Sixth Form Overview
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, the Sixth Form at More House affords students the perfect environment for developing the academic success and skills necessary to carry them forward into higher education, other further learning, and a life of independence, with confidence.
Our academic and vocational curricula
The Sixth Form’s rich curriculum offer comprises traditional A’ Levels in many subjects, including English Literature, Mathematics, the three traditional sciences, social-sciences, humanities and arts subjects, as well as a breadth of A’ Level-equivalent Level 3 BTEC courses across different disciplines, including Sport, Performing Arts and Countryside Management. We also offer our wealth of experience in delivering the A’ Level -equivalent Computer-Aided Design qualification, Design, Engineer, Construct, focused on digital design in the built-environment and affording progression to architecture degree courses. Our Level 3 Extended Project Qualification, equivalent in university-admission points to half an A’ Level but carrying more weight with admissions tutors, is a popular addition to students’ course portfolios.
For some students, entry directly to A’ Level or equivalent Level 3 courses may not be appropriate, and our offer includes opportunities for continuing GCSE-equivalent Level 2 qualifications, including the excitingly innovative post-sixteen course, Esports, ICT, and support to retake GCSE English or Mathematics in order to secure grade 4 or higher.
The right pathway for you
Many of our students will progress from our senior school into our Sixth Form, but we also welcome external applications. There are different routes available within our Sixth Form:
a) A majority of students will spend the customary two years in the Sixth Form, completing A’ Level or equivalent Level 3 BTEC qualifications, or a hybrid mix of both types of course.
b) However, some students may be with us for three years in order to strengthen their GCSE-equivalent Level 2 qualifications portfolio before progressing to their two-year Level 3 courses.
c) Occasionally students may spend a single year in the Sixth Form in order to secure their Level 2 requirements before progressing to further study elsewhere.
Most students will study three academic qualification courses at a time, although some may pursue four A’ Levels or equivalent. There are many possibilities, and there is support available to help you to understand what options might give you the best opportunities to be happy and successful in your Sixth Form education.
The best chance to succeed
More House holds an international reputation for excellence in supporting pupils who are clever, but who experience challenges in their education resulting from weakness in their language development, literacy, or other Specific Learning Difficulties. More House School and Sixth Form are renowned for providing a mainstream, academic curriculum, with specialist understanding of the best way to deliver learning and support for our profile of student, so that they gain confidence and belief in themselves, and achieve exceptional success in public examinations and social development.
Our class-sizes in the Sixth Form are typically very small, and most usually fewer than ten pupils. Teachers are trained in planning and delivering learning opportunities that play to the strengths of our pupils, building students’ independence as learners and preparing for the next stage of their educational journey. The school has a large team of specialist experts, including qualified Literacy tutors, Speech and Language Therapists, and Occupational Therapists. Such specialists are on-hand to advise teachers, and to support students in their studies.
Growing as a person
Sixth Form education must never be just about academic qualifications. This is a time when our students grow as individuals, developing a much wider set of skills which enables them to design and pursue ambitious futures. The More House Sixth Form delivers a truly exciting and inspiring breadth of opportunities for our students to make the most of their time here, building skills and understanding which will give them the edge in the worlds of university study, apprenticeships, employment, community-engagement and independent living.
Each Sixth Form student is supported by an experienced and committed form-tutor and mentor, who supports the student to develop his understanding of himself, and to foster the development of the academic and social skills which will determine his success. The team of tutors is led by the Head of Sixth Form who oversees the journey of each individual student through the Sixth Form, ensuring the suitability of care and support.
All students are supported to pursue ASDAN Personal Development and Personal Effectiveness qualifications alongside their academic studies. A wealth of trips and extra-curricular opportunities broadens students’ experience and confidence, including domestic and international residential excursions, sports, debates, music ensembles, black-tie formal dinners, and much more. A cooking-for-life programme prepares some students for independent living, and Sixth Formers will often participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, including completing their Gold qualification. There is comprehensive careers-planning and university-applications support.
Whilst all Sixth Formers provide role-modelling and leadership to the wider whole-school community, some Sixth Formers will take on specific responsibility roles, such as Prefect, Head of House, or even Head Boy. Sixth Formers engage in mentoring younger pupils through supporting junior boys’ reading skills-development, and assisting in some younger boys’ lessons, realising tangible evidence for personal statements, applications and interviews.
An inspiring environment
More House Sixth Form is set within the school’s stunning 30-acre campus on the Surrey/Hampshire border, on the cusp of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Many will know of the famous Frensham Ponds and the Alice Holt Forest. The historic town and train station of Farnham are three miles away, with direct trains to London and Guildford. The school is within a few minutes of the A3, with Guildford some twenty minutes’ drive.
Set on a wooded hillside, the campus enjoys excellent facilities, including Media, Art and Photography studios, Sports hall and playing fields, swimming-pool, Science laboratories, Performing Arts centre, Music School, Engineering department and chapel.
The Sixth Form centre comprises recreational common-rooms, independent-study suites, classrooms and learning-support, but Sixth Form students make use of all of the campus’ facilities.
Residential opportunities
Many Sixth Form students choose to sleep over at school during the week, returning home every weekend. For some, weekly-boarding replaces a lengthy daily commute, converting time spent travelling into social interaction, extra-curricular activities, additional study time and – important for many – later morning alarm-calls! However, our Sixth Form boarders build their skills for independent and communal living, preparing them for successful transition to university halls-of-residence, sharing flats, and moving out of home. Our dedicated boarding staff-team support students to build their social confidence, and to make the most of their time, engaging in extra-curricular, social activities and building friendships which last for decades.
The residential accommodation is located in the very centre of the school campus, in modern facilities comfortably furnished. The Sixth Form boarding house includes common-room space and a domestic kitchen facility supporting boarders’ independent living skills. Nevertheless, three excellently nutritious, cooked meals a day are provided by the school’s catering team.
Weekly boarders may spend four or five nights in school each week, arriving either on Sunday evening or on Monday morning as they prefer, and returning home on Friday afternoon. Free transport is provided to and from Farnham train station.
In addition to weekly-boarding, full-boarding is available if required, with such students remaining in school most weekends, and returning home for Exeat weekends and all school holidays.
Outcomes
Our students’ outcomes drive every part of the design of our Sixth Form and wider-school experience. We are extremely proud of our students’ academic successes, where they frequently beat national expectations for A Level, GCSE and equivalent results. A majority of our Sixth Formers progress to university degree study, at a wide choice of universities and in a very broad range of subject-disciplines. However, we also have much experience of progression to post-eighteen apprenticeship programmes, and will support some students to continue to other further education courses, or directly into employment.
Our students
We are so proud of our Sixth Formers, who realise enormous personal growth and maturity during their time in the More House Sixth Form. They are our very best advertisement for the school, at all levels, and provide inspiration and encouragement to our younger pupils who may worry that their own success is unlikely.