Pastoral Care
Life in Sixth Form is so much more than simply A-levels
We don’t underestimate the challenges that you may face in Sixth Form with an increased workload, and the changing expectations as you move into young adulthood. A dedicated and experienced team will support you during your Sixth Form journey so you won’t just survive but will thrive. Our key aim is to ensure your wellbeing and help you navigate the pathway of Years 12, 13 and beyond with confidence and happiness.
New students make up around a quarter to a third of the Sixth Form, joining us from many different schools across the independent and state sectors. Your happy integration is very important to us. One of your first experiences as a Colfe’s Sixth Former will be our Year 12 Adventure Day. Designed to break the ice and let you get to know each other, this away day with your fellow Year 12 students is packed with outdoor activities to launch you into the Sixth Form with a splash.
Real-world support
Your form tutor will be your daily point of contact; as well as keeping an eye on your attendance and punctuality, they also monitor your wellbeing and will be your first port of call for any concerns you might have. They might be the first person to notice that “I’m fine” actually means “I need help”. You will have a personal tutor too, who is central in supporting you with tracking academic attainment and progress week by week.
Sixth Form is also a time to delve into wider issues within society, a time when students explore the world increasingly independently – and a time when real-world challenges require real-world resilience. Our unique weekly Forum series for Year 12 students provides talks from external speakers on real-world issues, inspiring and encouraging discussion and mutual support. Topics are broad but revolve around a core theme of resilience or personal challenge, and include anything from war photography and wildlife conservation to social justice and battling addiction.
For specific health and wellbeing concerns, we provide a full-time school nurse, a GP who is here once a week, and a registered, accredited school counsellor four days a week.
Physical activity and sport is vital to maintaining a healthy and happy body and mind, as well as fostering teamwork and cooperation. Weekly Games lessons are a compulsory part of the curriculum for Sixth Formers, who can choose from a vast range of activities from yoga and dance to athletics, badminton, basketball and rowing.
Years 12 and 13 are an important time for personal development, growth and independence. We offer many opportunities to discover where your strengths lie: leadership courses, community and volunteering projects, prefect responsibilities and mentoring younger pupils are just some of the experiences you can explore during your time here.
And at the end of your journey with us, you can celebrate your hard work and let your hair down at the Sixth Form Ball. This event is a highlight in the calendar for students, and a chance for us to say farewell to the wonderful young people about to embark on the next exciting chapter of their lives.
