Outside the Classroom
As a Sixth Former you will be offered other opportunities to learn and develop beyond the classroom. These extra-curricular activities should be taken advantage of as much as possible to expand on your experiences and help to build your lifelong skills.
Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise is a nationally run scheme that is offered to all students at THA, whether they study business or not. The scheme allows students to set up and run their own business. The scheme encourages students to become entrepreneurial and independent as well as to work well as a team.
THA Vibe
THA Vibe is The Academy’s podcast radio station, originally set up as a Young Enterprise company. The scheme was so popular; it is now run by the Sixth Form in conjunction with the Media department and volunteers from Years 10 and 11. The Vibe produces podcast shows which can be played during students’ Personalised Learning time. Anyone can make a request, including the staff and the podcasts are also used to advertise and promote Academy events.
Student Support Programme (SSP)
All Sixth Formers are expected to use one of their study sessions per week to assist a teacher in their classroom. Students are allowed to pick which subject, which teacher and which year group they work with. Sixth Formers may be asked to work with an entire class or provide specialist support to individual students. SSP is flexible and can be used by Sixth Formers to run their own after-school club or PL activity based on a hobby of their own, such as sign language.
Work Experience
All Sixth Formers complete up to 10 days of work experience as part of their course. AS students complete their placement at the end of Year 12. Sporting Excellence students complete their placement in Year 13. Students are expected to find their own placements. However, The Academy can offer assistance where needed.
Community Work
Sixth Formers are expected to assist the staff of The Academy as best they can, by giving tours, assisting at PL/Assembly and volunteering for school events, such as the Year 6 Prospective Parents’ evening and the OAP Christmas Tea Party.
Fundraising
The Sixth Form actively support charities such as Children in Need and Comic Relief by raising money within the Academy. These events are designed and run by the Sixth Formers during their non-contact time.
Student Executive
We actively encourage our Sixth Formers to become leaders. At the end of Year 12 all Sixth Form students are asked to take part in a vote to elect our Head Boy and Head Girl, but there are also positions for House and Sport Leaders available. These roles form THA Student Executive who represent the student body of The Academy.
So Why Choose THA for your Post 16 Experience?
As you begin to plan the next step of your learning journey, you need to consider a place of study which is right for you. Our aim is for every student to achieve to the best of their ability. We are keen for students to make progress but we are always looking to identify student potential. It’s not just about academic success, students need to be challenged in other ways, to grow spiritually, experience new friendship groups and be able to consider wider social issues in a mature way.
Through our stimulating and friendly environment you will be given the opportunity to be an informed and reflective citizen. Post 16 life is rich and rewarding. You are ambassadors for The Academy with high expectations placed on you. You are expected to be role models for younger students, setting a good example by way of appearance, dress, behaviour and with positive attitudes to learning.
We are committed to supporting our students in the wider field of fostering cultures and social awareness, developing leadership skills and embracing independent learning. You will be supported in choosing a course that is right for you. High quality teaching will inspire you and feed your ambition and enthusiasm.
If this sounds like the Post 16 experience you are looking for, then we look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you on board to our motivated and exciting Post 16 programme.
Carmel Brady & Claire Fitzgerald
The Post 16 Team