OVERVIEW
The Lower Sixth is the first year of the two-year linear A-Level course and promotes the development of critical skills such as reasoning, research, and independent thought. It accommodates students who have successfully completed their GCSE studies and wish to learn specific subjects in greater detail. Students studying the course will cover the foundations required from previous years along with the Lower Sixth syllabus and examination preparation.
In most cases, students will study three complementary subjects that they will continue to pursue in Upper Sixth. More able students may choose to study a fourth subject, in which they will take a standalone AS Level qualification at the end of the Lower Sixth year. Students will undertake independent study sessions each week to ensure that they are carrying out sufficient independent learning in accordance with their academic targets and work set.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Personal development is an integral part of the course. Students will learn about a myriad of topics including, but not limited to, healthy living, managing finances and stress management. Also, through the Thinking into Character (TiC) programme, students are encouraged to change their mind set to overcome barriers and reach success. Additionally, the college will introduce students to the subject of careers to help them identify their future goals and more importantly, a path to reach them.
SUBJECTS
Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology
Other subjects available on consultation: Sociology, History, English Literature, Further Mathematics, Government and Politics. ICT provision and social, moral, spiritual and cultural topics will be built into subject syllabi.
ASSESSMENTS
Students undertake a number of assessments during the academic year:
Base Line Tests – Base Line tests are designed to identify if a student has secured the foundations required to excel via the learning of new concepts within the syllabus. This test is done at the start of the academic year so teachers can identify any concerns early. They devise an action plan, often using differentiated learning techniques to help students catch up to the basics required for the course.
Progress Test and Mock Exams – The students will participate in some of these tests and exams which are strategically placed considering the academic year timeline. They will help teachers understand how much of the content taught during lessons was secured by each student, the amount of progress made since their last assessment and the general potential of an individual. The marking of each assessment leads to detailed feedback which will help the students change both, academically and personally. These assessments also help teachers use appropriate techniques to help students overcome particular difficulties.
Challenges – The students will be encouraged to challenge themselves further by taking part in external tests such as the UKMT or British Olympiad. A certificate in these tests will help the students when undertaking their next steps after their final examinations.
Summer Exams – The Lower Sixth students will sit an internal End of Year Examination. Find out more
Parents or guardians are kept updated with student progress via written reports, parents’ evenings, and when required, meetings with the Director of Studies and teachers. Find out more
UCAS AND PROGRESSION WITHIN REGENT
Students may progress to the Upper Sixth course which is the second year of the two-year A-Level course. Upper Sixth culminates with a series of public examinations. Students are introduced to the UCAS cycle at the end of the Lower Sixth year. In the autumn term of the Upper Sixth year, students are allocated a UCAS advisor and attend sessions to help prepare their applications for university. Students are further supported through the interview process and offered guidance when making their final choices. Find out more