Sixth Form

Pioneer Secondary Academy Sixth Form

Our Sixth Form provides a warm, friendly and academically challenging atmosphere.  Every student is treated as an individual, supported and encouraged to develop and thrive during their time with us.  Our Sixth form is large enough to have a stimulating atmosphere, but small enough so that all students get to know each other and their teachers very well.  This personal touch is key to our students’ success in achieving their academic and personal goals.  We can ensure that students get personalised support, attend lessons which are tailored to their needs and receive detailed, regular feedback from their teachers.

We have high expectations of all students and nurture independent, responsible self starters who are full of initiative.  We offer expert teaching and constant support to raise achievement.  Teachers set challenging individual targets that build on prior attainment and personal goals.  Progress is monitored and reviewed regularly by our dedicated sixth form team.

Sixth Form academic life

As a Sixth Form student with us, you are expected to be in school from 8am to 2.30pm in order to develop your independent learning skills and to hone your time management skills.  Time and space is made available for you to partake in a wide range of activities such as an enriching work experience programme, Core PE and an extensive Personal Development programme.  

You will also receive fantastic pastoral support from the sixth form team, with extensive individualised support with UCAS and apprenticeship applications and we encourage and guide you to take advantage of a range of phenomenal opportunities such as CCF, university visits and courses and local lectures, to name just a few.  

Our study programmes include work experience and non-qualification activities which support you to progress to further or higher education or to employment.

We also encourage our students to complete an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) as
the skills developed linked to independent learning, research skills, time management and public speaking are invaluable going forward. This combined with the positive impact on many university offers make this a qualification that we are passionate in promoting.

Our expectations of you

We expect all of our students to have good attendance, a passion for learning and a commitment to developing yourself whilst in sixth form.  You will be a leader and role model in the school and work closely with younger students by helping out in extra curricular clubs, providing homework support, carrying out prefect duties and perhaps even supporting in some lessons.  

Our aim is to see all students leave Pioneer Secondary Academy Sixth form as confident and resilient young people, with a clear sense of direction with the qualifications that will enable you to pursue your career ambitions.

How we meet the requirements of the 16 – 19 study programme

Every study programme has a core aim. For the majority of students, this will be either the study of substantial technical, applied or academic qualification(s) or preparation for employment

PSA offer the programmes set out below

• ‘A’ Level Programme: This programme is designed for those students who have achieved high success at GCSE and plan to follow a two-year linear course, specialising in three subjects that they choose. There is very little coursework and these will primarily be facilitating and traditional academic subjects
• Vocational Programme: Students can choose the Level 3 Vocational courses such as Business Studies, Sport, Health and Social Care and Information Technology. They count in the same way as Level 3 A’ Level courses, but assessment is both through coursework, controlled assessment and a terminal examination.
• Combined Programme: Students may wish to combine A’Levels with vocational courses and we would encourage students who felt they would be more successful doing this, to strongly consider this pathway.
  
  Additional elements making up our Sixth Form study programmes for each student in the Sixth Form:
  

• Careers lessons
• Combined Cadet Force (optional)
• Community volunteering
• Core PE
• Duke of Edinburgh Award (optional)
• English and Maths GCSE retake, if a student has failed to secure a passing grade
• EPQ (optional)
• Life Skills sessions
• Mentoring
• PSHE