The Sixth Form at the Bolitho School is a very exciting place. With both International and English students, it is a superb environment for Sixth Form study. Existing friendships continue and new ones are made. Teaching groups are small and the standard of teaching is extremely high.
The Sixth Form has its own newly renovated centre on the site of the former St. Erbyn’s Preparatory School in Clarence Street. Known as Clarence House, it was once the site of the School itself. The Bolitho School Sixth Form Centre provides first-class accommodation including several classrooms, two science laboratories, a library and IT facilities, Common Rooms and lunchtime dining facilities. Clarence House remains an integral part of the whole School. However, it provides Sixth Form students with the opportunity to begin to develop the independence required for university and the workplace.
While there are a considerable number of Boarding schools around the country that offer the International Baccalaureate, (IB) we are the only Independent School locally to offer such a course. This provides our Sixth Formers with a lively and demanding curriculum that involves the study of six subjects within an international framework. Recognised as a hallmark of academic excellence by every university in the UK, the EU and USA, the IB aims to help students to think for themselves and to learn to work independently.
Our Sixth Form’s success is evident in the achievements of our students, most of whom leave us to take degree courses. As undergraduates, the independent study skills and independence of thought that they acquire at The Bolitho School stand them in good stead.
Outside of the classroom Sixth Formers have the opportunity to become involved in many activities, some of which are linked to their course of study and some of which are just good fun. Members of the Lower Sixth can take part in Young Enterprise initiatives when, as company directors, they establish and run a limited company. Students also take part in charitable fund raising events, both within the School and the wider community. The international character of the Sixth Form extends beyond just making friends with people from other countries. We aim to place learning within a broader context and students have the opportunity to participate in projects that extend far beyond traditional language exchanges. This includes undertaking a work experience placement abroad, participating in European Comenius programmes and visiting our partner schools in Europe and Scandinavia.