Enrichment
We consider enrichment activities to be critical to the development of every student as they prepare for their next step at university, an apprenticeship or employment.
Enrichment at Sandringham Sixth Form
All subjects encourage subject enrichment to enable students to develop their passion for their chosen areas. This can include extra reading recommendations, journals, lectures, Moocs, trips and visits.
Outside of their studies, Sixth Form students enjoy substantial freedom and opportunities to participate in many extra-curricular activities. For some of the opportunities on offer please see below:
- Duke of Edinburgh & Young Enterprise
Each year, there is a large group of students taking their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and at least one group undertaking the Young Enterprise Company Scheme. Both of these opportunities are highly successful in developing critical skills in leadership, team work and initiative and are invaluable in building confidence and experience for life after school. - Clubs & Student-led Societies
With over 50 societies and clubs to join, students can pursue their interests in dance, music, sport and other areas while making new friends. We also actively encourage our students to launch and lead their own societies, which include a debate club, film society and maths problem solving group. The Sixth Form is fortunate to have its own newspaper where members can develop their journalism and design skills. Thespians can audition for the annual whole school performance. We have highly successful senior sports teams in netball, basketball, rugby and football. Our students are also encouraged to participate in a range of competitions, such as the Senior Mathematical Challenge, throughout the school year. - Volunteering
Many of our students volunteer, which is a great way to learn new skills, develop your confidence, meet more people and have a rewarding experience. In Year 12, they can sign up for one of over 20 different weekly voluntary placements with Sandringham School or primary schools in the trust, and hold the responsibility of being an ambassador, assistant, buddy or mentor. Students are also welcome to volunteer for other organisations with some seeking out their own placement if they wish and we can schedule this in their study sessions during school time if it is appropriate.
- Talks
During the academic year, students can attend a variety of talks. These include talks hosted in the Sandpit Theatre, visits from former students, a mock trial and career talks. Recent speakers have included Daisy Cooper and former athlete Derek Redmond. We are always reviewing and enhancing our offering to ensure it matches the needs of our students. - Leadership
The breadth of leadership opportunities at Sandringham enable our students to further develop their communication, relationship-building, influencing and decision-making skills. In Year 12, students can apply to be a senior prefect and, if successful at interview, then act as role models to younger students. Year 12 students can also apply to run one of the five student leadership teams with representatives from each year group and each team has an area of responsibility across the school such as wellbeing, charity, digital, sustainability or learning. Annually, we appoint new house captains to run whole school events for our eight competing houses. Everybody can apply to be Head and Deputy students and those selected meet frequently to lead on improvements to Sixth Form life and campaigns. - Trips
Every other year, there is a Sixth Form expedition. Previous trips have travelled to Costa Rica, Borneo and China and we will be taking a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia in February 2023. There are many other exciting curriculum based trips, with recent visits including San Francisco for computer science, Iceland for geography and CERN for STEM students. - Work Experience
We encourage students to participate in work experience to gain transferable skills and to gain experience if they are considering a particular vocation. Year 12 has an annual week of work experience and they are offered other opportunities frequently – such as access days, virtual workshops and talks – to learn about a variety of careers.
Sandringham celebrates that everyone is different and that enrichment takes many forms. All students can work with our Sixth Form Enrichment Tutor to help them find the best way to pursue their interests and ambitions alongside their studies in the sixth form.
