Sixth Form at Ermysted's Grammar School
OVERVIEW
Ermysted’s has consistently ranked as one of the highest achieving schools in the U.K., and has often been The Top School in the North, the Top School in Yorkshire (including Independent schools). It is currently The Sunday Times’ Most Consistent School in the North. Over the years it has had an enviable record of outstanding Advanced level results. Between 98% and 100% of the leavers go on to university, many of them at the very best universities. Ermysted’s is in many ways a unique institution.
DESTINATIONS
Our most popular destinations are: Durham, Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick, Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle, St. Andrews, Bath and York.
In 2008, for the first time we had one of our students leaving to study at Harvard University.
ETHOS
Work hard; play hard. Students expect to do very well here and are given every encouragement to aim for the highest level in everything they do, be it academic, sporting, musical, dramatic or in public speaking. If you want to coast through the sixth form and settle for an easy life, go elsewhere, Ermysted’s is not for you.
OFSTED
In the most recent Ofsted Inspection of October 2005, the sixth form was described as “outstanding” and achieved Grade 1 Outstanding in every category of assessment. For the full report click here.
Other analysis of sixth form data has concluded:
“students make phenomenal progress in the sixth form”;
“ I know of no other sixth form in the country which compares to Ermysted’s.” “Puts most independent schools to shame.”
Summary of the Ofsted Report on the Sixth Form
October 2005
Overall effectiveness:
Standards in the sixth form are exceptionally high. Students
make exceptional progress in the sixth form. The school
is a well-ordered community and pupils' attitudes and behaviour
are very good. Pupils feel safe and valued as individuals.
Nearly all develop into mature and responsible young adults
by the time they leave the school. The pupils are proud
of their school and keen to learn. Teaching is demanding
and challenging. Teachers have very good subject knowledge;
this is put to good use, especially in the sixth form.
This is an outstanding sixth form. Students make excellent progress; they leave with results which are exceptionally high. This is directly due to outstanding teaching and very high levels of student motivation. A wide range of courses very closely meets the ambitions and aspirations of all students and almost all who start courses finish them. In 2005 almost every student went on to higher education, with a significant number gaining entry to top universities. The support and guidance which students receive are excellent.
Grade: 1 Outstanding
Achievement and standards:
These are outstanding. Students reach exceptionally high
levels in the sixth form. Students exceed their targets
in the sixth form, where results are superb. By the time
students leave the school literacy and numeracy skills are
highly developed. Students work hard to achieve academic
success, especially in the sixth form, and this stands them
in good stead for their future economic well-being.
Grade: 1 Outstanding
Teaching and learning:
Teaching in the sixth form is outstanding. Teachers have
very good subject knowledge and their enthusiasm inspires
students to make rapid progress in many lessons. Relationships
are excellent. Well-planned and interesting tasks motivate
the students so that they become deeply engrossed in their
learning.
Grade: 1 Outstanding
The curriculum:
The quality of the curriculum is outstanding. Students are
able to study a wide range of subjects, including some not
commonly found in other sixth forms. The links with Skipton
Girls' High School have been beneficial and have opened
access for students to a rich curriculum. An excellent feature
of the sixth form is the prominence given to providing higher
attaining pupils with opportunities to achieve at the highest
levels. In particular the number of pupils taking the Advanced
Extension awards has increased markedly over the last three
years.
Grade: 1 Outstanding
Overall effectiveness:
How effective, efficient and inclusive is the provision
of education, integrated care and any extended services
in meeting the needs of learners? Grade 1 Outstanding
How well does the school work in partnership with others
to promote learners' well-being? Grade 1 Outstanding
How well do learners achieve? Grade 1 Outstanding
The standards reached by learners Grade 1 Outstanding
How well do learners make progress? Grade 1 Outstanding
How good is the overall personal development and well-being
of learners? Grade 1 Outstanding
How effective are teaching and learning in meeting the full
range of learners' needs? Grade 1 Outstanding
How well do the curriculum and other activities meet the
range of needs and interests of learners? Grade 1 Outstanding
How well are learners cared for, guided and supported? Grade
1 Outstanding
How effective are leadership and management in raising achievement
and supporting all learners? Grade 1 Outstanding
Learners are helped to develop stable, supportive relationships
Learners individually and collectively, participate in making
decisions that affect them
Learners are encouraged to initiate, participate in and
manage activities in school and the wider community
Learners have opportunities to develop enterprise skills
and work in teams
Careers education and guidance is provided to all learners
Education provides an understanding of employment and the
economy
STAFF
In charge of the sixth form is David Clough, who is also
Deputy Headmaster. He has two Assistant Heads of Sixth form:
Ian McLean, who is Head of CDT and Peter Sykes, who is Head
of Economics. All are very experienced teachers with many
years of service to Ermysted's and its sixth form.
MANAGEMENT
There are three people that oversee the running of the Sixth Form, each having specific duties as listed below. If you have any problem or enquiries, the first person to talk to is your form tutor and then one of the following, depending on the issue.
Mr Clough (Deputy Headmaster)
Head of Sixth Form
• As Deputy Head, is in charge of the curriculum.
• Manages subject choices in the sixth form.
• Advises on university entry.
• Manages UCAS Applications, including writing the
students' references
• Manages Oxbridge Application, including writing the
students' references for UCAS and for Oxbridge
• Manages Careers advice in the sixth form
• EGS Contact for all outside agencies (parents, universities,
employers)
• Link person for all collaboration - with Skipton
Girls' High and Aireville
• Oversees all Sixth Form related issues
• Management of Sixth Form Tutor Teams
• Writes the Head of Sixth Form Reports
• Manages the Sixth Form Review System
• Recruits new sixth formers
Mr McLean
Assistant Head of Sixth form
• Manages the Prefect System
• Manages the EMA Promotion
• Manages the Student Support Fund
• Manages Sixth Form Detention
• Manages the UCAS applications of Engineering students
• Manages the Connexions card System
• Organises Sixth Form Duties
• Oversees Sixth Form Attendance and related issues
Mr Sykes
Assistant Head of Sixth form
• Manages the UCAS website: technical aspects and data
analysis
• Oversees the registration of students onto the UCAS
website
• Organises mock interviews for year 12/13 students
• Oversees the UCAS reference proforma system (for
preparing references)
• Acts as the EMA Appeals Officer
RELATIONSHIPS
"Ermysted's sixth form is a happy and purposeful environment
in which students work hard and play hard. Relationships
between students and staff are excellent, based upon mutual
respect."
JOINING THE SIXTH FORM
The vast majority of our Year 11 stay on here into the sixth form, indicating they are happy with us. Each year they are joined by between ten and twenty students from other schools, notably Aireville School in Skipton and Upper Wharfedale School in Threshfield. There is no Catchment Area as there is at 11+ entry. Students apply to Ermysted’s from all over the country. In recent years we have taken students from as far away as St. Helena!
Ermysted’s is delighted to be able to offer this opportunity for ambitious students from other schools. We have found that almost without exception, students joining us in the sixth form blend in quickly and go on to make the most of the stimulating intellectual environment of which they have become valued members. Many find the workload and extremely high standards very demanding at first, but soon become used to the fast pace of an Ermysted’s education. Not one of these students joining us in recent years has left the school.
COMPLETION RATES
For all students entering the sixth form, these are outstanding. It is very rare for a student starting the sixth to fail to complete the course.
FACILITIES
We are not a well-endowed public school. Our wealth lies in the high quality of our students and our teaching staff. However, as a sixth former, you have the use of the new Refectory during the day. There you can chat, relax, have a coffee and a Panini (or more likely, a nice fat bacon buttie!). The Library and Boarders’ Dining Room are being converted into a new study centre this year. There are also IT rooms for study.
TUTOR GROUPS
There are currently six tutor groups in year 13 and seven in Year 12. You will be looked after by the same tutor for both of your years in the sixth form. All form tutors are experienced in dealing with sixth form matters.
FORM TUTORS 2008-9
Form |
Tutor |
Room |
Subject |
12AB |
Mrs J Abbey |
S7 |
Biology |
12HK |
Mr DA Hopkins* |
IT4 |
Maths |
12JO |
Mrs V Johnston |
S3 |
Biology |
12KE |
Mr DJ Kelly |
S5 |
Chemistry |
12KI |
Mr J King |
S6 |
Physics |
12WH |
Mr PJ Wherity |
10 |
Geography |
12WO |
Miss CE Wolfenden |
IT3 |
English |
13FT |
Mr PG Footitt |
7 |
Maths |
13HI |
Mrs W Hilton* |
S4 |
Chemistry |
13MC |
Mr IR McMechan* |
IT3 |
English |
13SM |
Mr MW Smith |
S1 |
Physics |
13SU |
Mr W Suter* |
S2 |
Physics |
13SY |
Mr PM Sykes* |
14 |
Economics |
* denotes Head of Department
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
You are encouraged to play a full part in the wider life
of the school. There are school plays, musicals, and the
chance to direct a House play for younger pupils. There
are rock groups, a jazz band, public speaking competitions,
debating societies, and of course, the famous Ermysted's
Big Band, due to tour Europe again next year.
Currently in the sixth form is an amazing range of talents: students taking part in Historical Re-enactment, cross country running, orienteering, dinghy sailing, music, badminton, fishing, tennis, squash, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, climbing, football and a whole host of activities they haven't told us about.
Each year students go abroad with organisations like the Yorkshire Exploring Society, to South America, Asia and Africa.
There is a well-established and flourishing system of Community Action within the sixth form. Students can opt out of Games and instead help disadvantaged children, the elderly or go to work in Primary schools.
Add, the school is the current National Fell-running champion school.
THE HOUSE SYSTEM
There are four houses:
Toller, named after Peter Toller, the original founder of
the school sometime before 1492.
Hartley, named after Edward Hartley, the dynamic Headmaster
who transferred the school to its present site in 1876.
Petyt, named after William Petyt, one of the school's benefactors
(he gave the school a valuable collection of books called
the Petyt Library.)
Ermysted, named after William Ermysted, who re-founded the
school after Henry VIII closed it, in 1548.
You will join one of the Houses. House activities are extensive: Rugby, Cricket, Athletics and Field Sports, Drama, Music and Quizzes.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Life in the sixth form is of course far more than pursuing
qualifications, and because you remain at school beyond
the statutory leaving age, we assume you understand and
accept the important consequences this has. Sixth form study
is very different from all that you have experienced so
far. You are treated as a young adult and given much more
freedom. With freedom comes responsibility.
Teaching groups are smaller; relationships between staff
and students are more informal and personal. You have greater
freedom and the privilege of private study time. The nature
of much sixth form study requires you to learn how to work
independently. It is a mark of Ermysted's students that
they are extremely successful at managing their work, free
time and a vast range of other activities.
Learning to work effectively without supervision is an important
part of your life and you will be responsible for planning
the use of your private study time.
We as a school have a duty not only to help our students
get to university, but to equip them with the skills to
stay the course there. Very few Ermysted's students drop
out of university.
Sixth formers are allowed into town at lunchtime, and after Christmas in Year 12, are allowed Negotiated Study Leave, which enables you to have an afternoon at home if you have no taught lessons.
All this is part of the bargain you make with us: you work hard and we trust you to use your free time sensibly. In return we do our best to help you achieve your ambitions. If you can't understand this simple maxim, and accept that a measure of mature responsibility from you is required, then Ermysted's is not for you.
THE SIXTH FORM GUIDE TO A LEVEL SUCCESS
This is a booklet we have written to help you succeed in the sixth form. Each year we update it with information from the latest round of university applications. It is, hopefully, a complete guide to sixth form life, covering everything from applying to university, to what to do when things go wrong for you. It is issued each year, as a paper document, and is also available on the school intranet under the cunningly-titled heading ‘The Sixth form Guide to A level success.’ Let your parents read it.
THE A LEVEL COURSES
There are currently 24 A level subjects to choose from,
enough for everyone!
These are:
Archaeology, Art and Design, Biology, Chemistry, Classical
Civilisation, Critical Thinking, Design and Technology, Drama and Theatre Studies,
Economics, English Language, English Literature, French,
Further Mathematics, Geography, German, Government and Politics,
History, Information Technology, Latin, Mathematics, Music,
Physics, Physical Education, Religious
Education (Philosophy and Ethics),
In addition all students take General Studies and are given the option of taking up an IT qualification, currently the DiDA suite of courses.
Almost all students take 4 AS level subjects and General Studies. Some take Critical Thinking AS in addition. The majority of students go on to take 4 A2 level subjects in Year 13, and General Studies
The remainder of your timetable will be taken up with Games, Community Action or Private Study.
ADVANCED EXTENSION AWARDS
As part of our intention to provide demanding academic courses
at the highest level, we actively encourage students to
take Advanced Extension Awards. These are designed to stretch
even the most able students, and cater for the top 5% of
the ability range. We have over 100 entries for AEA this
year.
Preparation for the single 3hour examination involves study
beyond the demands of the A level syllabus. Most subjects
provide one period a week of extra teaching in order to
prepare for these challenging examinations. These lessons
are greatly in demand by students as they are provided by
excellent teachers and deal with very difficult work. They
are an ideal preparation for university at the highest level.
The Cambridge University 2007 prospectus states: "We would encourage you to consider taking one or more AEAs if your school or college is happy for you to do so, as we believe these will help you prepare for your university course. Some colleges (of the university) may use AEAs as a mandatory part of a conditional offer in certain courses."
We are aiming to get our students into Cambridge and other top universities.
Some of our best students take the Advanced Extension Award in Critical Thinking, specimens of which are available online from OCR.
GIRLS
Two hundred yards up the Gargrave Road is Skipton Girls'
High School. Until recent years these two hundred yards
may as well have been two hundred miles, now, however, things
have improved. We now run joint A levels in RS, Government
and Politics, Theatre Studies, Classical Civilisation, Physical
Education and Archaeology.
We run joint trips, eg this year's Oxbridge trip to Newcastle.
We have joint plays and musicals, as well as much more collaboration
in all sorts of areas. There are Leavers' Balls organised
by the students of both schools. The Big Band has members
from both schools. Ermysted's welcomes the development of
increased collaboration.
GAMES
The main winter game is rugby. For other students there are various options: Football,
golf, climbing, cross country running and orienteering,
along with community service. The PE and Games staff are
young, fit and dynamic! At Ermysted's we try to provide
you with a sport that will be of benefit to you.
Cross country is a major success story at Ermysted's. Despite being one of the smallest secondary schools in the county, we regularly run out winners in every age group. We usually have county and national runners in the school.
Ermysted's regularly produces county players at most sports.
A WELL-ROUNDED INDIVIDUAL
Visitors to Ermysted's invariably comment favourably on the maturity and well-rounded personalities of the sixth formers they meet. This does not refer to the body shape of our sixth formers, but to the high level of maturity and well-rounded personality shown by our students. Sixth formers are proud of the school and are proud of their own achievements, and we are proud of them. Ermysted's produces smart, articulate and well-educated young men who are capable of holding their own in any setting.
One of the greatest strengths of the school is the successful inter-relation between younger pupils and the sixth form students. The benefit is mutual, the younger boys learn from the good example set by the seniors, and the seniors have the opportunity and obligation to offer mature leadership.
Sixth formers provide a very useful and successful scheme whereby they mentor pupils struggling with GCSEs.
PREFECTS
There is a Prefect system, consisting of a Head Boy, three
Deputy Head Boys, and a team of Prefects and House Captains.
They are responsible, in pairs, for looking after a junior
form, and assisting the form tutors in their duties. School
Prefects have official duties to perform in Assemblies and
Sports Day, as well as on important school occasions like
Founders' Day, Speech Day and Open Evening. They are invaluable
in helping the staff to run an efficient and productive
school.
The Head Boy and Deputy Head Boys are chosen after election
by sixth formers themselves, and an extensive consultation
process among all the school staff.
Prefects are nominated by their form tutors.
All sixth formers are monitors, whose duty is to maintain discipline in the school buildings at lunchtimes.
PART TIME WORK
Being a sixth former is in itself a very full life and one
of the lessons you have to learn is how to balance your
time between your school commitments and your life outside
school. Many students take part -time jobs, which can provide
valuable experience and useful financial support, but you
must ensure that such jobs do not take over your life to
the detriment of your academic studies.
CAREERS
Carrying on with your education Post 16 raises issues which
you need to think about and discuss with your parents. Remember
that in the end the decision is yours and you owe it to
yourself to become as well-informed as possible about career
choices, before you make a decision which will have important
consequences for the rest of your life.
Students wanting to enter Engineering, Medicine, Veterinary
Science, or certain Business and Economics courses must
be particularly careful in selecting their A level choices,
as they may find a certain subject is a compulsory requirement.
eg Maths A level is usually required for the study of an
Economics degree. It is equally important that you consult
widely before making your university application. We will
help you to help yourself. Full details of our advice is
given in the Sixth Form Planner.
The ideal situation for a student is to have some idea of the broad career line you hope to follow. However, it is our experience that many of you have no clear idea of what you want to do. Consult your teachers and talk matters over with your form tutor. Get used to using the university websites and finding courses that interest you. Because Ermysted's is a relatively small school, you will find that staff soon know you well. They are keen and willing to help you achieve your ambitions. Your subject teachers will know your capabilities best and will be able to discuss subjects of potential interest to you.
Mrs Russell, the school careers Co-ordinator, organises a programme of visits to the school by university tutors. Durham, Oxford and Cambridge tutors all provide information for parents and students on applying to university.
The school runs a very successful and frantically busy annual Careers Convention in October, where a large number of professions are represented.
A FINAL WORD
You must be prepared to become actively involved in the
progress of your own education if you are to derive the
full benefits. If you do, if you are self-motivated, hard-working
and ambitious, then you can look forward to a happy and
successful career here at Ermysted's.
David Clough
Ian McLean
Peter Sykes