Holyhead School

Around 90% of our students move on to degree courses at university - the remaining students either begin apprenticeships, enter employment or take a gap year. On average 30% of students attend Russell Group universities.

Smart/Business wear - to include smart trousers/skirt, shirt/blouse, jumper/blazer, tie and smart shoes.

Yes, students can apply for the Discretionary Bursary in September and applications will be considered for students on free school meals or on low income. Any students in care are entitled to a £1200 bursary.

25 in total including: A Level, L3 BTEC/Vocational, and GCSE Maths / English Language resit courses.

A Level results Aug 2025: A*-B–43%, A*-E–99%, BTEC– 70% Distinction*

University visits, mentoring, UCAS tutor sessions, preparation for student finance during the tutor programme, assemblies, Unifrog (online tool for students to choose the best Universities and Apprenticeships for them, and for teachers to track their progress).

Support clinics in subjects are available during lunch times and before and after school, whilst there is literacy support, workshops on study skills, revision techniques and additional mentoring for those students who wish for this. Our Sixth Form Achievement Assistant works 1:1 or in small groups to support students with mentoring. Any students with an EHCP are supported by the KS5 HLTA.

In the Autumn Term, students are required to attend school from 8.40am until 3.15pm. The Head of Year will then offer the opportunity of Home Study, if students have good attendance and punctuality and they are working at the expected level in lessons. Home Study applies to afternoon lessons, when students do not have a timetabled lesson. Parental consent is required first. Students are not allowed to leave the school site for lunch and return.

Depending on grades achieved at GCSE, students will either study 3 or 4 subjects in Sixth Form.

Yes, all students who want to study pharmacy, law, medicine or other professionally accredited courses are given information on competitive courses programmes and receive mentoring and specific university support.

All Year 12 students have a 1 week compulsory work experience to support future career ambitions, whilst other students are encouraged to complete additional placements outside of school hours.

Yes, same standard, just more coursework elements. New vocational qualifications contain external examined units, unlike 100% coursework previously. Universities agree they are a suitable equivalent.

At A Level most groups have between 15-20 students, whilst in BTEC/Vocational Level 3 qualifications groups tend to be between 15-25 students.

Students have 4 weeks at the start of Year 12 to change subjects due to the amount of work potentially needed to be caught up having changed subjects.

Sport, student mentoring, volunteering in school including lesson support, working with local charities, master classes at local universities, Sixth Form student council, Sixth Form Prefects, voluntary work at Hamilton School and social action campaigns amongst many other opportunities. Academic and wider enrichment is expected of all students.