Admissions, Curriculum and Personal Development

Sixth Form Curriculum

Whether you are in Year 11 at Highfields, or at another school and considering coming to our sixth form, we welcome you and look forward to discussing your ambitions and options for the future. 

Academic curriculum

Browse through our prospectus, or tour through the subject information which was initially put together when physical open days were not possible. 

Wider curriculum

Alongside your academic studies, sixth form is a time of personal development.  With your tutors, in timetabled sessions, set-aside days and through assemblies we will focus on the following topics during your time in Year 12 and Year 13. 

These are topics that might have a practical importance either in the next few years or later in life.  Having a broader awareness of global issues and British news may well be important in interviews, or as part of your conversations in higher education or the workplace. 

Sixth Form Prospectus

Tour our Subject Information

Sixth Form Life and Virtual Open Evening

Sixth Form Applications and Open Evening

Our Sixth Form Open Evening will be on Thursday 14 November 2024 from 6pm to 8pm.  Teachers and current students will enjoy talking with you about their subjects and we will introduce you to the wider life of the sixth form community.

Following the open evening, we will ask what your initial choices are at the end of November, and then an electronic application form will be sent out to everyone interested in applying at the end of January.  If you are from another school, please email rsargeant@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk and we will send the link to you.

Some students are eligible for the ’16-19 bursary fund’, refer to our Post 16 Bursary Information page for more information.

Guidance for completing the Sixth Form Application Form

• Students are asked to complete their Mock Exam Results and their Predicted Grade. It is important that students use the Predicted Grade given by their subject staff and not their Target Grade. This information can be found on the Year 11 Assessment Profile.
• Students will choose 3 or 4 subjects from the 4 Option Blocks. Whether students start with three or four A Levels will be considered on a case-by-case basis with each student. For a large number of students, starting on three subjects will be appropriate but for other students it may be sensible to start with four subjects, either with a view to dropping one when they are more certain which their three best subjects are.
• Personal Statement – It is important that this section is filled in properly. It is likely to be referred to in your guidance interview for Sixth Form options. You need to state clearly your reasons for wishing to join the Sixth Form at Highfields School. The Sixth Form is about more than academic success. We want students to be able to develop new interests and skills. A large amount of this comes from taking responsibility and initiative. Sixth form students take a lead arranging charity and community events throughout the school. We have programmes for peer mentoring and subject mentoring, helping out in local primary schools with IT projects or in reading schemes with younger children. Our students take the leading edge in school musicals and drama as well as competing successfully in business competitions and organising their own Gold Duke of Edinburgh trips.

6th Form Options Guidance