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We aim for all our pupils to leave our school as
EmpoweredVirtuousEmployable individuals

Why Join Us

Our Sixth Form here at Archbishop McGrath is one of the highest achieving in Wales. We offer a fluid, diverse, and highly tailored curriculum of academic courses in addition to a vast selection of enrichment activities that meet the desires, abilities and aspirations of all learners.

If you have already studied and grown with us at Archbishop McGrath for your secondary education, you will have already formed precious and meaningful relationships with other learners, teachers and support staff.  We at Archbishop McGrath know you well, we care for you and cherish your presence in our school. We believe that by choosing to continue your post-16 study with us, you will be building on what is already a flourishing partnership.

If you are a new learner interested in joining our outstanding Sixth Form we will do our utmost to help you to settle into our very welcoming and vibrant community, make new friends quickly and achieve your full potential. We welcome learners from all backgrounds and would love to welcome you into our every growing family.

We recognise that choosing what to study in the sixth form is challenging and often daunting experience. As part of our school mission we see it as our duty and privilege to provide support to make this transition as easy as possible. Before you enter the Sixth Form you will meet with a senior member of staff who will support you in making decisions around suitable course choices based on your University and/or career aspirations. We believe this to be a crucial part of your post-16 experience and as such we commit fully to this endeavour.

Every academic year we hold an open day where all prospective students (both internal and external) can gain invaluable insight into the wide range of A-Level subjects before making their final choices. We will consult with you throughout this process and we strive to design option blocks that enable students to access the subjects of their choosing. We regularly discover that many of our learners are able to combine subjects not possible with other post-16 providers.

OPEN DAY 2023 - SAVE THE DATE - 5TH DECEMBER 2023 - 5PM-7PM

Once you enter our Sixth Form community you will be taught by our outstanding teaching staff, they will inspire, motivate and elevate you throughout your time with us. You will be assigned a form tutor who will offer pastoral advice and guidance, provide individualised support when times things get tough and assistance with writing your CV, letters of application and Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) applications.

We are a thriving and successful Sixth Form family and we would be delighted to welcome you in the future.

Top Reasons to Join Us

University Success

In 2022 ALL students achieved their choice of undergraduate course at University. A portion of students secured Apprenticeships. All students are given expert advice and support with applications.

Students visit UCAS exhibitions/invited currently to online events and webinars.

Tailored Mock interviews and MMIs are offered especially for Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing (from Midwifery to Adult), Veterinary Practice, Dentistry, Physiotherapy and Teaching from Early Years to Secondary.

Strong links with Wellington College, Berkshire as part of our Seren Award programme for MAT students, with tailored support specifically for potential Oxbridge and Russel Group University candidates; and a wealth of university opportunities for taster courses and days, and admission to University Summer Schools.

https://www.wellingtoncollege.org.uk/

A large proportion of our Sixth Form Students go on to study at some of the must prestigious Universities in a variety of subject areas. We have had successful applications to Oxbridge and many go on to Russell Group Universities. Our position as part of the Seren Network helps prepare many when applying for top universities with lots of super-curricular opportunities.

Pupil Destination and Support 

In 2023 ALL students achieved their choice of undergraduate course at University.

A portion of students secured Apprenticeships.

All students are given expert advice and support with applications.

Students visit UCAS exhibitions/invited currently to online events and webinars.

Tailored Mock interviews and MMIs are offered especially for Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing (from Midwifery to Adult), Veterinary Practice, Dentistry, Physiotherapy and Teaching from Early Years to Secondary.

Strong links with Wellington College, Berkshire as part of our Seren Award programme for MAT students, with tailored support specifically for potential Oxbridge and Russel Group University candidates; and a wealth of university opportunities for taster courses and days, and admission to University Summer Schools.

https://www.wellingtoncollege.org.uk/

Work Experience

With places at university especially becoming more competitive year on year, we recognise the importance of work experience as an integral part of your sixth form education. We have a successful 'Springpod' partnership, developed during 'lockdown', which offers exceptional online certificated virtual work experience opportunities recognised and respected by UCAS and employers.

We work hard with local businesses, primary schools, early years education and the NHS to provide face to face work experience in all fields. In 2023 all sixth form undertook face to face work experience in the Summer term. 

Examples this 2023 Summer Term of face to face work experience have included: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law, Veterinary, Primary school education, Secondary school education, Early years Nursery Education, Business and Management, Accounting and Finance, Channel 4 work experience, Engineering, Software development and design to name but a few!!.

Catholic Ethos & Values

Our Catholic ethos and values lie at the very heart of all that we do. You’ll find not only an outstanding education with us but also find opportunities to become a more rounded, virtuous and well-formed person.

  • Every student is seen as a whole person, unique and precious

  • We offer exceptional Wellbeing Support and Pastoral Care 

  • We have a daily act of collective worship 

  • Weekly General RE offer the opportunity for continued spiritual and religious development.

  • We encourage an active and thriving Student Leaders: School Parliament / Head Student Team / Prefects / House Captains / various School Ambassadors

  • School Trips (post pandemic restrictions) with opportunities to expand your Global Citizenship.

  • We have excellent Primary School Partnerships

 

Student Leaders

There are a number of fantastic opportunities to take leadership roles within the school. This may be as a part of the Head Student Team as a Head Student, Deputy Head Student, Senior Prefect, or Prefect or as a House Captain. ALL assisting those in the lower years of our school.

Our Head Student Team offers support for lower school including: Literacy and Numeracy Buddies / GCSE Mentoring / Code Club for computer science / Year 7 and Sixth Form Transition / Chaplaincy Group: Awareness raising, Charitable events and Fundraising.

Academic Success

Our Sixth Form is part of a highly successful Green 1A school and has also been ranked in the top 10% of Sixth Forms nationally by Alps. Our learners truly achieve their fullest potential.

Our Sixth Form at Archbishop McGrath has moved from strength to strength in recent years. The charts below give further details on our academic success in recent years.
The below figures are not up to date. Due to the pandemic, the statistics are not counted for the past year.

A* – A 36%

A* – C 89%

A* – E 96%

Level 3 Threshold 100%