Welcome to
Rugby School
Sixth Form
The future is challenging; it always has been. It is in the challenge that you find the fun.
Those who choose us for their Sixth Form experience recognise successful results at school are just the beginning of a lifetime of learning, service, leadership and fulfilment. An education here is about the balance between skills and knowledge. It is about learning to forge your own path, to become an authentic individual, to add to and benefit from community life, and to discover the creative artistry within all of us which encourages you to flourish in times of change. We welcome students from a wide variety of backgrounds and who see the world from a diverse range of perspectives. Those who join us from other schools bring energy, new ideas and an excitement that enable us to be a more curious, open-minded and reflective community.
"Choice empowers you to take control of your learning"
Everyone within this society is confident in the support of those around them; where effort, creativity and a spirit of adventure flourish.
True to our ethos of Whole Person Whole Point, here at Rugby we invest in the person, and we believe coaching is integral to that. Coaching means we believe in your power to shape your own decisions and choices. To find your own motivation and to determine what you value. To overcome your own challenges. We know that for you, ‘being’ underpins ‘doing’, that happiness delivers success, not the other way round. This wider purpose facilitates the development of leaders at all levels within our community. Our Sixth Form is central to this vision and from your first day you will begin to develop as a leader.
Everyone within this society is confident in the support of those around them; where effort, creativity and a spirit of adventure flourish.
ood leaders learn faster and better, competing and collaborating with those around them in order to serve the dynamism of their community and combine skills to build a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Everyone within this society is confident in the support of those around them; where effort, creativity and a spirit of adventure flourish. And this society knows a fulfilled life is more likely to be achieved by asking one simple question: ‘What else?’ and searching for the answer.
IB or A Level
your route,
your choice.
Academic success is important –
it will no doubt be one of the top reasons you are considering Rugby for Sixth Form.
You will already know our students achieve excellent results at A Level, consistently above 60 per cent A*–A, and well over 80 per cent A*–B. Our results are the best among both the major co-ed boarding schools in the country and all the Warwickshire schools.
And now we can offer you the two highly respected academic routes of the International Baccalaureate (IB) or A Levels. The IB, with its world-class pedigree, international outlook, broad and deep learning and attention to the dispositions that empower a life, will provide the best route for some. Others will prefer the specialisation and focus offered by A Levels which provoke the curiosity and drive needed for those highly demanding qualifications. This choice empowers you to take control of your learning and pick the route which fits best with your academic interests and aspirations. Whichever route you take, our Sixth Form courses are academically demanding. Success requires a willingness to be scholarly and creative, curious and critical, determined and ambitious, to develop ideas independently and collaboratively. Join Rugby and you are committing to a community that demands excellence in learning.
The IB is a curriculum that drawson values first and foremost. It ‘aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect’. For this reason, it is highly innovative and therefore closely aligned to the Rugby School ethos.
IB trains students to
think for themselves
Choose the IB route and you will benefit not only from engaging with a challenging foundation of knowledge, concepts and skills across three higher level and three standard level subjects, but also from cross-disciplinary connections built into the courses. IB specifications deliberately focus students on international, national and local concepts relevant to their subject of study, to encourage thinking from different perspectives. Selection must include at least one mathematical, scientific, linguistic, literary and human subject, alongside the ‘core’. The core encompasses the three elements of Theory of Knowledge: an epistemology course which questions the basis of knowledge; a research Extended Essay; and participation in non-academic activity which combines creativity, action and service.
This holistic approach makes the IB ideal preparation for life at university and the world of work, where wide-ranging skills, flexibility and adaptability, knowledge of logical, critical, literary and creative thinking are in high demand. Is it hard? Yes, it is! No world-class sixth form qualification should be anything but. We hope you are excited by the prospect of developing into a future leader. The IB will allow you to flourish. If you are organised, then you will do well; if you are not yet organised, you will become so. This is a qualification that sets students apart from the crowd and is highly valued by universities across the world.
A Levels promote a high level of knowledge and intellectual competence
Why choose A Levels? The strength of A Levels is they allow early academic specialisation with a focus on in-depth subject knowledge, subject specific skills and intellectual agility. Whilst A Levels may be more familiar, they are likely to suit a narrower range of students compared to IB as they are a more specialist sixth form option. A levels may be a better preparation for some university courses and careers. For example, students taking pure maths at university will benefit from the combination of Mathematics and Further Mathematics A Level. Alternatively, those interested in a creative industries future will find real advantages in choosing two A mLevels from our dedicated Design Centre which offers Fine Art, Design and Technology, Textiles, Photography and Graphic Design
A Levels are hard as you would expect from any world-class sixth form qualification. For success they require intrinsic motivation; a commitment to independent study, perseverance, resilience and a considerable aptitude for the subjects chosen. We provide the environment to help you fulfil these criteria through a careful balance of space and support, along with, extensive resources. Acknowledging their rigour, we limit our A Level students to three subjects (although Further Maths is taught as a fourth). This allows us to allocate more lesson time to each subject. Contact time with your teacher is vital and unusually, at Rugby, our A Level students will have the same number of taught lessons for their academic subjects as our IB cohort. A Levels are respected internationally and offer an excellent pathway into Higher Education.
“Choice empowers you to take control of your learning”
Guaranteed results
“Whatever your starting point
students perform better at
Rugby than anywhere else”
Ed Davies, Head of Academic
The Collingwood Centre, our dedicated Sixth Form facility is based in an impressive three-storey, Pugin-style building. Only Sixth Form subjects are taught here including Economics, Business Studies, Politics, Physical Education and Philosophy. A scaled-down House of Commons, complete with green leather seats, brings politics to life, while the modern, comfortable common room is a privilege for upper school only, creating more of a university atmosphere. The Sixth Form curriculum encourages students to immerse themselves in advanced study. They enjoy the satisfaction of taking responsibility for their chosen subjects and, in the process, begin to mould their medium and long term futures. Departments will push students beyond their perceived limits, while those with the capability to apply to the world’s top universities will be swiftly identified and encouraged. A wealth of societies, journals and enrichment supplements the syllabus in all subjects, enhancing the opportunities for independent development. Study at Rugby always happens firmly within the context of the wider fulfilment of busy lives and the belief that the world is our classroom.
A level and Pre-U results 2019
Better than our major competitors for the third year running.
Others say ‘why’
~ we say why not?
Anything is
possible…
The energy is inspiring, the
approach inclusive and the
emphasis is on enjoying life.
Few other schools can match Rugby’s co-curricular programme. Its breadth and depth span the realms of academic, athletic, artistic, dramatic, musical and service education. Ever changing to mirror modern life and expectations, this complementary package is what makes Old Rugbeians capable of leaving school with an enormous breadth of confidence and experience tucked firmly under their belts. It provides countless opportunities to develop excellence, to try something new and really challenge yourself by attempting the very thing that scares you. It’s exciting, it’s fun and it will test your mettle.
And if it’s not on the list, feel
free to make it happen.
Our academic enrichment (societies) programme, has three fundamental principles:
Expertise
Hear from people who embody the concept of ‘the best that has been thought and said’.
Test yourself
Think, write, present and debate above and beyond the limitations of public exam specifications. Develop the curiosity, expression, knowledge, understanding and confidence in order to grow.
Take another look
Experience new ways of seeing the same thing. Consider alternative perspectives, move beyond the confines of the subject, time and location, provoke imagination and empathy.
A good dose of courage is the key to getting the best from our co-curricular opportunities. For example, recent Sixth Formers have captained for England U19 Boys’ Rugby, represented England in U18 Girls’ Hockey and Girls’ Cricket and been invited to join the National Youth Theatre and the Royal College of Music.
And courage comes in at all levels, from House singing in front of the whole School and performing music in the local gastro-café, to stepping out for the first time in the 4th XI hockey side on a cold Saturday afternoon. Sign up for the infamous ‘Crick’ cross country run, speak at the Debating Society, or volunteer at Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre. More than 200 co-curricular opportunities abound from the more formalised CCF and Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, to the longboard building club, snake keeping club and polo.
Widening horizons ~ out of
School experiences.
Depending on your subject choice or co-curricular preference, Rugby offers some truly out of this world opportunities for discovery and development.
Take Politics or Art and you’ll be off to the USA; choose modern languages and there are exchanges with Spain and Germany. The major sports tours happen every two years to the likes of Singapore, Australia, India and Dubai, while recent World Challenge destinations have included Bolivia and Honduras. Closer to home, Drama students perform at the Edinburgh Fringe, while there are many more trips organised across the rest of the UK from Rugby’s ideally placed Midlands location.
Become a leader.
The Levée reflects the School’s dynamic spirit and has a significant impact on our community.
Rugby’s student leaders are part of a prefect system called the Levée. These final-year students reflect the School’s dynamic spirit and have a significant impact on our community. Students apply to join the Levée in a specific area of School life – academic, co-curricular, community action, pastoral, social, IT or sustainability.
On appointment, they are answerable to the head boy and girl and their deputies, and to members of our senior management team. Levée members receive formal training in coaching and use those methods throughout the year to develop their agenda and be accountable for its achievement. The School Council, which involves other students from across the School, is also managed by the Levée, adding further responsibilities. Many new students joining Rugby’s Sixth Form have become notable Levée members.
Support
Rugby’s pastoral approach is to emphasise and support the stronger and more lasting impact of wellbeing. Every student joins one of our 16 Houses which becomes their family, and as the saying here goes ‘you play for your School, but die for your House’. At Rugby, Housemasters and mistresses, their deputies and matrons, provide 24-7 care; they live in the House too. Even the Day Houses have matron support, the only difference being that day students return home to sleep.
We believe that community creates a vibrant and positive society and our strong House dynamic, including in-House dining, is the core of that support.
Joining a new school at any age can be a daunting prospect, but be assured, we’ve got you. Our comprehensive network of support is available at all levels in your House and beyond. Students are assigned personal tutors who take the time to really get to know you, with regular one-to-one meetings to check on your progress and wellbeing, and offer help and advice when needed.
Joining a new school at any age can be a daunting prospect, but be assured, we’ve got you…
Our pupils may leave Rugby
but Rugby never leaves them.
Preparing to leave ~
university and careers.
As a Rugby Sixth Former, you can expect expert support and guidance on the wide range of options open to you on leaving school. Weekly lessons will help you to consider your path alongside the practicalities of university applications with dedicated input for those looking at Oxford or Cambridge, or the US. One-to-one support is provided for internship and job applications, alongside several opportunities to connect with professionals relevant to career interests. Our alumni organisation, the Rugbeian Society, and our parent body are generous with their time and advice, sharing their experience and offering students placements wherever they can. Our large-scale biennial Careers Convention will enable you to engage with a large number of professionals who provide an honest insight into their own careers, giving a real feel of what their work entails. There are also regular visits from employers, and School-run societies across medicine, law, the military, engineering and more – host guest speakers who challenge and inspire. In addition, the annual GAP and Higher Education Fair provides the chance to chat with university representatives and find out more about volunteering projects and the bursaries available to help fund these projects.
Whole Person
Whole Point
in action.
You will by now have gathered from this brochure that at Rugby we live our lives by the motto The Whole Person is the Whole Point. But, you may ask, what difference does this actually make to you and all the other future ‘Old Rugbeians’ as you step out, for real, into the world.
Well, we have tested the thesis on those who have gone before and this is what some of them said:
Trainee surgeon,Michael says a Rugby education does not simply help you to progress faster along a linear track, but is one that removes the blinkers rather than imposing them.
Theatre director Tris says Rugby provided him with the framework where his fear of failure could be defined, addressed and conquered.
Paralympian Sam says Rugby showed him he could achieve and master his own circumstances, something he now shares with the children he coaches and mentors in sport and fitness. Soldier doctor Nics, who organised and led the first all-female team to cross Antartica, said her experience at Rugby helped her impose order on chaos.
“A Rugby education removes the blinkers rather than imposing them”
Testimonials
Here are some heartfelt and honest quotes from our day and boarding students who joined us in the Sixth Form. This is what they would say to anyone considering Rugby for their final two years:
Although it may seem difficult to leave your current school, the opportunities and experiences that can be gained at Rugby certainly outweigh the challenge of joining a new Sixth Form. There is a real sense of community here unlike many other schools. Brodie
–
There’s a lot of pressure, but it is worth it. You will get so many opportunities for your UCAS form and experience situations where you will develop different qualities, such as public speaking. Susan
–
Firstly, if you are fortunate enough to have the chance to attend Rugby definitely take it! Moving to a new school and the prospect of leaving friends can be daunting, but having made the transition I can confidently say students at Rugby are really kind and making friends is easy. Susan
Don’t just take our word for it…
Message from the Head of Sixth Form
‘I can’t wait to see what you might do…’
Your two Sixth Form years are golden, a time of freedom and adventure! Freedom to choose your intellectual path, to experiment, take risks and to develop your core values. I hope you will discover the joy of challenge, of service and of leadership, but how you explore these is up to you. Here at Rugby you will find an inclusive community that celebrates achievement, no matter your endeavour. The community also provides a strong supportive foundation for the inevitable challenges you’ll face along the way, challenges to be embraced and learned from. We care deeply about you as an individual and will provide you with the space, opportunities and guidance for the ‘whole you’ to flourish. You will leave the Sixth Form looking back on a wonderful journey, fully equipped to take the next step with confidence. I can’t wait to see what you might do!
Is Rugby right for you?
Come and see us!
Is Rugby the right fit for you? Come and see us to really get a feel for life here in our Sixth Form. Chat to our students and teachers, see our facilities first hand and experience the energy of our vibrant community yourself. Visit our website for more detailed information where you will find curriculum guides alongside email contacts for our Heads of Department who will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you.