Dear Parent / Carer,
Welcome to the Autumn term of 2023-24 at GNSA Sixth Form.
On Tuesday 5th September we welcomed 92 students into Year 12 as they began KS5 studies as new sixth form students in our school. Our Year 13 also returned the following day with excitement and some trepidation starting their final steps towards completion of their A level and BTEC courses. We also welcomed Mrs Jas Heer into the sixth form team as Head of Year 12, continuing her work as Progress Lead alongside this year's group. Autumn is also the time we say goodbye to many familiar faces as our former students leave to move into new jobs, apprenticeships or the demands of further education and university courses.
The support we receive from parents and families within the community is immense and makes the most enormous difference to the students and staff of the school. We want to take this opportunity to thank you and ask that you continue to give guidance to the young adults of the Sixth Form, reiterating the vision and expectations in terms of focus and application to their studies and the necessity to follow school guidelines in terms of appearance, attitude and behaviour. Together we can ensure GNSA Sixth Form continues to offer the very best educational experience to all our young people.
Year 12 have experienced the challenges of final subject choices, beginning Key Stage 5 studies in earnest and learning about private study for the first time. The rigours of the work required during private study takes time to appreciate, and many Year 12 students are still developing an understanding of exactly what and how much independent work is a necessity at this level. We urge you to spend time outlining your expectations for the expected work ethic during the school day.
GNSA also had the chance to recognise the superb results obtained in 2022-23 by Year 11 and Year 13 students, with many returning to receive awards during our Celebration Evening.
Enrichment studies began to be organised in earnest during October and many of our Year 12 students began to take opportunities to participate. These are subjects identified to promote intellectual, moral, physical, personal and social development, whilst gaining additional skills and qualifications recognised as significant by employers or university admission procedures. The school offers the Extended Project Qualification, Duke of Edinburgh and London Academy of the Dramatic Arts qualifications and additional cultural provision for music, dance, martial arts and physical education activities.
The Sixth Form area continues to develop exclusively for this group as we make further improvements, listen to student voice feedback, and create a purposeful working environment for older students. We look forward to working alongside students and their families, meeting with those who require additional help or support at our settling in evening scheduled for 9th November 2023.
With all good wishes as we approach the end of the half term,
Christine Wilson
Assistant Principal - Post 16 studies
Year 11 & Year 13 Celebration Evening
On the 19th September we enjoyed an excellent Celebration Evening when we welcomed back Year 11 and 13 students to recognise many outstanding academic performances produced in the summer 2023 examination series. We were honoured by having the presence of:
Cllr. Shehryar Ahmad-Wallana, The Worshipful the Mayor of Hillingdon 2023/24
Mr Peter Ryerson - Director
Alumni students - Vani Grover attended as a GNSA Alumni giving an inspirational speech on her personal experience at University, and a few words of encouragement to the younger students.
High performing Year 11 and Year 13 students and their parents and staff.
Following a Tabla performance by Vikramvir of Year 8 and a warm introduction by Mrs Soneji, Vice Principal, we focused on recognising the achievements of the GNSA Champions - those students achieving the very highest results. We recognised the attainment of Manraj Singh, Arjan Dhillon, Simrat Thiara, Manchit Grover, Arveen Kaur, Anisha Dhaul, Sukhmanpreet Kaur, Kiwandeep Singh, Harjinder Singh, Gunika Malhi, Sumehr Nagpal, Amandeep Kaur, Ishween Toor, Sahjpreet Singh Gill Kaur, Ivleen Sethi, Tia Mann, Gunjan Arora and Simran Nandha in their GCSE studies and results.
A Bhangra performance by Rythamdeep Year 9, and Harleen, Samreet, Navneet and Maneek from Year 11 added to the celebratory atmosphere.
Our BTEC and A level champions included Kabir Virdee, Arshan Sandhu, Harmanpreet Singh, Jashveen Singh, Aneek Madhan, Kanika Mehra, Esha Bhatti, Maanika Sekhon, Sevak Chaggar, Harleen Kakkar, Ajaibir Sarao and Taranveer Toor.
A Dhol performance by Sahibjeet Dhillon Year 10 and Aman Virdi Year 11 helped to round off the evening
Speakers included Mr J Sidhu, CEO/Executive Principal for GNSMAT and Mayor Cllr Ahmad-Wallana on behalf of the borough of Hillingdon. Mrs Wilson, Assistant Principal Post 16, read the poem 'Admonitions To A Special Person' by Anne Sexton.
Certificates and medals were given to the invited students for their high achieving academic GCSE and A Level results included some of the students photographed here.
The following Year 12 students were amazing helping coordinate the event from signing in guests, car parking and leading the whole event. In particular student helpers - Manleen Madan, Jasleen Chahal and Simren Paul who helped with organisation and the presentation of awards during the evening, and Bhavika Athiparan for her excellent photography skills.
Thank you to Premises, IT Department, staff and students for making this such a a wonderful evening for everyone.
The mouth watering starter, main meal and dessert were served courtesy of Noor Mahal with them catering for and setting up the event.
Samreet Bhogal organised photographs and a video during the evening, with the Sikh Channel to televise the event at a later date.
LAMDA Award Certificates Year 13
Mr Atwell has done an amazing job with the following year 13 students in guiding them to complete the LAMDA qualification.
The LAMDA examinations awarded from the London Academy of Dramatic Art inspires and empowers learners across the globe to be confident communicators. They are open to anyone looking to gain confidence and experience in speech, communication, and/or performance. You can use your LAMDA lessons and exam preparation time for the skills section of your Duke of Edinburgh award. You can even set yourself the goal of passing the exam at the end of it.
Really well done to Simran, Kiran and Vaneet for completing these activities in enrichment lessons last year and successfully gaining your qualifications. Don't forget to add these to your UCAS forms for university applications as this is worthy of UCAS points/credit too!
You can access further online information about LAMDA courses at:
Enrichment Opportunities
September sees students apply and sign up for the Enrichment Programme for the Sixth Form, with all of Year 12 taking part in some of the following activities designed to promote their well-being, and mental health and support study skills. As a result, many will be given the opportunity to gain additional qualifications counting towards UCAS points on university applications. Students will continue to work on these activities throughout the year, adding to them a series of additional career workshops and activities to be completed during private study time. They are intended to provide support in the transition between the different stages of education, enabling students to prepare for the rigour of academic examinations and to be ready for the world of further education, apprenticeships or work at the end of their time in GNSA Sixth Form.
Career information is regularly sent to the Year 12 or Year 13 through Google Classrooms, and we encourage all students to spend time during private study periods examining this information and preparing for each stage in their education and taking regular steps towards meeting their future career goals.
On Tuesday 3rd October Royal Holloway Outreach visited GNSA Year 13 to support with a Personal Statement writing workshop.
Well done to Arvind Sandhu and Keerath Kullar who will be participating in the Lessons from Auschwitz project run by the Holocaust Education Trust.
Dance - Samantha Byden Extended Project Qualification - Mrs Heer & Mrs Wilson
LAMDA - Mr Atwell Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme - Mrs Weeks
PE - All Year 12 with Mr Perryman and Mrs Curtis
Year 13 - UCAS & EPQ
Year 13 students have settled into studies well this year, but we continue to encourage a more diligent work ethic from our new Year 12 students. Attendance is monitored and late detentions are set - even one minute after 8am is deemed as lateness. Lunch time detentions are in place and implemented for students arriving late. Parental meetings will be required to address any regular incidents of poor attendance.
Early entries for UCAS submissions were made for prospective students of Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science courses, meeting the deadline of 6pm on 16th October. All further submissions will be required entry by 31st January 2024. With returns for students not until 10th January it is vital that students begin this process now, ready to meet with the sixth form team and close out these submissions during the Autumn 2 term.
Year 13 EPQ entrants will also submit results by 10th January so it is vital all students intending to submit work closely with their mentors enabling results to be completed and uploaded to the system by 15th December to enable GNSA to have time to process these before the Christmas holiday period.
Sixth Form Open day
