Overview

Welcome to The Ridgeway Sixth Form College

Ridgeway’s thriving and dynamic sixth form ensures that all students are fully prepared for the challenges and opportunities of higher education and work in the 21st century. Most of our students progress to higher education, and the school has an excellent record of success with past students and their university entrance. Some of our students choose the apprenticeship route and have secured places with companies such as Rolls Royce, BAE, and Jaguar Landrover.

At The Ridgeway Sixth Form College, we pride ourselves on the friendly and inclusive atmosphere. Many of our students stay on at The Ridgeway from year 11, but we also welcome a good number of students from other schools each year.

The sixth form has its own dedicated area in school, with its comfortable and well-equipped common room that was designed and decorated by sixth formers. There are also several work areas which cater for our students’ various learning styles. Our sixth form student advisor is always on hand to give advice or to support students in their learning. Our students enjoy the challenge that A-level study brings, and a number have progressed to the UK’s top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, to study a wide variety of subjects. Our BTEC courses are equally successful and students also progress from these to employment or higher education.

Alongside our academic opportunities, the students are encouraged to play an active role in the life of the school and local community by taking part in various activities, including helping younger students. Other opportunities for our students lie in the sporting arena. We have excellent facilities for students to pursue their interest in sport either seriously or recreationally. This includes a fitness suite and swimming pool. Likewise, music and drama feature prominently as sixth formers take a leading role in school productions. There is a Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Programme and much more.

A Place for Learning

Achievement is the keystone of The Ridgeway Sixth Form College, and we are proud of our students’ success. Our dedicated sixth form facilities support your learning, with a modern and interactive approach to teaching and working. We have both silent and quiet sixth form study areas with computers and working space, as well as a sixth form resource area to encourage independent study. A friendly, supportive, and productive environment enables our sixth formers to thrive. We provide:

• A dedicated mentoring programme with weekly group meetings and individual tutorials to check progress and offer support.
• A sixth form student advisor who is available to offer help, support, and guidance on a range of issues.
• Attendance and achievement monitoring to support attainment and successful progression.

A Place for Discovery

Bring your subject to life with a variety of fun and informative trips:

• Design and Technology Trip to Florence
• Biology Residential Field Trip to Swanage and Studland Bay
• Italian, Swedish, French, and German Exchange
• University Visits
• UCAS Convention
• National Debating Competitions
• Geography Field Trip to Iceland
• Art Exhibition
• Gym and Dance Evening
• Skiing Trip
• Philosophy Trip
• History Trip to Dublin

A Place for Getting Involved

Sixth form life is about more than just studying. We encourage our students to take up opportunities and take on responsibilities that will develop them into well-rounded and accomplished individuals. Get involved! Give something back and feel proud of who you are and what you do. Opportunities include:

• Academic enrichment qualifications such as critical thinking A-level and the AQA extended project.
• Involvement with the lower school; helping with lessons, organising events, mentoring etc.
• Volunteering in your community: a volunteering noticeboard makes finding opportunities easier.
• Join a wide range of extracurricular activities to build up your experiences and have some fun!
• Comic Relief and sporting events.
• Sixth form committees and leadership roles.
• International work experience.
• Camps International.

A Place for Thriving

Our dedicated sixth form common room was decorated by our students and designed with them in mind. There’s a vending machine; kitchen area with microwave, kettles, and sandwich toaster; comfy chairs; and plenty of space for working and relaxing. Our friendly sixth form social committee plans and runs events such as:

• Winter Ball
• BBQ Mixer
• Fashion Show
• Dress-up Days
• Live Music Events
• Year 13 Leavers’ Ball

A Place for Getting Active

Get healthy! Sixth formers get highly discounted access to The Ridgeway Leisure Centre, including the fitness suite and swimming pool. With active sporting teams, inter-school matches, and a dynamic sports committee, there is plenty for the energetic to get involved with at The Ridgeway Sixth Form College:

• Charity relay marathon along the Ridgeway.
• Year 12 vs year 13 team matches in rugby, football, and netball.
• Sport and Comic Relief events.
• A wide variety of competitive and non-competitive teams.
• Higher Sports Leadership Award

16-19 Programme of Study at The Ridgeway Sixth Form College (R6)

All students follow a programme of study which combines both qualifications and other activities and which is tailored to each student’s prior attainment and career goals.

Students who do not hold a GCSE grade 4 in maths and/or English are required to continue these subjects as part of their study programme.
All students follow study programmes which include some work experience and non-qualification activities, and which complement the other elements of the programme and support them to progress to further or higher education or to employment.

To improve the life chances of students. R6 requires the majority of students to follow a level 3 mathematics qualification that provides them with the quantitative skills now needed in a wide range of jobs.

All students are encouraged to make positive choices from a variety of opportunities and enrichment activities within R6 and in the lower school including the very popular D of E scheme and Camps International expeditions, which offer excellent opportunities for integration and transition between KS4 and KS5. These first-hand experiences develop curiosity and a desire to challenge their understanding and deepen learning. The enrichment activities also take account student needs and career plans, as well as preparation for adult life more generally.