Sixth Form
Sixth Form is a vibrant, intellectually stimulating and friendly place. The spirit of academic enquiry is at the heart of teaching and learning: small tuition groups ensure that everyone is involved in discussion and debate. Students in our Sixth Form are known personally. They are encouraged to pursue their academic goals and other aspirations with determination and we love to celebrate their many successes.
Unlike Sixth Form colleges, students have a full timetable and are encouraged to use study periods to complete work and prepare for future lessons. Our proven record of impressive academic achievements and outstanding pastoral care, combined with a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and leadership opportunities, make life as a student at the Cathedral School both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Self-discipline and the desire to push yourself to achieve your best are important, but will be matched step for step by committed staff who take pride in seeing their students develop into independently-minded young people. Sixth Formers leave us with an understanding of the world around them and the active role they can play as innovative, compassionate, responsible citizens.
Sixth Form life is exhilarating, yet the pressures of examinations, university applications and our high standards can be considerable. Our excellent pastoral team includes the Form Tutors, the Assistant Head, Pastoral Assistant, Academic Mentors, the Chaplaincy team and the School Nurse. We are all on hand to provide a caring framework of support and guidance which focuses on the individual needs of each student.
Super-curricular activities
Super-curricular activities are increasingly essential to university and job applications, but more importantly they add great joy and satisfaction to the lives of our students. LCS Sixth Form offers a wealth of opportunities to enable students to have new experiences, discover new passions, serve the local community and develop effective leadership and team-working skills.
Music is a speciality here, and while some students achieve an impressively high standard, the excitement and pleasure of making music are available to everyone through the School’s choirs, ensembles, bands and orchestra. Multiple concerts and recitals are held throughout the year in school and in venues across the diocese. Cantorum, our scholarship-based chamber choir, is open to talented senior students. Performance opportunities include school events, Cathedral services and concerts across the region, often alongside professional musicians. A limited number of choral scholarships are also available to Year 12 students with soprano, alto, tenor or bass voices.
Drama features prominently - students can take on a performance role or get involved behind the scenes. Our Sixth Formers recently took part in a tour of Italy, performing at Lake Garda. We use local professional venues such as the Garrick Theatre for school shows and take part in community productions and festivals.
Other activities include:
- The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – bronze, silver and gold awards.
- Bi-weekly careers talks.
- Weekly Games lessons including yoga, tennis, hockey, rugby, badminton, rounders, netball and more.
- Volunteer work in the local community – all Year 12 students complete compulsory volunteering in Lichfield during Enrichment in Trinity term.
- World Challenge expeditions (Borneo in summer 2024).
- House events and school sports teams.
- A Prefect team and Heads of School team.
- Coaching and mentoring younger pupils, including a Reading Buddy scheme with Years 5 and 6 and work experience at our primary site in Longdon.
- School Council and leadership roles within the school, such as leading environmental projects and fundraising for the School Council’s chosen charities.
- Representatives on Lichfield District Youth Council.
- Advisory board members at local organisations.
The best way to find out more is to come and visit us. We are sure that you will love the atmosphere, the campus and, most importantly, the students and staff who make the Cathedral School such a complete place to be a Sixth Former.
We have open days throughout the year, or you are welcome to make an appointment for a tour and meeting with our Head of Sixth Form.