Sixth Form Entry Process

The majority of girls from our own Senior School move up to the Sixth Form. We also have students joining us from a variety of local state and independent schools, as well as those who relocate from overseas.

Allowing our new joiners to integrate with our existing students is very important to us. We find that friendships evolve naturally in Sixth Form and even students who have been with us for a long time making lots of new friends when they move into Year 12. Each of our new students has their own individual needs in terms of integration into the School environment with some wanting to do this themselves and others wanting additional support – we aim to do this on a one to one basis.  We will always try to buddy a new student with another student, if this is something they would find helpful, and our form groups are clustered by subject choices, which has significant benefits during the first few weeks as they find their feet. The form groups are mixed from Year 11 in to Year 12 to help all students make new friends and settle in more quickly. The huge range of co-curricular clubs also helps students find peers with similar interests very quickly.

We require a minimum of eight GCSE passes at grade 9 – 6, including 9 – 7 in Mathematics and English Literature or Language. You must achieve a 9 – 7 grade for the subjects you wish to study at A-level.

In order to access Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology A-level courses automatically, a 9 or 8 grade in those subjects is required.

For A-level subjects not previously studied at GCSE, there are individual subject requirements:

• Art Photography: Grade 7 – 9 in Art or Art Photography is desirable but not essential. Any applicants without an Art or Art Photography GCSE will need to demonstrate potential and interest
• Classical Civilisation: Grade 7 – 9 in English Language or English Literature
• Computer Science: if Computer Science has not been studied at GCSE then a 7 -9 grade in Maths will be required
• Design Technology: if Design Technology has not been studied at GCSE then a 7 – 9 grade in Maths, Physics or Art will be required
• Economics and Business: grade 7 – 9 in English Language or English Literature and Mathematics
• History of Art: grade 7 – 9 in English Language, English Literature or History
• Philosophy: grade 7 – 9 in Religious Studies (short or full course)
• Politics: grade 7 – 9 in History or English Language or English Literature
• Psychology: grade 7 – 9 in Biology or Combined Science, and in English Language or English Literature and in Mathematics.

If you are applying from overseas and are not sitting GCSE examinations, we will ask you to sit entrance examinations in Maths, English and a language or other appropriate subject. Any offer made will be conditional on passing these entrance examinations and on the A-level subject choices agreed with you during your interview.

We offer a bespoke Admissions service, aiming to ensure that every applicant makes the right choice for her A-level subjects. After an applicant has completed her Morrisby profile, our Sixth Form Director and Head of Careers will analyse the results.

All Year 12 applicants will then be invited in for an interview with the Director of Sixth Form.  To help direct them to the most suitable subject choices, he will discuss their intended university and career aspirations, as well as find out more about their academic and co-curricular interests and achievements. A parent or guardian is welcome to accompany their daughter to the interview.

Once pupils are accepted into the Sixth Form, we have an experienced team offering a tailored Oxbridge Programme, strong pastoral support, plus subject and careers advice throughout their time in the Sixth Form.

In Year 12, all students have the opportunity to undertake the AQA Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This is worth half a A level so can be used to support UCAS applications.

The EPQ Taught Course is covered during curriculum time, with the independent research supported by an EPQ supervisor, who is a member of staff.

The EPQ is particularly valuable in developing girls’ ability to work independently at a demanding academic level, to research a topic of their choice and produce an extended dissertation and formal presentation.

Scholarships

Surbiton High School offers a number of Sixth Form Scholarships and Bursaries which are available to to both existing pupils and those joining the School in Year 12.

Scholarships available are: Academic, Art, Photography, Drama, Music and Sports (Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Rowing, Skiing and Tennis). We also offer the Principal’s Award which is allocated by the Principal to a candidate who has achieved an exceptional level in the Scholarship Examinations as well as one or more additional scholarship disciplines. In addition, the Dame Angela Rumbold Science Scholarship is awarded to a pupil who has attended Surbiton High School since Year 7 and intends to pursue a Science related course at University.

Financial Support

We offer a limited number of means-tested Church Schools Foundation Bursaries at entry to Sixth Form, these are reviewed annually. Please note that Bursary applications for combined incomes over £70,000 may not be considered.

There is also a percentage reduction in the fees for daughters of full time members of the Clergy in the form of a Clergy Bursary.

The Green & Silver Sixth Form Award

The Green & Silver Sixth Form Award is awarded to a pupil who has been in the School since Year 7 and would be unable to continue in the Sixth Form without financial support. It is a means tested award and a bursary application is requested to be completed as part of the application process. Further details are available from the Admissions Office.

How to apply

Application forms for financial support should be submitted before 1 November.

Further information can be found on the Sixth Form Scholarship and Bursaries page.