‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.’ Aristotle
We’re proud of our school and our students!
“Pupils receive an exceptional quality of education and benefit from a rich offer to develop their talents and interests. They consistently live up to the school’s high expectations for their academic achievement and broader development. The school’s motto is Flourish Cryptians, and pupils do.”
Ofsted, 2024
How many students / places are available in Year 12?
175 students in each year group in sixth form
What is the breakdown between Crypt students
and
those new to the school?
Typically ~100-110 Crypt students and ~70 new students
How are new students made to feel welcome?
1 day summer school in June - visit lessons, team building and speaking to existing students.
Induction day in September - also includes team building activities
Regularly checking in with students
FAQs
Who is in the sixth form team?
Director of Post-16 Education - Ms Susan Glock (me!)
Head of year 12 - Miss Sarah Parkin
Head of year 13 - Mr Matthew Bevan
Form tutors - 8 in each year group
Sixth form pastoral & admin workers: Mrs Eileen Price and Mrs Hannah Attwood.
School Nurse
School Counsellor
Oxbridge Coordinator: Miss Sarah Parkin
Careers Team: Mr Chris Germaine and Mrs Helen Michaluk
Miss Parkin (Head of Year 12)
Academic Support
FAQs
What is the structure of a typical week at school?
We run a two-week timetable (25 hours per week, so 50 in total)
● Each A-level takes 10 hours per fortnight (so 30 hours for 3 A-levels)
● 4 hours of enrichment
● 8 hours of supervised study
● 1 hour of Personal Education Development (PSHE)
● Any remaining time is independent study
School day is 8:35am - 3.15pm
Students can leave over lunch (13:15-14:15) if they fob in/out
Year 12s are in full time for Term 1 & 2
We offer home study to students who are working well - they can leave at lunch time on Monday, Tuesday and Friday
Can I study 4 A-levels?
Yes if you have the entry requirements (58 points) and the individual subject requirements
You have to opt to do it for 2 years.
Are there other entry requirements?
You need a grade 5 or higher in English and Maths
Each subject has its own entry requirement that you will need to meet (please see the Sixth Form Information Booklet for specific details).
We do not accept anyone below subject entry requirements.
FAQs
Can I change a subject I have selected on my application form?
Yes. Please notify Mrs Wasley
Can I change a subject once term has started?
We expect all students to complete a full cycle (2 weeks) Then you might be able to change - if you have then entry requirements and there is space in the subject.
How can I find out more about each subject?
Please look at the Sixth Form Information Booklet on our website.
FAQs
Do I have to wear a school uniform?
Yes, Year 12 and 13 students' dress should be smart, business-like and appropriate to their position as role models for those in lower years.
Staff do not want to be involved in arguments about what is or is not acceptable, although they will be happy to advise if a student is unsure whether any aspect of their dress is within the guidelines set out below. If the Headmaster deems an item of clothing unsuitable or inappropriate, their decision is final.
·Black suit* or Black trouser/skirt suit*(knee length skirt) - both options must include a black blazer
·White shirt* or White opaque blouse*
·Sixth Form* or prefect/ club/ honours tie
·Black/ grey or maroon V-neck jumper or cardigan
·Black or brown smart flat shoes*
·Grey or black socks
Change in business specification
We have moved our Business specification from AQA to Edexcel.
The AQA specification is changing, so this is a good time for us to swap and align it to our GCSE specification. It offers more clarity on exam question structure. There is no action required from you, unless you have a concern about the change. If so, please get in touch.
Mr Bevan (Head of Year 13) Academic
Support
What do we want you to do?
YEAR 8 – ENGAGE- we want you to participate and engage in as many activities as you can, including activities you already enjoy as well as ones you have never tried before.
YEAR 10- DEVELOPwe want you to continue enjoying both new and existing activities inside and outside of school and really begin to develop your talents and begin to map out your aspirations for the future.
YEAR 12- EDGE+ - GROW and EXCELwe want you to grow and excel as a rounded young person, grow and excel in a range of activities to facilitate your future employability and enhance your quality of life.
The EDGE will help you ‘Flourish’ both now and in the future!
Wellbeing
Scholarship
YOU
Community
Employability
Scholarship is the intellectual pursuit of knowledge and learning
SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship Challenge1: Extendyour studiesby going beyond the study of 3 Alevels
Academic Enrichment
● EPQ (Extended Project Qualification)
● Core Maths (equivalent to an ASlevel)
Scholarship Challenge2: Extendyour studiesby reading more broadly around one or all your academicsubjects.
● AS-level languages (German and French)
● Research group
● Primary School Mentoring
● Mentoring in Crypt
Scholarship is to be created not by compulsion, but by awakening a pure interest in knowledge.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Community is a group of people who share common characteristics,interests, location and a sense of belonging
Students can choose from a huge range of societies or they can set up their own.
"Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much" by Helen Keller
Examples: MedSoc, STEM Society, Model UN, Debating society, Choral society, Raspberry Pi Society
George Bernard Shaw: "I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can"
Employability is ensuring you have the skills, knowledge and experience that future employers value
EMPLOYABILITY
Employability Challenge1: Explore the full rangeof possibilities open to you and learn about recruitment processesand the culture of differentworkplaces
Employability Challenge2: Manageyour careeractively, make the most of opportunities and learn from setbacks
Employability Challenge3: See the big picture by paying attentionto how the economy, politics and society connect with your own life and career
These challenges link to the Careers Development Institute Framework. This is what young people need in order to be successful with future employment.
Wellbeingis the overallstate of a person's physical, mental,and emotionalhealth, encompassingtheir sense of happiness, contentment, and satisfaction with life, as well as their abilityto function positivelyin their social, environmental,and professionalcontexts.
WELLBEING
Wellbeing Challenge 1: Do something you enjoy regularly that helps either your physical or mental health
Wellbeing Challenge 2: Do 3 smaller things to help improve either your own or someone else’s wellbeing. At least 2 of these need to help others - either in school, at home or in your community.
This is about recognising that out students are much more than their results. We want them to be happy and healthy.
Floreat Schola Cryptiensis “To flourish”
You
FlourishChallenge1: Grow throughoutlife- by learningand reflectingon yourself,your background and your strengths
FlourishChallenge2: Developthe skillsneeded to be a successful learner at the Crypt School. If you can demonstrate these skills then your academic success is ensured.
Careers
"This is an excellent achievement and recognises the quality and breadth of your careers provision." - Careers Mark Assessor
• Achieved careers mark in 2024 (currently in process of reaccreditation)
• Use of Unifrog - student research and log important skills to help students write personal statements
• Work experience week in year 12
• UCAS application support
• Apprenticeship programme
• Personalised careers support (with an independent careers advisor
• Interview support
• Insight Talks in year 12 - to help support career choices
• Competitive courses programme
If you would like to find out more about our extra-curricular activities then please view the recordings:
Enrichment
- Mr Hart
Sport at Crypt - Miss Leask
Tianna Head Girl
FAQs What else does Crypt offer?
Wednesday period 5 we offer a range of non-academic enrichment activities.
Liam Head Boy
FAQs - The enrolment process
When do I enrol?
On Exam results day. Most students come to the school to enrol. We like to meet you so we can answer any questions.
I’m on holiday…how can I enrol?
You will be able to enrol online (via Applicaa). We will send you specific instructions for how to do this nearer the time.
When do I know if I have a place?
All places are provisional until you receive email confirming your place. We will aim to do as quickly as we are able (the same day or following day).
FAQs - The enrolment process
What happens if the sixth form is full?
Our Admissions Policy is very clear about how places are allocated and we will follow this.
Essentially students are ranked by points of their best 8 GCSEs (or equivalents)
We keep a waiting list.
When do I know if I have a place?
All places are provisional until you receive email confirming your place.
FAQs - The enrolment process
What happens if a subject is full?
Places are allocated on best performance in relevant GCSEs. We will offer you another subject if there is space available and you have met the entry requirements for that subject.
What if I don’t get in?
With students who have met the entry requirements but we have been unable to offer a place, we operate a waiting list system (see admissions policy for details)
FAQs - Preparation
How can I find out if Crypt is definitely the right place for me?
We have a summer school every year. This is essentially a taster day.
This is held on 22nd and 23rd June. After Easter students will be invited to sign up to a day.
Students will have a lesson for each subject they have chosen. This helps them confirm their choices are definitely correct.
There will also be various talks, tours and games over the day. We also run a talk on early entry courses (dentistry/medicine/veterinary and Oxbridge) - so you know what support we can provide.
FAQs - Preparation
Do I need to do any preparation between now and September?
Following Summer School each subject will set some important preparation work for September.
This will get released on our website.
We’ll let you know when it’s been published.
Do you want more information?
Please visit our website for lots of information!
● Information about destinations - so where our students have gone Post 18.
● Careers
● Our T&L ethos
● Information booklets about subjects
● Summer work
And a lot more!
If you have any further questions - please email Mrs Wasley hwasley@crypt.gloucs.sch.uk
“THE CAPACITYTO LEARN IS A THE ABILITYTO LEARN IS A SKILL; THE WILLINGNESSTO LEARN IS A
“The
capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.”
