EDUCAT ION
All Change THE LAST TWO YEARS OF SCHOOL LIFE ARE A TRICKY, BUT EXCITING TIME FOR STUDENTS. WE GET EXPERT ADVICE ON HELPING THEM THROUGH IT SIXTH FORM SPOTLIGHT
WORDS BY NICOLA FOLEY
“One way to narrow down the selection is to work backwards from the career a student may be leaning towards. If there is a particular path in mind, they need to spend some time researching the best mix of A-levels to fit those aspirations,” he recommends. “Alternatively, following non-academic interests can help define what they might want to do in the future. Whichever subjects they choose, however, they need to enjoy studying them – a lot of time will be spent on them during the course of the next two years of education. If students are happy and motivated,
he transition to sixth form is a huge shift, offering pupils a real taste of freedom for the first time in their educational lives. No
news for ensuring each individual’s talents are explored and nurtured, but the breadth of choice can undoubtedly feel daunting, as well. That’s perfectly natural – and to be expected – especially if students enjoy a wide range of different subjects, says Robin Griffiths, head of sixth form at St Mary’s School, Cambridge. His advice, if pupils are going down the A-level route, is to find a balance between subjects they like doing now, and those that will set them on the right course for their future goals.
uniforms, free periods and independent learning can be thrilling (the prospect of no detentions certainly is!), but it can also be a time of apprehension and uncertainty for young people, beginning with the potentially life-shaping choices of what to study and where. From traditional A-levels to BTECs, IBs and on-the-job apprenticeships, there have never been more options. This is great
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK NOVEMBER 2021 77
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