Partnership - Under Review

Working with our partners, Shaftesbury School.

In order for our students to have access to a broad curriculum choice, we work together with Shaftesbury school to provide a joint curriculum offering.  The partnership works through a common timetable which allows students based at either school to access lessons at each institution.  Lesson are usually in two hour blocks and there is a free bus service connecting the two sites between each block.  Students remain members of one school community or the other, and each have access to social and study facilities on both sites as well as playing a leadership role in their own school.

Reporting procedures remain separate, as do Parents’ Evenings and should any academic problems or difficulties arise, the relevant school will contact home.

2016-2017 Academic Success

There has never been a better time to join the Sturminster Newton Sixth Form and the benefit gained from our strong partnership link with Shaftesbury School, following our strong set of 2016-2017 A Level results. Students that join are actively encouraged to fulfil their potential and achieve the very best outcomes during their time with us. We look to ensure students are encouraged to achieve their academic potential but also focus on enrichment, progression and ultimately the development of the whole student.

We are able to boast subjects that produce some of the very best A Level results in the country. Last year our Drama and Theatre Studies, Spanish and Photography courses achieved an A Level Performance (ALPS) score of a 2, firmly placing these subjects within the top 10% of department performance nationally and rated by ALPS as achieving ‘Outstanding Performance’. 2016-2017 also saw our Maths department achieve an ALPS score of a 3, firmly placing their performance in the top 25% of schools nationally.

We have also shown strong levels of consistent academic performance over the last 3 years, with Business Studies, Health and Social Care, French and Further Maths all achieving average 3-year performance within the top 25% of schools nationally. We also provide all students with an opportunity to add value to their academic studies by opting to enter the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Our outcomes for these students has been rated as ‘Excellent;’ by ALPS over the last 3 years, again with performance within the top 25% of schools in the country.

In order to ensure a balanced curriculum, we also offer students the opportunity to study a range of vocational and technical qualifications, primarily involving BTECs. These subjects are recognised by the Government as rigorous advanced (level 3) qualifications that allow 16 to 19-year-old students to develop transferable knowledge and skills. They are for students that want to continue their education through applied learning. Our performance within these applied general qualifications was recognised as a strength in 2016-2017 and student outcomes and performance placed us firmly within the top 27% of schools nationally.

“The Sixth Form is a positive and friendly working environment, where students can enjoy further education.  The link between the two schools is great and has given me a fantastic opportunity to learn and socialise with new people, whilst gaining my A-levels.” Student

“The sixth form contrives a blend of a friendly environment where assistance and enjoyment can be found; paralleled with a drive for achievement.”  Student

“A level and AS level results are above national average, even though the starting points of many students was below national average. The sixth form offers a wide range of courses to suit the needs of all students, with some completing work-related courses in one year and others taking academic courses over two years. Success rates are high. The sixth form is good and a particular strength of the school”. Ofsted 2013.