Oakwood ParkGrammar SchoolOakwood Park Maidstone Kent ME16 8AH01622 726683 @OpgsSixth SixthForm@opgs.org www.opgs.org

SixthForm

Thank you for your interest in our school. Oakwood Park Grammar School is an ‘outstanding school’

(Ofsted) but we recognise that excellence must be sustained by continued development and improvement.

We have a highly motivated and well-qualified staff, supportive parents and, perhaps most importantly,

students who are a delight to teach because of their excellent attitude to learning.

The new Centenary Building provides a large Sixth Form study area, co-educational facilities and disabled access.

The classrooms and study area have state of the art interactive technology. In the main school, Sixth Formers

now have an informal common room where they can socialise and take part in joint study projects.

Oakwood Park Grammar School Sixth Form has a well-earned reputation for maintaining consistently high

academic standards with a real attention to the individual needs of every student. Ask the students; they are

passionate about our school and the opportunities they are given to develop skills that will serve them well in

the future.

I look forward to you joining us next year.

Yours Sincerely

K.W. Moody BA MA Headteacher

Welcome to OPGS

Teaching ensures students have a detailed understanding of how to improve their work, secures their immediate engagement in challenging

learning activities, probes and pushes their understanding through excellent questioning and requires them to apply and lead learning.

“ ”Ofsted Report

Not once have I regretted my decision to join Oakwood Park Grammar School. When you come to OPGS, you come to a place where you can make friends, not only with the new students you are introduced to, but also with the teachers.

The teaching is of a very high standard. The level of achievement and the work ethic expected of you are rigorous but fair. I study Psychology, Economics, Sociology and English Literature. Psychology gives me a sound understanding of the ways of the mind, with theory supported by challenging case studies. Sociology helps me to understand why people may turn to deviant subcultures. Economics gives me an informed understanding of the world economy.

As well as my duties as Head Girl, I am in the Volleyball team and am currently on a course to gain a qualification in coaching, which will help me expand my leadership and teamwork skills.

I’m hoping to go to Cambridge to study Human, Social and Political Sciences. I face a year of hard work but, with the support of my school, I will be well placed to go into the next year with confidence and, hopefully, a very bright future.

A Student’s Perspective

Chloe Owen, Head Girl

Having been at OPGS from Year 7, it felt like a natural transition to continue at OPGS for my Sixth Form studies. The first-class teaching and support that I received in the lower school have been carried through into the Sixth Form. In fact, the closer relationship I have with my teachers means that I am given the direction I need in order to develop academically and to prepare for life after I leave school.

The week’s work experience in Spain this June has been the highlight of my year. I worked at a psychotherapy centre, which was one of the most rewarding weeks of my life, and it’s safe to say my Spanish has come on enormously!

As Head Boy, I was extremely proud to represent my school at the Sir Winston Churchill Public Speaking Competition, especially as my co-speaker and I won! As well as improving my public speaking skills, it also sparked a real desire to do more public speaking in the future. I hope to go to Oxford University to study French and Spanish. Without the extensive support that the Sixth Form Team provide, I would never have realised that Oxford could be for me.

Ben Gowers, Head Boy

“ ”Jade Howlett, Year 13

When I was looking at Sixth Forms to go to for Year 12, I was attracted to Oakwood due to its wide range of courses, high level of teaching and the

variety of experiences it offers.

“ ”Sam Tree, Senior Prefect, Year 13.

Quality teaching thatengages and challenges

Every student, whatever their strengths, can fulfil their academic

potential if they are given the opportunity to develop as a

person. It is our job at Oakwood Park to help them achieve this.

Our highly qualified staff combine fresh, innovative ideas with tried and

tested academic practice to ensure consistently excellent results.

Our curriculum offers personalised learning for every pupil, with the

diversity of the student population catered for by a large choice of

subjects, targeted programmes for High Performers and total integration

of those with Special Educational Needs. Our teaching has received

recognition from the Prince’s Teaching Institute, for which

members of our Maths, Science and History departments

have presented at national conferences. Our use of

Thinking Skills across the curriculum has led to national recognition from the

University of Exeter and collaboration with the Malaysian Education Department.

In addition to a reputation for outstanding pastoral care the school also prides itself

on quality teaching which stretches and challenges students to fulfil their potential.

A Level and Pre U courses are taught by highly qualified staff who combine innovation with the necessary rigour

required to ensure that Sixth Form students consistently achieve excellent results.

Students are encouraged to deepen their knowledge of their chosen subjects through structured wider reading tasks coupled with

a subject specific enrichment programme. Art, Geography, History, Languages,

Mathematics, Music and Science membership of the Prince’s Teaching Institute ensures that staff continually

revisit and share ideas with other affiliate schools on what makes outstanding

teaching and learning at A Level.

I will always remember my first Sixth Form day for many reasons. It was my first real experience of independence and it was also the day that I

found my love for learning.

I have studied at OPGS since Year 7, and choosing to carry on with my A levels here was a great choice. You will settle in very quickly with the welcoming students and will be able to find your feet around the school easily.

At OPGS, you are constantly encouraged to take part in opportunities to broaden your horizons by means such as volunteering, work experience or trips linked to your studies. As a prospective medical student, I chose to volunteer at a local playschool run by Mencap. This opportunity was set up for me by OPGS.

Trips to universities and guest lectures have allowed me to explore the different pathways that I could take to study medicine. Next year I hope to be at UCL or Imperial College London because I have discovered that their courses are very hands on. In the future, I hope to become a surgeon in orthopaedics or cardiology.

A Student’s Perspective

Kamal El-Badawi, Senior Mentor

The Sixth Form Team arranged for me to volunteer with a national charity called Safe Anaesthesia Worldwide, which provides essential equipment to developing countries. I demonstrated their equipment at a conference in London early on in my Year 12 studies.

After studying the heart and lungs in one of my Biology modules, I have become fascinated by their anatomy. Knowing my interest in Medicine, the school arranged for me to gain emergency care training as well as a three-day placement with Safety in Action, which teaches young children about essential lifesaving skills.

By the end of Year 13, I hope to gain even more experience in the medical field by working in a range of departments in hospitals, such as Accident and Emergency as well as Paediatrics. By working in hospitals I will be able to develop and expand my knowledge. I plan to study Biomedicine at university.

Rahilah Mirza, Senior Prefect for Inclusion

The Curriculum is imaginative, with the flexibility to meet the needs of individuals. Students’ interests and aptitudes are well catered for.“

”Ofsted Report

Enrichment and Extension Activities

I have just completed my first year of Theatre Studies A Level. Studying theatre has increased my confidence and my analytical skills. My drama class regularly goes to shows and takes part in workshops with specialists.

Central to our philosophy of learning is the notion that a student cannot truly

understand and grow to appreciate the complexity of their chosen subjects

by confining their experience of that subject to the classroom. Ms Hern, working with subject staff, provides

opportunities for students to take part in subject specific visits and workshops

with leading universities which allows students to experience and engage

with undergraduate level material. In addition to working with universities

the school also creates opportunities for students to attend presentations

or become involved with competitions run by major national and multinational

companies/ organisations.

We also encourage our students to move away from the ‘one textbook’ approach

to learning, which can dominate the GCSE curriculum. Universities place

great value on students who can work independently and show an engagement

with their subject beyond the confines of exam board specifications and to this end our expectation is that staff

and students explore and share other sources of knowledge which link to their courses; these can range from the more

traditional approach centred on wider reading, to listening to podcasts and

visiting exhibitions.

Students can demonstrate their expertise beyond the confines of a course by taking

an Extended Project Qualification, which allows them to research and present a

paper or create an artefact of their choice. The school encourages students to take

this opportunity not to boost league table standings but rather to boost a student’s

chance of gaining a place at a competitive university by highlighting their commitment

and grasp of their chosen subject.

- Genetic Profiling Queen Mary University of London - Winston Churchill and Thatcher Archives at Churchill College, Cambridge - Finance, Law and Medicine Tasters at Imperial College - Residential trips to Krakow, Berlin, Cern and Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Past visits include:

“ ”Peter Mancktelow, Drama Prefect, Year 13

I made the decision to come to OPGS based on my experience at the Open Evening and at the Induction Day. Very quickly it was easy to see that the teachers have expertise both in their subjects and in helping students to make decisions for life after Sixth Form. OPGS also allowed me to take subjects, Pre-U courses and the EPQ which weren’t available to me at my old school.

I study Psychology, English Literature, Philosophy and Politics. My English Literature studies at OPGS have included lectures at UCL, a literary festival held at the school and a weekend at Stratford-Upon-Avon. For Politics we visited Krakow in Poland, which included an eye-opening and challenging expedition to Auschwitz.

As a prefect, I have also been involved in bake sales, food collection for the homeless at Christmas and other opportunities to further myself by helping others. Each year there is a chosen charity for which money is raised through events like Stars In Their Eyes, which is great fun and everyone gets involved.

I now have higher expectations for myself than I did prior to coming to OPGS. I want to study Psychology at university with the chance to study abroad for a year.

A Student’s Perspective

Chloe Prime, Senior Prefect for Lower School

I have always felt comfortable and well supported at OPGS, which makes for a great working environment. The teachers have really useful links within their subject fields, always offering a variety of available lectures and talks as well as giving up their own personal time to help us get relevant work experience. Whilst I have found the sciences difficult at times, the support from friends and teachers has made me want to excel and meet the challenge. The friendly science department is one of the key aspects to my love of the subject.

In a year’s time I hope to be studying for a degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. For my EPQ, I am planning to make cling film in the school laboratories and evaluate the process. I am aiming to study at a top university, taking a course that offers a year in industry. I am applying to take the industrial year abroad, being interested in travelling the world, experiencing a wider range of cultures. Also, studying Music Tech at OPGS has provided a great opportunity to explore a hobby further, making my first year of Sixth Form even more enjoyable. Playing rugby for the school’s 1st XV has been another highlight, despite the fact that the footballers have had more success this year!

Jon Hook, Deputy Head Boy

Highly individualised care, guidance and support are fundamental to the Sixth Form’s positive ethos. Students reciprocate by being admirable role models for

younger students and making an excellent contribution to the school.“

”Ofsted Report

Subjects Available to Study

LanguagesFrench

Spanish

EnglishEnglish LanguageEnglish Literature

Media Studies

Arts and TechnologyFine Art

GraphicsMusic Technology

Theatre StudiesDesign Technology

Science and MathematicsBiology

ChemistryPhysics

PsychologyPhysical Education

MathematicsFurther MathematicsComputing Science

Humanities & Social SciencesGeography

HistoryPhilosophy and Theology

SociologyGovernment and Politics

Economics

We offer a wide range of courses and subjects as part of the Sixth Form curriculum. In addition to A Level, we also offer the Cambridge Pre U qualification,

and all students have the opportunity to take an Extended Project Qualification in Year 13. Without the restrictions of an option block system our students can

combine subjects according to their ability and interests. Students can take either 3 or 4 courses and are advised individually as to whether they should

take any AS levels at the end of Year 12.

The curriculum is constantly under review and developments ensure it meets students’ needs. For example, drama and pre-university qualifications are

additions that have increased both breadth and challenge in provision.“

”Ofsted Report

Our students recognise that the ethos of the Sixth Form is centred on the principle that, despite being at a selective school in a competitive market place, they are viewed as individuals and not just a set of grades.

Students are organised into mixed-year form groups on the basis of the subjects they choose at A Level and are given a form tutor who teaches in that area. This system allows Year 13 to give Year 12 students academic or extra-curricular advice in addition to students accessing support from their form tutor in mentoring sessions. Our tutors run a lecture programme designed to broaden the knowledge of all students across the curriculum so that they can be confident in many areas. Beyond this, students have the pastoral and academic support of their Director of Study, who, in response to informal teacher feedback and termly monitoring, has a key role in ensuring that all students fulfil their potential.

Mrs Williams, the school’s Information, Advice and Guidance teacher and Head of Year 13, supports students in making

Student Support, Guidance and Mentoring

decisions regarding their immediate future beyond A Levels, whether that be university or entering the workplace. With the majority of our students progressing to university, we offer a focused UCAS programme, assisting students with the application process and their personal statements. There is also a comprehensive Oxbridge preparation programme run by the Director of Sixth Form, Ms Hern.

We actively encourage our Sixth Form students to support their peers and also pupils lower down the school, through our mentoring programme. Sixth Formers opt either to become an academic mentor or a learning support mentor. Academic mentors are usually subject prefects who have a strength in a particular area and share this expertise with younger students. Learning support mentors work closely with students who may have additional learning needs or need support as they make the transition between primary and secondary school.

Sixth Formers are admirable role models for younger students and make an excellent contribution to the school. Many become involved in peer mentoring projects and work with primary children in local schools.

“ ”Ofsted Report

Director of Sixth Form Studies

I asked Year 12 students to write the text for this

prospectus so that you would hear the authentic voices

of OPGS. For a Director of Sixth Form who is dedicated

to seeking out connections and opportunities for her Sixth Form

students, it was rewarding reading!

At OPGS we are always striving to match the needs of our students

to the rapidly changing economic and higher education environments. The number and variety of offers of

places from Oxbridge and other elite universities continue to grow. In the past two years we have also

consolidated our connections with City firms and

engineering companies.

Every year we follow with excitement

the careers of our

students from years gone by. The fact that so many are keen to take current

OPGS Sixth Formers on for work experience is testament to the warm and

lasting relationships our staff develop with our Sixth Form.

Whether students are new to OPGS or are moving into a new phase of their

life at our school, during their two years in our Sixth Form the trajectory for

their future is set. We get to know our students well and make sure that they

leave with the foundation for a dynamic and rewarding future.

I look forward to working with you next year.

Ms A Hern MA PGCE Director of Sixth Form

Students greatly value the warmth of their relationships with their teachers and appreciate their willingness to go the extra mile to support

them personally and academically.“

”Ofsted Report