Welcome from Mr Andy Poole
We welcome new entrants at Sixth Form who quickly and naturally assimilate into whole School life. Whether students move from our Year 11, or enter as new Sixth Formers, they are part of a community that has a strong academic tradition and a commitment to co-curricular interests.
The two years of Sixth Form are when important decisions about Higher Education and careers need to be made, and one of our fundamental aims is to help students decide what they want to do after A Levels and then work with them to secure the necessary qualifications and experience needed for their chosen objective.
We believe that the Sixth Form is a place to foster an independent approach to studies and encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning under the guidance of a dedicated pastoral tutor team working with academic staff. The best way to find out about how we achieve these goals is to come and visit us and experience a taster day.
Every parent wants their children to have the best start in life and to have the skills and experiences that will lead them to success at A Level, university and exciting careers.
Our inspirational teaching, superb educational facilities, and purposeful learning encourage real academic achievement for pupils at our School. The rich and challenging curriculum extends throughout the School and ensures a fun but focused education.
Academic progression during the Sixth Form is absolutely key and we are always excited by the challenge of helping our Sixth Formers to achieve their full potential.
Sixth Form only subjects such as Psychology, Philosophy, Economics, Business Studies and BTEC Sport, offer a broad and inclusive curriculum tailored to the needs of our students.
Co-curricular
Sixth Form students at Newcastle-under-Lyme School can manage their co-curricular programme to fit their own interests, to develop their leadership skills and to complement their academic studies.
By the end of the Sixth Form, they will have an academic and co-curricular profile to be proud of, and one which will stand out and showcase their skills and aptitudes to employers and universities.
Support for Learning
We recognise that young people have different needs at different times and our teachers collaborate to address these needs and provide for them.
At NULS we have dedicated Support for Learning staff throughout the Senior School and Sixth Form. They have responsibility for monitoring the progress of students with SEND and to maintain communication with parents and teachers. Some students have complex needs and it is likely that in addition to the School’s Pastoral response, the Support for Learning Coordinator will have a close working relationship with parents and external organisations where relevant.
The Senior School Support for Learning department is led by Mrs Walker. A Learning Support Assistant (LSA) can go into lessons to support pupils in the classroom or alternatively can work one to one with a pupil on a particular skill or subject area. The LSA also provides individual support with pupils who struggle with their organisation and gives support for revision, note taking and summarising strategies at appropriate points.
Pre-university programmes
We place a huge value on the preparation we give our pupils for their future careers and we know that many of our students are committed to careers in Law and in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Studies.
So, we have created specialist societies which support these pupils through from Year 10 to the point of their application and during interview and examination preparation.
We have a long history of sending Lawyers, Medics, Dentists and Vets to university and with a comprehensive programme of LNAT, UCAT and BMAT preparations, interview preparations, and ongoing lectures by visiting professionals and a mentoring programmes for pupils during their time in school.
We hope that this support gives the pupils the confidence they need to excel in these challenging disciplines.