Some of you reading this will have been at Forest since you were four years old, others of you will have joined the School in Year 7, and some will be completely new to Forest and eager to find out what we offer. All of you will recognise the importance of post-16 education. It is an exciting time for students as they exercise increasing freedom and independence in their education. I hope this guide will give you a sense of what life in the Sixth Form involves. I want you to consider your decision to apply or transition to the Sixth Form at Forest carefully, be sure that we are a good fit for you and your aspirations, understanding what we do and why we do it.

The Sixth Form is very much part of the wider Forest community and lives out the values of the whole School. The quintessential aspects of Forest are very much part of the Sixth Form identity: you will be part of a diverse community, pursuing excellence across many different areas and you will be known, liked and valued. The DNA of Forest School is hard wired into the Sixth Form. However, there are features of the Sixth Form that are distinct. So much of what we do in the last two years of the School is about setting you up for life beyond the White Gates, ready to take on what the world has in store.

We want you to leave exceptionally well qualified, with a strong sense of who you are, carrying values which enable you to be kind and fair-minded. To do that, you need more independence; you need help to make decisions, not decisions that are made for you. You need to learn how to think and not what to think. You will not only be participants in the life of the School, but leaders. It is an exciting and thrilling time.

You will know that A-level reform has meant that schools and colleges have had to think hard about what they offer pupils in the Sixth Form. Our response is The Forest Diploma. Year 11 students and their parents will have been reminded constantly that we live in a world of exponential change, and that the opportunities and challenges that our Sixth Formers now face are different from the ones that their parents faced. Clearly, it is our responsibility to ensure that our pupils leave Forest with flexible intellectual skills that will allow them to adapt deftly to a rapidly changing world. Our students are clever, confident and hungry to succeed. The Forest Diploma is a bold expression of what we value and ensures that we prepare our Sixth Formers for the future. Over the next two years, you will grow intellectually, physically and emotionally. We know that it will be busy, and we know too that it is vital that you are well supported in all you do. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us – we are always happy to discuss our provision with students and their families.

Kate Spencer Ellis

Head of Sixth Form