And on to the Upper School

The Sixth Form is the pinnacle of a student's career in the School. For the first time there is a choice about whether to stay at school or leave.

After the rigours of ten GCSE subjects, the new sixth former will face only four or, exceptionally, five AS level subjects in the Lower Sixth, to be followed by three or four A levels - all of them carefully chosen after consultation with teachers and parents, bearing university/profession in mind.

To a much greater degree than before, the student will be responsible for organising his own work-load and timetable. The work assignments will be larger and more spaced out. A proportion of time in school is devoted to private study. The student will also be expected to help in the smooth running of the school, possibly by leading and supervising younger pupils, helping to run the school council and perhaps by becoming a prefect.

As well as encouraging academic excellence, the sixth form staff will help the students prepare for the wider world. In the sixth form students are looked after by a tutor whose job is to guide them through these very important years. As well as the twice a day meetings at registration, each week there is a 'tutor period' when the students work with the tutorial team led by the Head of Upper School. It is then that they will receive guidance and have a chance to discuss a wide range of personal, social, health and moral matters. It is the tutor who will regularly make contact with the parents so that they can best play their role in the partnership which is essential to high attainment.

The majority of students will leave Year 13 to go on to Higher Education. Some will go directly into employment or a combined Higher Education and employment package. Intensive guidance in applying to Universities or seeking employment is provided during the tutor time by school staff and the Careers Adviser.

The tutors and two students from each group form a sixth form committee which helps run sixth form affairs and allows student - and staff - problems to be discussed and generally helps keep the sixth form a happy place. It also manages funding for Sixth Form facilities through profits raised from vending machines.

Sixth Formers have the use of a Sixth Form Centre as well as the School Library and Computer Rooms for their private study and other non teaching time in school.
Sixth Formers are not required to wear school uniform, but must dress smartly, in accordance with the current dress code.

At the moment the following courses are offered to AS and full A level:
Art & Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Physics, Computing, Design & Technology, English Literature, Economics, Business Studies, French, Geography, German, Government & Politics, History, Ancient History, Latin, Law, Pure Mathematics, Mathematics (Pure and Mechanics), Mechanics (=Applied Mathematics), Mathematics (Pure and Statistics), Further Mathematics, Statistics, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Sport & Physical Education. Theatre Studes may be taken at Dover Grammar School for Girls by arrangement.

Each student in the Sixth Form will also have the opportunity to be assessed in the Key Skills of Communication, Use of Number and ICT. This will lead in most cases to the award of the Key Skills qualification which can form part of a students's application to university and is also valued by employers. Year 13 students take an additional General Studies course covering a wide range of intellectual, cultural and scientific issues which leads to the A level in General Studies.

Finally the Sixth Form is enriched by the provision of an activities afternoon offering opportunities for a wide range of sports, creative arts, work experience and community service. There is also a possibility of Sixth Form students gaining work experience in France through an international exchange.