Head of Sixth Form
WELCOME TO THE SIXTH FORM
I am delighted that you have chosen to continue your Post-16 education at Ryde School and look forward to getting to know you a lot better over the next two years. As a member of the Sixth Form you are a senior student and will enjoy a range of rights and privileges. In return, you are expected to lead by example and set the standards as role models for the rest of the School.
We are housed on a beautiful site overlooking the Solent. The Sixth Form centre is on the first floor of ‘Westmont’, built in 1789, in which you will study and socialise. Lessons take part in subject areas around the Senior school and the Library is a well-resourced study environment.
A level study, despite the view of some commentators, is not easy. It demands a good deal of time and commitment from both students and teachers. It starts on the first day you return in September and continues until June, two years later. You need to be well organised, hard working and able to understand that learning at this level, requires more than just doing the work that is set. Your learning should be seen, as a partnership with your subject tutors, not something that is imposed upon you. Both staff and students work hard away from the classroom and a lesson should be seen as an opportunity to share knowledge.
You may find the move from GCSEs to A levels challenging at first but our excellent results over the last few years demonstrate how we have enabled so many to achieve their potential. There is no reason why you should not be one of them.
You will also have the opportunity to contribute and run parts of the school community. There are many extra-curricular opportunities. These are chances you should take advantage of, but please remember that if you wish to achieve good results you must be able to organise your time and not forget your academic commitments.
We hope that you will enjoy and benefit from your time in the Sixth Form, make the most of all the opportunities that are available, and that you will leave the school having achieved your potential and fully prepared for the next stage of your life.
Mr S R Baxter Head of Sixth Form
