Life in the Sixth Form

Sixth Form life at Epsom College provides a perfect platform and preparation for University life. The balance of work and social activities blended with opportunities for responsibilities, make the Sixth Form at Epsom a mature but fun environment in which to study.

• New Challenges
• Independence
• New Responsibilities
• New Opportunities

Sixth Form studies offer you new opportunities, new challenges and new responsibilities. During your two year Advanced GCE course, you will probably learn to drive and some will be free to vote and yet, at the same time, you will still be living and working within the guiding framework of your home and the School. Independence and freedom of choice beckon: self discipline and organisation in daily life will become increasingly important.

In the Sixth Form, you will be studying subjects that you have selected. You ought, therefore, to find them enjoyable but they will still be demanding in terms of time and effort. Classes will be smaller than you are used to in most cases and you will be expected to work on your own to an increasing extent, to be involved and responsive in class and to show initiative in pursuing lines of thought and study as they are presented to you. The reforms to post sixteen education which started in September 2000 mean that the Advanced GCE course is now divided into two parts: the AS courses which are pitched at an intermediate level between GCSE and full A level; and the A2 courses which are up to or slightly above the previous A level standard. It is increasingly apparent that success at A2 is built on high marks achieved at AS level.

At Epsom pupils will follow 4 AS courses for examination in the summer term of the Lower Sixth year and then usually convert three of these into A2 courses in the Upper Sixth. Some of the most able may continue with all four courses to A2 level, but this would be by discussion between the Director of Studies, the pupil's Housemaster or Housemistress and the relevant Heads of Department. Those taking both Maths and Further Maths will take a further three subjects at AS level.

Your work will come first but other aspects of School life are very important. As a senior member of the School, your behaviour should be exemplary while, as a School or House Prefect, you could, in less than a year from now, be responsible for organising day to day activities of those moving up the School. Regardless of others, you will need to learn to be clear in your demands, firm in your instructions and fair in your assessments of those with whom you are dealing. In this area you will need to be self disciplined and civilised as well.

You will have considerable freedom of choice in various areas of School activity: on Wednesday afternoons; on the games field; in the performing arts; but here again a positive choice on your part will make demands of your time as well as developing your skills. Whatever you choose to do in your Sixth Form course, enjoy it and pursue it to the best of your ability.

Sixth Form Centre

Situated centrally in The Quad, the Sixth Form Centre was wholly re-furbished during the summer of 2010. The centre offers Sixth Formers the opportunity to relax and socialise, to read newspapers and journals in an informal setting, or to work in small groups, without having to maintain the code of silence appropriate for the Library. Big screen projection is available and may be enjoyed both for entertainment and to enhance a society meeting or an extra-curricular seminar. Light refreshments may be purchased from a serving-hatch, supervised by the College's Catering Manager.

The Centre is managed by a committee of Upper Sixth Form representatives, selected from each of the Houses, with staff guidance.

To download a copy of the Sixth Form Booklet click here

Sixth Form Admissions

Entry to Year 12 from a UK Independent or State School

Registration should be made by the beginning of Year 11 and candidates are invited to the school for interview and assessment during November of Year 11*. Candidates sit three Cognitive Ability Papers (Verbal, Non-Verbal and Quantitative) and have an interview. Candidates who are applying for a scholarship also have additional interviews and/or assessments. Results are announced on 1st December for entry the following September. Offers of places are made conditional upon a minimum of seven GCSE passes at Grade A*/A and B.

2012 Entry: Applications closed
2013 and Beyond: Applications welcomed

Entry to Year 12 from an Overseas School

If candidates are unable to travel to the UK for testing and interviews, then it is possible for them to take the entrance tests either at their own school or at an alternative examination centre in their country (eg The British Council). Candidates sit three Cognitive Ability Papers, as above, but for candidates whose first language is not English there is an additional EAL English Paper. Candidates cannot normally be considered for scholarships unless they are able to come to Epsom College for interviews and assessments.

Results are announced from December onwards.

For further information or to arrange a visit please call Cathy Kent on 01372 821234 or email Admissions@epsomcollege.org.uk