Welcome

We recognise that all pupils begin their Sixth Form journey from a variety of different starting points academically. Our focus is therefore on ensuring all pupils reach the best destination they are capable of.

Good mental health is the bedrock of successful Sixth Form life. Studying in Years 12 and 13 is a challenging time for any pupil and we take care to scaffold support around our pupils.

This is a period where we nurture independence whilst also having a safety net in place.

In addition to Life & Wellbeing Education (LWE) lessons, students have access to our school counsellor, our pastoral team including our school chaplain Father Simon, House staff and their tutors.

This is why we are in the top 5% for Value Added nationally when it comes to the progress pupils make academically.

Whether you want to study A Levels, BTEC Nationals or EPQ qualifications, you are more likely to leave school with higher grades at Durham School than you would at 95% of other schools in England.

At the core of it all, is our dedicated team of staff.

Mr Hope,
^{Head of Sixth Form, Head of Classics and Coordinator of Elite Applications (Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine + Dentistry)}

Mr Hope has a 1st class Honours degree from Leeds University, a MPhil in Greek and Latin Literature and Language from Oxford University, and a Master’s Degree from Toronto University, Canada. He teaches Latin, Greek, Classical Civilisation and Ancient History.

Mr Hope writes the A level examinations for the exam board OCR – two Classical Greek papers and one Classical Civilisation paper. He is also the Assistant Examiner for GCSE Greek Prose Literature papers and for the Literature and Culture paper.

Mr Hope worked for Bloomsbury authoring textbooks for new GCSE and A-Level Specifications (2016-2017) for GCSE Classical Civilisation and Ancient History, and for A level Ancient History and Classical Greek.

Support at Durham School Sixth Form

All our Sixth Form staff are available for the pupils, whether that be in person, virtually, or via email. Durham School is committed to the development of our pupils; here are some examples of the extra support provided:

• Fortnightly careers lectures and workshops are given by school staff and visiting speakers from a wide range of local, national, and international universities and other relevant organisations
• An experienced team of Sixth Form tutors who have detailed knowledge of the challenges faced by pupils at each stage of their Sixth Form career
• The Head of Careers is available for one-to-one interviews with pupils
• Support is provided for applying to overseas universities, with a track record of pupils having made successful applications to US, European and Asian universities
• The UCAS week towards the end of Year 12 offers pupils an in-depth guide to the university application process, and the opportunity to visit both local (Newcastle, Northumbria, Durham) universities and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge
• Sixth Form pupils have the ability to use Durham University’s libraries for their own research, and are encouraged to attend relevant public lectures and other events organised by the university
• Opportunities to participate in a wide range of academic competitions, such as national Maths Challenges, science Olympiads, and Oxbridge essay competitions. Support is provided to help students to prepare for these

Support for pupils applying to Oxford or Cambridge, or to read Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine

• Mr Hope invites pupils regularly for one-to-one and small group meetings to advise on preparation, course requirements, and course, university, and college choice
• Help with finding work experience for those courses which require it.
• Detailed support is given with completing all aspects of the application process, including application forms, preparing for pre-interview tests, and mock interviews.
• Mock interviews are arranged with teachers and recent Oxbridge graduates for all Oxbridge applicants, and both panel and MMI mock interview events are arranged for MDV applicants, with the involvement of practising healthcare workers.
• Advice on softer interview skills, such as dealing with nerves, body language, etc.

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