The Abbey School

Welcome to the Sixth Form

We are a vibrant and inclusive community which supports our young people develop the knowledge and skills necessary to make the successful transition to the next stage of their education or employment.

Being a successful sixth former requires a different set of attributes to those needed in the lower years within the school. Our programme of learning is designed to ensure that our students develop the necessary habits of mind and character traits on their journey throughout these important years of their education. We want our students to become confident, articulate and well-rounded individuals with the ability to think both creatively and independently.

Academic achievement is an important component of life within out sixth form. Good grades are often a prerequisite in order to make the transition to university, an apprenticeship or a career. Consequently we place emphasis on our students working hard and putting in maximum effort at all times.

We offer a wide variety of courses both academic and vocational at Level 3. Many of the vocational courses can also be taken in combination with our traditional ‘A’ level courses. We also offer Applied qualifications as Diplomas (equivalent to L3 BTEC or an A level). We are proud to host the popular and successful Football Academy in partnership with Dover Athletic FC and are introducing a Golf Academy to start in 2025.

To encourage personal and social development, our students also take careers lessons within our Core Learning Programme to help them with university, college and job applications. Many of our Sixth Form students successfully move on to university or higher education. Since 2018 this included Russell Group universities, with continuing University, Apprenticeship and Employment success in 2024.

We provide students with many enrichment opportunities including a structured PSHE programme, leadership opportunities and independent careers guidance. They are encouraged to take part in a variety of extra-curricular activities such as joining the 6^th Form Leadership Team, becoming a school ambassador and working with younger students as peer mentors and readers. 6^th Form students will also conduct tours of the school and organise fundraising activities. Above all, the Sixth Form is about helping students to achieve their potential, whatever it is. We want all of our students to be successful and happy, whether this is at university, in their chosen career or in developing their wider potential. By the time our students leave the school they will be aware of all of the opportunities available to them in the next stage of their journey and will retain an enjoyment in learning.

We hope that you are looking forward to the stimulation and challenge and are ready to take advantage of everything that The Abbey Sixth Form has to offer. We are equally excited about sharing these opportunities with you.

Dr Rowland Speller
Principal

Sixth Form Aims and Objectives

The Abbey School Sixth Form is a stimulating and supportive community in which there is a commitment to these aims:

• To promote a passion for learning and the achievement of excellence through challenge and excitement
• To encourage integrity, hard work, self-discipline and teamwork
• To develop each person’s intellectual, physical, creative and leadership potential
• To value each individual and promote mutual respect, showing tolerance, understanding and sensitivity.

Whilst academic achievement is our priority and every encouragement and effort is made to realise each student’s potential, the Sixth Form has much to offer in terms of personal and social development.

In order to gain the most from Sixth Form life, it is important to have an enthusiastic and positive approach. As students move from Year 11 to Year 12, opportunities to develop their sense of responsibility and leadership are offered through the peer mentoring system and Sixth Form Leadership Team, led by the Head Students.

Promotional Videos

You will find the Abbey School Sixth Form Promotional Film at the bottom of this page, which gives an insight into some of the changes made to, and characteristics of The Abbey Sixth Form. 

The film was made 'in-house' during November 2020. More information on individual subjects can be found on the 'Subject Talking Heads' video. We hope you find these useful in helping you make your choices for Year 12. 

This information remains relevant this year, and watching the videos will provide you with some significant insights into our Sixth Form.