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Welcome to Sixth Form

Sixth Form Open Evening - 22nd October 2026.

Our Sixth Form Open Evening for 2027-28 is on Thursday 22nd October 2026.

Visitors will be welcomed at Reception and invited to attend a presentation in the Hall at 6:00pm. Following the presentation, guests will have the opportunity to explore the Sixth Form and speak with staff and students at subject-specific information stands.

Each visitor will receive an information pack containing:

  • Sixth Form entry requirements
  • Sixth Form prospectus
  • Welfare and Personal Development information
  • QR code linking directly to the application form

This will provide students and parents with a comprehensive overview of our academic offer, enrichment opportunities and the wider support available within the Sixth Form.

Please visit our 'applying for a place' page on the website for more information about subjects.

 

We are proud of the journey our sixth form has taken since opening in September 2008. Having been part of the sixth form team since 2012, first as Head of Year 12 and then KS5 Curriculum Coordinator before being appointed as Head of Sixth Form, I have seen how the sixth form has continued to evolve into a quality first provider for our local community. 

Our sixth form promotes our values and ethos through our inclusivity, high expectations and excellent pastoral care. We have high expecations of our students and deliver outstanding lessons, with additional support when required. All students recieve career advice, and one to one UCAS support, plus have access to a rich character programme which aims to develop well rounded individuals ready for their next pathway.

Our Oxbridge and Russell Group mentoring programme (which launched in 2018) has been a great success, and we have placed students at these top universities (2019 -2022). Those who enrol into our sixth form are automatically enrolled onto these programmes if they are eligible, and meet the entry requirements of these institutions. We are proud of the destinations our students move onto, which range from universities, to local apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships. 

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Russell Group Universities

Character and Culture

We are proud to be NOA, and each year over 120 students are enrolled on full time Year 12 and Year 13 courses. Despite the steady increase in student numbers, class sizes are relatively small (15 students on average), and this is central to our commitment to a relentless focus on high quality student learning. We welcome students from neighbouring schools and are delighted to be first choice for students from local providers; this year we welcome 24 external applications for September 2026.

Our students understand the core values within our academy and have high aspirations for themselves. Our sixth form students respect the community, themselves and have ambition to achieve the best results. Through determination, they achieve the results they need for their next pathway.

Our NOA Character Values are:

Confidence, Ambition, Respect and Determination.
 

Confidence

Students develop confidence when they are given opportunities to take risks, lead and reflect on their successes.

How we develop it:

  • Encourage students to contribute to discussions and debates.
  • Provide leadership roles such as head team, teaching assistants, ambassadors and mentors
  • Support public speaking through presentations, assemblies and enrichment activities.
  • Celebrate effort and progress, not just attainment.
  • Offer one to one conversations that help students recognise their strengths.
  • Encourage participation in work experience, competitions and wider enrichment activities.
 

Ambition

Students develop ambition when they are encouraged to aspire beyond their current circumstances and pursue challenging goals.

How we develop it:

  • Set aspirational academic targets and regularly review progress.
  • Expose students to a wide range of university, apprenticeship and career pathways.
  • Invite speakers from industry and higher education.
  • Promote super-curricular learning beyond examination specifications.
  • Support students to apply for competitive programmes, scholarships and leadership opportunities.
  • Share examples of former students who have achieved success.

Respect

Students develop respect by learning to value themselves, others and the community around them.

How we develop it:

  • Establish clear expectations for behaviour, communication and conduct.
  • Foster an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are welcomed.
  • Encourage active listening and constructive disagreement.
  • Promote community service and volunteering.
  • Model respectful relationships between staff and students.
  • Develop cultural awareness through enrichment, PSHE and tutorial programmes.

Determination

Students develop determination when they learn to persevere through challenge and view setbacks as opportunities for growth.

How we develop it:

  • Teach resilience and growth mindset strategies.
  • Set high expectations and provide support to meet them.
  • Encourage reflection following assessments and setbacks.
  • Recognise persistence and commitment alongside achievement.
  • Support students in balancing academic, personal and enrichment commitments.
  • Use coaching approaches that focus on problem-solving and next steps.

Character Tutor Programme and PSHE

 

Personal Development

Sixth form students will have a tailored Personal Development programme which is developed in line with the RSHE requirements. Students will build upon their knowledge from Key Stage 4 and personal development will prepare them for life after sixth form. A range of topics within the themes below will be covered over the 2 years, and this will be a mix of 1 hour PD lessons, assemblies and extended tutor sessions. Throughout the year we will use student voice to improve our provision and offer contextual PSHE based on student needs.

 

Character Tutor Programme

Tutor time is also where the character programme is delivered. The character programme aims to develop students' literacy and oracy skills, preparing them for life after sixth form and forms part of their social, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC).

The programme will cover a range of topics, which are linked to the British Values (Democracy, Tolerance, Liberty,  Rule of Law and Mutal Respect) and tutors will encourage students to discuss and debate current topics and issues in society.

 

  • Monday - Assembly (SMSC)
  • Tuesday - Critical Reading Lab (spiritual, cultural)
  • Wednesday - Diversity and Culture (spiritual, cultural and moral)
  • Thursday - Ethical and moral dilemmas (moral and social)
  • Friday - Character and Careers (spiritual and social)
Through our curriculum, enrichment programme and leadership opportunities, we promote students' Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development. SMSC is embedded in all aspects of Sixth Form life, helping students to become confident, ambitious, respectful and determined young adults who are prepared for higher education, employment and active citizenship.

Oxbridge

We successfully launched our Oxbridge mentoring programme in 2018 which prepares students who meet the criteria for Oxford or Cambridge. In 2018 we secured one interview; in 2019 we secured three interviews and three offers, with all students getting accepted (Veterinary Medicine, Chemistry and English Literature); in 2021 one student secured their place to study History at Oxford and 3 students accepted in 2022.

We are currently working with five applicants for 2025 entry and hope to continue the success of the programme. It is led by the Head of Sixth Form, plus external support from Oxbridge admissions and Surbiton High School. Our students complete interview preparation, admission testing and get one to one support with their personal statement plus join debates and discussions in a group environment.

Those who achieve GCSE results which make them eligible to apply for Oxford or Cambridge University, we will invite to attend our weekly Oxbridge mentoring from Term 3 in Year 12. In this mentoring students will:

  • be introduced to the application process and entry requirements
  • Develop critical reading skills through academic journals 
  • Be supported through interview practice
  • Offered further support relevant for their entry (admission tests and interview prep).

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