“Sixth Form is an important step between school and the world of work. It develops both your qualifications and personal skills.” (Harrison, Y13 student)

Helping students to reach their full potential

The Sixth Form team is based within the Sixth Form common room area and are on hand all day to support students. Within Duke’s Sixth Form, we aim to create an environment where learners feel secure, valued and are encouraged to talk in the knowledge that they will be listened to.

In addition to their academic studies, we encourage students to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities; for example work experience, sport, charity fundraising and volunteering abroad. This alongside good qualifications helps our students to make competitive applications for university places and job and apprenticeship vacancies.

We operate a system of support throughout years 12 and 13 to ensure that all students are well equipped for their post 18 destination. For those students who are looking to progress to university, we organise visits to institutions both locally and further afield. We also hold workshops and one-to-one tutorials to complete UCAS applications. For those students looking at apprenticeships or jobs, careers support ranges from 1:1 meetings, assemblies, CV writing tutorials, employability seminars and in-house careers conferences along with a range of external opportunities.

The Duke’s Sixth Form Day

Students arrive at 8.30am and enter the school through the Student Entrance where they head straight to morning registration. 

At 8.55am the Duke’s Sixth Form day begins with lesson 1. After lesson 2, students have a 20 minute break where they can get a hot drink or something to eat and make use of either the Duke’s Sixth Form Study Area or Balcony Common Room. Breaktime is followed by lesson 3 and 4.

At 12.55pm students head to period 5 which includes a 40 minute lunch break. Students can get a hot meal from the dining room, or bring their own packed lunch if they prefer. There is a food preparation area with a kettle, microwave and fridge, as well as a vending machine for use during this time. Duke’s Sixth Form students are able to leave the campus site during lunchtime should they wish.

At 2.25pm students attend tutor time. During tutor time, students meet with their personal tutor where they complete a range of skills based activities such as CV writing, UCAS, apprenticeship and job applications and private study time. During this time students also attend guest speaker assemblies where they are challenged to think about how they can improve and aspire to achieve, along with time for reflection on an important issue or theme for that week.

The final bell sounds at 3.00pm to mark the end of the formal Duke’s Sixth Form day. However, there are many additional subject sessions or opportunities to be involved in sports, performance and creative arts activities outside of the usual day. Students are also welcome to use the study facilities to work independently until 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday.

Follow the links on the right to find our more about life at Duke’s Sixth Form.