Student Life - 6th Form

Life as a Sixth Form student at Ursuline College offers a unique and engaging experience that blends academic rigor with personal growth and responsibility. 

Here’s a snapshot of what a typical day in the life of a Sixth Form student looks like. Students arrive at school at 8:45 am and have a short form period until 9:15 am. Lessons are divided into three periods: 

*The school day timings are subject to change and will be reviewed in Summer 2024 ahead of the new academic year.

Academic Load

Each student typically studies three subjects, with some highly capable students permitted to take four subjects. Students attend six lessons per subject over a two-week period in Y12 and five lessons per subject in Y13. There is an emphasis on self-study and utilizing the newly refurbished Sixth Form Centre with modern ICT facilities. 

To support pupils in their studies we use the Edulink One app in the 6th form to make sure pupils are up to date with developments in their school.

• Edulink Support Page

Enrichment Activities

In addition to academic studies, students engage in one period of “Serviam” every two weeks, where they dedicate their time to volunteer and serve the community. Another period is devoted to Personal, Social, Health Education. Students also complete one hour of General Religious Education (RE) every week. 

Flexibility and Responsibility 

Students who demonstrate good attendance, punctuality, and a positive attitude towards learning are rewarded with five hours of home study, which they can schedule on their timetables. Most students choose to use this study time during Period 1 or Period 3, allowing them to either start later or leave earlier, depending on their individual schedules.

Sixth Form students are expected to serve as role models for younger students, setting a positive example for behaviour, responsibility, and academic dedication in school.

During the late lunch break, students are permitted to leave the school site to purchase food from local shops, reinforcing their growing independence and responsibility. 

At Ursuline College, our Sixth Form students not only receive an excellent education but also have the opportunity to develop as responsible, well-rounded individuals who make meaningful contributions to both their local community and their personal growth. This comprehensive approach to education prepares them for a bright and promising future.

Dress Code

Joining the Ursuline Sixth Form is an important step in your development as a young adult. As part of this, we expect all students to demonstrate self-respect, professionalism, and responsibility for their appearance. Our dress code reflects the fact that Sixth Form is both a place of learning and preparation for the world of work.

By signing this document, you agree to uphold the dress code and take responsibility for presenting yourself in a way that is appropriate to our school community.

Why Our Dress Code Matters

We want our Sixth Form to reflect the high standards, maturity, and aspirations of our students. The way we dress sets the tone for learning, helps create a respectful environment, and prepares you for future professional settings.

Support and Guidance

We recognise that sometimes students may need additional support. If you experience financial difficulty in purchasing appropriate attire, please speak confidentially with Mr Joyce, Mrs Hall, Mrs Crompton or Mrs Cochrane. Our Sixth Form Bursary may be able to help. We also keep a supply of smart clothing (black trousers, skirts, and white shirts) which can be borrowed if needed.

Responsibility for Appearance

Students are trusted to take responsibility for following the dress code each day. If attire is not appropriate for the school environment, you may be asked to change. This could mean returning home briefly, arranging for a parent/carer to bring suitable clothing, or using our supply of clothing in school.

In rare cases of repeated or serious disregard for the code, a student may be required to spend time out of circulation in the Sixth Form Centre and a meeting with parents/carers may be arranged with Mr Joyce or Mrs Cochrane to consider next steps.

Lanyards

On enrolment, every student is issued with a school lanyard. This must be worn at all times on site. Your lanyard is essential for safeguarding, and it also enables you to access, sign in and out of the buildings.

There is a £10 fee for the issue of a replacement lanyard and ID card, which contributes towards the cost of replacing these items.

Ursuline College Sixth Form Dress Code

 • Trousers are acceptable. Jeans may be worn, provided they are not excessively ripped or ripped in inappropriate places.

• Tracksuit bottoms should only be worn for practical sport lessons, and students must change immediately before and after these lessons.

• Skirts, shorts, and dresses must be of an appropriate length (not above mid-thigh). Tracksuit style shorts are not appropriate.

• Tops should be suitable for a school environment. See-through, cropped, backless, strappy (‘shoestring’) or strapless tops and dresses are not appropriate.

• Jackets, jumpers, cardigans, and hooded sweatshirts may be worn.

• Clothing with offensive wording or logos is not permitted.

• Hats and outwear (coats) should not be worn during lessons or study time.

• Shoes and trainers should be clean and appropriate for a professional environment. Sliders, flip-flops and similar casual footwear are not suitable for school.

• Footwear must be suitable when taking part in sport or working in science labs.

• Jewellery should be discreet and suitable for a working environment. A small nose stud is permitted, but no other facial piercings are allowed.

• Hairstyles and hair colours should be appropriate for a professional setting. Extreme styles that distract from learning are not suitable.

• Make-up and nail polish may be worn but should be discreet and suitable for a working environment.

• This list is not exhaustive. If a member of the Sixth Form Team or SLT feels clothing is inappropriate for a place of education, you may be asked to change.

Fridays

On Fridays, all students are expected to wear smart business dress. This should include a suit with trousers or skirt and a jacket, worn with a blouse or shirt.

Formal Occasions

At certain events—such as open evenings or occasions where students represent the school—students will be required to wear smart business dress. This means a suit comprising trousers/skirt and jacket, with blouse or shirt.

• Dress Code Summary Poster

Serviam

Serviam is an integral part of the Ursuline Sixth Form curriculum.

At Ursuline College Sixth Form, we are proud to offer a unique and enriching volunteering program, in alignment with our Ursuline School ethos, that embodies the spirit of “Serviam” – I will serve. We believe in the transformative power of service and the importance of giving back to our community. As part of this commitment, every student at our school actively participates in our Serviam volunteering program, dedicating a minimum of one hour every two weeks to serve in various capacities, both on and off site. 

Our students have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of service activities, all aimed at making a positive impact in the lives of others. These volunteer opportunities include: 

Supporting Students

Our students offer peer support, acting as mentors and friends to fellow students who may need a helping hand in their academic, social, or personal development.

Assisting Teachers

Our students collaborate with our dedicated educators to enhance the learning experience in the classroom. They may act as teaching assistants, providing valuable assistance to teachers and contributing to a dynamic and inclusive educational environment.

Developing Literacy

We believe in the power of literacy, and our students actively engage in literacy development programs, helping younger students improve their reading and writing skills.

Leading Activities

Our students take the initiative to lead and organize various extracurricular activities, promoting social and personal growth among their peers.

Mentoring

Through our mentoring program, students have the opportunity to guide and inspire others, fostering a sense of community and personal growth.

Sports and Physical Activities

Our students lead sports drills and activities, encouraging physical fitness and teamwork.

By actively participating in Serviam, our students not only develop a strong sense of empathy, responsibility, and social consciousness, but they also gain invaluable life skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork. This program instils in them a sense of purpose and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world. 

At Ursuline College Sixth Form, we are dedicated to nurturing well-rounded, compassionate, and responsible individuals who understand the importance of giving back to their community. Our Serviam volunteering program is just one of the ways we achieve this goal, making a positive impact on our students and the world around them. We invite you to join our educational community, where the spirit of “Serviam” thrives, creating a brighter future for all. 

Student Conduct

As a student at the Ursuline College Sixth Form, we expect students to abide by the Code of Behaviour and school aims by:

•  Supporting the Catholic/Christian traditions, ethos and policies of the school.
• Building relationships of mutual respect with staff.
• Behaving well at all times, including outside of school, and accepting the student sanctions outlined in the Behaviour Policy.
• Having their mobile phone switched off and kept in their bags during the school day, other than when in the Study Centre. During study times, students should only use their mobile phone to support their studies.
• Bringing the correct equipment and support material to all lessons.
• Completing all work, including home study, to the best of their ability and meeting deadlines, or seeing their subject teachers in advance if there is a problem.
• Check the school online learning platforms daily for any emails, notices or homework.
• Adhering to the Sixth Form Dress Code, paying particular attention to the acceptable standards of dress.
• Wear their school lanyard at all times and use their student ID card to register in and sign out of school each day.
• Jewellery and nails should be discreet and abide by the rules laid out by staff on induction day.
• Set an example to all lower school students and get involved with school activities.
• Ensure they do not undertake paid work or driving lessons/ tests during school hours and that paid work outside of school hours does not adversely affect academic studies.
• Take personal responsibility to ensure they are productive during study periods and home studying.
• Ensure they remain on school site during the school day, except for when home study periods are granted or during lunch time.
• Maintain attendance above 95% and attend meetings with parents regarding this when requested.
• Attend any compulsory period 6 lessons for resit students. These will form part of a students attendance report.

St Angela's Sixth Form Center

At Ursuline College, we recognise the importance of providing our Sixth Form students with a dedicated and tailored environment to support their unique needs. 

Within our school, we have established the St. Angela’s Sixth Form Centre, a space exclusively designed for our older students. This building offers a quiet study room equipped with modern ICT facilities, a group study room for collaborative learning, a common room for relaxation and social interaction, a well-equipped kitchen, and a tranquil back garden with a covered area. Having this dedicated space is immensely beneficial to our Sixth Form students as it offers a sense of independence and responsibility, fostering a mature and focused learning environment. It allows them to concentrate on their studies, collaborate with peers, and engage in personal growth while enjoying a comfortable and supportive setting that caters to their unique needs as young adults. This space empowers our students to excel academically, develop essential life skills, and establish a strong sense of community within the Sixth Form. Importantly, there is always a member of the Sixth Form team timetabled to be in the building which means students have constant access to pastoral care and support when needed.