Georgie

Name: Georgie

Joined King Edward's in: Year 7

A Levels: History, Chemistry, Philosophy 

Clubs & Societies: Deputy Head of School, After-school Hockey, Netball and Cricket, Summer Camp Charity, Philosophy Society

How would you describe your time at King Edward's Sixth Form?

This school has taught me so much. From the moment I took my first step into secondary school life as a 12 year old, to now leaving the Sixth Form after 7 years; it has been a journey to say the least. Sixth Form in particular has been bigger and better than I ever could have imagined. Walking into the concourse on your first day as a Lower Sixth, whether or not you have been here for 5 years already, is going to be scary.

Within the first couple of months it is inevitable that adjusting from GCSE’s to A Levels, wherever you go, can pose a challenge. My combination of A levels is pretty abstract and they are very different. However, the fact that they are so different, compliments them in a way. I love to be versatile in my thinking and this mixture of subjects fulfils both this and a healthy balance with work- so don’t be afraid to take outlandish combinations.

Alternative to academic opportunities; sport has provided sanity and joy, music has inspired me to perform as a lead singer in a band and a deputy position has trained me in public speaking in front of an audience of a thousand. Colleges provide education, but KES provides a lifestyle. I’ve been given everything and anything I could have asked for and as I leave this school, I look back on so many happy memories that I will treasure forever.

What are your top three favourite things about the Sixth Form?

1. Charity positions: This offers Sixth Formers amazing opportunities to communicate with children, work in a team and find fun ways to fundraise, bringing the whole of the school together. 

2. The environment of the Concourse: A place where students can take a breather, drink hot chocolate and enjoy socialising in a modern space which lies separately from the main school.

3. Academic and emotional support: It is so nice to be able to get to know the staff that run the Sixth Form, as well as your academic teachers. Whether you are having a good day or a bad day, they are always on hand to have a chat and aid you in your education and lives whenever you need it.

What are your plans, next steps and aspirations for once you have finished your A Levels at King Edward's?

I am planning on taking a gap year, working as a sports gap student at KES, which will be broken up by a ski season and inter-railing. I aim to use this year as a break from education and a time to develop on different skills which I will need for university and beyond. I have been offered a deferred place at Exeter to study liberal arts, but have not got a set path on where I want to be after university; there is a certain beauty of being in the unknown.

What would be your message to students looking to join the Sixth Form at King Edward's?

Whilst some would argue it is just about getting the grades to go to university, this time in our lives is so important. It shapes who we are and who we want to be. Being able to say you’ve travelled to South Africa on a sports tour, helped a young carers charity through fundraising or made genuine friends for life, is so rare; so much more than a piece of paper with a letter on it. KES allows you to give it everything you’ve got.