Beacon Academy in Crowborough is supporting its Year 11 cohort’s next steps in education by hosting a series of supportive and informative meetings with key Sixth Form staff members. The Times finds out more…
Year 11 students at Beacon Academy and all external students who have applied to join the Crowborough school’s Sixth Form in September 2023, recently attended one-to-one meetings with a member of the Sixth Form team to discuss their progression pathways. The aim of the meetings was to support students when it comes to deciding on their next steps after their GCSEs.
Over the course of several days, Assistant Headteacher of the Sixth Form, Mr Charles Howarth, along with Assistant Headteachers, Mr Steve Baker and Dr Katrina Grossman, met with the students to discuss their future plans and aspirations. There are a wide range of choices available to them following GCSEs, including academic and vocational courses, apprenticeships and training.
Mr Howarth said: “These meetings help to support the students with their transition to Sixth Form, further education colleges, training or apprenticeships and can motivate and inspire them to work towards achieving those higher grades that are within their reach. The interviews also provide an opportunity to review any further support that may be required to help to make these goals a reality.”
Year 11 student, James, commented: “I really enjoy history and know that I definitely want to study it at A-level. I am also interested in other humanities subjects such as psychology, sociology and criminology – I feel that this could give me a few options in the future. The meeting was really useful because it helped me to understand what I need to focus on now.”
Elsa added: “It was really positive. We talked about the courses I am interested in, which are drama, digital media and maths, and also discussed how my studies can work around my role as a carer. I learnt that there can be flexibility in my timetable and that there is lots of support available to me as an individual. It was great to have that reassurance from Mr Howarth.”
Owen said: “I am thinking of a career as an engineer or F1 Mechanic. I am interested in studying maths, physics and chemistry, and possibly a fourth subject. The meeting helped to inform me that I could choose to do three or four A-levels.”
Samuel, who is thinking of going into a career in construction told us: “The meeting went well and I have another meeting planned with Mrs Jones to talk about the courses I could do.”
Another Year 11 student, Matilda, revealed: “The meeting helped me to think about where I could study. I would like to study psychology, biology and geography, and I have visited some local colleges as well as Sixth Form.”
Applications for Beacon Academy Sixth Form are now open. For further information, please visit www.beacon-academy.org or contact the Sixth Form Manager, Mrs Amanda Hilton at: a.hilton@beacon-academy.org
