Sixth Form Open Evening showcases life at King Edward's
King Edward's welcomed prospective Sixth Form students and their families for an engaging Open Evening on Friday, giving visitors the opportunity to experience everything the Sixth Form has to offer.
The evening brought together families, looking ahead to the next stage of their education, who were welcomed by current Lower Sixth students and set off on guided tours of the school.
Across the school, every A-level subject was represented, with departments opening their classrooms so that visitors could meet teachers, ask questions and discover more about the courses on offer. Prospective students were able to explore subjects in greater depth and gain a real insight into life of an A-level classroom.
The Art Department showcased a selection of pupils' work, while the gym and dance studio were also open, with visitors able to explore opportunities in both sport and dance.
Dr Emma Thomas delivering her talk in the Dobson Theatre
The Sixth Form Concourse served as the heart of the evening, highlighting the opportunities available beyond the classroom. Displays from previous Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ), our unique Foundation Studies and Open Forum sessions and a wide range of student societies demonstrated the rich co-curricular programme that complements academic study at King Edward's.
Throughout the evening, the Dobson Theatre hosted presentations from the Head Neal Parker and the Director of Sixth Form, Dr Emma Thomas, who shared an overview of the Sixth Form experience, the support available to students and the many opportunities that help prepare our Sixth Formers for university, apprenticeships and future careers. Dr Thomas’s talk also highlighted research from the University of Southampton that demonstrated that students who undertake an EPQ are more likely to achieve a first or an upper second at university than students taking A-levels only.
There was also a chance for two students to take to the stage and share their own first-hand experiences. Vega talked about the experience of joining the Sixth Form from another school and how easy she found it to settle in. She said: “If anyone here is considering doing the same and is perhaps nervous about making the jump, I can only reassure you of the incredible kindness I was shown when I joined. It wasn't long before I felt settled at KES.”
Fellow student Jimmy talked about his experiences as part of the Charities Commission and the Student Leadership Team. He said: “After going through the leadership application process, I was assigned to be one of the House Captains of Lake and I was absolutely over the moon when I heard the news. I’ve loved every single minute of my duties. We recently helped with the Year 7 camp, which was wonderful getting to meet and play games with all the Year 7s in our house.”
Our teachers meeting families in the classroom
As the evening progressed, lively conversations took place in classrooms, corridors and communal spaces as families explored the Sixth Form and spoke with teachers, staff and current students. A huge thanks to our Lower Sixth volunteers who played a key role throughout the evening, welcoming visitors, leading tours and sharing their own experiences of Sixth Form life.
Applications to join King Edward VI Sixth Form are now open. You can find out more about the Sixth Form and the admissions process here.
The next opportunity to visit the Sixth Form is our whole school Open Evening on Friday 2 October. Find out more here.
