help in preparing for their Higher Education interviews. The sessions will run again in the spring term. 

Sculpture Inspiration for Sixth Form

Early October saw 16 Sixth Form Art students visiting the beautiful grounds of the Roche Court Sculpture Park near Salisbury. Hosted by fantastic teacher in residence, Briony Biles, the group were provided with a tour of the park with expert commentary, viewing some genuinely thought provoking and internationally renowned artwork.

“The work supports students’ 3D projects on the Art and Applied Art courses,” said Mr Vine,

who organised the visit. “Being able to get so close to these sculptures in such fabulous surroundings is a great advantage to their studies.”

The group also paid a visit to Salisbury Cathedral in the afternoon where Sean Henry's numerous figurative sculptures are on display. Many students also took the opportunity to look at the Magna Carta.

London Provides Inspiration to Sixth Form Textiles Trip

Big Ben, the London Eye and Westminster Abbey set the scene for what proved to be a truly inspiring Textiles visit to London! Travelling up on the Friday before half term, we kicked off our weekend with a trip to the theatre to see Billy Elliot, which was absolutely amazing!

Saturday morning saw all ten of us up early and off to the National Theatre where we had a tour with Miss Barnes’ uncle who showed us all the sets being made for upcoming shows. He also took us to other fascinating departments including the Wig Department which we all loved. The wigs were so realistic!

Then we went to the Tommy Nutter exhibition, a renowned tailor who was responsible for reinventing the Savile Row suit in the 1960s. Berwick Street provided the source for many of the fabrics we needed for the Textiles course – the main priority for the trip! We also saw a number of designer shops on our travels including Browns, Vivienne Westwood where we saw Pete Burns and from there we came across a selection of vintage fabric shops!

Savile Row was awesome, Miss Barnes introduced us to Oswald Boatang, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo and the Mulberry shops - the customers were as fascinating as the products - no purchases were made, but it was a treat to be able to see these designers first hand. To finish off a great, but tiring, day we went to Convent Garden and had a meal in an Italian restaurant which was by the Royal Opera House, keeping our eyes open for famous people!

Sunday involved a stroll down Sloane Street. Starting at an early hour meant there was no-one around but that was great as we studied each window display and saw all the amazing buildings especially Harvey Nichols which had the best window displays we have ever seen!

After gazing at what we could never afford we went over to The Victoria and Albert Museum focusing on the costume area. There were many costumes including some from the Lion King which inspired some great drawings! To finish off our trip we went to some more fabric shops including Peter Jones where the last of us managed to find the materials for our course projects - finally! Then it was the journey home, just in time for the end of X Factor and Downton Abbey!

A truly great trip which was very inspiring for all of us! Thanks Miss Barnes and Mrs Humphreys!

By Hannah Gait, Alex Morgan and Joy Hayman, Year 12

Maths Students Take First Place

On Friday 7th October a small team of Maths students (Chris De Bank, Ben Sivier-Voller, Duncan Love, and Ed Firman) attended a practise Senior Maths Challenge Team competition in Blandford Forum.

They were asked to solve challenging Maths problems working effectively as a team. In two out of three of the tasks they had to use the other pair's answers to solve their own problems, which required a high degree of cooperation. The four boys worked together really well, trying out different pairs in the practise session.

In the mini competition they came equal first out of nine other teams from all over Dorset and Wiltshire.

 

Dr C Kelly

Pharmaceutical Drugs and Ethics at Heart of Workshop

In October the A2 Biology students travelled to @Bristol to take part in a health workshop.  Their first task was to isolate, then combine certain chemicals to produce a drug for the potential treatment of Parkinson's disease.  During the practical session, they were able to gain hands on access to a range of techniques used in scientific laboratory.  After lunch they were able to measure the success of their experiments using thin layer chromatography.

 

In addition to the practical workshop, the students had the opportunity to discuss the ethics behind the development of drugs and the treatment of patients with a range of diseases.  They also spent time exploring the interactive exhibitions, particularly enjoying the DNA/heredity displays and the under 8s dinosaur play area!

The Dark Lady of DNA

Her ideas stolen by male colleagues, Rosalind Franklin is a scientist we should all have heard of, but few of us ever have. Her work was instrumental in the discovery of DNA. This 30 minute play, performed by our talented A2 Drama students and starting at 6pm on 1st and 2nd of December, is a devised piece exploring the life and work of this eminent, but unrecognised, scientist bringing her story to a wider audience.

Sixth Form Explore the History of Britpop

On Friday 4th November the Sixth form Music and Music Technology students went on a trip to the O2 British Music Experience in London. The exhibition combines cutting edge audio-visual technology with some of the most coveted memorabilia of all time taking you through the history of British pop music. The displays were interactive meaning the visitors had the opportunity to swipe their electronic ticket, retaining the chosen content and media recordings which could be accessed later.

For the Year 12s it was extremely relevant and useful as their topic of study for this year - Brit-Pop - looks at recordings from the 1960s up to the present day and the cultural changes which affected British music. The Technology students could concentrate on the history of music technology and everyone had great fun playing the instruments in the Gibson Interactive Studio. The day then finished with a festive visit to Covent Garden, and the long train journey home!

Celia Cruwys-Finnigan, Year 13

MOCK BAR TRIAL – COMPETITION 12 NOVEMBER 2011

A smartly attired group of sixth formers participated in the regional heats of the Bar National Mock Trial Competition at Plymouth Crown Court on 12 November.  They defended cases against Queen Elizabeth Academy Trust (Credition) and Truro College and prosecuted against Devonport High School for Girls.  The event was organised by the Citizenship Foundation.

In preparation for the event the group of 15 had spent two months studying the cases and preparing for their parts.

Jack Keenan made a very convincing defendant – charged with the robbery of a building society and driving the getaway car in the first case and a student accused of assault in the second.  His defence lawyers, a terrier-like Tasmin Fowler and calm, calculated Tom Clarke did an excellent job.

Tasmin’s confident summing up speeches to the jury were remarkable considering she had celebrated her 18th birthday the evening before, with many of the other participating members!

James Dunford and Jo Hillier thoughtfully questioned their witnesses asking some difficult questions as prosecuting barristers.  Jo in particular had the defendant’s father squirming in the witness box.

Charlie Taylor carried out her duties as court usher most efficiently and Ed Firman made an excellent court clerk.

Finlay Prescot, Duncan Love and Lucy Caton expertly played the part of witnesses.  Lucy’s portrayal of a junior clerk who had witnessed the robbery was firm and she responded resolutely to some challenging questions. Duncan’s knowledge of and interest in fashion clothing was a revelation.  It was Finlay’s dodgy past, in his role as Jack’s father that resulted in Jack being found guilty. We hope Jack’s sentence won’t be too severe.

Harvey Werb, Megan Vincent-Pearsall, Holly Dascombe, Jenny Baker and Nichola Williams concentrated well in their roles as jury members gaining much from the experience.

The judges commented favourably on the performances of all participants.  Each of the cases was presided over by a practising barrister. They are most professional and provide some excellent feedback on their role, the expectations of the jury and the operation of the legal system and courts.

The team is grateful to Mrs Cropp who spent many hours helping them prepare, understanding the workings of the crown court and instilling some confidence in them whenever they had self doubt. Also a big thank you to Mr John Riley (a district judge from Bridport) who kindly gave his time to help the team prepare and also provided great support attending the event itself.  Also to his wife Christine for bringing some tasty treats so no one got hungry.

News

“The head of sixth form provides excellent management and leadership of his tutor team. He has a very detailed knowledge and understanding of students’ needs and ensures they are met as fully as possible while liaising effectively with curriculum leaders to ensure students achieve their potential.”

OFSTED