Future Pathways

Year 13 are slightly further down the track in terms of preparing for their next steps. We are very pleased that students have already submitted to UCAS – the portal for university and college applications. Most of these were for Oxbridge but we also have a budding vet in our midst – particularly helpful in the future as we have a cat who is costing me a fortune right now!

Linked to this, it was also a real highlight of the half term to accompany students to Edgbaston (home of county cricket) in October for the recent University and Apprenticeships event. This gave students the opportunity to speak with representatives from myriad organisations and to hear talks on a range of issues such as:

• Finance
• Personal Statement writing
• Taking on an apprenticeship

  

Attention now turns to those non-early entry students who have until Christmas to submit competitive applications and to really focus on achieving their future pathway plans.

Charity and Community

It was great that our Sixth Form students engaged so well in the whole-school charity and community events this half-term. With Race for Life, £165 was raised by Sixth Form students alone and this contributed to a very healthy overall collection of £2660.

While most Year 13 were out at the Edgbaston event described above, the students remaining on site contributed to the Hello Yellow Day in school on Friday 9 October – observing and supporting the commitment to mental health in young people.

A great team effort and commitment.

Tutor Time, Assemblies and P.S.H.E Curriculums

Our Assembly programme is currently focused on Stephen Covey’s Habits of Highly Effective People – which foregrounds a model for self-reliance, teamwork and overall high performance (whether individually or collectively). This complements the Tutor Time curriculum which has focused on supporting the transition to Sixth Form for Year 12 and the transition to post-18 for Year 13. Year 12 have explored concepts such as Growth versus Fixed Mindsets as well as organisational and academic skills vital to academic success. Year 13, in the meantime, have had lots of time dedicated to the transition skills and knowledge needed for their applications and futures in employment, higher education or elsewhere.

Ultimately, we are firmly committed to concepts such as Maslowe’s Hierarchy and the view that students need to feel safe, happy and confident before they can be successful. Thus, the PSHE and Tutor Time curriculums (as well as assembly programme) has given over ample time to areas which deal with the affective or pastoral (as opposed to academic) side of provision. With Mrs McGwinn and her team in PSHE, for example, students have been exploring all sorts of aspects impacting their Health & Wellbeing.

Wider Curriculum

We are so pleased that so many subjects in Sixth Form offer excellent extra-curricular opportunities. So far this year, we have seen these subject-based experiences:

• September 28 – Grantchester Geography Field Trip
• October 6, 13, 20 – Sociology Trip to Warwickshire Justice Centre

With the former, students undertook investigative field work in and around Cambridge before enjoying a punt on the River Cam. “Good times, good times” – to quote Detectorists!

With the latter, it was a great opportunity for Sociology students to see some of the theory studied put in to practice at the Warwickshire Justice Centre in the town.

With both trips, students conducted themselves really well and made real use of the opportunities afforded to them.
Thanks to all the students and the staff who organise such experiences.

We offer all sorts of extra-curricular opportunities as we focus on supporting students in becoming well-rounded individuals able to meet the demands of Life Beyond NLS. Part of this involves some “world ready” provision for our Year 13 and this term saw all students given guidance on healthy eating and safe cooking practices! Facilitated by our colleagues from ABM (who provide the school meals), sessions involved students undertaking hands-on tasks which helped enhance their culinary skills.
Here, our Senior Student Leader (Claudia) gets kitchen-ready with Mr Bradley…

Student Leadership

Our student leaders, including Claudia and others (see last year’s bulletin #6 on the school website for who they are) have made a terrific start to 2026-27 having undertaken work in supporting with:

• The new Mobile Phone Policy and its implementation
• Ensuring a positive working environment in the dedicated Sixth Form spaces
• Student learning in Main School
• Representing at the Prospective New Year 7 Open Evening

They will be out in full force for the upcoming Prospective New Year 12 Evening on November 11.

We are also delighted to announce that our Year 12 College Leaders have now also been appointed: there are lots of opportunities for students to progress “through the ranks” as it were and to enhance their skills sets for now and in the future.

Well done to all – we look forward to all your achievements throughout 2026-27!

Student Rewards

For efforts in tutor time, across lessons and in school in general, students are accruing many rewards points in Sixth Form – which is great to see. With their College affiliation noted, here are the Top 10 in each year. It’s terrific that so many students have made such a positive start to both Year 12 and Year 13. Please do congratulate your child to reiterate what we do here to establish a positive, celebratory culture…

Year 12

Year 13 

Parent & Career Website Pages, Mental Health Support 

The school website offers a vast array of support points for parents and students. Perhaps at times of heightened challenge – whether with Mocks or the demands of modern life for teenagers – areas concerned with supporting mental health and wellbeing are of especial note:

North Leamington School - Mental Health
More generally, there are numerous links relevant to parents and carers here:

North Leamington School - Parents and Carers

Also, a reminder our website contains a variety of online safety information within the Safeguarding tab. 
North Leamington School – Online Safety

Calendar

• W/C November 2: Phase 2 of Year 13 Mock Exams
• November 11: Prospective New Year 12 Open Evening
• November 11: Remembrance Event
• November 20: Odd Sock Day
• November 26: DoE Gold Awards Evening
• December: Various Christmas Events including Winter Music Concert – Wednesday December 3, Christmas Jumper Day - December 12
• December 4: Arts Trip to London   
• December 14: Year 13 Parent Evening

If you have any queries at any point, please do make contact via the usual communication sources.

On behalf of myself, the Sixth Form Team and the school, thanks for all you have done so far this year to support us in supporting your children.

Have a terrific break!

S Taylor - Assistant Headteacher - Head of Sixth Form