“At RTS I studied Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A-Level with the intention of applying for either maths or physics at university. I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in multiple summer school programs including at Durham and Cambridge for physics and at Oxford for engineering. Additionally, I took part in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge and Kangaroo as well as the British Physics Olympiad, the Isaac Physics Mentoring Scheme, work experience at an optometry department and multiple events at the University of Leeds such as taster days and weekly maths problem solving sessions. Notably, almost all of these opportunities were revealed to me by the sixth form and I did not have to seek them out myself. Ultimately, Ralph Thoresby was a no-brainer: I already knew how great the teachers and other students were and I knew how the sixth form had supported previous students with programs like ‘Realising Opportunities’ and offering the EPQ. As for me, I am currently in my 3rd year as a Natural Scientist at Cambridge and it’s going pretty well so far, or at least as well as an entirely online course can go, and last year I even got the highest score in my college in Maths. After this year, I will probably end up staying an extra year and doing the MSci but after that I am still undecided. I do have a lot to choose from though, STEM graduates often end up in lucrative fields such as banking or software engineering as well as more specialised scientific fields like engineering, radiology or even academia so my options are very open.”

“Ralph Thoresby Sixth Form helped me in so many ways possible, from interacting socially to being able to fully focus on my studies and meeting all sorts of amaing people. It’s an amazing amotsphere allowing all students to stive to their maximum potential whilst having focused and relaxed mindsets. All the staff are absolutley brilliant giving their absolute most for you so you can achieve the next step to your chosen detination with whatever you want to do. I’m currently a physiotherapy student and Northumbria University and I would not of been able to make it without Ralph Thoresby Sixth Form!”

I am Luka Matijevic and I left Sixth Form in the summer of 2022. At Sixth Form I studied Level 3 BTEC Sport whilst also playing for UFCA football scholarship programme. The most enjoyable thing about sixth form was the togetherness of the whole sixth form and the endless help from the teachers and motivation to achieve bigger and better. I am currently studying Sport Management at Northumbria University. Throughout sixth form, I had constant support to make sure I finished my work and was ahead of deadlines to ensure I got to go where I wanted to. Some advice for upcoming sixth formers, would be getting involved with the student union as either an ambassador, vice president or president as it really gave me extra skills to go above and beyond.

I studied health and social care, sociology and psychology at both Ralph Thoresby Sixth Form and Lawnswood Sixth Form. I loved the freedom of sixth form. Being able to direct my own study during study periods and free periods allowed me to feel much more independent, and I also loved the social side of sixth form such as attending the bake off and pumpkin carving. I am currently studying Midwifery at Liverpool John Moore’s University, which would not have been possible without my time at sixth form. While in Ralph Thoresby Sixth Form, I felt supported by my head of year and the teachers of my subjects. They are more than willing to give you extra time and attention to help your studies and even address any worries or concerns. I knew there was always someone I could go to. If I could give some advice to future sixth form students I would say pick subjects you enjoy as it makes the two years much more enjoyable.

I chose to stay on for Sixth Form because I’d heard how good the A-level teaching was and wanted to stay with the same teachers. I studied Psychology, English Literature, Geography and EPQ which I had found interest in through GCSEs and the sixth form open evening. At sixth form I most enjoyed the opportunities for people of all academic ranges. In my first year I visited Oxford, debated ethics at a National level, and did a course on dentistry, all incredibly valuable experiences for my CV and personal statement. I also really enjoyed the partnership with Lawnswood; I made new friends and experienced what it would be like at college, alongside the comfort of a familiar building and dedicated teachers. It also helped me study psychology which I wouldn’t have been able to without this partnership. I’m currently studying Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Nottingham, which has foundations in all of the subjects I took for A-level. My advice to Y11 students would be to firstly not stress about this year, but instead think about what you want from it. Pick the sixth form or college which will best help you get to where you want to be, which I can thoroughly recommend to be Ralph Thoresby and Lawnswood Sixth Form.

I came to Ralph Thoresby Sixth Form to be part of the UFCA Football Scholarship Programme, and I am so glad I did. The teaching I received was fantastic and the support along the way was amazing. I achieved great results that I am very proud of and I got to play football alongside my studies. The partnership with UFCA is excellent and the skills I developed have allowed me to become more confident and feel ready for my next destination. I really liked how Ralph Thoresby made me feel, it was a fun, but caring environment and I am so glad I decided to move from my school to this Sixth Form. I am currently coaching for UFCA and I am looking to go to University in America September 2025 all of which would not be possible without Ralph Thoresby Sixth Form.