.jpg)
Academic Experience
Q. What subjects are you studying?
A. I chose to study History, Maths and Physics and I have thoroughly enjoyed the range of skills and content covered. Having the opportunity to study a wide range of STEM and humanities subjects has broadened my skills and allowed me to learn about my interests more in depth.
Q. How manageable is the workload compared to GCSEs?
A. While sixth form is a step up from GCSEs, at the start of year 12 the workload is gradually increased, so you aren’t thrown in at the deep end! The subjects I chose have challenged me, but the support from both subject and pastoral staff has made this transition easier. With study sessions provided to all students at the start of sixth form, you are given lots of tools and advice to be able to manage the workload.
Q. Are there opportunities for extra help outside of lessons/ how is the support from teachers?
A. Some subject offer drop in sessions to ask questions about anything you are struggling with, or want more information on. Subjects may also have study sessions after school, or over lunchtime, that mimic a lesson structure to help with revision. Teachers' doors are always open should you require extra support, whether it be subject or pastoral related.
Q. How do A Level Lessons differ to GCSE?
A. Despite the content being a higher level, most subjects are still taught in a similar way to GCSE. In History, due to the smaller class size, there is more discussion and opportunity to work with others in lessons, whereas subjects such as maths tend to more focused on individual work.
Teaching & Support
Q. How approachable are the teachers and staff?
A. The pastoral office has an open-door policy. Whether it's a query about universities, advice, or a general conversation, all pastoral staff are more than welcoming to give as much support as possible. Each student will also have a form tutor, who will do regular check ins to ensure that each person is receiving any support they should want or need.
Q. Are there mentors or advisors to help with academic issues?
A. At Cockermouth School Sixth Form, we have a specific careers advisor. Every Year 12 student is offered a one-to-one meeting to discuss prospects following sixth form. As with the pastoral office, our careers advisor has an open-door policy, so for any questions about life after sixth form (or even during), she is always happy to help. A range of work experience, apprenticeships and other enrichment possibilities are regularly communicated via email.
Q. How easy is it to get feedback on your work?
A. While mock exams and end of topic test are used by teachers to give feedback on written work, if you have produced any work outside of this, teachers will always give feedback when they are able to. Drop ins can also be helpful if you want extra feedback from teachers.
Q. Are there opportunities for independent learning or research projects?
A. Many subjects such as English, History, Geography etc. have coursework which is a great opportunity to take charge of your work, and research new areas of interest. One of the many enrichment opportunities offered is the chance to complete an EPQ. The Extended Project Qualification allows you to research about an area of interest (mine was on the impact of media on judicial processes) and either produce an artefact, or a report following your research. The EPQ is worth half an A Level and equips you with skills such as organisation, referencing and planning, which are beneficial to life after sixth form.
Life in Sixth Form & Community
Q. How do you balance work and social life here?
A. All students are encouraged to work hard but to also maintain extracurriculars, jobs and other commitments separate to sixth form. My advice when balancing work is to try and leave school at school. Being able to have access to the library and study rooms after school has allowed me to do all my work before going home, letting me separate sixth form from my social life.
Q. Are there clubs, societies, or extracurricular activities available?
A. From music and drama to sports to chess and Dungeons and Dragons, there are extracurricular opportunities for everyone within sixth form and the wider school. Being able to engage with the school netball team has allowed me to compete in tournaments within Cumbria and at national level.
Q. What other enrichment opportunities did you do?
A. Most notably is the opening of a European Scholarship offered to year 12 students by Cockermouth Council. Winning £700 for my friend and me to attend a self-led trip to Berlin, which enhanced my understanding of elements of history outside of my course. I also interacted with a range of in-school opportunities: Kooth (mental wellbeing support for younger students), years 7 and 8 form attachment and helping younger students at study club.
Facilities & Resources
Q. How are the facilities for studying?
A. There are two designated study rooms for sixth form equipped with computers for silent study. Access to the library is also available to Year 13 students during free periods and to all in breaktimes or after school. The library has lots of resources which are great for independent learning. For collaboration, there is access to the sixth form common room.
Progression & Opportunities
Q. Are there work experience or internship opportunities?
A. During the last week of year 12 there is a designated work experience week for students. Students are encouraged to take initiative and organise their own work experience, but there are lots of schemes offered such as Projex ran by Centre for Leadership Team, or work experience ran by Morgan Sindall. I did my work experience at Sellafield, where I learned more about law in a corporate setting and was able to ask professionals about entering the profession. Outside of this week, further work experience is always encouraged. I gained a place at Citizens Advice Bureau through a process called Dream Placement (a competitive application process to gain work experience with a range if top employers in Cumbria) which was offered via school.
Q. Do students get help with applications, personal statements, and interviews?
A. Sixth form staff organise a careers day in the summer term of year twelve to supply information about university applications, personal statements, networking and apprenticeship opportunities. These workshops are continued throughout year 13 with guest speakers from universities covering a range of topics such as: student finance, life at universities and applications. Cockermouth School also has strong links with employers in Cumbria, therefore there are often speakers advertising workshop or apprenticeship opportunities. Should your university course require an interview, the sixth form team will help organise practice interviews for preparation.
Overall Experience
Q. What do you enjoy most about being in sixth form here?
A. My favourite academic aspect of Sixth form is the independence given to take charge of your own studies and do self-led research/work. On the social side, sixth form is a tight-knit community offering the opportunity for learning to become a collaborative process.
Q. What’s the hardest part of sixth form life?
A. Thinking about the future after sixth form has been daunting and the application process to university was overwhelming at times. However, knowing that I have opportunity to do something I am passionate about after school has continued to motivate me and seeing the results has made it even more rewarding.
Q. Would you recommend this sixth form to others, and why?
A. Yes! Cockermouth school has an incredible community, and the sixth form has an amazing support system both academically and pastorally. Throughout my time in sixth form I have developed close relationships with all my teachers, which made me enjoy my learning experience even more and feel supported throughout.
Q. What do you want to do after sixth form and how has Cockermouth helped you towards this?
A. Following my A Levels I am intending to study law at university. Going to open days at Newcastle and Northumbria University and the all the information provided through school has helped me inform my decisions. Alongside the support and other opportunities previously mentioned, have enabled me to gain offers from: University of Liverpool, University of Glasgow, University of Manchester and University of Oxford.
If you would like more information on joining our fantastic Sixth Form, please email year11transition@cockermouthschool.org
