Are you an A-level student looking to make the most of your time at St. Francis’ College in Hertfordshire? Look no further than Sixth Form! Here, we offer a unique experience tailored specifically for our sixth formers. From purposeful learning and invaluable mentorship to exciting extra-curricular activities, students can find something that speaks directly to their interests while developing both knowledge and skills relevant for work or university afterwards. Read on us as we explore the life of a Sixth Former at St Francis’ College—it’s unlike anything else you’ll find in Hertfordshire!
What to Expect
At St. Francis’ Sixth Form, we want you to feel right at home. Our newly refurbished and dedicated Sixth Form Centre is the perfect place for you to study and relax. Picture yourself lounging on our comfy sofas in the spacious Common Room or grabbing a bite to eat in the Sixth Form Café. Need a quiet space to focus? Head upstairs to the Study Room. There, you’ll also find our tutorial classrooms and vibrant ICT suite.
Our Sixth Formers love the warm and friendly atmosphere here. It’s like a second home to them. And let’s not forget about tea and toast—they’re absolute favourites! The Study Room is highly valued because it makes it easy to concentrate on your work.
Leadership
At St. Francis’ College, we believe in empowering our students to become tomorrow’s leaders. In the Sixth Form, we provide projects, roles, talks, and guidance to help you develop and practise your leadership skills. You’ll thrive in our dynamic and energetic environment, seizing all the exciting opportunities available to you.
As a Sixth Form student, you can even lead an extra-curricular club, run a catch-up club, or mentor younger students in a subject you excel in. Your passion and energy will shine through, benefiting those who admire your love for the subject.
The School Council
Looking for a way to get more involved and put your leadership skills into action? School Council may be for you! In February of Year 12, the School Council and Prefects are chosen through nominations and elections. Every student gets a leadership role, which can be related to community initiatives like being a Wellbeing Prefect or an Environment Prefect, or it can be linked to their subject or house. All these positions require coming up with creative ideas, problem-solving, managing other students, and developing skills like public speaking and organisation.
The School Council, including the Head Girl, meets with representatives from different forms in the college to discuss initiatives. They’ve made a huge impact on the college by organising special days like Wellbeing Day, Multicultural Day, Oscars Day, and a FEM morning. We’re really proud of how they’ve positively influenced the college.
Additionally, each year, one student is appointed as the President of the Sixth Form Society. They help with organising every aspect of the society, from planning the programme and inviting speakers to hosting visiting students. The Head Girl and Deputies, who are selected after interviews and a vote by senior school pupils, lead the Council. Along with other senior council members, they have regular meetings with the Head to discuss ideas, initiate projects such as the Sixth Form Garden, and play important roles in major events like Speech Day and Open Days. We’re proud of the School Council for being great role models for the younger members of the St. Francis’ community.
Events
Our awesome Sixth Form students take charge of organising several exciting events throughout the College year. In the Autumn Term, a group of Year 12 students team up to put together the amazing Recycled Fashion Show, all in support of the fantastic Kanyike Project. From collecting entries, designing tickets and programmes, creating the stunning set, running the lighting and sound, to showcasing the show, there is a role for everyone who wants to get involved. The same goes for the Sixth Form Revue, held in the Spring Term. Year 12 students come together to create a spectacular performance that is enjoyed by the entire College. They write and rehearse a brilliant script, design, and bring to life an incredible set, choreograph dance numbers, and bring acts from other students to form one unforgettable occasion.
In the Summer Term, our talented Year 13 students work together to prepare their Leavers’ Ceremony and Supper. While we maintain a traditional format, the students themselves are responsible for selecting or writing prayers and readings, organising music, and adding those special finishing touches. Throughout these events, students have the opportunity to be part of a team, where they collaborate, make important decisions, manage their peers, learn the value of thorough preparation, and be ready to think on their feet.
Visiting Speakers
We love having awesome guest speakers visit us! They bring so much insight and inspiration to our events all year round. We’ve been lucky to hear from amazing individuals like Professor Dame Carol Black, who’s not only the Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge but also the go-to expert on Work and Health at the Department of Health. Sharron Gunn, an Executive Director at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England, and Wales, also joined us recently. She shared the challenges she faced in her profession and some fascinating data on women in leadership training schemes. And let’s not forget Dame Mary Archer! Her long and distinguished career left our students speechless.
Courses Conferences & Travel
We make it a point to organise and encourage our students to attend lectures and events that align with their A-level subjects. This term, they’re attending a GSA conference on ‘The Art of Difficult Conversations’, an Art talk by a Turner prise winner, and a ‘Thriving Minds’ masterclass for those aspiring to Oxbridge Universities. We also support their independent learning by recommending MOOCS, Gresham lectures, TEDtalks, and free London lectures. It’s this kind of exploration that keeps our students motivated to reach their full potential.
Sixth Form Travel Abroad
Every October, we give students the amazing opportunity to travel to a European city. These trips usually last around four days and are all about exploring different subjects. In the past, we’ve visited awesome places like Cologne, Florence, Barcelona, Prague, and Amsterdam. Imagine going from an incredible art gallery with masterpieces from famous painters to witnessing local industries like glassworks or diamond houses. And of course, we make sure there’s plenty of time for fun and relaxation too. Last year, our highlight was a night-time river cruise along the Seine.
World Challenge & True Adventure
Now, let’s talk about the World Challenge & True Adventure programme. It’s an incredible chance for students to immerse themselves in a completely different culture and make a real impact on local communities. The challenge starts at home as students fundraise for their trip using their determination, creativity, and organisational skills. Then, they embark on a three-week expedition where they test their physical and mental endurance and get to witness some of the most breathtaking sights in the world. Our most recent group had an amazing time in Borneo, combining adventurous treks with sightseeing and even working on a project with a local tribe.
Kanyike Project
Another exciting venture is the Kanyike Project, which happens every two years. Up to eight Sixth Form students travel to Uganda to see firsthand the incredible work done by the project. The College has a strong connection to this project and supports it through various fundraising activities each year. During the two-week visit, students live alongside the community, experiencing a whole different culture and lifestyle with minimal comforts and resources. They also get involved by teaching children at the primary school and assisting medical staff at an HIV outreach clinic. It’s truly a life-changing experience for everyone involved.
Annual Recycled Fashion Show
The Annual Recycled Fashion Show is such a cool event! It happens in early October and there are two shows, one for students in Years 7-9 and another for those in Years 10 and up. The theme for the event is decided early so students have plenty of time to get their costumes ready.
It’s all about recycling, so the judges really pay attention to how the students find and use materials for their costumes. The show is organised by a group of awesome Sixth Formers, with guidance from the Head of Art and Head of Sixth Form. Those students take charge of everything!
They handle all the entry information and make sure everything is perfect for the programme they design. They set up the stage, organise the running order, and even write the script for both shows. On the big day, they help with crowd control and welcome guests. They also handle all the technical stuff, like working the lights and playing awesome music from a carefully chosen playlist.
To top it all off, a small team hosts and keeps the show running smoothly. It’s always a fantastic event that the students love. And it gives the Sixth Formers a chance to develop so many important skills, like working as a team, being creative, organising every little detail, communicating, presenting, public speaking, problem-solving, and thinking on their feet.
Sixth Form Revue
Just before the half-term break in February, we have something super exciting called the Sixth Form Revue. It’s like a big show where our Year 12 students take charge. They write the script, organise the acts, and make sure everything runs smoothly. We get to see almost everyone from our year on stage, and everyone gets involved in some way—performing, designing the set, or working behind the scenes. It’s a real test of teamwork and organisation skills. We have to plan, communicate, and work together. And let me tell you, the final performance boosts our courage and confidence. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to have an entertaining afternoon at our College!
Sixth Form Society
We also have this amazing thing called the Sixth Form Society. It’s open to students from St. Francis’ College and other local schools. We meet up at the College for some really interesting talks by experts. They cover a wide range of topics, and after each talk, we get to ask questions and have debates. It’s awesome because we get to discuss things that might not usually come up in our regular school curriculum. It really expands our knowledge and understanding of the world. Oh, and it’s not just about learning—these evenings are a great chance for socialising with students from other schools. We make new friends and share our experiences of Sixth Form life.
If you’re in Year 11-13 and want to join us, you’re more than welcome! If your school wants more information, just reach out to Mrs. Scott, our Head of Sixth Form, at rscott@www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk. She’ll be happy to help!
Model United Nations
Model United Nations is a really cool opportunity for a team of awesome students like yourself to become diplomats for a whole weekend! You’ll get to represent a country or an NGO and join forces with other students from different local schools. Together, you’ll be part of a simulated United Nations committee session, like the Security Council or General Assembly. It’s all about investigating global issues and finding solutions through debate, discussion, and collaboration. Not only will you get to dive into current world problems, but you’ll also have a chance to hone your communication and presentation skills. And hey, there’s even time to hang out and make friends with delegates from other schools near and far. How cool is that?
Join Sixth Form Today!
If you are interested in joining the Sixth Form, you can reach out and set up a meeting with our Head of Sixth Form. For more details, feel free to get in touch with admissions@www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk. To check out the newest prospectus for Sixth Form, click here.