In year 9, pupils move into the senior school. These next three years are an incredibly exciting time, with pupils gaining a greater sense of independence and having the opportunity to explore who they are and where their passions lie. It is a key period of transition as they first embark on their GCSE courses and then decide on their A Level choices.
When year 9 move into the senior school, their previous year 8 form groups are mixed up. This gives pupils the opportunity to build relationships with a greater number of their peers to ensure a truly integrated year group. It also helps students to continue to develop confidence in making new friends. As a result, senior school pupils enter years 10 and 11 feeling confident to work alongside and collaborate with all members of their year group.
Throughout the senior school, opportunities are offered for the pupils’ personal development through the provision of a variety of trips and exchanges, including the chance to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh bronze and silver schemes. Years 9-11 also benefit from a variety of Futures events, such as one-to-one sessions with a careers adviser and the opportunity to participate in an entrepreneurship programme at LSE. Year group challenges, including some in conjunction with CLS, provide the students time to have fun, problem solve and develop team building skills away from the classroom environment. There are also leadership opportunities on offer for senior school students, such as the house coordinator roles. In addition, year 10 act as reading mentors for local primary schools and at the end of year 11 many students volunteer in several of the City family of schools.
The senior school continues to benefit from a varied compulsory personal, social, health, citizenship and economic education (PSHCE) programme, including learning about the brain and what it means to have a ‘growth mindset’, helping the pupils to further develop their sense of self and key skills of resourcefulness and resilience. Year 11 follow a PSHCE programme alongside years 12 and 13, helping to introduce them to life in the sixth form and encourage vertical integration.
The senior school meets regularly for an assembly to help build a sense of community within year groups and the section as a whole. Themes of senior school assemblies vary, but have included; how to fail, designing a dopamine menu and how to celebrate your successes like Shonda Rimes. Often the pupils lead the assemblies themselves, taking the opportunity to share their hidden talents or passions with their peers.
Each pupil is offered individualised care and support via form tutors, head of year, head of section and the allocated sixth form prefects. This is in addition to the support offered by the learning support centre, the Futures department, the coaching team, the student wellbeing advisor, the school nurse and the school counsellors. The pastoral team are always available to contact via email, phone or in person in their offices. Pupils and parents are encouraged to approach any member of the pastoral team if they have any questions or concerns or would like further support pastorally or academically. The senior school team work collaboratively to support all students to thrive and ensure they are ready for the next steps in their educational journey.
To discover more about the curriculum in the senior school, please visit this page.
Madeleine Davis
Head of Senior School
