Frequently Asked Questions

All A Level courses are fully linear, i.e. there are no AS exams. There is regular internal assessment until end of year 13 when students sit their final exams. A few subjects may have elements of coursework such as English Language & Literature, Art, etc. (please see the subject specific course pages for more details).

The IT Technical Award is different and consists of a series of exams spread throughout the 2 years. Again, please refer to the subject specific course pages for more details).

The general advice is that for every hour spent in class, students should also do an additional hour of pre-learning before each lesson and an hour of consolidation and revision as part of their independent study. So that would approximately be eighteen hours per subject per fortnight.

Within the Sixth Form block, we have a dedicated common room, silent study spaces (with study booths), access to wi-fi and dedicated Chromebooks as well as a Sixth Form only café.

The Arden difference can be defined through by the personalised care and support we offer to each student as well as the expert teaching in every subject; we build on the outstanding results achieved at GCSE and continue that into A level.  We have approximately 150 students in each year and it is our individual knowledge of each person that makes Arden different from a larger college. You will have a Form Tutor, with a form group of 20 students, and Head of Year who will get to know you and help support you through your Sixth Form journey.  Our dedicated pastoral support team is on hand throughout the day to support every student.  

Sixth Form students have the opportunity through our enrichment curriculum to volunteer in lessons and to give back to our school community; as part of the Arden Family, our students are role models for those lower down in the school and we expect them to uphold high standards of behaviour at all times.  Being surrounded by students who value our community, our shared values and ambitions is key to our success.

 

Arden Sixth Form is part of a wider school and therefore students are expected to follow the rules and expectations that underpin all we do. For example, students attend Arden on a full-time basis so that they are able to keep on top of their work, do their best and achieve their ambitions.  Our students are on site from 8:40am to 3:30pm. We also have a dress code as part of our commitment to high standards (available in the Prospectus).

We believe not only in the importance of pastoral support but in developing each individual through our structured tutorial / CPD programme and provide sessions on a range of important topics from Emotional Well-Being to Growth Mindset. We also cover all of the important safeguarding and age-appropriate PSHE related topics.

Our FUTURES programme is outstanding: we provide extensive support for students applying to university or for apprenticeships, with a work experience week, Futures Conference with a wide range of outside speakers, mock interviews provided for all students based on their specific ambitions, and dedicated UCAS sessions as well as one-to one UCAS support.  There are specific after school programmes to help with Oxbridge, Medics/Vets and apprenticeship preparation and application.

The atmosphere in the Sixth Form encourages focus and determination and is conducive to academic progress and personal growth.

Each subject brings 9 hours of contact a fortnight, so studying three subjects brings 27 hours of contact; four subjects brings 36 hours.

All students are also expected to undertake 4 hours of “Enrichment” a fortnight.

This leaves 19 hours (or 10 hours for those taking four subjects) a fortnight for study. Students are expected to use this time to study! 

Encouraging students to develop study skills as well as time management and organisational skills is all part of the ethos at Arden Sixth Form.

Arden operates a two-week timetable. Students have nine hours of lessons per subject over the course of the fortnight.

There are five lessons a day; three in the morning and two in the afternoon.

Everyone attends morning registration at 8:40am and stays in school until the end of the last lesson at 3.30pm.

Students are allowed off-site at lunchtime.

Last year 76% went straight to University, 45% of those are studying at a Russell Group University.

Others went onto higher apprenticeships or took a gap year to further explore their future options.

We are immensely proud of the destinations reached by Arden Sixth Form students.

Last year, the majority of the cohort went to a university, with over a third going to the top

Universities in the country. Arden graduates are currently studying at both Oxford and

Cambridge Universities with the vast majority of students having taken up their first choice

of university.


There is an ever increasing diversity of destinations, with a sharp increase in students

pursuing the apprenticeship route. Last year, student achieved degree apprenticeships with

Deloitte, JLR and the RSC. The opportunities on Degree Apprenticeships and Sponsored

Degrees are increasing every year. We have students currently studying on the PWC Flying

Start Degree programme, an Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprenticeship and an Atkins

Engineering Degree Apprenticeship as well as having previously taken up places at JCB, IBM

and National Grid.

Students are expected to undertake four hours of enrichment a fortnight. Options include: Volunteering, Lesson Support, MOOCs and Sport.

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is also offered. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop interests and knowledge beyond the classroom. It is becoming increasingly valued as part of a Post-18 application.

Core Maths is also an increasingly popular subject that contributes towards our Enrichment curriculum.

At Arden Sixth Form you will find that the teaching is less didactic than lower down the school with an emphasis on collaboration.

Students are encouraged to develop their own independent study skills which will help prepare them for life beyond Arden.