Welcome to the Sixth Form at King Edward VII School. This guide is designed to help you through your 16-19 study journey with King Edward VII School.

King Edward VII School is the most popular sixth form in Sheffield. We have students from over forty feeder schools and 65% of the students went to other schools for their GCSEs. Students can choose from 36 courses that include both BTECs and A levels. We are a Local Authority School (not an Academy) and are truly comprehensive with students from all ethnicities and backgrounds. It is a real privilege to work with young adults such as yourselves. We hope you enjoy your time at King Edward VII School and your education with us will enable you to move onto the next stage of your life.

We have a long and successful history of educating young adults. Every year over two hundred students apply to higher education. Nearly one hundred progress to Russell Group Universities every year and we have had twenty-four progress to Oxbridge in the last four years.

The mix of motivated, committed and aspirational students at King Edward VII School supports success. We have experienced and enthusiastic members of staff who teach post 16 students. They are passionate about their subjects and will share their enjoyment of their subject with you. They won’t just stick to the syllabus, expect to be challenged in your learning! They will give you the skills to evaluate evidence, make you ask questions about your understanding and help unlock the difficult concepts that you will encounter.

Transitioning from a GCSE student to an independent A level or BTEC student is one of the most difficult challenges of year 12. So, in year 12 we will support you to settle into good study habits with a Probationary Private Study (PPS) period until just after the autumn half term. There will be registered and supervised private study for your core study time in the mornings when you do not have lessons - period one to period three. You will be able to choose whether to stay on site or go home for any non-contact lessons in the afternoon i.e. period four or five. If you first review is positive and we are happy with your PPS you will be able to choose how you complete your private study after that first half term. There will be a daily tutorial and a weekly assembly for that first half term too. Where possible the tutor groups will be subject based with a tutor that teaches one of your subjects. In tutorial there are activities to help you get to know the other students and mature as a learner. The assemblies will give you advice about progression and developing as a student. The tutorial is where your tutor will check if there are any problems with your subjects and provide support as necessary. After the first half term the tutorial will move to once per week. You will be encouraged to get involved with some of the twenty or so enrichment activities on offer. Before you start year 13 you should also have done some work experience to develop workplace skills and give you some insights into possible careers. Towards the end of year 12 we will be organising several workshops, visits, speakers and tutorials to help support you put together a convincing application for the next stage. Most students apply to university, some for apprenticeships, foundation years, employment or a Gap Year.

In year 13 you will have developed a close relationship with your teachers so they will be able to write a flattering reference for the next step after King Edward VII School. The one-to-one mentoring and Post 18 transition sessions should support your applications. As we progress through year 13 the focus moves onto exams and getting those top grades to support your progression.

Best wishes and good luck with your studies at King Edward VII School.