Teesdale School and Sixth Form

Head of Sixth Form provides individualised pastoral support monitoring each student's package

“Pastoral support is provided by your Head of Sixth Form who monitors your individual package making sure it is right for you.”

School says it knows every pupil individually, including their aspirations and wellbeing, not just grades

“Our school teaches over 600 children, all of whom we know individually. We know not just their progress and grades, but take pride in knowing who they are; their aspirations, ideas, worries, talents and dreams.”

Chemistry A level described as key for STEM careers including medicine, pharmacy, chemical engineering

“Chemistry is a key subject for lots of STEM careers, particularly in medicine, pharmacy, and chemical engineering.”

A level Physics course requiring high GCSE grades and preparing students for STEM careers

“It is usually required or recommended for degrees in most engineering disciplines and as such you are strongly advised to take A level mathematics to facilitate access to these courses.”

Sixth form has a small core population of up to 100 students, with an emphasis on personalisation over a large college-style setting.

“Small but perfectly formed, Teesdale Sixth Form, focuses on a core population of up to 100 students. A sprawling college or sixth form centre we are not, but what we lack in size, we make up for in personalisation.”

Sixth form cohort capped at up to 100 students

“Teesdale Sixth Form, focuses on a core population of up to 100 students”

Broad range of extra-curricular opportunities including science trips, university mentoring, and leadership projects

“Recent extra-curricular opportunities have incuded: - Physics Olympiad - Climate change conference at the Life Centre in Newcastle Upon Tyne - Rotary North East debating competition - CERN Geneva science trip”

Careers programme includes 1:1 interviews, university visits, UCAS workshops, and Oxbridge admissions support

“1:1 careers interviews - Visits to universities - Visiting speakers from Universities, apprenticeships and employers - CV building workshops - UCAS workshops”

School describes itself as a close-knit community centred on kindness, respect and hard work

“imprinted with the historic values of the Dales and our close-knit community, Teesdale School is a place where traditional values of kindness, respect and hard work take precedence”

School describes itself as a close-knit community rooted in traditional values of kindness, respect and hard work

“imprinted with the historic values of the Dales and our close-knit community, Teesdale School is a place where traditional values of kindness, respect and hard work take precedence”

Applications open for Year 12 entry; Year 11 students from any school welcome to apply

“We are now accepting applications for Teesdale Sixth Form for Year 12 students in September.”

Sixth form positioned as bridge to higher education, training or work, offering a wide range of academic and vocational courses plus an internship programme for a personalised experience

“Teesdale Sixth Form is designed to be the perfect bridge between study and higher education, specialist training or work. Our wide range of academic and vocational courses, complemented by our internship programme, means each student is offered a personalised experience.”

Grade 6+ GCSE required to study a subject at A level; Grade 5/Merit for BTEC Level 3

“A GCSE Grade 6 or above if you wish to study that subject at A level. A GCSE Grade 5/Merit if you wish to study that subject as a BTEC Level 3 course.”

Entry requires five grades 9-5 including English and maths at grade 5 or better, plus subject-specific minimums

“Five Grade 9 to 5 grades or equivalent, including a 5 or better in both an English GCSE and maths.”

Over 40% of students progressing to higher education attended a Russell Group university

“In the past few years, over 40% of our students who went on to higher education attended a Russell Group university.”

Additional support layer for students applying to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities, including mock interviews from local Rotary Club

“For those applying to highly selective institutions including Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities, there is an additional layer of support and guidance which has proved immensely successful.”

In 2022, 50% of grades were B or above, 25% A or above, 11% A*, 82% C or above, and A level pass rate was 100%

“In 2022 an impressive 50% of all grades were awarded at B or above, with 25% of grades at A and above and 11% of all grades at A\*. 82% of all grades were at C or above and the A level pass rate was 100%.”

In 2022, 50% of grades were B or above, 25% A or above, 11% A*, 82% C or above, A level pass rate 100%, and 59% of BTEC grades were Distinction or Distinction*.

“In 2022, an impressive 50% of all grades were awarded at B or above, with 25% of grades at A and above and 11% of all grades at A\*. 82% of all grades were at C or above and the A level pass rate was 100%. 59% of all BTEC grades were awarded as Distinctions or Distinction\*, the top two grades possible.”