Wilmslow High School

Given the size of our Sixth Form, we are able to offer the unique combination of structured support combined with a vibrant sense of community.

Students are expected to adopt a professional approach to school life through all aspects of their conduct, such as their appearance, interactions with subject teachers and behaviour around school. It is important that students act as role models, setting the example to young pupils in our wider school community.

Our Sixth Form Learning Area offers students the opportunity for quiet study during non-contact periods, whilst High Options is available throughout the day for a coffee and a chat.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities that are available to them, from organised trips to a range of exotic destinations (Russia, New York, Kenya, Washington etc), to representing the school at debating, musical & theatrical performances or in the sporting arena.

A Head Boy and Head Girl are appointed together with a Deputy Head boy and girl. In addition, each tutor group elects one student to represent the opinion and views of their fellow tutees. These representatives along with the Head Boy and Head Girl and their deputies form the Sixth Form Management Committee (SMC).

The SMC meet at least once per half term after-school to contribute to policymaking decisions, offer an honest critique of the school generally and to organise school events. The committee is chaired by the Head Boy and Head Girl and the minutes of these meetings are circulated to the Leadership group and Headteacher.

The Head Boy and Head Girl, together with their deputies meet regularly with Mr Hancock to discuss any issues that may arise. In addition they meet with the Headteacher every term to keep her abreast of student feelings and any areas of concern from a student perspective.

Mrs Vicky Robinson
Post 16 Guidance Manager

Our curriculum is designed to enable students to choose a programme of study reflecting there individual interests and aspirations. We offer an extensive range of Advanced Level courses; most students study four AS subjects in Year 12 and then choose to pursue three of these at A2 Level.

In addition to A-Levels, we also offer the BTEC National Diploma in Sport, with other vocational courses coming online shortly.

Beyond these opportunities, we are diversifying our curriculum by piloting a range of curriculum enhancement opportunities known as "Learn Xtra." These include the Extended Project Qualification and AQA Baccalaureate, together with AS levels designed to give more 'breath' to the curriculum, such as General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Further details of all courses on offer, together with the entry requirements and methods of assessment can be found in the Prospectus (links on left-hand side).

Beyond your core studies, our enrichment programme forms an integral part of the Sixth Form curriculum, providing a range of activities to extend your personal growth beyond the academic. Enrichment helps support your career aspirations by providing the opportunity for you to gain relevant experience. Importantly, enrichment also helps students develop new interests and have fun!

All Year 12 students participate in enrichment on Wednesday afternoons. A wide range of enrichment activities are available, from working with local charities and learning new skills to participating in the Young Enterprise programme or sport (be it just for fun or competitively). Students select a new activity each term to enable them to develop a range of experiences and transferable skills.

As a specialist sports college we have an exceptional sporting pedigree. Students who are keen to pursue sport at a competitive level can represent the school at a range of sports including rugby, football, hockey, netball, tennis, badminton and cricket. Our skilled and committed team of staff are dedicated to training students to compete at the highest levels.

Recent successes have seen us reach the national finals of the ESFA cup and the U19 National Sports College final for hockey as well as reaching the national knock-out stages of the Glanvil Cup for tennis. We are also currently the U19 Cheshire Cup winners for both hockey and football and reached the sports college finals for netball.

In rugby, the school was delighted to play at Twickenham as Daily Mail U18s Vase finalists in 2007.

We actively encourage all students to participate in sport, although this is not compulsory. Whatever your level of expertise, experience or interest, we hope to provide you with the opportunity to foster a life-long love of sport.

The majority of our students progress to Higher Education and we are committed to helping you to secure a place on your desired course.

With a strong track record of securing offers for on high demand and competitive courses (such as medicine and veterinary science), seven of our students have secured places to study at Oxford and Cambridge Universities this year. Indeed, the overwhelming majority of our students who wanted to go to university this year achieved this goal.

• To foster learning within an environment which is disciplined, calm, stimulating, enjoyable and within which there is mutual respect.
• To establish a culture that values achievement, encourages students to develop their full potential and recognises individual success.
• To encourage a commitment, amongst all individuals, to the achievement of the highest standards in all aspects of school and personal life.
• To encourage the development of broadly educated, happy confident, self-disciplined, self-motivated individuals equipped for adult life.
• To promote a partnership between the school and the community, encouraging students to be responsible, caring members of society.
• To ensure equal provision for all and supplementary provision for those within special needs.

Expectations

• The very highest standards of behaviour
• The very highest level of achievement
• Support for the school's values
• A willingness to engage in intellectual and physical challenges
• A positive commitment to the life of the school
• Respect for all of the individuals who comprise the school community
• Regular and punctual attendance

It is necessary for all students to formally apply for places in Year 12 (including students already attending Wilmslow High School). Please see the Application Form (links on left-hand side).

Students from Wilmslow High (internal students)

The school will admit any student into the sixth form if they are currently on role at Wilmslow High School, providing they meet the minimum entry criteria. The minimum entry requirements are designed to ensure that students enrol on courses that they will be able to complete, and in which they will gain success, and are as follows:

To access level 3 courses ('A' level or BTEC), students must achieve:

• a minimum of five GCSEs with grades A* - C (or equivalent) with at least a 'C' grade in English Language at GCSE.
• at least GCSE 'C' grade in the subject they wish to study at 'A' level. Individual subject areas may require higher GCSE grades to study certain subjects (see Course Entry Requirements in the Prospectus) where there is statistically a greater risk of failure
• Where the subject was not available at GCSE, any comparable subjects will be taken into account.

Students from other schools (external students)

Wilmslow High School has a published minimum admission number (PAN) for external students. The minimum number of external places available is 50; however we routinely admit in excess of 100 external students per year. For the full Admission Policy please see the Prospectus (links on left-hand side).

In the event that we are oversubscribed, the oversubscription criteria detailed by Cheshire East will be applied. Places will be allocated based on:

1. 'Looked after Children' (young people in local authority care).

2. Students for which there are mitigating medical or social reasons.

3. Students who reside in the designated catchment area of the school.

4. Distance from the students residence to Wilmslow High School calculated 'as the crow flies' by Cheshire East.