Skip to content ↓

Our Wessex family of schools

Kindness

Aspiration

Perseverance

Kindness

Aspiration

Perseverance

Student Testimonials

Life at The Purbeck School Sixth Form: From the HORSES' students' mouths!

 

Sophie Meaker

After having already attended The Purbeck School for 5 years, moving up to the sixth form was an obvious choice for me. The sixth form offers many opportunities alongside A-Level studies. These include weekly enrichment activities, talks from outside companies and universities, and leadership roles. As Swift’s house captain, I’ve had the opportunity to have a say in both sixth form and lower-school matters and events. This role on the leadership team has allowed me to gain the skills I’ll need when I leave sixth form, going onto uni and later employment. The sixth form has developed my confidence, organisation and time-management skills, whilst encouraging initiative and hard work. My teachers are passionate about their subjects and very willing to help when needed. The sixth form staff, along with tutors, are there to support and guide us through these two important years.

Alice Craig

The Purbeck School Sixth Form is a great place to go to school; all my teachers are passionate about their subjects, and strive for our classes to do well. I love all my subjects, and feel that the content and lessons are always interesting. Additionally, at Purbeck, there is always someone available to talk to, whether that is about work or personal problems. As an external student, I was very anxious about starting a new school, but found it to be a very welcoming environment, and I settled in promptly. Significantly, the school is also abundantly helpful regarding next steps; they have given a variety of opportunities like Bournemouth UCAS fare, Realising Opportunities, and Exeter Scholars, which I have found beneficial in choosing which universities I am interested in. I would thoroughly recommend The Purbeck Sixth Form, as I have really enjoyed my time here.

Georgia Chambers Bellis

Since joining The Purbeck School Sixth Form I have been given so much more freedom and independence to prepare me for going off to university. This has helped me to improve my confidence and the sixth form has also given me opportunities for leadership roles to further this and boost my people and organisational skills. The school’s sixth form is brilliant, and I always feel as though there is someone I can go to if I am struggling or just need a chat

Rosie Godwin

Having joined The Purbeck School for sixth form as an external student, I was apprehensive and nervous, however it soon became apparent that my time here was instead going to be an exciting and fulfilling journey. It is without doubt that the sixth form here at Purbeck supports our personal needs and guides us through challenges, as staff members get to know us as individuals, ensuring we are on track and feel motivated. Teachers often have an open-door policy, meaning as sixth formers we are able to seek help with school work, and advice regarding further education at any time.

Sixth form is often described as the bridge in our education, and The Purbeck School Sixth Form enables us to grow as individuals, have high aspirations, and successfully cross this bridge

Anya Deakin

I am studying Chemistry, Photography and Sport at The Purbeck School Sixth Form. I chose to continue studying here because the teachers create a safe and calm environment to help support my learning and develop my understanding of the subjects, all of whom are specialists in their respective fields. I have been given so many opportunities to expand my learning and to develop myself personally, such as the opportunity to travel to Ghana to teach in, and rebuild, schools. The Purbeck School has been a big part of my life, supporting me through all the struggles I have faced since joining in Year 7 all the way into my last year here. The school has prepared me for life beyond these walls and I feel confident as I move on to the prospect of university

Mabel Whiting

The jump from GCSEs to A-Levels is significant but I felt supported and welcomed by the whole of the sixth form team. Every single one of the teachers is an expert in their subject and have an in-depth knowledge of both the content and the exams. The reduced class sizes mean you can build up a relationship with both your classmates and your teachers. They know you and therefore know your strengths and weaknesses so can personally tailor how they help and support you throughout your A-Levels. If you have any issues, they are all there for you because they care about your welfare and want you to achieve. During our time here at The Purbeck Sixth Form, we grow and become young adults who are ready to cross the bridge to further education and the world

Scarlett Coombes

I decided to continue my studies at The Purbeck Sixth Form after attending Purbeck since year 7, due to the familiarity of the school, the support from teachers and the curriculum which offers a good range of subjects to choose from. The amount of support you get from teachers during your two years at sixth form is phenomenal, whether that’s help with your subjects or post 18 options, and helping you in a way so you’re comfortable with leaving Purbeck with an idea of your future. Every teacher has an ‘open door’ policy so you are able to go into the classroom for help anytime or give them an email which they are more than happy to answer and help. Purbeck also allows you to gain great leadership skills: I have become a House Captain, allowing me to gain knowledge and skills as a leader and making great friends within the leadership group and within the sixth form

Jacob Snell

I chose to continue my studies at the Purbeck Sixth Form after attending The Purbeck School from Year 7. The teachers are brilliant and specialists in their subjects. This is really good as there is someone there who can help you delve deeper in to a specific subject that you might want to study beyond A-levels and help you get where you want to go in the future. I am currently studying Maths, Physics and Photography A-levels to hopefully go and study Film Production at university. The support of the sixth form staff and teachers have helped me through the UCAS application process. As well as this, The Purbeck Sixth Form has provided me with amazing extra-curricular and super curricular activities such as work experience and other opportunities to develop my knowledge and passion for my studies. I have also enjoyed the social side to sixth form through getting to meet new friends and partaking in fun events such as charity dress up days and sports day

 

What the students say: The Purbeck School Sixth Form

 

Lessons

"The Chemistry lessons are very high quality - they are enjoyable and in a great environment."

"I love the Biology lessons, they are interesting and engaging and there is lots of support available."

"The business teacher is extremely supportive - good marking and helpful feedback."

 

"The English Language lessons are always planned and structured well – they are fun and easy to learn from."

"There is lots of enthusiasm and support offered and available from the English Literature teachers."

 

 

"The Geography lessons are very enjoyable - fun, easy to understand and interactive. There are really nice teachers and I feel comfortable speaking to them."

"Health & Social is fun, interactive and easy to understand."

"History is always fun. Despite there being lots of information, it’s broken down well into easily digestible chunks."

 

"Very high level of support from many Maths teachers - Maths lunchtimes are good too. I always get feedback on whatever I did wrong."

"In Media, the marking is quick with good advice."

"There is a good ratio of theory to practical in physics and I always get help if I don’t understand a question."

"Product Design is very good and the after-school sessions are helpful."

 

"The handouts in Psychology really help me to add to the notes in my book after the class. Feedback gives detail about what exactly you need to do better."

"The Sociology teacher is supportive and caring about us and our learning."

"Brilliant sports lessons and good teachers who make everything fun, engaging and interesting."

"There’s lots of support offered in tourism and I feel really comfortable talking to the teachers."

Enrichment

"I have been given so many opportunities to expand my learning and to develop myself personally, such as the opportunity to travel to Africa to teach in, and rebuild, schools."

"I love enrichment and it’s great to have an hour that’s not academic and I like the wide variety of options on offer."

Pastoral care

"In tutor time, I like the diversity of topics like life lessons and goals; the news activity is good to know about what’s happening too."

"Assemblies and university tasters are varied and useful."

"I like the set-up of the sixth form – there’s a good community feeling. There are lots of places to get work done and I am very productive in quiet studies. The Sixth Form Centre is a very good place to study – it’s clean, very quiet and easy to use. Great support from the Sixth Form staff who help you with whatever you need as much as they can 😊."

"There are friendly and helpful careers advisors; I’m thankful for the regular careers emails that are sent out as we are kept right up to date with information and opportunities."

"There is a really good [Unifrog] platform which gives us exposure to related topics, ideas, courses and jobs. Plenty of careers advice - the talk about barristers got me inspired to be one myself."

"All in all, it is a really good, well maintained sixth form. Lovely teachers. Lovely atmosphere. It’s been great - thanks everyone!"