Sixth Form Curriculum
The Ripley St Thomas Sixth Form offers a wide range of courses – currently 23 A Level and 2 Level 3 BTEC courses, Core Mathematics and the Extended Project (EPQ).
Students normally take 3 courses. It is possible to take Further Mathematics or Music as a 4th A Level subject dependent on the student’s GCSE profile. Core Mathematics is an additional course and can only be taken as a 4th subject. The BTEC courses are Level 3 Extended Certificate courses which are equivalent to 1 A Level and are taken alongside A Levels. Those students who have not yet achieved a GCSE grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics are required to take this course as part of their study programme.
As part of a Church of England Academy, all Sixth Form students participate in our CORE programme. Constructed and planned by A Level Religious Studies staff, CORE is a fascinating 2-year course which allows pupils to flourish as curious minds and gain insights into the views of others, both inside and outside of the classroom, whilst making links across multiple curriculum areas and disciplines.
The 2-year course is divided into 6 interlinked modules, delivered twice a week through interactive and engaging lectures taught by an RS specialist, and followed up in lively seminars with Sixth Form tutors.
Further information can be found in the Courses section of the website.
Sixth form students have a twice weekly year group assembly and fortnightly chapel worship. Each student is assigned a Personal Tutor whom they meet with in timetabled tutorial sessions three times per fortnight. Tutorials cover content such as career and next steps planning and guidance, academic and personal development, study skills, and PSHE material including mental health and wellbeing. Students also have one-to-one mentoring meetings with their tutor where they are encouraged to reflect on their own learning and create action plans to support their progress.
In addition, there are 3 stand-alone PSHE days throughout the academic year. Each of these incorporates content connected to next steps planning and impartial careers and Higher Education advice and guidance, alongside talks and workshops which develop and broaden skills and understanding of a range of age-appropriate personal, social and health-related topic areas.
The sixth form enrichment programme is diverse and dynamic, and is reviewed and added to regularly. All students sign up to at least one activity, but many complete several over the course of the year. Some activities, such as our Careers Academies, are long-term, whereas others, such as our Law enrichment and Introduction to Mandarin course, are short term options which can be completed over the course of a half term. Students are encouraged to undertake work experience or volunteer placements during their enrichment time.