The Sixth Form is not only the transition period from school to university or a career, but also from being a child to an adult. We aim to educate you to the best of your ability, teach you the value of a well-balanced lifestyle and allow you to explore, make mistakes and learn from them in a safe environment.
When you leave us for your chosen path, you will do so as a confident, empathetic person ready to take on the challenges of work, university or the many opportunities a GAP year offers.
We celebrate excellent A Level and IB results every year and students go on to Oxbridge, universities in the UK and abroad and a host of other destinations but we are also a community that upholds the traditional ethos of the whole school. Embedded in the school motto, 'Ut Prosim', (service to others) our Sixth Formers are encouraged towards self-knowledge, good governance, academic excellence and leadership in order to contribute positively within their chosen fields and in an ever-changing world where new technologies have exponentially created new channels of communication and dynamic changes in the workplace. We offer our students three routes to meet those challenges:
- The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), an invigorated and inspired curriculum
- A Level Plus, academic rigour of A Levels alongside enrichment options
- International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP), combining academic IB courses with professional qualifications
We look forward to welcoming you to our dynamic and happy environment, our newly refurbished Sixth Form Centre, extensive extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities and a careers programme focused on developing your specific talents.
Matthew Windsor
Head of Sixth Form
Sixth Form Life
Students gain so much confidence through their time at Ryde Sixth Form. Students will enjoy more autonomy and freedom than younger years, small classes, choose the subjects they wish to follow, wear their own suits rather than uniform and enjoy a wide range of sports and activities.
Our tutorial, pastoral and personal development structures help students understand their talents and plan their future. We begin their academic career by building an induction programme that allows students to collaborate on a creative project as a year group and learn about effective study skills. We believe that self-knowledge is the foundation for success, so as well as preparing our students for the demands of their courses and for the world beyond Ryde, we also embed a coaching system where students are coached and learn this useful lifelong tool so that those who then wish may play an important role in leading and mentoring the lower school and potentially others beyond Ryde.
Healthy study habits are consolidated by offering our students a wide range of sports including competitive teams for rugby, hockey, netball, rowing and athletics. We also offer yoga and mindfulness programmes as well as opportunities for volunteering in the local community.
Our small tutor groups and dedicated tutor team allow for both support, inspiration and, often, a lot of good humour. They are also important in assisting students with university, apprenticeship or job applications. Tutor meetings allow students to discuss anything from current affairs to present academic progress. Every other week, our reflection takes the form of ‘chapel’, where the whole school meets for a moment of peaceful thought, prayer and a song.
Our Sixth Formers are role models and ambassadors; evolving, in our time with us, into independent and reliable citizens. They enrich our school with their active participation in the Careers Fair, the Global Rock competition, Young Enterprise, numerous school plays and concerts, charity events, open days and parents evenings. As our year draws to an end, all our students take part in an enrichment and activities week – students are encouraged and challenged to learn a variety of new skills such as building go-karts, learning to cook or learning a new language; the options focused on the important skills increasingly appreciated by universities and employers. As well as the Winter Ball, we also meet as a whole Sixth Form in a social context and we punctuate our busy year with whole Sixth Form challenges and games.
Results day at Ryde is an exciting and emotional day. We enjoy celebrating successes with our students and giving them the support they need to ensure that their first steps beyond Ryde are well oriented, right for each student and exciting.
Ryde has an active alumni presence and we stay in contact with our leavers in order to celebrate their successes and support them in their future endeavours. Students, past and present at Ryde, and their families are part of a lifelong community and it is always a pleasure to see so many of our former Sixth Formers returning to pay us visits after leaving the school.
The Sixth Form Centre
Our Sixth Form study library has been designed with independent learning in mind with individual work study areas and specific areas for collaborative study. Break-out areas with soft seating around the building allow for mindfulness and contemplation alongside quiet areas for study. Phone and laptop-charging lockers are available on every floor as are lockers and storage areas for books and personal belongings. Our separate Sixth Form common room has been designed with relaxation and community in mind: soft seating areas and a kitchen to allow Sixth Formers to make snacks and enjoy a coffee break whenever they wish. An outside patio area with views across the Solent completes the Sixth Form wing.
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- DOCUMENTS OF INTEREST - SIXTH FORM
- Explanation of the Three Programmes, A Level, IBCP and IBDP 2024 -26
- All Sixth Form Courses Information Booklet 2024 - 2026
