Enrichment

At Appleton Sixth Form, our enrichment program is driven by the student voice. Every Wednesday afternoon, all students dive into enrichment time; a chance to explore a range of activities beyond the traditional curriculum. These activities have been chosen by our students, where they get the opportunity to build skills, boost motivation, foster resilience, and nurture independence, all while supporting student wellbeing. It's also a fantastic way for students to enhance their CVs and personal statements.

In recent years, our students have enthusiastically participated in a range of activities, including:

• Sports
• British Sign Language
• Everyday Finance
• Food and Catering
• Horizons and Horizons Scholars
• Book Club
• First Aid
• Exam Preparation and Managing Exam Anxiety

Using our student voice, we are always looking for new opportunities; our students help build our enrichment program

Year 12 Work Experience Programme

During Year 12, students are required to source and participate in a week-long work experience placement to promote their independence and passion in their desired Post 18 next steps. Work experience is designed to give our students the opportunity to engage in a professional working environment whilst providing them with the time to gain an insight into the industry they wish to pursue a career in.

Over the years we have seen our students engage in placements in the NHS, Lloyds and Deutsche banks, Law and Accountancy firms and primary and secondary schools, to name a few. Those who are unable to find a work experience placement engage in a virtual work experience programme that runs throughout the same week and is designed to mimic the experience and skills developed at a placement.

Super Curricular/ Extra curricular

Our Sixth Form goes far beyond the classroom. Subjects inspire students through university visits, expert guest speakers, academic challenges (such as the RSC’s Olympiad Challenge) and unforgettable trips—including the current cohort’s plans to visit CERN and Disneyland. We’re always seeking new opportunities to broaden horizons. Students can achieve Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, take the lead in school productions and Performing Arts festivals, and shine on the pitch as part of our Football Academy, which trains four times a week and competes regularly in leagues and cups.

Beyond academic study, students can complete an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), with top projects added to our Sixth Form library. MOOCs, Core Maths, wider reading lists, and subject enrichment tasks all help students stretch themselves and build independent learning skills that last a lifetime.

Leadership is central to our Sixth Form. Our Sixth Form Principles head the Student Council, organise charity week and the Year 13 Prom, and work closely with school leaders—turning student ideas into real change.

Student Voice

From weekly VI Form Council meetings, to regular student feedback sessions, our student voice is critical in shaping the sixth form. Our students have developed areas across the sixth form, for example our facilities, our policies, or even teaching & learning. VI Form council – this is a popular group within the sixth form, and has representatives from across the sixth form. It is led by our sixth form principles and provides weekly feedback and proposes new initiatives to improve student life.

Peer mentoring

As part of our pastoral and personal development programmes, once a week our Year 12 students work with selected Year 7 students and act as support mentors and role models. Some sessions involve discussions around life in school, some involve assisting on homework and some focus on developing and enhancing literacy skills. Year 7 students really enjoy meeting their Sixth Form mentors and spending time with those who they can relate to. Our Sixth Form students enjoy the responsibility and empowerment, knowing they are making a difference to others and their journey in school life.