Our Academic Enrichment programme continues to grow in the Sixth Form where we expect the students to lead by example and take control of their own learning.
Our enrichment programme offers students the opportunity to attend a 30-minute university-style lecture every week. This initiative aims to foster a love of learning outside the traditional classroom environment. The lectures are enormously popular and we usually have between 50-100 pupils attend each week.
The lectures are led by staff and Sixth Form students and the topics covered are designed to challenge and inspire students. The programme encourages our Sixth Form students to take a leadership role in the school community and learn the valuable life skill of presenting complex ideas to a large audience.
At the heart of this programme is choice. Students choose to attend those lectures which appeal most to them. For those who do not want to attend a lecture, we run a series of enrichment sessions designed to encourage debate and extend the students’ knowledge of current affairs and contentious modern issues such as AI and censorship.
All students in the Sixth Form are expected to develop and update an academic reading or listening portfolio in the subject(s) they are interested in studying at university, encouraging them to be more independent and preparing them for the academic reading required of them at university.
Academic scholarship holders are expected to take part in a wealth of super-curricular activities. They are given opportunities to attend the Gresham Society lectures and IMAG (Guildford 11-19 Partnership) events and to join the Oxplore Book Club.
All Sixth Form scholars are expected to give a full 30-minute enrichment lecture to the rest of the school. Year 12 and 13 scholars receive bespoke training in presentation skills and how to create and present a longer form piece of academic research. This is mandatory for scholars but all Sixth Form students are welcome to take part.
Subject mentors and scholars run a subject specific mentoring session for the lower school in their strongest subject. This ‘twilight’ session is entirely student led and encourages our Sixth Form students to engage with the lower school, offering expert help and advice.