Sixth Form Enrichment Programme
Community Service
All Year 12 students are given the opportunity, time and support to undertake community service either within school or out in the community. We believe this is a very worthwhile undertaking as students can:
- Make a difference to the lives of others
- Gain work experience
- Make new friends, meet interesting people
- Develop personal and social skills
- Enhance their CV / personal statement / reference
Students organise their own placements and ‘typical’ placements include working in a care home, primary school or charity shop and supporting pupils in lessons. Students also volunteer to be part of the charity committee. On average students spend one afternoon a week at their placement.
World Challenge
This scheme was suspended during the Covid pandemic but is due to re-start in 2023 with an expedition to Vietnam. All expeditions are now open to Year 11.
At Bishop’s we have a long tradition of running World Challenge expeditions which enable our Sixth Form students to build life skills. The experience fosters an awareness of safety, quality and ethical community engagement whilst promoting courage, kindness and confidence. Expedition destinations have included Nepal, Honduras, Peru, Thailand, Brazil, Namibia, Costa Rica, Swaziland and Malaysia. Our next expedition this summer is to Borneo.
Read about our students who went on the World Challenge Malaysia expedition in 2023 WC Malaysia 2023 student blog
Sixth Form Life Skills
“To help students understand themselves as individuals and their relationships with others, and to understand and participate in society as informed, competent, responsible, caring individuals.”
All Sixth Form students participate in Life Skills sessions which are held on Friday mornings. The lessons prepare students to make the transition from school to higher education, further education, work and the changing roles and responsibilities in the adult world.
Topics are covered using a wide range of methods including case studies, videos, role-play, mock interviews, individual career interviews, visits, debates, outside speakers and workshops.
The activities enable the students to develop a wide range of skills including:
Decision Taking- Information gathering
- Information Assessment & Analysis
- Interview Skills
- Self Reliance
- Study Skills
- Problem Solving
- Organisation Skills
Life Skills Core Themes:
- HEALTH AND WELLBEING
– Self-concept
– Mental health and emotional wellbeing
– Healthy lifestyles
– Managing risk and personal safety
– Sexual health
– Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco - RELATIONSHIPS
– Relationship values
– Forming and maintaining respectful relationships
– Consent
– Contraception and parenthood
– Bullying, abuse and discrimination - LIVING IN THE WIDER WORLD
– Choices and pathways
– Work and career
– Employment rights and responsibilities
– Financial choices
– Media literacy and digital resilience
Young Enterprise
Running throughout Year 12, students make all the decisions about their enterprise, from deciding on the name and product to creating a business plan, managing the student company finances and selling to the public at trade fairs.
All this takes place with the support of a volunteer Business Adviser who brings a wealth of business knowledge and expertise. A range of resources are provided to help manage the company. Teams track their progress using self-assessment tools and even compete against other schools in local, regional and national competitions.
Some of our Young Enterprise participants’ achievements: Young Enterprise Team Ecofuse wins Best Customer Service Award
Leadership Roles
Sixth Form students play a vital role in the wider life of the school.
They act as role models for younger pupils and, through taking on leadership roles, become better prepared for adult life. They contribute in a variety of ways:
- Charity Events
- Young Enterprise
- School Council
- Prefects and House Captains
- Supporting younger pupils in lessons and enrichment activities
Volunteering
Sixth Form students are encouraged to participate in Voluntary Community Service which helps the students through:
- Making a difference to the lives of others
- Gaining work experience
- Making new friends
- Meeting interesting people
- Developing personal and social skills
- Enhancing cv /personal statement /reference
Work Experience
All students are advised to spend at least a week on Work Experience or Work Shadowing.
For example, shadowing Grant Shapps at the Houses of Parliament, working at the Royal Free Hospital or Deloitte. To facilitate this we have an Extended Learning Week at the end of each Summer Term.
