The Sixth Form at Pocklington School is a gateway to a broad and diverse range of exciting careers and futures.
In Sixth Form, we offer 28 courses and six complementary enrichment qualifications
Students choose from our extensive range of A levels alongside exciting vocational courses, tailoring their subject package to suit their strengths and goals, whether they are aiming for university, further training or entering the workplace. The benefit of having small class sizes, taught by academic specialists, ensures that learning is engaging and fulfilling at this crucial stage. It facilitates a much more active student-teacher working relationship, where students are encouraged to work collaboratively, seek extra help as necessary, and support class learning with independent research and reading.
Additionally, the curriculum is enriched with talks and presentations from guest speakers, encouraging innovative and cross-curricular thinking. Creativity, problem-solving and effective teamwork are increasingly prized in an ever-changing workplace, and we focus on refining these skills alongside academic excellence.
Typically, students will build a core programme consisting of A level and/or BTEC qualifications and will complement this by choosing an additional qualification from a range of enrichment choices. All subjects are usually taught in mixed ability groups of around 16 or fewer. Initially, pupils are given a free choice from the list of courses offered which are organised into timetabling blocks to support as many choice combinations as possible. Whilst not every combination can be guaranteed, historically, most student preferences are met. Any adjustment to choices is then made within these predefined blocks.
In the Lower Sixth year, most students opt for three A levels or equivalent subjects as their core academic programme. When making choices, it is important to note that the BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport is equivalent to two A levels and therefore occupies two choice slots.
Many of the subjects are assessed entirely by exams at the end of the Upper Sixth year; however, others have exams and/or coursework at various stages throughout the two-year period. Full details of each course are provided in the booklet Sixth Form Curriculum Choices. Academic and pastoral support, along with thorough internal monitoring, takes place on an ongoing basis and, at the end of the Lower Sixth year, rigorous internal exams take place.
Upper Sixth students continue with their three main courses, leading to completion of three full A levels or equivalent qualifications by the end of the year. A small number of students, including those studying further mathematics, may continue with four courses for the full two years.
Our portfolio of enrichment qualifications is designed to enhance students’ skill set, broaden their knowledge and prepare them for future success
Alongside the core programme of study, students will have the opportunity to choose one additional option from a range of enrichment qualifications. There is a wide variety of skills, outcomes and time commitments involved in each of these courses, designed to appeal to everyone and to offer students the chance to personalise their Sixth Form programme. The enrichment qualifications on offer are:
- Extended Project Qualification
- Sports Leaders Qualification
- Core Mathematics
- BTEC Level 1 in Home Cooking Skills
- Life skills from the perspective of psychology and counselling
- An optional fourth A level*
*Students interested in pursuing a fourth A level as their enrichment option are advised to first consult with the subject and house staff due to the significant commitment required. For some subjects, there may be the possibility of achieving an AS qualification, which would be examined at the end of the Lower Sixth year.
