Sutton Grammar School

Life After Sixth Form

Sutton Grammar School invests a huge amount of time and effort into helping students make informed and aspirational choices after A-levels. Information is provided to pupils on a range of different higher education and career routes, through guest speakers, Higher Education events, Work Experience, independent Careers Appointments and presentations from the Sixth Form team. It is a primary goal of SGS Sixth Form to help students reach their intended destinations after A-levels, whatever they may be.

For students applying to university, they are encouraged to think about how to build up a profile for their reference and their Personal Statement from the start of Year 12. In the summer term, they will be taken through the details of the university application process, producing drafts of Personal Statements and talking through academic progress with tutors and the Head of Sixth Form. Then, in the autumn term, students apply through UCAS to the universities of their choice. A number of students each year consider application to Oxford or Cambridge and departments here have built up strong expertise in their subject areas to support students in these applications. Students are also supported through the interview process and preparation for requisite university entrance tests, such as the UCAT, TMUA and STEP.

Through Higher Education and Careers events and the Lecture Programme, students are provided with a unique opportunity to hear from former SGS students and contacts from the school from a range of different backgrounds and career paths. From former students on Degree Apprenticeship courses, to current doctors, engineers, designers and entrepreneurs, students have the opportunity to learn about the realities of how to reach their aspirational goals. Coupled with regular input from the form time programme and the Careers Bulletin, students are both informed on, and encouraged to explore, the range of opportunities available to them after sixth form.

All students in Year 12 engage in Work Experience at the end of Year 12, providing a further valuable opportunity for them to engage in the realities of the world of work and develop interpersonal skills.

Mr Marris and the Sixth Form Team keep students up to date with careers opportunities through regular bulletins, advertising options in registration periods or at assemblies.