Samuel Whitbread Academy

The EPQ is available to students with an APS of 6.7 or above. It allows students to investigate one area of their own interest in much further depth and involves choosing a topic and carrying out research into a defined area of study, supported in small groups by a supervisor.This is then backed up with a programme of taught skills sessions to enable successful completion of the project.There is no exam but students produce either a dissertation-type essay or physical product together with a shorter report and is handed in at the end of Year 12

Over recent years, Samuel Whitbread has enjoyed considerable success with applications to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group Universities with students consistently being offered interviews. This year we had successful students taking places at Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group Universities. For some of our most academically able students, an application to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group Universities is the right choice to help them deepen and enrich their intellectual study.We take our responsibility to help prepare all our students for entry to University seriously and this includes our specific provision for those who wish to make an application to Oxbridge. It is worth emphasising that our provision is inclusive, and those even remotely considering application should take advantage of what is on offer since it will help strengthen their application to other, highly competitive institutions. The outline below gives a flavour of the extent of our provision.

MOOC’s are delivered by many universities from the UK and abroad. Students can study a MOOC in any subject area where they have an interest. Samuel Whitbread’s Sixth Form prides itself on offering our students opportunities to study and enrich their academic portfolio by taking part in these initiatives. A MOOC is a fantastic opportunity to enhance current A level studies and also to provide students with the opportunity of being taught by leading university lecturers and research professors from the UK and around the world who can provide them with the most up to date knowledge.

In the Teachers for Tomorrow programme (T4T) you will be working alongside a teacher to specifically help individuals with their learning. You would have to work with them to see where you have free lessons available so that you can get some regular time in with a particular class.This is a great opportunity for anyone thinking of entering the world of teaching, to see both the joys and the trials of getting ideas across to younger minds!

You can carry out the Gold D of E at SWA even if you have not carried out the previous levels, it may just take you a little longer.The expeditions take place in June/ July in Year 12. If you enrol during Year 11 and you do NCS you can use this as the residential section of the award. For the past seven decades, the Charity has inspired and transformed the lives of millions of young people from all walks of life. From volunteering to physical activities, life skills to expeditions, achieving a DofE Award is a passport to a brighter future, valued by employers and universities.