FAQs

Students at HGSC Sixth Form must study the equivalent of 3 A level subjects. This can take the form of 3 A level subjects, a single and a double BTEC/CTEC, or a combination of A levels and BTEC/CTECs. Our beauty therapy course is a standalone qualification giving a student a full programme of study, but students can request an extra subject which will be considered. Students can request a fourth option which may be core mathematics or a fourth A Level subject, but the latter is only permitted on a case by case basis where a student’s previous academic performance justifies it.

Yes, we will be in contact with you at various points during the year following your application to update your subject preferences. We know that this is a difficult decision but should you have any questions about our courses then please see our course pages and utilise the staff contact details if required. Courses are not confirmed until your enrolment which is on GCSE results day but we do also allow justified course changes during the first 4 weeks of term in September of Year 12.

Our class sizes are small and significantly smaller than typical year 11 groups. It does vary by subject popularity but typically groups will have between 10 and 15 students. Some subjects are smaller than this.

Students at HGSC Sixth Form have 5 lessons per subject per week. Where the subject is a double subject, e.g. Double Sport CTEC, then students will have 10 hours of lessons for that subject per week.

Our timings have changed slightly at present due to Covid-19 protocols but we hope that the timings below will be in place for the 2021-2022 academic year:

• Registration - 8:50am-9:10am

• Period 1 - 9:10am-10:10am

• Period 2 - 10:10am-11:10am

• Break - 11:10am-11:25am

• Period 3 - 11:25am-12:25pm

• Period 4 - 12:25pm-13:55pm (including a 30 minute lunch)

• Period 5 - 13:55pm-14:55pm

• Twilight - 14:55pm-15:55pm (a very small number of lessons will take place in this slot, but largely it is used for additional intervention)

We have a number of study rooms providing access to computers and independent work spaces. Students are able to access these before school, during their independent study periods and after school.

No, we operate a smart, casual dress code.

Students eligible for free school meals will continue to receive these. Students can also apply for our 16-19 bursary fund. This fund is allocated by the government to assist students whose access to, and participation in, education is inhibited by financial constraints or barriers. Full details of how we administer the bursary and an application form will be provided upon enrolment to Year 12.

Student lockers are available for a refundable deposit of £5 for the duration of your studies. The lockers are located in the Sixth Form common room area.

Yes. It’s really important that anyone considering joining HGSC Sixth Form applies by our application deadline. By applying you are not committing to HGSC Sixth Form but are securing a place so that you can make an informed decision. We will ask you to indicate where HGSC Sixth Form ranks in your options for post 16 at application and at later points this academic year.

We have an incredibly experienced leadership team who are very knowledgeable on the application process for competitive universities and apprenticeships. We have a track record of success in supporting students with ambitions to study courses such as medicine and law. We have a dedicated member of staff who will advise you every step of the way, from securing the right work experience in Year 12 to writing that perfect personal statement at the final stage of application.

Typically there will be around 140 students in Year 12 and the same in Year 13. Over the last few years there has been roughly 30 students from other schools joining us for their Sixth Form studies. These students come from a wide range of schools from the local Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area.

We go to great lengths to support students with their transition to HGSC Sixth Form and appreciate that this can often be daunting. We host events for new to HGSC students prior to the summer holidays and then early on in September. Through these students will get the chance to meet peers prior to starting with us and become more familiar with our school site, the structure of our school day and teaching staff.