The Sixth Form Enrichment Programme consists of a range of courses and conferences. It aims to broaden the range of everyone’s interests, provide useful skills and knowledge for life after school and give opportunities for earning some extra qualifications. The Enrichment Programme consists of four periods a week in Year 12, dropping down to two in Year 13. It includes a two-week module in Careers and after the AS exams there is a two day Life Skills course involving first aid, cooking, interview skills and self defence.
The aim of the Programme is to extend the range of interests and experience in the Sixth Form, and give pupils an ‘edge’ in the competitive environment of UCAS applications. The courses are generally designed to be involve minimal homework, though this varies according to the subject. The following courses are offered subject to sufficient numbers: Critical Thinking (AS), ICT (AS), Photography (AS), Politics (AS), Film Studies (AS), Law (GCSE), ICT (AS), Spanish (GCSE), Mandarin (FCSE), Drama (GCSE).
Entire year-groups also attend periodic conferences covering a wide range of subjects. Recently, living with HIV, the work of the Samaritans, the Holocaust, and the consequences of drug smuggling have rubbed shoulders with yoga, Gap years, the work of the Refugee Council and the prison system. Conferences are also organised to match the university application cycle. This includes an annual Higher Education evening for parents and pupils, with a talk from a university Admissions Tutor and the opportunity to meet careers professionals.