Sixth Form Life

Years 12-13

Discover Sixth Form life at The Belvedere Academy: independence, enrichment, mentoring and real academic ambition.

Life in Sixth Form

Life in The Belvedere Academy Sixth Form is fast paced, hard work yet immensely rewarding. You will find that you are given a new level of responsibility, which starts as soon as you apply for the Sixth Form and grows once you enter it.

We like to offer our Sixth Formers more independence and encourage our students to be independent learners and to make sure that they, along with guidance and support from their teachers and form tutors, take responsibility for their own learning. We provide a personalised curriculum for our students and there are different paths that can be taken through Sixth Form. Whichever path a student takes whether it be the traditional three A Levels or another route, we have the same high expectations of each student and work hard to support her in achieving her potential.

"When I started Belvedere Sixth Form I was instantly met with great support and kindness from my teachers and peers which made the adjustment to Sixth Form life a lot easier."

Gemma, Y13

"you can't walk down a corridor without saying hi to someone or seeing a smiling face, it's more like a tightknit family than a sixth form!"

Hope, Y13

"It is only when I have spoken about my experiences at this school with students from other schools, that I have realised just how special Belvedere is."

Charlotte, Y13

Enrichment, Community and Ambition

Beyond strong academic results, our Enrichment programme is second to none, ranging from Duke of Edinburgh and learning Chinese to yoga, with academic enrichments running at lunch and after school too. Some Sixth Formers even run their own clubs for younger students.

We particularly value the role our Sixth Formers play as mentors and role models. Many girls who apply for Senior Student Leadership cite the inspiration they drew from Sixth Formers when they were in Year 7.

Ours is a happy Sixth Form where success is celebrated, expectations are high, and students are encouraged to be the best versions of themselves.

Sixth Form Trips

We provide a range of trips to our Sixth Form students. Here are just a few of the many opportunities our students take advantage of.

New York, USA – Creative Arts and Media Trip
Iceland – Geography Trip
BRNC Dartmouth Residential – staying on HMS Hindustan and completing a variety of workshops – Combined Cadet Force
GDST Future Leaders Conference
Psychology Taster Day – LJMU – Psychology Trip
Edinburgh Fringe Festival – Drama Sixth Form Trip
Othello Workshop – Shakespeare Birthplace Centre, Stratford Upon Avon – English Literature Trip
MFL HOME Visit – Manchester Metropolitan University – MFL Trip
Rock and River – outdoor and adventurous activities and teambuilding – BTEC sport Trip
GDST Sports Rally – Various locations across the UK
Cadbury’s world – Business and Economics Trip

Monitoring, tracking, assessment and mentoring

Academic progress is monitored rigorously by the Head of Sixth Form, Assistant Heads of Sixth Form, Form Tutors and Subject Leaders. At the beginning of term, all students will be given individual target grades, against which all work will be assessed. Subject Leaders closely supervise the academic progress of students using target grades and the academy tracking system. Students who are underachieving are identified by the academy tracking data and by Subject Leaders. Targeted students are then monitored closely by the Sixth Form Team as part of the Sixth Form Support Plan. Parents will be informed accordingly and invited to discuss their child’s progress with members of the Sixth Form Team.

Any students who are struggling to cope with the academic demands of A Level and/or BTECs, will be allocated a mentor to meet their specific, individual needs.
The Be:Life Ready Personal Development Programme gives you the skills and knowledge to thrive and succeed beyond school. It is a key focus for us during your Sixth Form years. We want to leave as a well rounded young adult with flexible intellectual skills that will allow you to adapt to a rapidly changing world. Our ‘Be:Life Ready programme’ runs throughout Years 12 and 13 and forms an important part of the curriculum. You will learn about a variety of topics from:
- Health
- Relationships and Sexual Health
- Self Defence
- Personal Safety
- Positive wellbeing
- Creating a positive digital footprint.
The Sixth Team reviews the topics each year using student voice to make sure they are still relevant to our students. We bring in outside agencies and subject specialists for some sessions and other areas are covered during tutor time.
We offer a lot more than academic excellence. Our Sixth Formers work hard, enjoy life and celebrate their successes. At Belvedere, students are expected to develop their interests and abilities through many extensive opportunities including Enrichment (lunchtime and after school) and trips (including overseas). We encourage Sixth Formers to run their own Enrichments and all Sixth Formers can use the academy Fitness Suite free of charge.

There is an array of Enrichment activities on offer and just a few examples include:

Music (public performances included) – orchestra and chamber choir

Drama Festival (Year 12 students direct and produce a play with a Lower School form. The standard is extremely high and competition is fierce! )

Sport (recreational and competitive) – volleyball, netball, trampolining, badminton, dance/cheerleading, bootcamp/fitness, table tennis, handball, cross country, football, rounders, tennis, and swimming.

Duke of Edinburgh

Drama Festival

Sixth Form Led Enrichments

Debate Society

Aspire Liverpool

Rising Stars

InterMed

GDST Enrichments and Online Events

A Level and Vocational Subject Academic Enrichments

Additional Study Sessions
At Belvedere we appreciate that there will be extra costs associated with staying on to the Sixth Form. These will include books and equipment, uniforms and possibly increased travel costs if you are joining us from another school.

We aim to help students with these additional costs as far as possible by offering financial support via our bursary scheme and free school meals.

The Belvedere Academy Bursary Application Letter 26-27

Free School Meals

Students who will be moving from Belvedere’s Year 11 to the Sixth Form and who are in receipt of free school meals will continue to receive free school meals.

Those students joining us from other schools who currently receive free school meals will continue to do so at Belvedere.

Further Information

If students or parents have any queries regarding the financial support that the academy may be able to offer, please contact the Finance Office for further information.