The Sixth Form Experience
What sets our Sixth Form apart is the collaborative work beyond the classroom which allows access to unrivalled resources, opportunities and experiences, complemented by a commitment to preparing every student for life beyond Sixth Form.
Supporting you
Bow Sixth Form students benefit from specialist sixth form tutors, who are trained to provide specific post-16 guidance. They are knowledgeable about university progression, career options and effective working habits to achieve the best results. Classes are small and tutors are able to get to know all the strengths of their tutees. Tutors monitor the performance of their tutees to ensure that each and every student is reaching the targets they are capable of. Where necessary, any progress monitoring is relayed to parents, so that they are fully involved in the development of their son or daughters future.
Beyond the Classroom
It is important for every student to have access to activities that they are interested in beyond the classroom. Through our enrichment programme we offer a range of options for people to start something new or become experts.
Students have the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of clubs, including subject surgeries and workshops, committees, the student newspaper, Bow Jazz, dance, tennis, badminton, football, table tennis, basketball, trampolining and so much more, alongside the Duke of Edinburgh, programme.
Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise Company Programme is a chance for students to set up and run their own business for a year. Students have complete control over their business and its development, whilst being supported through the process by a business advisor.
Three years ago, a Bow Sixth Form student was selected to receive the UK National Journey Award, which he was presented with at an awards ceremony in Central London.
Model UN
Every year, more than 400,000 people from primary schools, secondary schools, universities, and beyond take part in a Model United Nations. By role-playing meetings like the Security Council and General Assembly, participants get a unique insight into how the United Nations works. They research, debate and try to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems - just like the real thing. It’s great fun and gives students the opportunity to meet new people. It also helps to develop and demonstrate key skills like public speaking, teamwork and negotiation, all of which look great on a CV and university application.
“I couldn’t recommend the Model United Nations day highly enough. Not only is it fun, but we really get to test out the skills we have learnt in debate club – we did really well!” Year 12 Student
Leadership Opportunities
Attending Sixth Form as part of a wider secondary school is beneficial to both the post-16 students and their younger peers. We can offer leadership opportunities to our Sixth Formers beyond what they would receive elsewhere.
Our Sixth Form has its own identity because students are working in an adult learning environment, but they still have a vital role to play as role models for younger students. As part of this initiative they take up roles as mentors and leaders; from supporting new Year 7s induction process to providing tips to cope with exam stress to Year 11s, students have access to numerous opportunities to demonstrate their leadership credentials.
“I have been part of a number of initiatives to help support younger students, including leading reading groups with young students and peer mentoring. I think this has helped them, but it has also boosted my confidence. It certainly helped my university application because it showed how I have been working to boost my skills outside of the classroom.” Year 13 Student
Community outreach
Volunteering projects are a great way for our students to get involved in and understand local issues that matter to our neighbours. It’s a great way of meeting new people and helping the community at the same time.
Recent projects that students have been taken part in include:
- Victoria Park: supporting improvements to the community garden
- The Ascension Community Trust: working alongside the trust on various activities such as helping in the community café, gardening and providing lunch for the elderly visitors of the centre.
- Leaders in the Community: help painting their new 10x6ft mural and renovating their communal garden.
extracurricular
The Sixth Form makes use of the Bow School's outstanding facilities, allowing for a range of extracurricular activities. Including dance, drama and performance spaces, a state of the art gym facility and kitchen facilities, enrichment time is built into the Sixth Form curriculum. Students also benefit from House Days where they take part in teamwork activities to build skills such as communication and presentation.
Partnerships
Bow School and Sixth Form work closely with our partners, including Barclays Canary Wharf to support the future employability of our students. This is no exception in the sixth form, where there are internship and work shadowing opportunities for our students, events run to develop confidence, teamwork and leadership skills and support with CVs and covering letters.
Our strong business links mean we are also able to provide unique mentoring opportunities for our Sixth Formers, with all students offered the opportunity to be part of a one-to-one mentoring programme. Mentors support with university applications, careers advice, study strategies or simply lend an ear and listen to the challenges students might face.
World and career ready
As part of your transformational journey we offer the following personal development and growth opportunities; from leadership roles, volunteering and debating to trips and visits to prestigious universities, ensuring you experience not only life within our community but beyond, extending nationally and internationally.
Personal development: boosting resilience, leadership and team building skills you will be encouraged to take part in national and international initiatives including Model Westminster and Model United Nations.
Leadership opportunities: encouraging ambition through sports leaders award, paid lunchtime supervisory roles, paid tuition roles working with Year 11 students and membership of our prestigious student ambassador team.
Preparing for university life: visits, day experiences summer placements, support with the application process to the broadest range of UK universities.
Nurturing body and soul: enhancing your physical and mental wellbeing through a range of clubs including personal development, mindfulness and clubs.
Philanthropy and volunteering: you will be actively involved in community outreach work including volunteering and collaborative partnerships with primary schools and other community and initiatives.
Student voice: connecting, preparing and motivating you to represent yourself and others so that young people’s voices are heard and making a contribution to improving the environment and school life via the school council, inclusion or charity committees, and the student ambassador team. You will also be involved in a coaching and mentoring programme with younger students.
Work experience: in Year 12 you will experience the world of work through networking events and work placements. You will be supported to find tailored placements that fit your aspirations and interests.
Mentoring programme: through our strong partnership links you will be part of our one-to-one mentoring programme with a personal mentor who will support with careers advice, study strategies, university application and so much more.
Support & guidance: specialist Sixth Form tutors are on hand to provide specific post-16 guidance on university progression, career options and studying skills. The trained pastoral team offer outstanding care and support to our students throughout your time with us in the Sixth Form and our PSHCE programme is extensive covering subjects including: feelings and relationships, anti-social behaviour, digital safety, media influence, sexual health, and drug/alcohol awareness.
360° enrichment: our school has amazing facilities including specialist dance, drama and performance spaces, state-of-the-art gym facilities and spacious student common room. Take advantage of the vast range of Sixth Form clubs – from subject surgeries to politics, sports to enrichment experiences and House days.