Please complete the Application Form which should be returned to School as soon as possible. 

Application Arrangements

Students wishing to join the Sixth Form from other schools will need to complete an application form and return it to the School.  

Once the application form is received an 'application received' letter is sent, a letter will be sent to the applicants present school and predicted grades certified. 

As with existing members of the school, applicants may then be invited to discuss subject choices to ensure a coherent course over two years.  If you hear nothing from us and you know you are predicted good grades, please telephone and we shall confirm whether your present school has provided the information.  We do not chase schools for references and it is up to you to keep track of your application.

On publication of the GCSE results in August, applicants holding a conditional offer of a place must visit the school on results day or if the candidate is on holiday, contact the school by telephone to notify us of their results.  At this time, provided that the admissions criteria outlined above have been met, the place will be confirmed.  If you fail to confirm your results you may risk losing your offer.  If you intend to be on holiday when GCSE results are known please make arrangements with your school so that your results may be handed to someone responsible.  You must also then make arrangements for someone to notify us of your intention to accept the conditional offer at Wallington.

It is the School’s intention to offer the following Advanced Level subjects.

It is anticipated that students will take four subjects in the Lower Sixth; Advanced Supplementary (AS) Level examinations will be sat at the end of the year and then three of these subjects will be studied in the Upper Sixth to Advanced Level.

Introduction

Wallington County Grammar School is a selective boys’ foundation school which was established in 1927.  The Sixth Form comprises approximately two hundred and fifty students, the majority of whom have studied at Wallington since leaving primary school at the age of eleven.  However, every year we welcome a number of students from other schools who transfer to Wallington at the age of sixteen.  As from September 1999 the School admitted girls for the first time.  There are currently 50 girls on roll.  The Sixth Form provides a range of opportunities for students to continue their education in a number of academic subjects, and under expert tuition and guidance to prepare for higher education or employment.

The Sixth Form Centre

The Sixth Form Centre

The Sixth Form Centre, the focal point of the students’ social life, incorporates a Common Room/Study, Library, offices and various specialist teaching rooms.

The Sixth Form at Wallington has a considerable reputation earned through academic attainments, through sporting achievements, and through its concern for the local community.  Staff and students aim at the pursuit of excellence through a curriculum which strives to keep pace with the demands of contemporary society as well as satisfying and developing the interests and talents of all and respecting the traditions and values of the past.

In common with the rest of the school, members of the Sixth Form are required to follow the established rules on dress.

Sixth Formers are expected to acquire the self-discipline to organise their study, to explore their chosen subjects with commitment and enthusiasm beyond the boundaries of the syllabus, to learn to read widely and with discrimination, and to balance the respective demands of their academic and social lives.

It is from the Sixth Form that House officials and Prefects are chosen and it is to them that the rest of the School will turn for assistance and leadership.  Members of the Sixth Form must recognise that they form part of a community and must contribute to the corporate life of the School, developing in themselves and encouraging in others the values that should characterise their conduct at Wallington and condition their careers when they leave: integrity, courtesy and compassion.

Whatever their chosen areas of study and whatever careers they may pursue on departing, those who enter the Sixth Form should emerge as educated young men and women capable of playing a happy and worthwhile part in society aware not only of what their education may enable them to derive from it, but of their responsibility towards it.

Courses

The booklet ‘Sixth Form Courses’ outlines the subjects available for study in the Sixth Form.  With the advice of form teachers, the Careers Department, and those in charge of Sixth Form studies, a student entering the Sixth Form will decided on the combination of subjects which will determine the pattern of his or her timetable.  Members of the sixth Form will be expected to attend classes for approximately thirty two of the forty five periods in the week.  The exact number will depend on the options taken.  In addition, to their main courses of study, all Sixth Formers will have some classes in a variety of general subjects and will be expected to take the Advanced Level General Studies examination.

Academic Life in the Sixth Form

The type of work involved in the Sixth Form is markedly different from that in the main school.  Work often involves lengthy preparation and extensive research over a considerable period of time.  Subjects are explored in great depth and students must learn to organise their work carefully and spend their time profitably in private study.   Self discipline is required if Sixth Formers are to acquire the maturity of attitude to tackle their chosen courses of study with enthusiasm, to face problems with fortitude, to develop informed opinions of their own, and to face their future with confidence born of the knowledge that they have done justice to their talents.

In the Sixth Form a system of ‘Academic Tutoring’ is in place involving the student, form tutor and subject teachers.  On entering the Sixth Form, students will be set Target Minimum Grades in the subjects when they are studying at Advanced Level.  These grades are based on their performance at GCSE.  Reports to parents are issued several times a year.  Each subject will report against the target grades and form tutors will be closely involved in monitoring progress.

Social Life in the Sixth Form

Participation in the extra-curricular activities of the School and the development of an active social life is considered to be an essential part of a student’s overall development.  Those who have talents in whatever field, including sport, music, art and drama are expected to use them.  Students joining the Sixth Form will be allocated to one of the six Houses.  The House system is strong and members of the Sixth Form are expected to play a full part in organising the junior pupils.

Sixth Formers have responsibilities for organising their own sporting events, and, of course, assisting in the organisation and running of varied activities for junior boys.

The students organise and perform in a fashion show to raise money for charity

The fashion show

Sixth Formers are encouraged to take an interest in social work; examples included volunteers helping youngsters in the local primary schools and working with the elderly and the severely and mentally disabled at Sherwood Park School.  Students are provided with opportunities to contribute something in the local community.

Physical Education in the Sixth Form

Sixth Formers are encouraged to contribute to the life of the School on the games field as well as in the classroom.  They are expected to develop their own talents, represent their Houses and the School when required, and to encourage and coach junior boys.  Wednesday afternoons are allocated to sports activities.  In the autumn and spring terms the principal athletic pursuits are rugby, hockey and cross-country running, and in the summer term, cricket and athletics.  In addition, table tennis, squash, badminton, tennis and swimming are available all-year round.  The School gymnasium and local sports centre are available for such activities as weight training, circuit training, swimming and racket games during certain periods of the week.

A skiing trip is organised annually and rugby teams have toured Portugal, South Africa and Canada and the cricket teams have toured Lancashire, the West Country, Holland and Barbados.  In addition, the Hockey 1st XI has visited Barbados and Holland.

The traditions of sporting excellence at Wallington is a strong one, and students represent the County in a range of activities, but we believe that all students, whatever their talents, can benefit from some regular physical activity.  They can gain enormous enjoyment, a sense of achievement and companionship, a respect for discipline, and an awareness of the importance of their physical health.

General Studies in the Sixth Form

General Studies form an integral part of the Sixth Form curriculum.  All students will spend part of their time each week on activities designed to broaden their outlook, increase their general knowledge and social awareness, and balance the necessary specialisation of their main examination courses.  Sixth Formers may pursue a variety of interests, attend classes on a wide range of subjects, see films and attend lectures from visiting speakers, carry out social work in the local community or acquire practical skills.  Students are expected to take the Advanced Level General Studies Examination.  The courses that are offered in General Studies vary from year to year. 

Supervised Private Study in the Sixth Form

All sixth formers will have lessons in the week timetabled to supervised private study in the library.  This would normally be for half of the lessons not spent in academic study.

Music and Drama in the Sixth Form

Whilst it is desirable to start instrumental lessons at an early age, there is no reason why Sixth Formers should feel past the point of no return in this respect.  Tuition can generally be arranged in any instrument within reasonable limits.  Those who stopped lessons during their GCSE year might be well advised to resume them during their Lower Sixth year.  Senior Sixth musicians are encouraged to keep up their musical activities.

The School runs a wind band, brass group, strings group and an orchestra.  Wallington is well represented in the Sutton School Orchestra.  School concerts are regularly held.  In addition, there is a choir.  The maintenance of a school choir capable of performing a worthwhile repertoire demands the involvement of senior students.  No specific musical ability is called for, only a voice and a willingness to use it.

Those interested in drama have the opportunity to contribute to major School productions which are put on as well as organising, including directing and producing, plays performed by their particular House in the Festival of House Plays.

Careers Guidance in the Sixth Form

Careers advising and pastoral care are closely linked in the Sixth Form.  The Careers Department and Head of Sixth Form combine to ensure that every member of the Sixth Form receives information, advice and direction.  This is supported by regular visits to the school of a Careers Officer from the London Borough of Sutton Careers Guidance Service.  The Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster also provide valuable sources of expertise and guidance.

The formal careers programme begins with the selection of appropriate Sixth Form Courses.  Great care is taken in an attempt to marry aptitudes and aspirations with appropriate areas of study.

In the Sixth Form there is time for careful self-assessment and research.  There are many routes to a successful career and no single one is emphasised at the expense of the others.  A flexible approach to careers is stressed.  It is hoped that students will start to discover broad fields of interest and seek out information and advice.  Sixth Formers are regularly interviewed to discuss their futures.

In addition, there are frequent careers talks.  The dates of these, details of job vacancies, of visits and forthcoming careers events, including external conventions are circulated to all Sixth Form groups.  Students attend ‘Open Days’, courses in the City, meetings in connection with other services, and practice interviews.

The School also has well-developed contacts with Universities, art and other colleges, and in the field of employment.  Many major employers keep the School well informed about changed practices, visit us and invite applications when recruiting.

The Careers Room is well stocked with material relating to careers under the Careers Research Advisory Council classifications and the prospectuses on the universities and colleges of higher education and a wide range of other colleges of further education are available.  The school subscribes to a good number of journals and magazines which offer career profiles and information.  In addition, several computer based advisory packages are available.

It is our aim that all leavers will enter higher education, vocational courses, or employment which offers a combination of good prospects and structured training.

The Not so Unlucky 13 are awarded conditional places at Oxford (6) and Cambridge (7)

Students win places at universities all over the country, including Oxford and Cambridge, and a number go on to colleges of art and design, the Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music. Every year almost all students go on to Higher Education although a small number will take a gap year.

A considerable amount of time is spent on the preparation of applications through UCAS to read for degrees at universities.  At the time of the publication of the Advanced Level examination results in August, the School provides help in obtaining university places or employment for those Students who revise their career plans.

And in conclusion…..

Life in the Sixth Form at Wallington is challenging and hard work but it is invariably a happy and fulfilling time when study and social life combine to provide a worthwhile experience.  It also provides an excellent springboard for the future, enabling you to take up exciting opportunities after you leave us.

Sixth Form Charter

As a member of the Sixth Form at Wallington you are involved in a partnership between yourself and the School.  In this partnership there will be expectations and responsibilities on both sides.

This charter indicates what you may expect from the School and what the School, in return, expects from you.

The School will:

·     offer you an environment where you can study and reach your academic potential, and develop socially;

·     offer guidance and advice in choosing your Advanced Level courses;

·     offer the best teaching within its available resources;

·     offer opportunities for you to develop leadership skills;

·     prepare you for Advanced Level and other examinations;

·     set and mark work on a regular basis and indicate how you may improve;

·     set Target Grades (TGs) based on your performance at GCSE and assess your progress towards them and towards achieving success at Advanced Level;

·     report to you and your parents your progress, and suggest and implement strategies aimed at improving your level of performance;

·     offer a programme of Personal and Social Education (PSE);

·     help you in your application for a place in Higher Education or Employment;

·     offer advice and a ‘help service’ after the publication of your Advanced Level results.

You are expected to:

·     support fully the ethos of the School;

·     adhere to the School rules and regulations applicable to members of the Sixth Form;

·     show leadership to the rest of the School;

·     commit the necessary time and effort to your Advanced Level studies to reach your potential;

·     attend all time tabled classes;

·     be punctual;

·     submit work on time and of an appropriate standard;

·     take a full part in the life of the School and use your talents to the full both in class and in extra-curricular activities, including representing the School and House, in sport, music drama and other activities;

·     enjoy yourself, respond positively to the academic work and develop social skills which will equip you to meet successfully the challenges of life after leaving Wallington.