Life as a Willink Sixth Former

Our Sixth Form is designed to give students structure, independence, and the skills they need for success in the future. Below you’ll find an overview of what life looks like for a typical Willink Sixth Form student.

Structure of the Day

The Willink Sixth Form operates every weekday during term time, with the school day beginning at 8:40am and finishing at 3:05pm. The day is divided into six 50-minute periods, with a 20-minute morning break at 10:40am and a 40-minute lunch break at 12:40pm.

Sixth Form students do not have lessons every period; instead, they also have dedicated time for independent study and enrichment activities, enabling them to develop both academic independence and broader personal skills.

Tutor Time (8:40-9am)

Tutor time is a compulsory part of the school day and offers an important start to learning. Sixth Form students engage in:

A programme of activities designed to support and develop young adults.
Attend assemblies, including visits from external speakers.
Individual tutor meetings, scheduled weekly on a rotating basis to discuss personal development.
Guidance from expert tutors, who are experienced teachers dedicated to supporting students both academically and pastorally.

Lessons and Academic Programme

Sixth Form students typically study three or four subjects, allowing them to focus on areas of interest while preparing for future academic or career pathways.

Each subject includes:

Ten taught periods per subject, delivered by highly experienced subject specialists, ensuring in-depth knowledge and expert guidance.
An "Eleventh Lesson" - this is a structured independent study session in which students consolidate learning, complete tasks, and receive support from a supervising teacher.

Our academic programme is designed to provide personalised support and challenge. Students benefit from small-group teaching, which promotes discussion, critical thinking, and deeper engagement with the subject. Alongside this, tailored academic coaching helps each student unlock their individual potential and achieve the highest possible outcomes.

This combination of expert instruction, independent study, and personalised guidance ensures that students develop not only strong subject knowledge, but also the skills, confidence, and self-discipline necessary to thrive in further education or the workplace.

Silent Study (Contact Time Study)

Structured study helps build discipline and independence. Therefore, our Sixth Form students undertake three timetabled silent study sessions per week, with attendance recorded to ensure accountability.

Flexible Study (Non-Contact Time Study)

Independent learning is a key part of Sixth Form life. Flexible study periods are built into student timetables, allowing students to choose the environment in which they work best.

Options include:

Designated Sixth Form study areas, such as silent study rooms, quiet spaces, or the common room
Home study, subject to timetable requirements and ERA point eligibility

Flexible study is available to all Year 13 students, and Year 12 students can access this provision from November in their first term, provided their attitude to learning meets the eligibility criteria.

This approach encourages self-discipline, time management, and personal responsibility, helping students develop the skills needed for success in further education and beyond.

Key Skills Development

We equip students with skills for both academic success and life beyond school. Our Key Skills Development Programme is a part of this and includes:

Year 12s: Every Friday (Period 1), students work with their tutor to cover a variety of PSHE type topics, digital skills, and essential life skills
Year 13s: Fortnightly (Wednesday, Period 1), students follow a “Futures” programme, covering practical topics such as budgeting and financial management.

Enrichment: Beyond the Classroom

Academic success is just one part of the Sixth Form journey. As students prepare for greater independence, we encourage them to step beyond their comfort zones and develop the broader skills that universities and employers value most: resilience, initiative, and adaptability.

Our Enrichment Programme is designed to support this growth. Opportunities include:

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): Many students undertake an EPQ, a self-directed research project that cultivates advanced skills in planning, critical thinking, and academic writing. Recognised by universities as an alternative qualification, EPQs can lead to offers with reduced entry requirements and provide a compelling edge in competitive applications.
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses): Students can explore university-level content, deepen subject knowledge, and demonstrate initiative through MOOCs. These experiences enhance applications to top universities, competitive apprenticeships, or future employment.
Work Experience: In Year 12, students can gain real-world experience through work-based placements, developing practical skills, workplace insight, and a strong foundation for future careers.
Volunteering and Leadership: Students can engage in activities such as volunteering in local schools or communities, leading clubs and societies, organising events and supporting peers through mentoring or tutoring.

Specific 'Enrichment sessions' take place fortnightly (Week B, Wednesday, Periods 5 & 6) and allow students to pursue interests beyond the classroom. Alongside EPQs and MOOCs we also have a menu of activities that our Sixth Form students can get involved in. These include (but are not limited to):

Mandarin lessons
Physical Education activities
Wellbeing walks
Working as a Learning Support Advisor (LSA) in our lower school
Working with students at Brookfields, a local specialist SEN School
Reading support at a local primary school

Social Time in Sixth Form

Our Sixth Form is about more than just study – it’s about community! At The Willink Sixth Form, there are plenty of opportunities for social and leadership development:

Student committees: Communications, Fundraising, Competitions, Environment
Tea & Toast: Fortnightly social gathering in S4
Events: Sixth Form Ball, ice-breaker social events, charity dress-up days, and coffee mornings to name but a few.

Sixth Form Support

We provide comprehensive pastoral and academic support for all of our Sixth Form students:

Tutor or subject teacher: This is a student's first point of contact for guidance and support.
Pastoral team:
- Mrs Clark – Pastoral Officer, ad hoc support for a wide range of issues.
- Mrs Downey – Pastoral Mentor, scheduled appointments (e.g. organisation, wellbeing).
Futures & UCAS Support: A member of staff solely dedicated to providing our Sixth Form students with guidance for university applications, apprenticeships, and entering the workforce.
Careers Advisor: This is an independent expert who meets every student at least once during KS5, appointments available weekly.
Administration: Miss Eggleton – here to help with all Sixth Form administration.

Sixth Form Dress Code

We recognise that Sixth Form students areseen as role models to younger students in school and as such, have a responsibility to model behaviour and expectation. Although we want Sixth Form students to feel comfortable and to be able to express a degree of individuality during the school day, we also want to promote a professional working environment, as well as a positiveimageto the wider school community and beyond. For full guidance on expectations, please see the Sixth Form Code of Conduct and Dress Code policy.

Last updated: October 2025