Sixth Form

St Albans High School for Girls is an independent day school for girls aged4-18. The Senior School is situated just five minutes from St Albans citycentre and welcomes girls from all religious backgrounds.

The Sixth Form community is one whichplaces a strong emphasis on academic rigour,but which also seeks to provide theintellectual challenge and opportunities forleadership which will be essential for ourstudents as they set forth to meet the

increasingly complex demands on women inthe 21st century. Whilst our Sixth Formersremain an integral part of our school andmake a valuable contribution to it, they arealso encouraged to make good use of theadditional freedom afforded to them,

developing time management and studyskills, as well as the independence of thoughtand judgement so necessary for success atuniversity and beyond.

‘Enthusiastic, keen and able learners ….the young women who are educatedhere are well prepared for the next

stage in their lives, which they enterwith confidence and abiding values’

(ISI Inspection Report)

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About us

‘We continue to be very thankful for all that theschool is doing to encourage her to fulfil herpotential and we are particularly appreciative of thehighly professional teaching she receives’

‘The support she has received in her academic andpersonal development has been greatly appreciated’

(Sixth Form Parents)

Learning to learn...The landscape of the working world is constantly changing and in a societywhere women may expect to have two or even three careers in the course oftheir lifetime, it is crucial that students learn how to learn.

The spirit of intellectual enquiry is carefullyfostered through discussion, debate andparticipation in events such as the ModelUnited Nations, at local and national level.Girls are supported in the pursuit of their

goals with a dedicated Sixth Form library andextensive ICT facilities, giving access toindependent learning materials in our VLE(Virtual Learning Environment) as well asthe wider resources of the Internet.

All girls can expect to acquire the ECDL(European Computer Driving Licence) by theend of the Sixth Form.

‘Sixth Form girls often spearhead fundraising efforts and considerable sumsare raised for charitable causes’

(ISI Inspection Report)

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and learning to lead...We strongly believe that as well as learning how to learn girls must learn howto lead, to make their own decisions and develop the confidence to takeresponsibility in a variety of situations.

They may become form prefects, mentors,School or House Officers or even Head Girl.Problem solving and time management skillsare developed through the running of YoungEnterprise Companies or as part of theeditorial team for the school magazine. Girls

are encouraged to contribute to society at alocal level through our programme ofCommunity Service or further afield tobecome involved with our partner school inMtwara, Tanzania. There are regularcommunity based trips to less developed

countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia andPeru and the Duke of Edinburgh programmegives girls ample opportunity to demonstrateinitiative and perseverance – as well asphysical stamina!

…in ‘a caring, healthy and safeenvironment where the pupils’social, emotional and physicalwelfare are assured..’

(ISI Inspection Report)

One of the most exciting periods of school life, the Sixth Form brings itsown pressures and challenges, academically and socially.

The high quality pastoral care throughout theschool is equally evident in the Sixth Form.Each girl is a member of one of our fourHouses, with support and advice availablefrom her Housemistress and House Tutor.

Tutor groups in the Sixth Form are made upof girls from Year 12 and Year 13. The Headof Sixth Form, Assistant Head of Sixth Form,the Chaplain and the School Nurses are alsoon hand to counsel and support.

‘New girls’ are paired with a ‘mentor’ in thesame House and tutor group and are invitedin for lunch at the end of Year 11. We areproud that there has regularly been a HouseOfficer, elected by her peers, who was newinto Year 12.

‘The younger girlsgrow up knowingthe Sixth Formersas role models towhom they look forguidance andfriendship...’(ISI Inspection Report)

CareersThe Head of Sixth Form and Assistant Head of Sixth Form work closelyalongside the Head of Careers to ensure that all girls are informed and wellprepared for life beyond school.

All girls will have an individual careersinterview in Year 12 and dedicated UCASdays along with extra sessions within theEnrichment programme. A careers room inthe Sixth Form centre provides girls withample research materials to enable them to

reach a well informed choice. All Year 12girls organise a week’s work experience afterAS examinations. Virtually all of our girls goon to Further Education and the vastmajority are successful in gaining entry tothe establishment of their first choice,

including Oxford, Cambridge and otherleading universities. Girls are encouraged toattend Open Days and taster courses andmock interviews are arranged with experts intheir field.

‘There are opportunities for the SixthForm to take up a variety of courseswhich are interesting and enjoyable’(Year 12 Student)

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We believe that it is essential to maintain ahealthy balance between the intellectual andthe physical.

All girls take part in a variety of sports,ranging from yoga and hockey to swimmingand aerobics. Our new state of the art sportsfacilities, including a swimming pool, fitnesssuite and dance studio, ensure that all levelsand tastes are catered for. We field a number

of very successful teams in lacrosse, netball,badminton, athletics and tennis, with manygirls going on to participate at county andnational level.

“mens sana in corpore sano...“

‘The provisionis stronglyacademic, yetwith a strongemphasis onpersonaldevelopment’(ISI Inspection Report)

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Drama,Art and MusicAll three are available as examination subjects at Advanced level, butSixth Formers also play leading roles in these areas outside the curriculum.

As well as being involved in majorproductions, Sixth Form students organise anannual House Drama festival for studentsthroughout the school, encouraging andsupporting the younger girls in theproduction of high quality, entertainingperformances. Recent opportunities haveincluded trips to South Africa to work withyoung people from the townships in a series

of drama workshops culminating in aproduction on the waterfront in Cape Town.

Visiting music teachers provide tuition in awealth of instruments and our studentsshowcase their talents in choirs, orchestrasand a huge number of other opportunitiessuch as Jazz Band, Flute or Guitar Ensembleas well as regular informal recitals.

Students studying A level Art have taken partin trips to Kettles Yard, Kew Gardens, NewYork, Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris andBarcelona. One of the highlights of theschool year is the exhibition of workcompleted by A level Art students.

‘I’ve had a fantastic time at the High School.I feel really lucky that I was able to join in theSixth Form and be so welcomed and make somany amazing friends’(Former Sixth Form Student)

We are delighted to welcome a number of new girls into Year 12 each year.

Changing schools at the beginning of Year 12can be a daunting prospect, but the SixthForm at the High School is a friendly,welcoming environment and we do all wecan to make the transition as easy aspossible. We value the new dimension thatnew students bring to our community; a

community where we seek to encourageeach student to identify and pursue theirindividual goals, where independence ofthought is valued above all else and whereacademic excellence is seen as thecornerstone of future success.

In line with our commitment to enabling allmembers of the community to benefit from theexcellent facilities the High School has to offer,Fees assistance up to 100% of fees, dependenton financial circumstances, is available for allmembers of the Sixth Form, as well asassistance with academic school trips.

‘Coming to the High School has been an amazingand beneficial experience. I cannot imaginewhere I would be or what my life would be likehad I not gone to the school’(Former Sixth Form Student)

Changing schools

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‘I found it extremely easy to settle into the Sixth Form asa ‘new girl’ and made many friends very quickly. All theteachers were very helpful’(Year 12 Student)

‘I’ll miss school.I’ve always enjoyedit, especially atthe High School.Now we’re leavingI wish I could takeit all with me’

‘I’ve had the besttime at this schooland I so don’twant to leave’(Former Students)

Townsend AvenueSt AlbansHertfordshire AL1 3SJTelephone: 01727 853800Facsimile: 01727 792516info@stalbans-high.herts.sch.ukwww.stahs.org.uk B

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