FAQs
Christ’s has a reputation for outstanding teaching, pastoral care, career and university guidance and a varied super curricular and enrichment programme. Small classes for many of the subjects offered are another tremendous benefit.
Yes we have an Open Evening every October.
We currently offer one BTEC in Business.
Students are expected to study a minimum of three subjects but can opt to do four if they wish to. We recomend opting to study four subjects if you are not sure which A level to choose.
Yes, you can change your mind about what you wish to study right up until enrollment day and sometimes even in the first few weeks of term. You may wish to choose to study four subjects with a view to dropping one of them in the first term.
We aim to create option blocks to allow for every combination of subjects so that 100% of our students can study their first choice of subjects but this is not always possible. We publish our option blocks on the website after applications have been completed.
We commit to taking a minimum of ten external students each year, but we often take more, so there will always be students in the same boat as you if you are joining from another school. We are exceptionally proud of the calibre of students we have attracted from other schools, with most of them citing the smaller class sizes, welcoming atmosphere, and the personalised level of support and challenge available.
Class sizes range from around 6 up to our largest class sizes of 25 for some more popular subjects. The typical class size is 10-12, which is optimal for delivering the level of personalised learning that we pride ourselves on offering.
All Sixth Formers are allocated a tutor group who meet for PD (personal development) time every day at 14.30. There is a great deal of emphasis on the relationships that exist between students and their mentors at Christ’s. In the Sixth Form tutor groups are vertical, and include both Year 12 and Year 13 students. This allows for more interesting discussions and sharing of experiences.
A Sixth Form Tutor will:
Have a role in induction and overview of student learning programmes
Provide personal, emotional and social support
Monitor attendance and follow up unexplained absences
Act as communication channel between students, parents and the sixth form staff
Facilitate discussions and deliver the PSHE programme
Yes, students are offered the opportunity to sign up to an EPQ in January Year 12. Sessions are delivered after school to support students through the process which is completed in Y13.
A Level courses
5 GCSEs grades 9-5, with an Average Point Score (APS) of 5.0.
A minimum of a Grade 5 in English and a Grade 5 in Maths
At least a grade 6 in the subjects you wish to study. Grade 7-9 is required for Maths and grade 8-9 for Further Maths.
Students must study Maths in order to take Physics A level.
For subjects where students have not taken a GCSE, the following requirements apply
Economics – 6 in Maths and 6 in English or a Humanities subject
Psychology – 6-6 in Science
Media – 6 in English Language and English Literature
Politics – 6 in English or a Humanities subject
Sociology – 6 in English or a Humanities subject 1
Film Studies - grade 5 in English Language and grad5 5 in English Literature
BTEC Level 3 courses
A minimum of 5 GCSEs with grades 9-5 plus keen interest in the subject area you want to study
There are two designated study rooms in our spacious purpose built sixth form building with IT facilities and wireless access. Students also can use the open plan communal spaces, our alfresco areas and the main school library.
Yes, so long as they do not disrupt lessons.
Yes, there is secure internet and wireless access in the Sixth Form building, and we encourage students to bring their own device to work on during the school day.
There is no school uniform - students are free to wear their own clothes to express their individuality. Our sixth form is a diverse and respectful environment and students should respect this by choosing smart casual attire. As a church school we believe that it is important that everyone dresses appropriately for the working environment- blue jeans, tacksuits bottoms, clothes with holes, very short skits and strappy, cropped or low-cut tops are not permitted.
We welcome students from all religious and non religious backgrounds.
Christ's Church of England School has a distinctive Christian ethos which is at the heart of the school and provides an inclusive, caring and supportive environment where children learn and flourish in a setting shaped by Christian values.
We ask students and parents to respect the Christian ethos of our school and its importance to our community.
Students are expected to be in school from 8.30am until 3pm. During period one and two students are required to be in the study area for supervised silent study if they do not have a timetabled lesson. Students do not leave the school during the day, unless they have an appointment or are unwell. Students can earn the privelege of a study pass giving them the freedom to come and go - this is granted based on good attendance, punctuality and academic reports.
Yes, there is a designated café in the sixth form block and students are also welcome to purchase food from the main school cafeteria and snack shack.
Sixth formers also have their ownkitchen equipped with fridges, microwaves, a hot water point and filtered water.
Yes, Christ’s School places a huge emphasis on extracurricular sport. We compete at a local, regional and national level in a range of sports. As well as offering traditional sports such as Football, Rugby, Netball etc, we also offer students the opportunity to participate in Rowing, Trampolining, Table Tennis, Dance, Sports Leadership and Triathlon.
The facilities include a full size sports hall with a comprehensive range of gymnastics and indoor sports equipment. The school also has 4 hard tennis/netball courts, a full size football and rugby pitch, a state of the art dance suite, a table tennis studio, as well as an outdoor summer athletics track (400m) and long jump pit. We also have an indoor traversing climbing wall and a 10m outdoor climbing wall. We have a close relationship with Richmond Cricket Club where we have onsite access to a brand new cricket wicket, outfield and multi lane batting nets.
Results at A Level PE are consistently outstanding. We consistently achieve ALPS 2/3 at Key Stage 5 PE.
Students have an assessment week once every half term for the first two terms of Year 12 - these are completed in lessons and contribute towards rounds of tracking which informs parents and carers of the students’ academic progress.
At the end of Year 12, students will complete a set of Pre Public Examinations (mocks). These will determine their UCAS predicted grades.
In Year 13 students have one assessment week and two sets of Pre Public Examinations to help prepare them for their final exams.
We welcome applications from students with learning needs or disabilities who have the entry qualifications for the courses we offer. Our learning support department is designed to meet the needs of students with learning difficulties and our purpose built block is accessable for students with disabilities.
Students with a Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) will continue to have support when they enter the Sixth Form.
The SEN department can provide expert advice and guidance on a wide range of learning needs including:
Study support to improve literacy and numeracy skills
Support for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia
Language support if their first language is not English
Specialist exam access arrangements
Technology to assist those with hearing or visual impairment
Computer assisted technology where required
Please contact the SEN Department if you would like further information about how we can support students individual learning needs.
We offer a Discretionary Bursary Fund for the most financially disadvantaged 16-19 year old students. The fund can provide free school meals, school trips, text books, essential equipment for study, travel expenses for university visits etc. To qualify you must complete an applicaiton form and provide evidence of your financial situation. Payment of bursaries are conditional on the student meeting agreed standards relating to attendance and/or behaviour.
Yes we offer extensive opportunities outside the classroom including:
Wednesday Enrichment
Students participate in their chosen enricment activity every Wednesday afternoon, Activiites include sports, chess, debating, journalism, culture club, music, robotics and voluntary work in the community.
External Speakers
Each year group hs one super-curricular timetabled lesson each fortnight. External speakers visit the sixth form to run sessions to prepare students for post-18 life.
EPQ
Students are able to take the Extended Project Qualificaion from March of Year 12.
Careers Guidance and Work Experience
We are lucky that our Careers and Progression Lead Ms Holmes is based in the Sixth Form and available to meet with students. Ms Holmes regularly posts opportunities on Google Classroom for work experience, apprenticship schemes. university competitions, volunteerin opporutnities, summer schools, taster days etc.
Progression Days
Progression Days are designed to help students make decisions about their next steps, including university applications. These usually take place in March and June of Year 12, and October in Year 13.
Personal Statement Writing Workshop
We run a Personal Statement Writing workshop to support students with their UCAS applicaiton. Students are allocated a Personal Statement tutor to e to support students in this process.
08.30 – 10.30 Lessons or Supervised Silent Study
10.30 – 11.00 Break – students can make use of the kitchen area and the Sixth Form Café.
11.00 – 13.00 Lessons or independent study in the communanal areas or study areas.
13.00 – 13.30 Lunch - students can make use of the kitchen area and the Sixth Form Café.
13.30 – 14.30 Lessons or independent study
14.30 – 15.00 Personal Development (PD) time in tutor groups.
There are three parents’ evenings across the Sixth Form, one after each set of mock examinations in January, March and June.