Farlingaye High School

I was an external student who joined Farlingaye
in year 12. Choosing to study at Farlingaye Sixth
Form was the best decision I ever made. When
I first started at Farlingaye, I was very interested
in later studying medicine; and with the help
of all staff, I was able to achieve that dream
following my A level results. In September, I will
be a 2nd year medical student at Queen Mary
University of London.
Applying to medical school is very
challenging due to both the huge amount of
work required within the application process,
but also the competitive nature of the
course. Yet the support I received from the
Farlingaye team made the entire process so
much easier. I was provided help applying for
care home volunteering at the start of year
12 and had countless meetings both during
and after school with teachers to help me
write my personal statement. Mrs Stuart even
arranged for me to have a practice interview
with a doctor once I had received my first
invitation to interview. My subject teachers
all offered either after school or lunch time
revision sessions during both year 12 and 13
enabling much needed support with the
difficulty of the subjects. We were even given
talks from ex-Farlingaye students who were
currently at medical school to provide an
insight into life as a medical student. One
of the ‘Sixth Sense’ links allowed me to sign
up to weekly medical lectures for 7 months
hosted by KCL, as well as termly meetings
at the University of Suffolk; further allowing
me to expand my personal statement. In
addition, the support I received during my
EPQ allowed me to really enjoy my research
into the future of lab-grown kidneys, which
was a big discussion topic within one of my
interviews. All of these opportunities had a
hugely positive impact on my medical school
application and I am confident that no other
sixth form would have provided me with such
support and guidance.
Since starting medical school, I have faced
many challenges surrounding the complexity
and vast amount of content within the
course. However, I was fortunate to have
received multiple revision technique lessons
during Additional Studies whilst at Farlingaye.
I have been able to implement these revision
techniques and note taking methods into my
everyday studies, as well as teaching some
of these to my fellow students, allowing us
to work through and retain the content most
efficiently. I consider myself extremely lucky
to have attended a sixth form that helps to
prepare their students for more advanced
studies in life after Farlingaye.
I really miss my time at Farlingaye and thank
all of the teachers for giving me the best 2
years which helped to shape my future into
the one I always wanted.

I’m a 4th year apprentice working in Research at BT Group’s
Adastral Park. Over the last three years I’ve had the chance
to work in a variety of teams, on projects involving 5G,
drones, non-terrestrial networks, and AI. Thanks to the
apprenticeship scheme, I’ve also been able to study for
my degree with the University of Exeter at the same time. I
completed my A-Levels with Farlingaye in Maths, Computer
Science, and Physics. During that time I learned key skills I
use every day during my work, both from my teachers in
class, and my peers in clubs and other extracurricular
activities that Farlingaye offered. The soft skills and
networking opportunities I gained from clubs and my work
experience placement were vital in both the interview for
my role, and for making the most of my ongoing education.
I was also supported by the sixth-form admin team in year
13, who helped me not only apply to university but gain
the confidence I needed to apply and interview for my
apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are an excellent option
for students to have access to, one that gives them the
opportunity to gain work experience and access further
education at the same time, and without the support of the
sixth-form staff I never would have been able to get mine.

I was a student at Farlingaye High School from Year 7 to Year 13
and studied Maths, Chemistry and Psychology A levels. I am now
studying Psychology at the University of York.
Farlingaye provided me with so many opportunities throughout
Sixth Form to prepare me for university and my future career: from
various chances to take part in work experience, opportunities to
take part in many online open days and taster lectures, and the
chance to do an Extended Project Qualification in Year 13, where I
chose to research ‘The Cognitive Effects of Bilingualism’. All of the
staff were so supportive and helpful throughout my university
applications and were always willing to listen to me when I was
panicking about what I was doing!
As well as numerous academic opportunities, Farlingaye
provides many extracurricular events and opportunities to take
part in. I was a part of the Music department, and in Year 13 I
was the pianist in the band for the upper school production of
Beauty and the Beast, as well as playing the violin in the school
orchestra. I also had the opportunity and privilege to mentor
younger students who needed additional pastoral support.
All the support and encouragement from the Sixth Form staff
helped give me a diverse and buildable CV which I am sure will
open many doors for me in the future, and a very good insight
into the working world and university experience.