Frequently Asked Questions

Dame Elizabeth Cadbury Sixth Form

All students will study a minimum of 3 subjects. You will have 5 hours of teaching per subject each week timetabled, the majority of students will have a minimum of 10 hours of independent study time in school which will be allocated as “Study Sessions”.
At DEC 6th Form we take the transition from Year 11 to 6th Form seriously and we want our students to begin harnessing and developing those skills we know are essential in securing success. We run taster sessions in A - Level & BTEC subjects as well as opportunities to meet with the 6th Form Team. We have a further induction day in September, continuing to develop those skills of independence, and resilience. Holiday tasks are also set in each subject, which are designed to identify your strengths and areas where there may be further work needed to ensure you become a successful 6th Form student. We then work with you on any specific need.
We have an average class size of 15 students, although many are smaller at present.
Students register in Tutor Groups every day at AM registration. It is during these sessions that you will receive support from tutors and take part in a wide range of enrichment opportunities with guest speakers from universities, apprenticeship schemes, gap year agencies as well as a variety of talks about a range of social and personal issues including covering PSHE/SMSC content.
Our 6th Formers enrich the whole school in many ways through their contribution. For example: using your interest to lead clubs and activities, mentoring, working with our community, fund raising are a few of the ways this can happen. We are always open to new ideas and will support you to make a difference.
AM & PM registration form time is structured to provide, personal and subject tracking. We have half termly tracking, parents evenings, annual reports as well as regular communication between subject leaders, personal tutors and Heads of 6th Form. Your work will be marked regularly by your subject leader and they will show you how to be even more successful in their subject.
Yes and no, for some careers you will be unable to study a particular university course without having taken some specific A level subjects (and the grades you achieve in these subjects will be important too). We make sure we discuss this with students when they come to interview (usually in January) and we recommend students do their own research on university degrees to help guide their choices (e.g. https://university.which.co.uk/). It is important to note that there are plenty of university courses out there that make no demands on what subjects you have studied at A Level or BTEC. Instead they will be more interested in what grades you achieve, regardless of the subject you have studied.
If you don’t know what career you want to pursue, you won’t be the only one – lots of 6th form students fall into this category and there is nothing wrong with not knowing yet. While we can’t advise you on what subjects will bolster your subsequent career aspirations, your choice of subjects is still important. We always advise students to pick subjects that they are good at and which they enjoy. You will do better at subjects you enjoy because you are engaged in what you are learning and getting good grades at A level & BTEC keeps lots of options open to you.
No. BTECs are equivalent to A - levels and will get you to university. BTECs are a different style of learning to A levels and tend to involve more coursework and less exams, but they are not without exams anymore and they are challenging qualifications. In recent years we have seen BTEC students progress to places like Birmingham, Lancaster, Southampton, Staffordshire & Worcester Universities to do exciting degrees like Aerospace Technology, Policing & Criminal Studies, Game Art Design, Sport & Education and many more courses. Some BTEC students can also get onto highly competitive sponsored degree programmes and advanced apprenticeship programmes too.
You might be eligible for the Post-16 Bursary, details of which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-education-financial-support-for-students
Letters will be sent out to all students who attended an interview in March/April.
If you do miss the deadline please ring the school office and speak to the Head of Sixth Form or any of the Leadership Team, to see if there are still places available.

What can the Sixth Form offer me?

An excellent chance of success in A Levels & BTEC courses through individualised support along with academic, personal and career guidance. We are big enough to offer choice but small enough to care for you as an individual. Leadership opportunities through e.g. the School Council, Senior Prefect and Anti-bullying ambassador positions, academic mentors in school, The Duke of Edinburgh Award (see our Enrichment & Wider Offer page). Support with work experience and a designated work experience week. Significant enrichment opportunities to develop employability skills and personal growth.

What support is available in the Sixth Form?

As well as academic and personal support available from your form tutor, support is also available from subject tutors, form tutors, Heads of Department, Head of 6th Form and Heads of House, External Careers Advisor. The support covers a range of queries including subject advice, UCAS applications, careers advice and support if you are struggling with a particular subject or personal issue. In addition, Year 12 at times will be working with Y13 so students new to the 6th Form will always have someone who can help, to talk to and learn from.