Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls Sixth Form Prospectus
Thank you for considering the Sixth Form at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls for the next stage of your education. This is a happy, supportive and successful school community where students, teachers and support staff enjoy working together. The Sixth Form is key to Sutton Girls, we provide students with a high quality, well-rounded education with personalised support as they make decisions about their next steps. Our Sixth Form students are motivated, engaged and contribute significantly to our school community. I am pleased to introduce our Assistant Headteacher: Head of Sixth Form, Mr Swanston to share more about Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls Sixth Form. Headteacher’s Welcome Dr Minards, Headteacher 2
We are incredibly proud of our Sixth Form and the exceptional opportunities it offers every student who becomes part of the Sutton Girls community. Created in partnership with staff and students, this prospectus captures the spirit of our Sixth Form — a vibrant, inclusive, and aspirational environment where academic excellence is underpinned by a commitment to personal growth. Here, individuals are encouraged tobe curious, to embrace challenge, and to strive to be their best self. Care and support are at the heart of all we do. Our exceptional pastoral system ensures that every student feels valued, understood, and empowered to make confident choices about their future. At Sutton Girls, we believe in the power of a growth mindset. Our students are encouraged to see every experience as a chance to learn and thrive. With high-quality teaching across a wide range of subject combinations, personalised guidance, and an outstanding range of extra- and super-curricular opportunities, we nurture ambition, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. We have a strong alumni network that continues to inspire future generations — with former students, now excelling across the UK and beyond in a variety of pathways, sharing their experiences and successes as role models to those who follow. Our students consistently speak of their happiness, and they report feeling well-supported within the Sutton Girls community. Our Sixth Form fosters individuality, encourages high aspirations, and provides an environment that supports each student in reaching their potential. Mr Swanston, Assistant Headteacher, Head of Sixth Form 3
Our commitment to academic excellence is reflected in the outstanding results achieved by our students year after year. Sixth Formers at Sutton Girls benefit from specialist teaching in small groups, providing the tailored, personalised support needed to thrive in their chosen A level subjects. Over the last three years, we have achieved an average of 77% A*-B grades at A level, with over half at A and A* placing us amongst the very top schools nationally. Our academic success is driven by a strong culture of highquality teaching and learning with regular, personalised feedback. We pride ourselves on knowing our students well, and through regular academic reviews we ensure students are fully aware of their progress and receive timely, targeted support from their teachers. This allows positive relationships to be built and interactive dialogue between teachers and students. Parents and carers are regularly informed of progress, fostering a proactive approach to academic challenges rather than reactive. Students benefit from our comprehensive feedback system, guiding them to improve performance and embrace new opportunities. Through structured assessments, continuous feedback, purposeful homework, and guided independent study, we provide a learning environment that encourages self-reliance and nurtures intellectual curiosity. Our varied curriculum goes beyond examination requirements, fostering a growth mindset and cultivating a lifelong love for learning. We empower students with the knowledge, skills, and resilience they need to thrive, both in their academic journeys and in their future pursuits. Exceptional Results 4
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At Sutton Girls, we offer an extensive and flexible range of A level courses, allowing students to study a combination of subjects that suits their interests and future aspirations. With 20 A levels subjects on offer, the opportunity for students to study four subjects, and AS level options available in Further Mathematics, French and Spanish, there are combinations to suit all interests. From sciences and humanities to languages and the creative arts, this flexibility ensures students can explore their own areas of academic curiosity, develop new interests and prepare for a wide range of higher education courses and future careers. In addition to their A levels, many students opt to undertake the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), a Level 3 qualification designed to extend and develop abilities beyond the A level specifications and better prepare students for the demands of higher education. Students are taught research methods and academic referencing alongside developing their project management, extended writing and presentation skills. The EPQ provides a valuable opportunity to conduct independent research on a topic of their choice whilst evidencing independent study skills beyond the standard A level specifications. Recent titles include: • Should we abolish the UK jury system? • Is dark tourism an unethical practice? • To what extent does the portrayal of female characters in Shakespeare’s comedies conform to the patriarchy of the time or challenge it? Beyond the classroom, students can extend their learning through a variety of super-curricular opportunities. From participating in the Science Olympiad, Senior Mathematical Challenge, and Royal Geographic Society Essay competition, to exploring MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) provided by top universities, we ensure our students are equipped to excel in higher education and beyond. Sutton Girls creates a pathway for academic excellence that supports individual ambition and future success. Extensive Range of Courses 7
At Sutton Girls’ Sixth Form, academic excellence is just one part of the experience. Our students thrive in a vibrant, supportive community, with countless opportunities to take on leadership roles, mentor younger students, and engage in extracurricular activities. The Sixth Form’s leadership opportunities are structured through the Senior Student Ambassador Team, elected in Year 12, overseeing school-wide initiatives that align with our school’s Character Strengths: Respect, Positivity and Resilience, Making Good Decisions, Integrity, and Love of Learning. Each leadership team focuses on different aspects of school life. For example, the Respect Team promotes equality and diversity through events including Black History Month and Diversity Week, leading charitable initiatives that raise awareness of helping others. The Positivity and Resilience Team champions mental health and well-being, organising a calendar of well-being events throughout the year, while mentoring younger students. The Making Good Decisions Team runs the Student Forum and Environment Committee, encouraging students to apply decision-making skills to reallife scenarios. There are many opportunities for Sixth Form students to participate in trips and residential visits. Our Physicists visit the Hadron Collider in Switzerland, Linguists and Artists travel to Paris biannually, whilst our Psychologists study criminal behaviour at Shrewsbury Prison. Meanwhile, our Geographers complete fieldwork in Stratford, Bournville, Cannock Chase and Lichfield, as well as having a chance travel to Iceland. Go Beyond Academia 8
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Year 12 students all embark on a residential trip to London, where they are able to visit various museums, attend a musical, and visit Oxford on their return journey. These diverse experiences offer meaningful opportunities for selfdiscovery, encouraging personal and academic growth whilst creating lasting memories. Sixth Form students also lead various clubs and events, including Debating, Law, Engineering, Architecture, Diversity Dialogues, and the Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary Society. They further engage with younger students in both peer and subject-specific mentoring programmes. Outside of super-curricular learning, many students complete their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award in the Sixth Form. This allows them to learn new skills, advance their volunteering and partake in a demanding, four-day residential expedition where they navigate challenging terrains and face unforeseen obstacles. The wide range of opportunities at Sutton Girls nurtures each student’s personal growth and academic development, empowering them to build resilience and adaptability for whichever future path they choose. 10
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Our Sixth Form provides an inspirational and collaborative environment where students can thrive. We provide our Sixth Formers with their own dedicated spaces for study and socialising. There are common rooms for Year 12s and Year 13s providing comfortable, inviting spaces complete with catering facilities which offer students a space to relax and catch up with friends. The Independent Learning Centre (ILC) and the mezzanine library area provide quieter areas for focused study, equipped with IT resources and supported by a full-time Learning Mentor. Our well-maintained site ensures that all students have access to first-class resources for both academic and extracurricular pursuits. This is evident in our well-equipped science laboratories, a dance studio, sports hall, dedicated art and music rooms. Sixth Formers at Sutton Girls are role models within the wider school community, they are our Senior Student Ambassadors who inspire our Year 7-12 Student Leaders in each of the six Character Teams. They provide invaluable support to younger students, mentoring individuals both academically and pastorally. Sutton Girls nurtures leadership through roles such as House Captains, who drive charity initiatives, strengthen house spirit, and inspire participation in school-wide competitions. These opportunities allow Sixth Form students to grow personally while enhancing the sense of community and collaboration that defines our school. Our Sixth Form provides students with an environment to study, collaborate, and socialize in an atmosphere designed to promote both academic and personal growth. Our vibrant and diverse community ensures that all students feel seen, valued and included. An Inspirational Environment 13
At Sutton Girls, we believe in the importance of a supportive and caring community. We provide a comprehensive induction process to ensure all students feel welcomed and supported. The transition from GCSE to A level study is carefully managed through induction days, including transitional skills workshops, teambuilding activities, and practical sessions focused on study techniques, time management, and resilience. In Year 12, all students receive VESPA mentoring as part of their induction process, empowering everyone to develop the habits and behaviours needed to enable academic and personal success. Rooted in five key principles—Vision, Effort, Systems, Practice, and Attitude—VESPA provides a structured framework that goes beyond subject knowledge, helping students take ownership of their learning. Through regular mentoring sessions, students reflect on their goals, identify barriers, andbuild strategies to improve motivation, organisation, and resilience. This personalised support fosters independence and self-awareness, equipping students with the tools to thrive in exams and beyond. VESPA mentoring also strengthens the relationship between staff and students, creating a culture of high expectations and continuous growth. By embedding these principles, we ensure that students are prepared to navigate the challenges of further education and future careers. A Supportive, Caring, and Thriving Community 14
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Our pastoral care system is second to none. Every Sixth Form student is part of a tutor group that meets daily to offer guidance, motivation, and a sense of belonging. The Sixth Form office operates an open-door policy, where students are always welcome to drop in and regularly do so, to share good news and seek advice. This open, honest relationship between students and staff ensures that each student feels supported, both academically and personally. Our Personal Development program promotes wellbeing, develops students’ understanding of the world around them, their own character, how to form positive and healthy relationships with others and prepares them for life beyond school. We offer a range of enrichment activities that promote healthy lifestyles and balanced living. Whether it is learning ab initio Latin, gaining the Sports Leaders qualification, crafting, or engaging in our wellbeing calendar, students are encouraged to prioritize their mental health and build positive habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. In a recent survey, 100% of our students responding said they were “proud to be a member of Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls Sixth Form” and 98% stated they were “happy at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls Sixth Form”. 16
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Our commitment to student success extends far beyond A level results. We provide students with the tools and guidance necessary to achieve their future ambitions, whether it’s progressing to university, securing an apprenticeship, entering the workforce or planning an amazing gap year. We offer a tailored UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) support programme, where students receive guidance in choosing courses, preparing personal statements, and interview practice. We have a dedicated member of staff who specialises in ‘early entry’ applications, for students seeking places at Oxford, Cambridge or for courses in Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science (known as MDV). For MDV and Oxbridge applicants, a designated department member provides expert support as part of a comprehensive early-entry programme. This features practice interviews, two mock Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), as well as guidance and exam practice around to help prepare for admissions texts, including the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), an admissions test used by medical and dental courses. All students also benefit from regular talks by alumni and external speakers from Oxbridge colleges, offering invaluable insights on personal statements and interviews. Additionally, mock interviews with external professionals and preparation for entrance exams ensure our students are fully equipped for success. Our careers program includes one-on-one guidance, access to the Unifrog platform, a careers fair with over 40 providers and a Higher Education evening. We also offer the service of an independent career advisor for individual appointments and weekly drop-in sessions at lunchtimes. Taster days, such as a trip to the University of Nottingham, allow Year 12 students to experience a higher educational environment to understand their potential future pathways. These opportunities prepare our students for independent learning and give them a head start in shaping their academic futures. Any Destination is Possible 19
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Students are encouraged to reflect on wider reading, extra- and super-curricular activities and work experience as part of their application process, helping them build a standout personal statement or CV. Work experience plays a pivotal role in shaping future aspirations, with students encouraged to seek placements in areas of interest. Each student in Year 12 has one week in May to organise a work experience placement, gaining first-hand experience of their desired field. With support in writing letters and CVs, students are prepared for a wide range of placements in industries such as engineering at Jaguar Land Rover, healthcare in local hospitals or the media industry. Through our alumni network and regular guest speakers, students are inspired by the stories of those who have gone before them, demonstrating that career paths are rarely linear. We encourage our students to embrace change, consider a variety of opportunities, and use the support and advice available to them to make informed and confident decisions about their future. 21
In our Sixth Form, the student support network is strong. From your first day, you’ll have access to dedicated staff such as Miss Bailey and Mrs Todd, the two Heads of Year; Ms Hobson, Early Entry University Applications Coordinator; Miss Whittingham, the Sixth Form Administrator, and Mr Swanston, Assistant Headteacher: Head of Sixth Form. Their dedication and experiences in working closely with students ensures a smooth transition into the routines of A level study and sixth form life. Their tailored support of individuals guides choices for future pathways, including university and employment. Meet our Sixth Form team 22
As the Senior Student Ambassador team, we have the immense honour of representing our school community. We are very proud to be able to make a difference for both students and staff within everyday school life. Being a part of the Ambassador team means we can connect with younger student leaders to inspire and ignite their passion for character building. This opportunity has allowed us to build our leadership, communication, and resilience; all of which are invaluable skills for life. It has become second nature to lead not for our own advantage but for the common good. Our team consists of five Ambassadors each representing the one of the school character strengths. The ethos of ‘being your best self’ is the uniting theme, which is the foundation of the work of our five teams. A strong sense of community is embedded in our school culture, meaning that new students are warmly welcomed and seamlessly integrated. Each individual can find their place and are given equal opportunity to make a difference within our school, no matter how long they have been with us. We would encourage everyone to embrace the experiences offered at Sutton Girls and be curious of the array of pathways and opportunities available to you. Students are supported to explore different routes for our futures, and we embody the belief that any destination is possible. From Oxbridge to Veterinary Science, degree apprenticeships to Law, there is guidance available, no matter what you choose. We have loved every moment at Sutton Girls, and we sincerely hope you get to experience it for yourselves. A message from our Senior Student Ambassadors Nikki, Ambika, Georgina, Mary and Libby 23
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls Jockey Road, Sutton Coldfield, B73 5PT t: 0121 354 1479 e: enquiry@suttcold.bham.sch.uk w: www.suttcold.bham.sch.uk
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