Richard Challoner School

Sixth Form Study Programmes

  • All our Study Programmes are full time (unless in exceptional circumstances – eg where there is a serious medical issue) and combine study towards Level 3 qualifications (and Level 2 in English and Maths where a student has not yet achieved a Grade 4) with other enrichment activities. Each programme is tailored to each student’s prior attainment and career goals.
  • Every student is on a study programme with a core aim – usually academic.
  • All study programmes include non-qualification activities that support the student to progress to further or higher education, apprenticeships, school leaver programmes or to employment.
  • We encourage the development of soft skills by means of a range of activities, including compulsory Games/ Enrichment/ Community Service on a Wednesday afternoon, involvement in the Xavier Centre, Learning Support homework club, School Parliament, Games clubs, Sports teams, Young Reporter Scheme, Debates, Choir, Orchestra, Literacy/ numeracy mentoring to younger students, Charities Committee, House events etc.
  • Year 12 are encouraged to engage in Work Experience. They are emailed information regarding local opportunities that arise. We also run a Community Service option as part of our enrichment programme, as well as encouraging a range of fund-raising activities.
  • We run a varied PSHE programme that is designed to support students in terms of looking after themselves mentally and physically (eg. sessions on mental health, driving safety, drugs and alcohol, cooking, ironing, finance), and in broadening their horizons in terms of bringing in outside speakers to speak on current affairs or careers.
  • Our non-qualification programme includes compulsory General RE lessons that include modules on Listening skills, Religion and Sociology, Relationships, Introduction to Islam, Exploring questions about life after death, Exploring moral issues through film, Introduction to Ethical Theory, Different religious perspectives on moral issues, and Service of Others, all of which contribute to supporting our students into developing as responsible citizens and members of British society.
  • We offer enrichment opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and True Adventure to develop a range of skills in our students.
  • We organise a carefully-planned Future Pathways programme starting early in Year 12 that introduces students to the range of post-18 options available, and encourages them in developing both their soft skills and their intellectual curiosity by means of building their super-curriculum. Students are frequently emailed with a range of opportunities in terms of taster days, lectures, courses, or other events. The Future Pathways programme also includes an evening for parents on Future Pathways, including UCAS, in the Summer term of Year 12.
  • All students in Year 12 are helped to produce a CV that then forms the basis of a one-to-one interview with a member of the Rotary Club.
  • We run an Ambassadors’ afternoon each year for Year 12 students to give them exposure to local employers and past students.